Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II : 1972 to date (all marks)

1972 to date (all marks), Dubbed 'Warthog' – or just 'Hog' – the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is the world's undisputed close air-support attack jet.

As tough as it is ugly, it has built a fearsome reputation as a tank buster and infantry killer in conflicts around the globe, and its GAU-8 Avenger 30mm cannon strikes fear into the hearts of all unlucky enough to be on the wrong side.

Steve Davies gets up close and personal to look at the Hog's anatomy, engines and firepower, as well as presenting compelling first-person insights into what it takes to fly and maintain., Author: Steve Davies is a freelance aviation journalist and photographer.

He is an authority on the USAF and the author of Haynes Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Manual (with Paul F.

Crickmore), Boeing B-52, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Falcon Manuals.

Steve lives in Cambridge.