Thanks for the link ... very cool aircraft.
Turboprops have always had their place ... most short hop commuter type airliners are such ... speed and power combined with fuel efficiency being the drivers.
I had a blast researching that aircraft a few years back. It actually became an inside joke with a co worker. Which, boiled down us just screeching at each other across the floor.
That's very true, in commercial airlines they are here to stay for the reasons you listed. In the military "Slow and Low" is often overlooked until it's needed. When I first heard that the airforce planned to replace the A-10 with the F-35 I couldn't even believe it. Regardless of my love for the Hog, that just makes no fucking sense as it simply can not fulfill the versatile and rugged role. Until drone technology improves to the point of eliminating that CAS role (Still 10-15 years off IMO) we need a pair of eyes close to the ground to assess a dangerous and quickly changing situation to pull the trigger, ensuring no friendlies are endangered. An eye in the sky simply isn't capable of replicating that yet.
Erm... Sort of went off on a tangent there.
I agree, I enjoyed aircraft since I was a kid. Where other kids collected baseball cards, I cut out P-51 and B-25 photos and pasted them a now long gone album - LOL. Also why I joined the AF, but the AF decided I'm make a better missile guy than an aircraft one. Turned out they were probably right.
Anyway, I agree ... the idea they could replace the A-10 with the F-35 was a ridiculous idea. It didn't take them long when they first 'retired' the A-10 to regret it, quickly bringing it back. Sadly tough, I think the A-10 platform is reaching it's age threshold, so they do need to replace it. Currently they're doing a new wing mod that will help, but sooner or later time catches up with everything (but the B-52 - LOL). A good turbo prop would be great ... everything you said makes perfect sense. We still do need a viable ground attack option. The concept has paid for itself many times over.
It's fascinating to see a resurgence in turboprop technology long past the birth of the Jet age.
Perhaps there's still a chance for that ridiculous F-84 Thunderscreech.