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.
That's amusing but I can sort of relate. Well, my brother more so. He used to be subscribed to some mailing list that would send him a dozen well made glossy foldout page things to fill large binders with. Each page had an aircraft and all sorts of details, pics and specs for it. They were pretty neat, we had them in the bathroom for poopin books for years. They definitely sparked my interest in 40's-70's aircraft.
But yeah the A-10 has a limited life span that is quickly running out. It's still rocking analog instruments in the cockpit and has to have a hard point dedicated to range finding/laser designation for some of the armaments it carries. The biggest issue that they face is simply breaking their back. Those roughly prepared air strips at FOB's along with the sheer abuse they endure. Eventually it will just wear out the life on the air frames themselves and no upgrade or mod can replace that.
The (GOD DAMN BEAUTIFUL) 30 mm GAU-8 cannon is redundant in today's modern battlefield. But something needs to able and capable of replicating the Hog's rugged and redundant capabilities to ensure the pilot returns unharmed (A-10 has a cushy titanium bathtub for their pilot) but can also provide that long loiter time and appropriate fire power for whatever situation presents itself.
A turbojet would certainly be able to bring the firepower and long loiter times required, but it really comes down to their capabilities of STOL from dirt fields and endurance to damage through armor and redundant systems.
You nailed it, nothing I can really add. I do hope they go with something as effective as the A-10 ... what a plane!
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.