Originally Posted by ZCarMan

The Warthog is one of my favorites! A good buddy of mine flew them in Alaska and I remember waiting on the end of the runway as the first ones flew in from the Fairchild-Republic factory in the early 80s. I asked my friend who flew them up there if he was ever worried about flying such a slow aircraft and he responded, "When you are in an F-15 flying Mach 2 you really don't feel it. However, at sea level going 300 knots and then yanking and banking it is like riding a roller coaster. He said, "I can out turn any fighter and if I can point my 30MM cannon at him, he is toast!" Tragically, he died in a training crash flying a low level. It really is a remarkable aircraft. As of today though, the F-22 Raptor is undeniably the most awesome aircraft built by man. It can do things no other aircraft in the world can do. Simply makes your jaw drop when you watch it go through its paces.