Hello Ray,

            You certainly come up with some good articles!  The first one, about the GAU gun in the A10 aircraft, is a very powerful weapon indeed.  As this one fires a 30mm cartridge and projectile, it is an update on the 20mm weapon we saw used with the USAF in Thailand and in Vietnam.  They were powered by hydraulics as well.  When we were in Thailand, (79SQN at RAAF Base Ubon), we were flying our CAC Sabre, yes all 8 of them.  The USAF were on the same base, but they had 88 F4 Phantoms.  Some had the 20mm cannon installed as a permanent fixture, and some used a Gun Pod, which contained the 20mm cannon with 2400 rounds.  The weapon used then had 6 barrels, and the firing speed could be adjusted between 2,000 rounds per minute and 6,000 rounds per minute.

            Then, the RAAF Iroquois UH1H gunship used by 9SQN had two 7.62mm ‘gatling’ Machine guns.  These also had 6 barrels, but the whole weapon was powered by a 24 volt electric motor.  The principle was the same, but as the ammunition was smaller, (7.61mm 1 in 4 tracer) a 24V electric motor was sufficient.  The guns used by the US Army were able to be moved by the pilot moving the gunsight up to 15° in any direction.  The problem with that installation was that the weapon would not stay still when it was firing.  Hence, the pattern of firing was like throwing a shovel full of gravel at a barn door.  When the RAAF developed the Australian Gunship, they welded the gun mount as a fixture to the main mount, and then they welded the gunsight to a fixed mount which swung down in front of the pilot.  If he wanted to change his aim, he simply moved the rudder pedals to change the direction of fire.  As most of our gunship pilots were ex fighter pilots, they did not have a problem with that system.  The firing speed of our gun could be adjusted from 2,000rpm up to 6,000rpm.  Whilst in Vietnam, our were adjusted to 4,000rpm.  When the squadron came back to Australia, the firing speed was lowered to 2,000rpm.  Considering each gun was loaded with 4,500 rounds, it gave a massive fire power for Army support.

            Going back to your article, the A10 aircraft is a very powerful aircraft indeed.  I think the RAAF were looking at those back in the 1990s and early 2000s.    Going back a year or two, I think I may have sent you a copy of Brian Dirou’s report – “So a Bushranger was born”.  If not, I shall attach it here.

            Kind Regards,

            John Clarkson.

            (Armourer extraordinaire – 9SQN Vietnam)

This is a little long at 48 minutes, but well worth watching.

The GAU-8 Avenger, inspired by the 19th-century Gatling gun, boasts seven rotating barrels powered by hydraulic motors. Its unique self-sustaining firing system ensures uninterrupted operation, even after misfires. The gun’s ammunition, including armor-piercing and high-explosive variants, packs a punch comparable to a standard Coca-Cola bottle in size. With a staggering firing rate of up to 4200 rounds per minute, it penetrates armor effortlessly, making it a formidable weapon. Integrating the GAU-8 into the A-10 aircraft posed significant challenges due to its weight and recoil, but engineers overcame these obstacles with innovative solutions like windscreen washers and automatic engine igniters. The iconic A-10 “Warthog” equipped with the GAU-8 Avenger remains a legend in aviation, with the U.S. Air Force committed to its service until 2040.

Prepare to set sail on a linguistic adventure! This video explores the surprising ways the world of sailing has enriched the English language. We’ll delve into nautical terms that have become everyday phrases, from “weather the storm” to “go overboard.” Get ready to uncover the fascinating history behind these expressions, how they evolved over time, and how they continue to influence our communication today. So, whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a landlubber curious about language, this video is sure to float your boat!

Are we living in a time where intelligent people are silenced so that stupid people won’t be offended?

• Why is it that when archaeologists find human remains, they can determine whether they’re male or female but none of the other dozen genders?

• How is it that the government can’t control petrol prices…but the weather is something they can fix?

• We’re churning out a generation of poorly educated people with no skills, no ambition, no guidance, and no realistic expectations of what it means to go to work.

• Why are we told to lower Air Conditioner usage on hot days to prevent overwhelming the electric grid while simultaneously being told to trade in petrol cars for electric vehicles?

• Why is cancelling student debt a good idea? Does it make sense to reward people who do not honour their financial commitment by taxing people who do?

• Why is talking sexually in the workplace considered sexual harassment to adults…but talking about sexuality to children Grade 3 at school considered education?

• If your electric car runs out of power on the motorway, do you walk to a charging station to get a bucket of electricity?

• Why are we running out of money for Medicare and not for welfare?

• Mice die in mouse traps because they do not understand why the cheese is free. Just like socialism.

• The most powerful governments on earth can’t stop a virus from spreading…but say they can change the earth’s temperature if you pay more tax.

• If you don’t want to stand for the National Anthem, perhaps you should give your legs to a veteran who lost his. That way a real man can stand in your place.

Thanks Ted