The A-1 Pummeler is an ubiquitous part of the Paternian Republic's arsenal. There is hardly an RP which they have had some participation that goes without the Pummeler. Known to its friends as the "Guardian Angel" and to its enemies as "Death's Angel," it is loved by its friends and feared by its foes.
Despite its apparent obsolescence, it is the best attack plane in our arsenal, and has proven to be one of the most cost-effective warplanes in the world. Its combination of low cost, high maneuverability, immense firepower, and tank-like durability make it incredibly dangerous to fight.
During the Great World War 2 between the Paternian Republic and its allies against the Excellent Persian Empire and its allies, the Pummeler was the backbone of the Paternian Air Force attack squadrons, and proved their worth.
In the many battles in Korea and India, PAF Pummelers, numbering 8,000 machines, have flown a total of 90,000 sorties, dropping approximately 150,000 tons of ordnance against Persian and Awwami targets.
In exchange for 213 Pummelers of all types, the Persians lost 29,139 tanks, 60,000 trucks, and 500,000 troops to Pummeler attacks. In addition, they have a sizable tally of air kills, claiming 310 helicopters and 431 airplanes, mostly low-flying cargo types who ended up landing at the wrong time. In addition, over 5,000 Persian and Awwami aircraft were destroyed on the ground.
Much of this success is partially attributed to the lack of any mobile ground-based air-defense system to protect their forces from such attacks. A low-flying Pummeler flying at treetop level is incredibly difficult to detect on ground-based radar, and fighters are wary of pursuing such a target at such low altitudes. Consequently, Pummelers often are able to strike Awwami forces with impunity.
The aircraft was referred in a rant by the caliph himself as a "rattling collection of scrap metal" when his generals explained that PAF air strikes were responsible for the massive slowdowns in the campaigns in Korea.
"You are given the most advanced technology and the finest troops on Allah's earth. Yet, you come to me and say that some air bandit flying a rattling collection of scrap metal is decimating my armies! Do your jobs and tell your troops to shoot at the cursed birds until they fall dead instead of cowering in a ditch!"
Pummelers continue to be the right arm of the Paternian Armed Forces, and shall continue to be at the forefront of many conflicts.
@Pilotmario Go ask @MedicorePlanes.
@Mudkip Why?
@Pilotmario HarperAstrionics deleted his account.
@Mudkip lolwut?
@Pilotmario He deleted his account .
@HarperAstrionics Thanks!
@HarperAstrionics Yep. It's a cool plane.
There are actually electronic warfare variants of the Pummeler.
We believe the unusually high kill tally is due to issues with recordskeeping. Fighters often operate from fixed bases, where Pummelers often fly from hastily-constructed improvised airstrips in remote areas. Creation, storage, and transfer of records in such conditions are difficult. The emphasis on records with Pummelers is the air-ground tally than air-air victories.
In addition, multiple pilots often attack the same aircraft, and as they are interviewed separately, may result in many pilots claiming to shoot down the same aircraft.
We are looking into this for sure, as accurate kill tallies are necessary for accurate information regarding the strength of the opposing armies.
@HarperAstrionics We tend to find lots of low-level transports, attack planes, and helicopters. In an attempt to avoid our fighters, they typically fly at low altitudes, where our Pummelers also fly. It's not particularly hard to hit a cargo plane that's flying slow, low, and straight.
Also, our fighters typically operate defensively and passively, where Pummelers operate offensively and aggressively. This boils down to their mission; fighters are assigned to defend and establish supremacy over the airspace above the battlefield, while the attackers, notably the Pummelers, are often assigned to strike logistics assets in long-range raids in addition to close support.
The Pummeler is often able to defend itself quite well, given that it was originally designed as a fighter.
@Gmanndo1000 The Mk 2 (now known as the A-1B) is probably going to serve for some time. There are plenty of surplus A-1B/D airframes and parts. As we have completely phased out the A-1B/D, you will have plenty of parts for a long time.
The Pummeler MK.2 Started off the Snowstonian Air Force, I hope they continue to serve, they truly are guardian angels.
@Pilotmario HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Lasers.
@Mudkip The whole point of flying low is that it would blend with the tons of other clutter that the ground tends to be filled with, so the radar can't see it easily.
@Pilotmario HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Well, radar.
Do your pilots have the balls to fly among the treetops?
Also, we found flying very low, in conjunction with electronic warfare aircraft, make it difficult to engage with missiles. @Mudkip
You shure? They can't destroy all of that. They all faced the wrath of F-36 Novas.
@MemeKingIndustriesAndMegaCorporation