Overview
The A-1 Pummeler is a Paternian single-engine ground attack aircraft derived from the F-2 Pummeler. It is the most popular aircraft in the C&C roleplay, with over 140,000 aircraft produced and operated by 11 factions, with approximately 60,000 still in service or in storage.

The value of a dedicated close air support aircraft was underscored in the Awwam-Paternia War, where they proved instrumental to blunting Awwami mass wave attacks. The success of the aircraft inspired other nations to either procure Pummelers or develop comparable aircraft.

While no longer in active service with the Paternian Air Force, it remains in service in Reserve Air Force units and continues to serve in active service with many operators.

Design and Development
The A-1 Pummeler was based off of the F-2 Pummeler, a Paternian fighter aircraft. The F-2 was designed as a fighter that can fulfill the role of interceptor, air superiority fighter, and heavy fighter, to be powered by a T2000 radial. The type proved highly successful in its role; its combination of speed, durability, and firepower made it a highly feared opponent in air combat. Virtually no aircraft could survive a burst from its 12.7mm machine guns.

In addition to its excellent characteristics as a fighter, it served incredibly well as a fighter-bomber. Paternian Marine Corps Pummeler pilots found the type incredibly useful as a dive bomber. Tests conducted independently by the Paternian Army and Air Force discovered the airframe of the F-2B can hold an additional 5,500 pounds of ordnance.

In the field, many Marine Corps and Air Force Pummelers were fitted with additional hardpoints to improve its capabilities as a ground attack aircraft. In this role, it was a highly effective warplane, responsible for providing effective air support with ground forces once the threat from the air was eliminated.

The heavy firepower and the stable, durable airframe that made it ideal for destroying bombers made it ideal as a ground attack airplane. The high performance meant that it could carry immense payloads.

This capability would give the Pummeler a new lease on life when a new generation of jet fighters arrived. While attempts were made to turn the Pummeler into a jet aircraft, its days as a fighter were numbered as dedicated jet fighter designs would prove superior. With a proven record as an effective close support aircraft, the large fleet of Pummelers would become ground attack aircraft.

Operational History
The A-1 Pummeler would see extensive service with its numerous operators around the world.

Paternian Republic
The Paternian Air Force would operate up to 25,000 aircraft of all types. They would serve with distinction in the Awwam-Paternia War. The type would serve principally as a ground attack aircraft, with 25,000 Air Force sorties and 18,000 Marine Corps sorties recorded over 7,182 missions. These missions resulted in the destruction of 4,000 tanks, 18,000 trucks, and three divisions. In addition, the Pummeler was responsible for 528 air kills, mostly against helicopters but also against other aircraft types either taking off or landing. The Pummeler would also claim 3,200 aircraft on the ground.

In active service, the type was replaced by the jet-powered A-8A Hawk II and the A-9B Angel. However, it remains in service with Marine Corps and Reserve Air Force attack squadrons.

Hellenic Democratic Balkan Union
Operating 50 examples of the A-1IH Pummeler, these aircraft have provided valuable air support in the Awwam-Hellenic War, providing effective close air support.

The number currently in operation is unknown.

Aurelia
A large operator, the Aurelian Air Force operates local-pattern A-1B and A-1I variants.

These aircraft, known as Aurelian-pattern Pummelers, are armed quite heavily, with a single 75mm cannon firing through the propeller hub and six 37mm cannon on the wings. In addition, they featured revised airframes.

The type sees extensive combat against TGLA forces.

Auruna
One of the largest operators outside of Paternia, they operate 11,000 Paternian-pattern A-1B, A-1D, A-1F, and A-1I variants.

Sals
Operating the A-1D variant, they have been used extensively in campaigns against the TGLA.

Awwam
Although Awwam has never purchased the type, it operated several dozen aircraft of different variants for evaluation, reconnaissance, attack, and liaison purposes. It is unclear of the operational status of these Pummelers.

While the type has officially been employed for evaluation purposes and then scrapped, anecdotal evidence indicates that some aircraft were used for attack, liaison, and reconnaissance. One aircraft, a Paternian-made A-1F exists in the Awwam Royal Air Force museum in Jeddah.

True Global Liberation Army
The TGLA is known to operate at least 20 machines of different variants. They have employed them on attack and reconnaissance duties against Awwami forces, with disputed effectiveness.

Tanah Melayu
The Tanah Melayu Air Force operates approximately 100 aircraft of an unspecified variant. Upgrades are pending.

Republic of China
Approximately 500 A-1D variant aircraft are employed as target drones and liaison aircraft.

Lanzarrian Dominion
5,000 aircraft, possibly the TA-1D and the TA-1G, serve as operational training aircraft for the Lanzarrian Air Force's Bulwark fleet.

Osean Federation
The Osean Air Force operates 1,500 Aurelian-pattern A-1I Pummelers.

Variants
The Pummeler would receive numerous upgrades, beginning with the A-1D variant, replacing four of the 12.7mm machine guns with 30mm M8 automatic cannons.

The A-1E variant was the first significant change to the aircraft. It featured revised aerodynamics, a bubble canopy, simplified tail gear, additional hardpoints, and a larger 3,000hp T2000-3/2. The A-1F variant would introduce compatibility with the Guardian and Inferno missile. The A-1G variant is a modification of the -E, featuring a distinctive lengthened cockpit.

The A-1H variant would be armed with six 30mm M9 cannons and feature a 4,000hp T2000-2 engine, improving performance further. In addition, the air brakes were moved from the underbelly to the wings, improving its performance and controllability. The -I variant would feature new wing structures that provided a significant improvement in maneuverability. Perhaps the most radical of the modifications would be the -K, featuring tricycle landing gear and additional hardpoints.

In addition, local variants of these aircraft exist. HDBU A-1IH Pummeler are made from different alloys from standard A-1I in order to improve corrosion resistance. In addition, Aurelian-manufactured aircraft employ different airframes compared to Paternian examples. Salish A-1D feature bubble canopies of a unique design, where Paternian A-1D do not.

Comparable Aircraft
CAS-37 Bulwark: A Lanzarrian-made attack aircraft inspired by the Pummeler.
XA-1 Rancor: A Chinese-made twin-engine attack aircraft.
LS A-12 Anvil: A Midigradian-made single engine COIN aircraft.
AWA V-series: An Awwami-made attack aircraft inspired by the Pummeler.
Viper Vi-A-163 Stalker: An alternative private-venture attack aircraft design to replace the Pummeler.
DA A-9 Angel: the Paternian Air Force's replacement for the Pummeler.