A-10 Warthog — The Plane Built Around a Gun

Why is the front landing gear of the A-10 Warthog shifted to the right? It looks like a design error, but it is actually a necessity. The center of the aircraft is completely occupied by the GAU-8 Avenger—a hydraulic cannon the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. The gun’s recoil is so powerful (10,000 pounds) that if it weren’t mounted dead center, firing it would push the plane off course. Since the gun took the prime spot, engineers had to shove the landing gear to the side. The A-10 isn't a plane that carries a gun. It’s a giant flying gun wrapped in wings. And that’s why this is an awesome solution for military aviation. ✈️ TheAeroGraphyOfficial — real aviation engineering and history explained.