Hagerstown welcomes home an icon of regional aviation history, the A-10 aircraft

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) — A centerpiece of western Maryland’s aircraft manufacturing heritage was warmly welcomed home Monday at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum.

The A-10 “Warthog,” affectionately referred to as a “flying tank,” was a hallmark of aircraft manufacturing in the region for decades.

“After 50 years, it is finally being retired,” said John Seburn, president and executive director of the Hagerstown Aviation Museum. “Fairchild-Republic Aviation built this plane and more than 700 of them rolled off the assembly line.”

Lt. Col. Ralph Cunningham, who piloted the A-10, said, “It handled like a Cadillac. It was easy to fly with a big cockpit, very comfortable.”

Pennsylvania resident William Prietro took the day to welcome the A-10.

“When I was in the service, the A-10 was one of my favorite birds,” said Prietro.

As for the large turnout at the museum airfield to start the week, museum director John Depasquale was not too surprised.

“At one time, Fairchild had over 10,000 employees,” said Depasquale. “Many are here today to see one of the airplanes they built come home.”

The aircraft will be on display at the museum.