| Sukhoi Su-25 (Frogfoot) |
During the Vietnam war the American military learned the value of close air support. The only aircraft available at the time was the World War
Two vintage A-1 Skyraider, which was used in Vietnam by both the Navy and Air Force. After Vietnam the Air Force began development of
the A-10 attack aircraft to fill the role played by the A-1 in Vietnam. The Russians also paid attention and in the early 1970's started research
into their own close air support aircraft, resulting in the Sukhoi Su-25. Internal armament is a twin-barrelled 30mm cannon. Underwing, it can
carry a heavy load of bombs, gun pods, rocket pods and missiles.
Two vintage A-1 Skyraider, which was used in Vietnam by both the Navy and Air Force. After Vietnam the Air Force began development of
the A-10 attack aircraft to fill the role played by the A-1 in Vietnam. The Russians also paid attention and in the early 1970's started research
into their own close air support aircraft, resulting in the Sukhoi Su-25. Internal armament is a twin-barrelled 30mm cannon. Underwing, it can
carry a heavy load of bombs, gun pods, rocket pods and missiles.
The Frogfoot on display at Khodinka is actually a T-8, a Su-25 preproduction aircraft. This particular airplane has an interesting history. It was
combat- tested in Afghanistan where it was flown in combat by Col. Aleksandr Rutskoi, who went on to become the most highly decorated
Frogfoot pilot of the war. In 1988, the aircraft was damaged by ground fire but Rutskoi got it back to base. After repairs, it was being flown
again by Rutskoi when it was hit by missiles fired from a Pakistani fighter. It was severely damaged, but again, Rutskoi managed to limp the
Frogfoot back home. The aircraft was returned to the Soviet Union to be rebuilt and Rutskoi was assigned to another Frogfoot. Later, he was
shot down indide Pakistan by Pakistani F-16's and was forced to eject from his aircraft. Rutskoi's original aircraft was rebuilt by Sukhoi and
was shown to the Western public at the Paris Air Show in 1989. It was given the number "blue 301" for the Paris event. In Afghanistan it wore
the number "blue 15". After Paris, it was modified and used for weapons testing before being retired at the Khodinka museum.
combat- tested in Afghanistan where it was flown in combat by Col. Aleksandr Rutskoi, who went on to become the most highly decorated
Frogfoot pilot of the war. In 1988, the aircraft was damaged by ground fire but Rutskoi got it back to base. After repairs, it was being flown
again by Rutskoi when it was hit by missiles fired from a Pakistani fighter. It was severely damaged, but again, Rutskoi managed to limp the
Frogfoot back home. The aircraft was returned to the Soviet Union to be rebuilt and Rutskoi was assigned to another Frogfoot. Later, he was
shot down indide Pakistan by Pakistani F-16's and was forced to eject from his aircraft. Rutskoi's original aircraft was rebuilt by Sukhoi and
was shown to the Western public at the Paris Air Show in 1989. It was given the number "blue 301" for the Paris event. In Afghanistan it wore
the number "blue 15". After Paris, it was modified and used for weapons testing before being retired at the Khodinka museum.