18 ‘Swiss Army Knife’ Turboprop Aircraft Join The US Air Force Fleet







The United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) announced that the first 18 of 75 OA-1K Skyraider IIs have been delivered, according to Task and Purpose. The Skyraider, of course, carries on the namesake of the Vietnam War-era A-1 Skyraider. 

Looking at the Skyraider II, you might have a lot of questions. What makes it so special? And why does it look like a cropduster? To answer the second question, the Skyraider II is based on the AT-802U from Air Tractor and then modified for combat by L3Harris. Air Tractor also manufactures, you guessed it, cropdusters.

The Skyraider II is a little hard to classify, and Air Tractor very explicitly notes that it is not a light attack plane like the Super Tucano. The Air Force says the Skyraider II is suited for “close air support, precision strike, or armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance,” which is why it’s sometimes referred to as a “Swiss Army Knife.” It’s also powered by a turboprop engine, rounding out the oddball factor.

Go anywhere, do anything

The OA-1K Skyraider II has only been with the Air Force since last year, making it one of the newest planes to join the fleet. It’s powered by a Pratt and Whitney PT6A-67F turboprop that gives it 1,600 horsepower and a top speed of just over 245 miles per hour. The PT6A is a very common engine that’s been used in dozens of small passenger and cargo planes, making maintenance and service inexpensive and straightforward.

For armaments, it has a total of 10 hard points to carry anything from rocket pods, machine guns, sensors, or surveillance equipment, for a total of 6,000 pounds. It can also be outfitted with a communications suite to interface with other friendly forces.

This week, the OA-1K Skyraider II demonstrated to officials that it can be loaded into other planes like the C-17 Globemaster III or C-5 Galaxy for deployment anywhere that has a runway long enough. 





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A toolkit can go a long way toward helping you stock up on essentials. All of the major tool brands offer different kinds, including the longstanding power and hand tool favorite, Craftsman. Its products can be found in many online stores, and Amazon is currently holding a major sale. At the time of publication, a 262-piece Craftsman hand tool set is on a massive markdown of 40% off, saving you $100 at checkout.

The collection currently costs $149, which is still a lot of money, but is a big budgetary improvement over the $249 regular price. With the discount, you’re getting more for your dollar, and this kit includes 118 sockets, three ratchets to use them on, 24 wrenches, 44 hex keys, 66 specialty bits, and seven extra accessories. The set comes in a three-drawer, handled toolbox that’s part of the Craftsman VersaStack modular storage system. You’re also getting a full lifetime warranty.

While the price and quantity of tools may seem right, what is there to say about the quality of this Craftsman kit? According to most customers, it’s a worthwhile buy for any DIYer, even without a huge sale to sweeten the deal.

How online buyers feel about this Craftsman tool kit

On Amazon, the response to this specific Craftsman tool kit has been resoundingly positive. There are currently close to 300 reviews discussing this specific variant and over 10,000 for the overall product, and the vast majority gave it five stars. Most found the quality of the tools and sockets more than up to par, the VersaStack toolbox sturdy and great for organization and protection, and the price adequate. Still, it’s often said this is more of a beginner or around-the-house kind of kit, so if you want it for professional use, it’s not considered the strongest option on the market.

Elsewhere online, this kit has continued to garner largely positive press. On the Craftsman website itself, almost all of the 18 reviews gave it five stars. Some applauded the functionality of the VersaStack case and its ability to connect to other boxes in the line, while others praised the versatility of the tools within. Meanwhile, most of the 289 reviews on Lowe’s website are five-star and approve of the kit’s piece selection and durability.

There are a lot of great mechanic tool sets for anyone’s budget, and there could be a case to make that this Craftsman 262-piece set belongs alongside them. At its sale price or otherwise, it’s a hit across several retailers. Whether it’s the right set for you and your hand tool-related needs, though, is a question only you can answer. 





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