How Hans Ulrich Rudel Sank the Soviet Battleship Marat

Hans Ulrich Rudel was actually very important in the design stage of the A-10 Thunderbolt 2 ( from this point on known as the Warthog). When Fairchild was designing their entry into the A-X project they consulted heavily with Rudel ( who in addition to his kill total had been shot down quite a few times too). Rudel had basically told Fairchild what was needed he thought for a superior tank buster. He was the one who advocated for the central mounted gun and the titanium bathtub to protect the pilot. Todays A-10 survivability is a direct result of consulting with Rudel. Sure he might have been an unrepentant Nazi but he knew more about ground attack in actual battle then any designer could have ever imagined.

Some people flew thousand of missions without being killed, and a lot of others perished during their first fight. Things are really strange.

I'm a Boomer and when I was a kid I wanted to be a pilot, and I did solo when I was 16 and got my Private Pilot's license when 18. I read every book I could find written by Pilots, and so of course I read "Skuka Pilot " by Rudel. He wasn't a fighter pilot, but I got the sense that this is how a Real Man goes into Combat Flying duty. .

A 'thumbs up' for this because, finally, someone on YouTube knows the difference between 'sank' and 'sunk'.

Rudel's rear gunner and radioman, Erwin Hentshel,drowned in the Dneiper River while they attempted to swim across to avoid captivity after they were shot down. He was the most decorated enlisted man in the luftwaffe as he was with Rudel for over 1400 missions over a span of 2 years

Rudel was "the ace's ace"! I read "Stuka Pilot." I enjoyed it immensely. Rudel was consulted by the builders of the A-10 "Warthog" ground attack aircraft. That's how much he was respected.

He was awarded the Knights Cross in Gold with oakleaves, swords and diamonds, the only German Officer to ever recieve that award.

Han Ulrich Rudel was advisor on the AT 10 Warthog Aircraft, a staunch Anti USSR Communist Nazi till the end of his life, He was also an Aces with 9 air to air victories, not bad for Ju 87 Stuka anti tank aces.

I had read about Rudel's expertise with the Stuka before but did not know about him sinking the Marat. Thanks !

He instructed my father how to fly air to ground misiones in the Argentinian Air Force

He lost a leg and still flew.

Great video! This features two of my favourite WW2 aircraft: First, the Stuka... which, despite its weaknesses, is for me the most sinister-looking, gnarly aircraft. Second, the I-16... which I find to be one of the cutest WW2 aircraft for its stubby body (along with the Brewster Buffalo). Also, this video gives me more information of the exploit of Rudel, one of the most famous German WW2 pilots of which I admitedly know very little. Keep up the good work!

I’ve always wanted someone to do a video on Rudel & the Marat. Showtime delivers once again!

Incredible story! Big thanks to you for this reenactment.

Thanks!

Bester und erfolgreichster Soldat aller Zeiten. R.I.P.

Outstandig. Not all aerial warfare stories are dogfight related. Great chapter

Awesome video , Thank you !

Great video. I've read his memoir, "Stuka Pilot."

Hans Rudel was a legend. Stuka Pilot is a classic of wartime aviation literature.