How did the A-10 Thunderbolt get the nickname Warthog?

The A10 Thunderbolt II, or Warthog, ("Hog" to it's pilots) was so named for many reasons, first being the fact that it's ugly. History shows that aircraft will get a nickname from it's pilots that is more insulting dependent on how much they love it, and they must really love the Warthog to name it so.

Lets face it, as planes go the A10 has a face that only a mother could love, but it's other features are what brought it the love and admiration of every pilot, ground crew, mechanic, or commander who made it's acquaintance.

The A10, like the Warthog, is slow, ugly, low to the ground, and almost impossible to stop, not to mention the incredible Avenger 30mm cannon that occupied the majority of it's fuselage.

The A10's official monicker is the Thunderbolt II, named after it's closest kin, the P-47 Thunderbolt of WWII. This plane was nicknamed the Jug, or Juggernaut, because of it's shape, and the fact that it could take a beating that would down several other aircraft and still bring it's pilot back home safely, this trait is carried over to the Warthog, and like a warthog it takes a lot to bring it down. The triple redundant flight control systems, high mounted engines, and semi recessed landing gear allow for severe damage with high survivability, even the loss of an engine and 3 feet of wing won't stop it.

So, in conclusion, the Warthog is quite appropriately named. It is slow, ugly, low to the ground, armed to the teeth, and can take one heck of a beating, just like it's namesake in the animal world.