Hobby Master Archive

2003 marked the 80th anniversary of the 118th FS, the third oldest ANG squadron. They wanted to celebrate the occasion with a special paint scheme for their A-10A. Aircraft 78-621 was selected for the modernized version of the scheme that was inspired by the 118ths WWII P-51s with black lightning bolts on the side. This was how the WWII group got the name the “Black Lightning Squadron” and the 103rd FW “wing jet” became known as “Black Lightning”. The 103rd FW markings were eventually restored to the engine.