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Air Power Jets 1/72
A-10
In February 1975 Fairchild delivered the A-10 Thunderbolt II to the USAF. With protruding head rivets it looks like warts so it was nicknamed Warthog. Being slow means the A-10 can fly low with extreme agility and carry a large payload. Placed at the front of the fuselage the pilot sits in a titanium tub with a bullet-proof bubble canopy providing an unobstructed view. This was the first plane designed specifically for close support and was designed around the 30mm rotating cannon placed in the lower nose.
October 1975 saw delivery of the first USAF A-10A and deployment in March 1976. Built specifically for close ground support the pilot is protected by titanium armor while being covered by a bubble canopy giving a commanding view. The Warthog has everything needed to survive, dual engines; self-sealing fuel cells; redundant flight control systems protected by titanium armor; a 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun; a wide array of bombs and missiles. This plane packs a heavy punch and can stay on scene a long time to deliver its payload.
The USAF took delivery of the first A-10A in March 1976. It was built to survive low-level missions in support of ground troops where it would encounter everything from small arms to AA fire. Equipped with an array of bombs, missiles and a deadly 30mm Gatling gun the A-10 became the most feared low altitude aircraft against the Iraqi Army in Desert Storm. The Warthog has a long onsite lingering capability and caused great anxiety for the enemy as they waited to see which unfortunate target would be chosen for extermination.
In the Gulf War, A-10s had a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles and were vital assets during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Noble Anvil.
The A-10C is an updated version of the 30-year old A-10A. The cockpit has two-F-16 style 5.5 inch color displays, a moving map display and other electronic upgrades while keeping the A-10 ability to function as a CAS aircraft/tank killer. They have taken the best of the “new” and matched it with the best of the “old” and come up with one mean machine. The A-10C has already seen combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The A-10 motto, “Go Ugly Early”.
