Fairchild A-10A „Thunderbolt II“ („Warthog“) – the US ground attack aircraft

The A-10 was designed by the US company “Fairchild” in the early 1970s. A total of 716 units were produced between 1972 and 1984. In addition to the main "Thunderbolt II" official name, it is also known as the "Warthog". The A-10 is a ground attack and tactical support aircraft for ground forces. It can simultaneously carry a large amount of weapons and electronic warfare equipment. The fixed armament consists of a 7-barrel rotary 30 mm GAU-8 "Avenger" cannon. Two rotation speeds allow to achieve a theoretical rate of fire of 2100 or 4200 rounds per minute - shells with depleted uranium warheads pierce any armor. The hanged armament is mounted on 3 under-hull and 8 under-wing pylons and consists of conventional, cluster, chemical bombs, “Maverick” missiles, laser or television-guided bombs. Additional fuel tanks and electronic warfare equipment containers can be hung. A container with a laser irradiation device "Pave Penny" serves for target designation. The cockpit is protected by titanium armor plates, that withstand the effects of 23 mm caliber shells. A-10 was widely used in the "Desert Storm" operation in the Persian Gulf. Operating in groups with "Apache" helicopters, they successfully destroyed Iraqi armored vehicles.

A complex, well-designed and richly detailed model only for real paper modeling aces (well, it is also suitable for average ones). Excellently detailed cockpit equipment, landing gear, its niches, visible engines parts, exterior details. 3 A3 sheets are dedicated to the hanging weapons alone - this means, that they will remain for other models. The model recreates the appearance of one of the aircraft, used in the "Desert Storm" operation, with spotted camouflage, with jaws on the front of the fuselage. There are a few colors reserve available, but they are very limited. The text instructions in Polish are large and detailed, which will help You a lot during the assembling process of the model, and the graphical instruction are simply amazing.