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Paul's Academy 1/72nd Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II (aka Warthog)

We all have our weaknesses. For me, its (among a few others) the Harrier. Mind you, I could make one of many kits ...

 

For Paul, he tells me it is the A-10 Warthog. This is truly a great aircraft.

 

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is one of the USAF great success stories. In need of close air support that was safer than the redoubtable A-1 Skyraider, the Warthog came on line and flew into history.

 

With over 716 made, it covered itself in glory, protecting its pilots with a titanium armour bathtub an proving its worth (like on the Highway of Death in Kuwait.)

 

Making the kits can be fairly easy, as the A-10 has some pretty unimposing cammo schemes. Paul has done a fine job here.

 

With all good things, especially military ones, the Warthog's time is coming to an end. It will be replaced by that money sink hole, Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II. Critics call this a "giant leap backwards." After some debate, starting in 2014 the A-10 will be phased out over 5 years. As a result, the USAF will have no tacair capable of operating from short or rough airfields.

 

Makes perfect sense ... these guys are as smart as the Canadian military.

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Uploaded on June 2, 2014
Taken on January 25, 2002