Looking to do a simple diorama, going to have an A-10 sitting on the tarmac with an airstart cart there and maybe a couple crew members. Does anyone know of a great 1/48 A-10 kit? I would love to be able to have the ladder coming down from the plane and the avionics bay open and the such. I found some after market detail kits from Aires Hobby that look good, do they have to go with a specific manufacturer or are they compatible with pretty much any kit? I’ll also be making my own base, which is another first. If any of this turns out well I’ll be surprised but its worth a go!!
Can’t beat the Tamiya kit in that scale. Builds up easily and nicely.
Look into the 1/48 Hobby Boss A-10. I have one in the stash and it looks like its gonna be a good one. Lots of details.
they are both a little on the expensive size for me. maybe I’ll have to splurge for it
Here’s a shout out for the Monogram (Revell) kit! I think it’s a good value.
Keep your eyes peeled on Ebay. Every now and then I see one for $30 or less.
Both Italeri and Hobbyboss have recent A-10 releases. The Tamiya and revell kits are very old. That’s not a knock on either, both build up nicely, but if you’re looking for something more current Italeri and Hobbyboss are the way to go. The Aires resin are kit specific, so take a look at who the sett is for.
I will second on the Revellogram Warthog. I have one in the stash, and it is a beauty. Has the optional boarding ladder and open compartment for that. As well as a full proper weapons load- CBUs, Mavericks, ECM pod, Napalm cans…
I just found the Revell. I’m a big fan of them, they build up really nice and have a pretty good amount of detail. I’ll have to check out the italeri kit
One of the first kits I built when I returned to the hobby was the Monogram/Revell A-10. I’m going to have another crack at it eventually. Please do a build thread for I would love to see it.
Joe
There is also an update kit for the Gau cannon, all brass and looks more realistic than the kit item. I have one in the box of the Revell A-10 to build on day
Phil
I’ll have to second (well third or forth by now) the Mono/Rev kits. I have 3 in my stash! [:$] Can’t help it…still trying to get accepted in the Monogram Mafia! [H]
Eagle90
It was the first kit I built when I started again as an adult. I bought one circa 1988 at a local Winns store, scored some paint and got my Paasche H. Man, I loaded that sucker up with all the ordnance! Live and learn, and improve, eh?
Gary
The only one I’ve built is the Hobbyboss kit, other than some sinkholes in the wings it was perfect. Comes with enough ordinance to load up a dozen planes. The price is a little high but Squadron used to run it half-price every now and again.
For the ground equipment maybe you can find the AMT/ERTL set, it was issued with their A-10 kit and also separately.
With kit, AMT/ERTL 8587-1000, separately from ESCI/Scalecraft SC-4025, ESCI/ERTL 8431. Best ground equipment from that era I think, but don’t expect Hasegawa detail.
Hobby Boss, this is one I made years ago, it’s a superb kit, though I do have the Revell kit which looks great as well.
Re: start cart though, does the A-10 even use one? I’m finishing up the old Tamiya A-10 and intend to display it the same way. My research never revealed a start cart, and various videos on YouTube show the A-10 self-starting. Just curious. Maybe I’m wrong?
Chris
Its not out of the question. I don’t know if the A-10 has an APU or start bottles but if they were MEL’d then you’d need a huffer to start the engines.
I was just thinking…they will be MEL’d for the purpose of this diorama haha
well I just talked to my buddy, he is a mechanic on A-10’s and says they dont use air carts to start up. Says the APU on the plane is extremely good and rarely breaks, and when it does it’s usually a pretty easy fix.