I think it is a very old kit… I found the date 1982 somewhere… Well, I just received it as a gift in a very bad condition (I receiveda Monogram AV-8B in a very bad condition too, these are my first 1/48 modern jets [:D]). The details are mostly non-existent and the cockpit interior is awful… But I’d like to know how good is it in terms of shape and dimmensions. I guess it should depict an early machine, I’d like to “upgrade” it into a recent version (reference needed), i’ll have to rebuild the cockpit interior anyway. My knowledge about modern American jets is practically non-existant, so I’d need you to recommend me some books about this plane. Thanks a lot in advance. Best regards.
If it’s the same kit Revell is currently producing (ex-Monogram mold), then I’m surprised you think the cockpit interior is awful. I think Revell’s A-10 has one of the nicest cockpits around. If you check some references online, you will probably find that Revell’s A-10 is still the modeler’s top choice. Well, Hobby Boss may have overtaken it, but I believe Revell still supercedes Tamiya and Italeri. My only real gripe with the Revell kit is the poor fit of the wing pylons and the sway braces that are supposed to fit into them! And the kit could also use a pair of Sidewinders. The shape is pretty accurate as far as I know, but as long as it looks like an A-10, I’m happy…
Before Revell picked up the Monogram moulds, they did have their own A-10A kit. I can’t remember much about it other than it was pretty basic, moulded in Olive coloured styrene. I believe I have one in the stash from the early 80’s in the standard Revell box for the time, with a photo of the model on a greyish(?) background. If I recall correctly, it was painted in the “Charcoal Lizard” scheme
Yes Phil, you’re right, that’s the kit I’m talking about. I made some research and found that the Monogram (now marketed as a Revell or Revell AG kit) is still the best (raised panel lines though), but when i search for “Revell A-10”, I only find info about that Monogram kit, and I want to know about the Revell original kit, that has the awful cockpit and 1-piece canopy that can be easily separated using a razor saw… I’ll replace the cockpit anyway, just want to know if it is accurate in shape and dimmensions, I’d like to convert it into a modern A-10 (Gulf war maybe) so I’d like to know the changes to be made to the airframe if neccesary. Thanks for your replies. Best regards.
José.
I recommend Thomas Graham’s books on Monogram and Revell for questions like these: “Remembering Revell Model Kits”, “Monogram Models” and “Aurora Model Kits”. For Revell and Monogram, Graham covers the history of both companies, up to the mid-80s. I’ll have a look in the Revell book to see if I can find anything about a Revell A-10. I do have to say, I remember when Monogram’s A-10 came out, but I don’t recall ever having seen a Revell kit. That’s not to say there isn’t one, but, that’s why I bought the books [;)]
If I can find anything, I’ll post back with it.
Best regards,
Brad
Oh Hans VanHammer where are you?
I can’t tell you anything about Revell’s A-10, but I can recommend Jake Melampy’s book The Modern Hog Guide: The A-10 Warthog Exposed. Awesome photo resource that documents the Warthog through various upgrade packages.
Well, I checked Graham, but his book only confirms that there was no A-10 in Revell’s catalog prior to 1980, so if they did add one in the early 80’s, it would coincide with Phil’s memory.
This is an interesting read: http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/mod/jacksona10.htm
Curiously, my recollection of this kit is that it had a one-piece canopy with a deep and wide groove between the windscreen and the canopy clamshell.
I don’t remember a Revell A-10, but there was a 1/48 ESCI A-10 in the early 80’s that had a pretty basic cockpit and some other questionable details.
Mark
I believe that Hans doesn’t do post-WWII.
Thanks for the link, Phil! Now I want to track one down, and get the Monogram kit, and compare them side by side.
Good luck finding that. It’s sold out pretty much everywhere and Jake doesn’t have any on his web site either.
I think this is the kit I’m talking about… Mine has the poorly moulded Escapac seat, but a one piece canopy with the “deep and wide groove between the windscreen and the canopy clamshell”. It seems it has a good shape overall, now i need good bibliography to detail it. I think I can invest on some aftermarkets (but no too much), I received this kit as a gift so it doesn’t costed me at all. Best regards.
José.