Interested in an A-10

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hey guys. I have been building armor for the last few years but recently have gotten the urge to try something different. I am really attracted to the A-10 and am thinking about building one. As I know nothing about aircraft models or manufacturers, I’m looking to you guys for a little help in choosing one.

The perfect model would be a shake and bake OOB build with good detail, reasonable accuracy and at least 1/48 scale or larger.

So what do you think? Is there anything out there close to what I’m looking for? And if not, what would be the best choice for a novice aircraft modeler?

2

I would go with either the Tamiya or RM kits. The Tamiya one is ok, fit is pretty good, but its not terribly accurate. The RM kit is better, but still has some errors. From what I understand, nobody makes an accurate, modern day A-10. Those are probably your 2 best choices for 1/48. Trumpeter makes an A-10 in 1/32, but I don’t know much about it. Good luck, and welcome to the light side [:D]

3

You might want to check the new tool kit from Italeri. Here’s another review. And a side-by-side comparison with the Monogram kit.

There was another that I read yesterday or the day before and I can’t find it now. [BH] But, when I do? I’ll post it.

4

Thanks for the links Randie! I might have to rethink my stand against Italeri and buy one of these [:D] I already have the Tamiya and RM kits, might as well get them all!

5

Don’t waste your money on the 1/32 Trumpeter A-10. It is inaccurate, has a poor cockpit, several details are wrong on it, and the fit is horrible is many areas, with several hard to reach seams. I learned this the hard way…

The guy to ask about all things A-10 on these boards,(if he is still around) is 72Cuda. He was a A-10 mechanic with the KC Hawgs, before he changed jobs. A wonderful and knowlegeable gentleman.

I haven’t seen the new italeri A-10 up close and personal, but I liked the reviews. IMHO, the R-M is still the best on the market, being the most accurate. It’s flaws ( and the Italeri seems to ahve these too.) are the engine Nacelles (the fans are too far forward), and the fect that it is a early to mid 80’s vinatage (no slime lights, Laste, GPS.) other than that, a fine kit, with that build into an excellent kit.

I’m looking to get the R-M kit, and the new Eielson decals from TwoBobs when he releases them. Then to find an external update set…

6

[#oops] just a repeat of what I said earlier, and it won’t let me delete it.

7

I have to agree with that. The Trumpeter A-10 can be built into a nice looking model (photos of mine are Here and documentation about most of the problems I ran into are Here) however it will require a lot of work and I don’t recommend it for a first-time plane builder. That one is enough to discourage even seasoned airplane builders because of some of the assembly problems.

8

I haven’t seen the recently released 1/48 Italeri kit, but from what I’ve heard it’s a nice kit & can be configured as a more modern a/c. Trumpeter is also releasing a new tool 1/48 A-10 in the near future, but it’s likely a scaled down version of their 1/32 kit.

Regard, Rick

9

Off topic but I have to say it. I find it funny that an armor guys first aircraft build happens to be one of best tankbusters ever made.

10

Thanks for all the help guys and Randie for the links. The Italeri one looks good but I think since this will be my first aircraft I’ll go for the less expensive R/M kit. My only concern is if I find I like these winged thingies, how much more my stash will grow![:)]

And yeah phoenix it is kind of ironic isn’t it? Maybe it’s some deep down feeling of payback from painting all those roadwheels and gluing together tracks that’s making me want to do an aircraft built to blow them to pieces!

11

Wow, my Monogram A-10 must be ancient. It’s molded in dark green! [:O]. I’ve been saving it for a while, but I think that the Black Box resin cockpit and Eduard PE set I purchased for it should dress it up nicely.

12

It does Ruddat! Once done they look great! I dressed mine up with that stuff and the WM from Flightpath I found cheap. They are one nice show piece when done. (Even if it was built by a hack like me[:D])

13

LOL! You’re hardly a hack, Drew. I’m really impressed by your work for sure! [tup]

How’s the fit on that Black Box set? The one I’m using on my Tamiya Mustang went in fine with a minimal amount of effort, and aside from the set I have for the A-10, I also picked up one for my 1/32 Trumpeter MiG 21 and for a Hasegawa 1/48 F-4E that I plan on doing.

14

I just built my first tank cwalker, so don’t worry about it, we are just taking up the slack for each other [:D] Good luck with your tank killer!!!

15

Cwalker;

Being an old A-10 Mechanic here’s your choices in 1/48 scale (I’ll put them in the best to worst order), Revell-Monogram, Italeri (New), Tamiya, ESCI (AMT), I have at least 1 each of these kits in my inventory, I just bought the Italeri kit last week and was very disappointed in for one the cost and two the lacking in details

The Revell kit is still the best in detail size and looks, THE FLAWS, with the raised panel lines, engine fans to close to the inlets, and the Decellerons have only 1 position (OPENED), is missing the dual missile rails as with the updated antennas (Kit only displays Pre-Desert Storm antennas). THE PLUSES, detailed cockpit, landing gear & ladder bays and weapons

the (NEW) Italeri Kit is next, THE FLAWS, Cockpit has no detail, the gun is centered on the nose (Should be off set to the left), the weapons look like the old ESCI’s, engine fan is to close to the inlet, Main landing gear bays lacking detail, and the main landing gear sponcines are molded into the wing and the Chaff/Flare pods are cut in half, THE PLUSES, Recessed panel lines, ground refueling door has an option, Decellerons have options, options for the Post Desert Storm antennas

the Tamiya kit is third, Cockpit has no detail, weapons look more like toys then the real thing, and is a re-issue from the late 70’s early 80’s

the ESCI (AMT) kit is last, see the Tamiya listing

as for the 1/32 scale kit, well there is only one choice and it’s Trumpeter kit and they have the 2 seater version too, this kit is shown as a Desert Storm bird but it’s a Post Desert Storm bird because of it’s antenna’s, this kit is in really need for an aftermarket cockpit and weapons but it’ll build into a really nice piece

16

Thanks 72Cuda for the detailed breakdown. I’ll be heading to the LHS Friday in hopes of finding the Revell kit.

17

Question, isn’t the gun supposed to be centered and the nose gear off set to the left? Just wondering.

John

18

I’m not sure about the nose wheel, but the gun is offset so that the barrel that fires is always in the centerline of the aircraft. That gun puts out enough force that it will slow the airplane down, so if it wasn’t centered, it would cause the plane to veer, making a target hard to hit!

19

Gun is offset to the left (everything is from the pilots point of view) so the firing barrel is centered (fires at the 7:30 position but the round exits at the 9:00 position) and the gear is offset to the right to clear the gun barrels.

20

Hey Dice,

Good to see you again. I thought that you had left the boards. CWalker3, looks like that you got the experts here. Aforementioned 72Cuda, and Dice, who was stationed at the A-10 depot. Between these two knowledgable gentlemen, you will be able to build a highly accurate model, because they know everything about the A-10.

Does anybody know anything about the Shull 24 A-10 detail sets. I have seen them advertised by TwoBobs for the 1/48 A-10, but I can’t find anything about them. Also, does anybody know of any resin update sets to bring the A-10 up to the modern standard (LASTE, GPS, the antennae that Cuda mentioned) I would appreciate it.

(Sorry if I am hijacking your post,CW)

~The Reluctant Wanderer