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Sources: https://www.facebook.com/kovop/posts/1380741072119738 http://www.modelarovo.cz/nova-linie-modelu-v-kovozavodech-prostejov-dopravaky-1-250/ V.P.

A-10C Thunderbolt II 1/72 Revell (03857) The A-10 Thunderbolt II, or more commonly The Warthog is an aircraft specifically designed for ground support. Post war the USAF all but ignored the need for close air support (CAS) aircraft and found itself reliant on older propeller based aircraft such as the A-1 Skyraider. While this was an excellent aircraft in this role a 1966 study identified the need for a modern aircraft which needed to be at least as capable as the A-1. The A-X CAS would be the first US Aircraft specifically designed for CAS and the threat from large numbers of Soviet tanks. As such the specification called a 30mm rotary cannon armed aircraft capable of a short field performance and the ability to carry at least 16,000 lbs of external stores. 6 companies submitted proposals with Northrop & Fairchild being selected to build prototypes The YA-9 & YA-10. Fairchild won the fly off in 1973 and thus the Warthog was born. Over the years the aircraft has had a few upgrades. 2005 brought the A-10C and with it a new fire control system, ECM suite and the ability to use smart weapons. Despite the aircraft not being a sleek sexy fast jet it has proven and continues to prove its worth in modern combat roles. Despite many attempts to pension of the jet the aircraft is now scheduled to be in service to 2028 and maybe beyond. The Kit Here Revell have re-boxed the Italeri kit. While probably the best 1/72 now available it does reflect the the latest A-10C, and in modelling the trend for engraved panel lines over everything else. While the A-10 has some of these it is also festooned with large dome head rivets over the rear fuselage and tail, none of which are on this kit. The kit does provide the large fuel tanks seen on the A-10 and some weapons. There are Sidewinder, cluster bombs, other bombs, and a pair of mavericks. The rendering of the famous GAU-8 muzzle is very soft. Construction starts with the cockpit. The seat goes together and then fits into the tub, followed by the instrument panel. Details for the panel and the side consoles are provided as decals. Next up the front nose wheel recess needs to be mad up. Once this and the cockpit are complete they can be paced into the fuselage, and the main fuselage closed up. Revell recommend adding 30g of nose weight. Next up the main wing needs to be constructed. This is a single part lower with left/right uppers. Inserts need to be fitted into the airbrake recesses. The wing can then be joined to the fuselage. The engines are now made up into there podded unit and these can be added to the fuselage. On the wings separate parts are provided for open or closed airbrakes, The twin tail section is the next to be constructed. The tails fit the the cross member and this to the underside of the rear fuselage. The nose cone is fitted and along with it the muzzle for the GAU-8. The landing gear and its doors are next to go on. The fuselage is finished off with a few aerials and the under fuselage strakes. Moving to the wings the pylons and any armament options can be built up and attached. Lastly the canopy can go on, and if wanted the pilots boarding ladder can be in the deployed position. Decals Here the decal sheet is printed in Italy and features one option only for the Demo jet from 354th Fighter Sqn, 355th Wing, Davis Monthan AFB, 2019/2020 Conclusion While it maybe the better of the A-10 kits out there in this scale it does have a few issues, and you will be well prepared to get your own weapons and decals if you dont fancy making the demo bird. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit or

Old school photos are mine; More modern photos from Graham James

Pics taken by Darwin from at the SAC Museum in Nebraska

Hi everyone, This is my new model – little and yellow-wing Fairchild 24 in service with US Coast Guard where it was designated as J2K-2. In fact the kit allows to reproduce only Fairchild 24 as restored nowadays and painted in USGC colours. Original USCG’s J2K-2 had several variations not reproduced in the kit: different engine cowling, smaller tail, wider undercarriage struts (the pair that joins wheels and fuselage), rear windows were installed upside down. The kit by Legato is fairly good for a short-run. I assembled it almost OOB. Major scratchbuild being rotating propeller. Fit is reasonable with most difficulties around fitting transparencies – in particular front screen fit with awful gaps along almost all sides. Some sanding and extra stripes of plastic helped though. Another drawback of the kit was the decal sheet with some colours visibly out of register – black and light blue in my case. As a result USCG (and Israeli) insignia were unusable so I borrowed USCG insignia from another kit, but had to spray white and blue roundels as a background. Also decal representing stripes on the rudder did not perfectly match the rudder shape. I expected this and probably could better spray at least white and red stripes. According to historic photoes and USCG documents both “USCG” letterings have to be placed on the lower surfaces of the wing – not one on lower and one on upper sides as suggested by the instruction. So here are the pictures: And with another yellow-wing airplane in my collection - Lockheed Vega: Best regards! Dennis P.S. updated with flickr-hosted photoes

The new model, available in December

Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner II, Pics thanks to Graeme H