+++FINISHED+++ Tim's 1/48 Fairchild Republic A10A Thunderbolt II (AKA Warthog!) - 81TFW, RAF Bentwaters, Suffolk, UK,1980's

[Tim Moff]

Im in with a Lizard A10A from Tamiya in 1/48.

This is an old kit, with raised panel lines and unrealistic armament - I will look for references, raid the spares and other kits for appropriate weaponry...

As you can see, I bought this 'partially started' from Evil Bay - can I ask Mods for the to confirm its wellunder the 25% mark - I will need to start again anyways..

I have some aftermarket decals from XtraDecals to build an A10A based out of RAF Bentwaters/RAF Woodbridge - these were always seen around East Anglia growing up in the early 80's in their cool lizard scheme.

I often went to Bentwaters as a youngster before joining the Army in 1985, as my dad had a friend serving in the USAFE based there so loads of memories....

Funny thing, 21 years later A10C's saved my and some colleagues bottoms a few times in Helmand (along with GR7/9s !) and they are still going strong - formidable weapon with that great sound when it fires over you.....Brrrrrrp.....

Brrrrrt....

More Brrrrt...

Low level fun from the titanium bathtub!

Edited July 7, 2016 by Tim Moff
Language Timothy!

[Col.]

Cool Brrrrrt indeed. If you need some weapons I've a box of spares that may yield something useful. Let me know what you're looking for

[modelling minion]

Excellent choice of subject Tim, one I want to do myself but haven't got around to getting an A-10 yet.

I struggled to find a sheet for Bentwaters/Woodbridge aircraft which is hard to believe as like you say they were always flying around (I distinctly remember a pair of them VERY low over my school the day after the F-111's bombed Libya) and were a European air show stalwart.

Good luck with your build.

Craig.

[Tim Moff]

Cool Brrrrrt indeed. If you need some weapons I've a box of spares that may yield something useful. Let me know what you're looking for

Thanks .....what would be a war load in them days (realistic!).....AGM65's, MK82's, MK20's, an ALQ-119 and 2 x AIM 9L?

Appreciate if you have any of these! Most of my spares are 90s or later....

Lots of stuff here....will need to research 1980's weapons....Mavericks, Mk82's,

http://defence.pk/threads/fairchild-republic-a-10-thunderbolt-ii.426186/

http://www.hobbylinc.com/tamiya-a-10-thunderbolt-ii-plastic-model-airplane-kit-1:48-scale-61028

• Weapons including: (6) AGM-65 Maverick, (1) GBU-8, (1).
• GBU-10, (6) Mk.82 500lb bombs, (1) Mk.20 bomb, and (1) ALQ-119 pod.

some resaerch, advice and choices!!

Any good ideas appreciated from 1980's Warthog aficionados!

[Col.]

Will get the box dug out tomorrow if I remember Tim. Fire me a reminder and I'll see what's in there that you can use.

[Tim Moff]

Excellent choice of subject Tim, one I want to do myself but haven't got around to getting an A-10 yet.

I struggled to find a sheet for Bentwaters/Woodbridge aircraft which is hard to believe as like you say they were always flying around (I distinctly remember a pair of them VERY low over my school the day after the F-111's bombed Libya) and were a European air show stalwart.

Good luck with your build.

Craig.

I am lucky to have a Xtracolor USAFE decal set, ideal for my USAFE project - sure there will be spares for WR aircraft after if you want them....I will use the Alconbury set for my Italeri build...

Kit decals:

unrealistic kit weapons:

[RMP2]

Thank god someone pulled an A-10 out!

The last photo you posted of the underside of the model would be close to a wartime load. The kit instructions showing everything and anything onboard are a bit daft to say the least.

Pretty sure I have Mk82 and Mk83 slicks spare if you find you need them. Cluster bombs and single mount Mavericks are prettier though (keeping mine for my A-10).

Looking forward to seeing this one go along as I have the later boxing here - the fit looks very good if nothing else.

[CliffB]

Oh I do like a lizard A-10! I did a couple in 1/144 a few years ago - which was 'fun'!

Cliff

[mirageiv]

Nice! Look forward to this in one of my all time favourite camo schemes

[SleeperService]

An awesome choice! Like you I grew up under A-10 filled skies. World Air Power had a special on the A-10 which is as complete a reference as you'd need. I'm glad the decal sheet is working out.

[Tim Moff]

After a few weeks of madness work wise, Rio recce, Euro 16 BBC deployment brief in Manchester, Rio 16 BBC deployment brief, back to Manchester and catching up, I have some TOIL.

In between the Long Haired Generals tasking sheet I have finally made a start on the GB.

Getting the Pit done, basic with decals, plus got most of the main assemblies built up.Fit seems to be good. Tried to get rid of the main seam joins, detail is raised so not so easy.

Need to look at the weapons load, be raiding lots of boxes me thinks...probably use the Tamiya Mavericks and MK 82's and ECM.

Not sure whether to black base here with the dark colours involved....or to post fade some areas......

At least its a start!!

Scheme to be used:

Edited May 25, 2016 by Tim Moff

[Jabba]

Nice start Tim.

[RMP2]

Nice to see stuff back on the go.

If I may - please dont go mental with the weapon load - operational A-10s didnt carry all that much, I guess the gun did quite a bit of work, its a fairly handy thing so they say.... It makes me shudder a bit when I see the full load outs of Mavericks, LGBs, 12x Mk82s, ferry tank etc as thats just not how they would ever be flown (if they could even get off the deck!).

[Tim Moff]

Nice to see stuff back on the go.

If I may - please dont go mental with the weapon load - operational A-10s didnt carry all that much, I guess the gun did quite a bit of work, its a fairly handy thing so they say.... It makes me shudder a bit when I see the full load outs of Mavericks, LGBs, 12x Mk82s, ferry tank etc as thats just not how they would ever be flown (if they could even get off the deck!).

Agreed - in my past life I was a LTMO(Laser Target Marker Operator)/Assistant FAC (Forward Air Controller) in the 'old money' when I was a Corporal, then completed the JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) later in my career. During Op Herrick 4 in Helmand in 2006, we used A10's, GR7/9sa nd Apache (among other airframes) on a near daily basis.

The Hawg saved our sorry asses a few times! I will arm the jet as per 1980's, I found a site with loads from the Gulf War in 199, which will be my baseline, I also realised I have a Hase Weapons Set A that will help. The kits Mavericks are poor, so may look for some better ones, the 2nd hand Italeri kit I have came less the missiles as the guy had used them - plan to nick the twin AIM9 rails and missiles, maybe the rocket pods too.

Interestingly the triple Maverick LAU-88 was fitted and used below, but with a max of 2 missiles, along with MK82's. Some interesting combos!

http://www.dstorm.eu/pages/loadout/a-10.html

Edited May 29, 2016 by Tim Moff

[RMP2]

Cool. The site with those loads is great - http://www.dstorm.eu/pages/loadout/a-10.html

[Skids]

I remember them in that scheme when I was a kid, my fav A-10 scheme. Great start Tim, can't wait to see more.

I Love/Hate these GBs. They are great as you see so many different things but I hate them as it makes me want to buy more kits.

Even more so when you see the Brrrt vids, truly awesome

Edited May 26, 2016 by Skids

[Tomoshenko]

A truly brutal and iconic piece of kit. Cracking camo too. Looking forward seeing this develop.

[Tim Moff]

On looking in the Hasegawa Weapons C box, plenty of goodies to help.

The Q is why are Tamiyas Mk82s so much bigger than Hases?

couple of interesting pics/loadouts from desert storm to give me an idea:

Green Mavs and White Rockeyes....ALQ 119 and twin AIM 9M's

AIM9s and ALQ119 switched wings, 2 x Mavs and a wing eaqch of MK82s on TERS. Interestingly rails 2 and 10 seem seldom used.

[Lex77]

Nice subject and very interesting colour scheme.

Do miss those A-10's.

[Hockeyboy76]

Hope your enjoying the kit Tim. A10s are fab.

[Tim Moff]

Am thinking on 3 and 9 the LAU-88 with 2 x AGM65D's on each, 2, 6 and 10 empty, 5 and 7 MK82 LDGP, 4 and 8 Mk20's, 1 and 11 ALQ-119 and DRA with 2 x AIM9M's.....mixed bag likely to be used in a NATO vs Warsaw Pact scenario and a realistic load

2 x AGM65D's on an LAU-88 and ALQ-119 below during Desert Storm. ALQ-119 looks to be painted the same colour as the darker green on the Euro scheme?

[RMP2]

Sounds a little busy for me, but I dont think its unrealistic, I just prefer the more simple loads.

I like the idea of the missing pylons - 2 and 10 and just a couple of single AGM-65s and a few Mk20s along with the ever present ALQ. Theyre a big aircraft and they look heavy to me with loads of stuff on them, Ill be going for the lightweight look. Its got a gun or something for doing other stuff.

EDIT - not sure if the AIM-9 option, especially a pair has always been there. Going from memory I only recall seeing them from Iraq onwards, but Im no A-10 expert by any means.

Edited May 29, 2016 by RMP2

[Tim Moff]

Sounds a little busy for me, but I dont think its unrealistic, I just prefer the more simple loads.

I like the idea of the missing pylons - 2 and 10 and just a couple of single AGM-65s and a few Mk20s along with the ever present ALQ. Theyre a big aircraft and they look heavy to me with loads of stuff on them, Ill be going for the lightweight look. Its got a gun or something for doing other stuff.

EDIT - not sure if the AIM-9 option, especially a pair has always been there. Going from memory I only recall seeing them from Iraq onwards, but Im no A-10 expert by any means.

Fair point regards the AGMs and AIM9s...will look into the winders and when the DRA came into use....ref the AGMs, I am not sure I have a LAU-117 rail anywhere, may have to scratch build/convert and TER!

Edit;

A10 Pilot says that they had them in late 80's

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=292792

Edited May 29, 2016 by Tim Moff

[RMP2]

Dont get me wrong, the triple Maverick rails used to be a rare thing and its cool to see them with just a pair of missiles each in actual use. Just a personal preference re light loads - maybe stems from seeing them regularly with nothing on at Donna Nook.

I have a single triple AGM rack spare if needed, the other seems to be missing from the box.

The Kinetic F-16s have rather nicer Mavericks as well as single rails I believe, I have a pair here for mine and theyre much better than the Tamiya offerings. Maybe worth a wanted ad?

ps - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-World-Power-Journal-Vol-Spring/dp/1874023360/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464539008&sr=8-1&keywords=world+air+power+journal+vol+16I might have just bought a copy myself...

Edited May 29, 2016 by RMP2

[Tim Moff]

I'm thinking in spirit of the GB that the aircraft will be armed as per heightened tension between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, so on a war footing (like in the book we can not mention the name of !!).

Hence a warload similar to Desert Storm.

Thanks for the kind offer.

Have to think about the dual AGMs on the triple launchers or going down the single missile per station route. The MK20s are in - the major threat and tactics from the 'Reds' was armoured thrust deep into Germany - I remember training to fight it...the A10 was the main weapon to counter this thrust - hence the thinking behind the weapons.