First WIP ! - 1:48 Hobbyboss A-10C Thunderbolt

[Tiger331]

Hi Folks,

Well, I'm about to take the plunge and enter into my first WIP on Britmodeller. HEALTH WARNING !. I am notoriously slow at completing projects so you will have to be patient but I hope that I can maintain the motivation to carry this one through with a little encouragement from the BM community.

Recently inspired by this (from the Michigan ANG 'Red Devils'):

and this….from the 303rd FS AFRC at Whiteman AB…..both landing on our roads (well highways) here in Estonia……..

I thought I would have a go at this:

This has become a truly multinational effort and I am still waiting on a few bits and pieces...

The North Star AGM-65 Mavericks came from Latvia…..I have an A-10C specific external photo-etched panel set coming from Russia, more decals from Speed Hunter Graphics in the USA and an Airies Cockpit Detail Set from the UK.

I have yet to decide which markings to use. The Caracal Models sheet shown above does not include the full color 'Flagship' markings for the Red Devils aircraft that I photographed back in June. On the other hand, the 303rd FS full colour Flagship markings are included on the Speed Hunter Graphics sheet that I have ordered so it would be nice to complete the model in the markings of an aircraft that I have actually seen and photographed extensively. I do also like those rather smart 'fangs' on the KC jet.

I am still researching some of the aftermarket materials I have already purchased. I was a little dismayed to read mixed reviews concerning the resin replacement main undercarriage bays from Aires. They are, reportedly, too small and have some accuracy issues with their outline. Personally, I cannot see it myself but I am a bit concerned that the upper wing reinforcement straps will be inevitably damaged if I cut away the recommended amount of plastic to fit the resin replacements. The Avionics resin cockpit detail set is very nice but does not, of course, cater for the changes associated with the A-10C upgrade. In addition, the HUD frames are moulded in resin, to be mounted on the resin replacement cockpit coaming. They are very neat but it will be a devil to clear up all of the flash between the frames so I have invested in an Aires photo-etched set to reproduce a finer set of frames (though I loathe working with P/E). I still have to source a twin LAU set and drill AIM-9L Sidewinder to complete the basic fit found on most of the A-10s visiting Estonia over this last summer.

Stay tuned !

[DAG058]

This looks like it could be fun.

[FIGHTS ON]

I did the Trumpy 1/32 A-10 some years back, am I correct to assume that this is a scale down version of same kit? if so have a look at the cockpit glazing, on my 1/32 kit I used the Squadron vacform. To tell the difference, look at the 2 pictures you have posted, the front (forward centre) panal of glass is "narrow" where as Trumpeter (therefore poss hobbyboss??) supplied glass is way to wide. below is a crap quality picture from my build, if you click onto picture you should be able to acces my photobucket album which has some other pics from the build.

Of course, I could be completely wrong and that the Hobbyboss canopy is spot on.....but once seen, "what has been seen cannot be unseen"