1:32 A-10A Thunderbolt II (for Trumpeter)

Red Fox Studio 1:32 A-10A Thunderbolt II — 3D cockpit decals

Instrument details of the pilot's cockpit of the A-10A ground-attack aircraft in 1:32 scale. The set is printed on decal paper and given a relief 3D texture, so it combines the legibility of printed graphics with a three-dimensional look. It is not glued into the model as a part — it is soaked off in water and laid onto the finished, painted cockpit part. According to the manufacturer the accessory is cut for the Trumpeter kit.

The real subject

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat twin-engine ground-attack aircraft intended to support ground troops from low altitude. The design is subordinated to survivability: the engines sit high on the sides of the rear fuselage, the pilot is protected by an armored bathtub and the control system is duplicated. The A version is the original single-seat variant. The cockpit of the A-10 has a large area of side consoles and extensive switch panels, because the crew works with ground targets in a very short time — and it is exactly these panels that make the biggest difference in 1:32 scale between bare plastic and a drawn-out interior.

How the set is applied

• Paint the cockpit parts and coat them with a gloss clear coat, otherwise the decal will silver.
• Cut the motifs out one at a time and close to the edge, so no rim of carrier is left.
• Lay the side consoles on in sections — one large piece will wrinkle on a complex shape.
• Position with a damp brush and press the water out with a soft cloth, from the center toward the edges.
• Use the decal softener sparingly; an aggressive product flattens the relief.
• Finish by evening out the surface with a matte varnish.

Who the set is for

For modelers building the large A-10 model in 1:32 scale who want a drawn-out cockpit without bending photo-etched parts. It calls for patience with the side consoles, but for no special technique beyond ordinary decal practice.

This is an accessory, not a kit. The base model, paints, varnish and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. Check that it matches your model before ordering.