1:48 A-10A/C Thunderbolt II ECU intake with FOD

What the accessory is for

Intake openings tend to be a weak spot in kits: they are often blanked off, shallow or have edges that are too thick, so on a finished model they look like a mere dimple in the surface. This accessory replaces the intake of the ECU unit, that is of the cabin air conditioning and pressurization unit, on models of the A-10 ground-attack aircraft in the A and C versions. The abbreviation FOD in the name refers to the item that protects the intake against foreign object damage.

The real subject

The A-10 Thunderbolt II serves to support ground troops. It is built for long hours over the battlefield at low altitude and its surface is studded with small openings, covers and vents that are clearly visible in photographs. It is exactly such details that decide whether a finished model looks like a machine in service or like a smooth shell.

• 1:48 scale
• the intake of the ECU unit with protection against foreign object damage
• for the A-10A and A-10C Thunderbolt II versions
• replaces the corresponding kit part
• the manufacturer's part number QB49154

Building and painting tips

First trace the place on the fuselage and cut the original shape away with a margin: you can always sand more off, adding material back is harder. Remove excess material a little way from the part with a sharp blade and level the surface. The parts are not polystyrene, so bond them with super glue and wash and degrease them before painting. Paint the inside of the intake before fitting it and bring out the shadow in the depth with a darker shade, so that the opening does not look flat.

Who it is for

The accessory suits modelers who are refining the surface detail of an A-10 in 1:48 scale. The package contains only this part; the kit, paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.