1:72 A-10C Thunderbolt ll

The real subject

The A-10C Thunderbolt II is an American ground-attack aircraft intended for close support of ground units. It has an armored bathtub around the pilot, carries a 30 mm rotary cannon in the nose and a row of pylons for bombs and rockets under the wing. The C version is an upgrade of the original machine: it received a digital cockpit with multifunction displays and the ability to use guided munitions. The unmistakable shape comes from the high-mounted engine nacelles at the root of the tail surfaces and from the twin vertical tails.

What the set contains

This is an add-on set of photo-etched metal parts in 1:72 scale, that is a refinement of a kit, not a stand-alone model. The parts are etched from thin sheet and are held in the fret by tiny tabs. The layout of the parts and their order during the build are shown in the instructions from the manufacturer, which it is a good idea to go through before starting work.

Building and painting tips

The small scale puts the emphasis on order on the bench: cut the parts off with a sharp blade directly over the fret, so that they do not fly away. Make the bends along the scored lines and help yourself with flat-jawed tweezers. Glue with cyanoacrylate glue applied with a pin, as ordinary cement for polystyrene will not join metal. First cut away the plastic parts that the photo-etch replaces and sand the area down. Degrease the metal before painting and spray it with a primer.

Who it is for

The set suits modelers who do not want to give up detail in 1:72 scale and have tweezers, a magnifier and a sharp blade at hand. The kit itself, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.