1:72 Fairchild A-10 A/C Thunderbolt II - Correct Fan Blades GWH

Aires/Quickboost 1:72 A-10 A/C Thunderbolt II, correct fan blades

This item is not an airplane kit but an accessory to a model: a set of resin replacement engine fan blades for the Fairchild A-10 A/C Thunderbolt II in 1:72 scale. The parts carry the Quickboost brand, the accessory range of the company Aires, and their shape is matched to the A-10 kit from Great Wall Hobby. The purpose of the set is to correct the shape of the face of the engine fan, which comes out simplified on the injection-molded kit part, as the resin casting has a finer and more faithful blade profile.

Why it matters on the A-10

The pair of engines set high on the sides of the rear fuselage is among the most striking features of the A-10. The intakes of the nacelles are wide and the face of the fan is clearly visible into them even on a finished model, so the division and shape of the blades are a detail a viewer notices among the first. Swapping the kit part for a more accurate resin one is therefore one of the quickest ways to lift a model visually without touching the structure of the fuselage.

Use

• Separate the parts from the casting block with a saw or a sharp cutter, and never snap them off.
• Before gluing, wash them in lukewarm soapy water, which removes the mold release residue so that the paint holds considerably better.
• Glue with cyanoacrylate glue (super glue); ordinary plastic cement does not work on resin.
• Try the fit dry; do any sanding with respiratory protection, ideally wet.
• It is advisable to paint them before gluing them into the nacelle, as the face of the fan is harder to reach once assembled.

Who the set is for

For modelers who build the A-10 in 1:72 scale and want engine detail beyond the contents of the box. Working with resin calls for some experience, but the swap itself is one of the simpler modifications and even a moderately advanced builder can manage it.

The accessory is supplied unpainted; glue and paints are not included in the package. Use a respirator and ventilate when cutting and sanding resin. Cyanoacrylate glue sticks instantly to skin as well, so protect your hands and eyes.