The Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, or 'Warthog' to give it its nickname, must be one of the most popular modelling subjects ever, thanks to its slightly ungainly profile and of course the massive 30mm GAU-8/A multi-barrel gun in the nose. It's a odd looking killer, but an effective one at that. In model kit form we have Tamiya's now rather aged 1:48 offering, Monogram's equally old but rather good 1:72 kit, Revell's 1:48 release, plus of Trumpeter's amazing 1:32 model and others, but now, thanks to HobbyBoss, there's a new pair of Thunderbolts IIs in 1:48 that could just be the best yet. The two forms of the A-10 depicted by HobbyBoss are the familiar single seat A-10 machine, and the rather spectacular looking two seat N/AW A-10, of which only one prototype was made (or maybe two?), and now resides at Edwards AFB Museum. Both kits come in substantial corrugated-card boxes with an inner carton containing the canopy parts, other clear components, vinyl tyres and a grey sprue carrying an exquisite ejector seat as well as the cockpit tub. The airframe is covered with recessed rivet detail which is generally very restrained and looks just right, however the weapons pylons have a slightly heavier rivet treatment that looks a little overdone, but not to the extent that it spoils the look of the model. All panel join-lines are recessed and look excellent.
No comments:
Post a Comment