Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

[No.1]

I start work on this attack plane some hour ago, this have priority compared with other projects I start to work.

[Nico Braas]

One of the ugliest planes ever built, but very efficient in its task as a low-level attack plane.
It fully deserved its name 'Warthog'!

[Second Air Force]

I agree, not a beautiful airplane, but very effective! There is quite a political struggle going on here in the U.S. about keeping or retiring the entire fleet of A-10s......

I'll find my photos of the early polka-dot experimental camouflage and post them later!

[No.1]

True, old fashioned from the very start but very effective!!! And progress in last one hour and twenty minutes

[No.1]

Progress on various details last hour.

[Nico Braas]

Time for a small photo update!!!

[No.1]

Update is great!!!

[Second Air Force]

AHA! I found my "Spotted Hog" photos. These were tried out when the Warthog first went into service but not adopted. I've got an old Monogram kit in the attic just waiting for one of these schemes.....

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

[Nico Braas]

When I see on TV news that Russian Frogfoots are patroling over Ukrain border and violating their airspace it would not be a very wise move to phase out the A-10 since there is nothing that can replace them at the moment.

[No.1]

That was JAWS trials, two pattern was tested, they was very good but not selected as well they were complicated to maintain. And true, there is no real replacement for the A-10. In the event of war they could be good meat for the Tunguska and other systems, note that US never in modern history have relevant enemy in regards to strength and equipment.

[No.1]

[Second Air Force]

I wouldn't want to have that shooting at me!! 

That brings up another item--not only is the A-10 vulnerable to such a weapon, but its replacement, supposedly the F-35, will have its own vulnerabilities.......an endless story yet to be told.

However, we can still enjoy the profiles you're doing, and I'm going to get out my Warthog kit pretty soon!

[Nico Braas]

Solution is simple: shoot first! I can hardly imagine the Tunguska is invulnerable against the 30 mm rotating gun of the A-10..
F-35 would be very unsuitable as an A-10 replacement. It was definitely not designed to operate continuously at very low altitide against ground targets and it definitely lackes the thick armour plating around the cockpit section of the A-10. Maybe its stealth is an advantage but I think this is only marginal!

[No.1]

A-10 is very strong, it could sustain direct side hit of 35mm shell in fuselage under canopy but Tunguska is already made with  knowledge of this and have very strong rate of fire and also it act as troop system this mean few of them shoot... As our friend say above, lets enjoy in color art and wish nobody gets hurt, we are all somebody kids and loved persons.

[Second Air Force]

As Nico said, the F-35 is totally unsuited to the close-support role, and costs a huge amount more just in fuel and maintenance than the "old" A-10. I reckon the best thing is for nobody to start shooting at anyone else.