discussion Academy 1/72 Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II

[flyjoe180]

Pulled this one out. Reviews for this kit are mixed, but they almost all agree that the fit isn't great. Not sure which scheme I'll be doing, but as they both use the same camouflage pattern, I can make that decision late in the process. The decals are Academy's in house (very thin) version, so not possibly looking good for that shark mouth option.

 

[flyjoe180]

Plastic in the bags looked okay:



Updates to follow...

 

[PaulTRose]

Look forward to this

A proper bomb truck

 

[flyjoe180]

Every sub-assembly so far has needed filler or scraping. I've fixed weights into the forward fuselage half, secured with sprue scraps.

Every bomb and Maverick missile has major ejector marks. The wing fit wasn't too bad, just some filler around the leading edge protrusions (wheel bays), and at the lower inside wing tips.


The engine nacelles didn't line up on both sides, so to make things easier I aligned the inside seams, and put filler on the outer ones. The exhaust sections had horrible seams that will be visible inside the cowlings, so I chopped up a drink straw and used it to create smoother surfaces. It won't be 100% realistic, but certainly better than the alternative.


Cockpit is being painted etc, I'll update when the Warthog airframe is assembled. I might need more sandpaper...

 

[Richard48]

Im sure you will whack it into Submission Joe.I remember them flying near my house in early 1980s.Used to see them regularly in Suffolk here in U.K.They were based at Raf Woodbridge,Bentwaters,Alconbury.I seem to recall my mate and i tackling the Tamiya 1.48th one.Chair pulled up watching mate.
Richard

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Nice progress Joe but it looks like it will be fighting you all the way.

 

[papa 695]

I was going to say the same as Steve, I think it’s going to fight you all the way. But I’ve no doubt you’ll beat it Joe. Cracking start.

 

[flyjoe180]

Im sure you will whack it into Submission Joe.

Nice progress Joe but it looks like it will be fighting you all the way.

I was going to say the same as Steve, I think it’s going to fight you all the way. But I’ve no doubt you’ll beat it Joe. Cracking start.

Cheers guys. I have yet to be defeated by a kit. So long as I don't make any major self-inflicted cock ups, all should turn out okay.

 

[flyjoe180]

No pictures, but to update the build: cockpit is done, fuselage is zipped up, I've got the engines on, and I'm dealing with the seams. The canopy at least, is very easy to mask. The cockpit is basic, I haven't done much to enhance it, except some belts from tape.

Hope to have a basic airframe for you to see in the next day or so.

 

[Neil]

Im sure you will whack it into Submission Joe.I remember them flying near my house in early 1980s.Used to see them regularly in Suffolk here in U.K.They were based at Raf Woodbridge,Bentwaters,Alconbury.I seem to recall my mate and i tackling the Tamiya 1.48th one.Chair pulled up watching mate.
Richard

We used to see them lining up for gunnery practice at Holbeach -I lived in Wisbech as a teenager.

The one good model I made as a teenager was the Tamiya A10 and I’ve always had a soft spot for them. That and the Phantom.

It could not survive my mothers best dusting efforts, however ;(

Looking forward to this one.

 

[flyjoe180]

We used to see them lining up for gunnery practice at Holbeach -I lived in Wisbech as a teenager.

The one good model I made as a teenager was the Tamiya A10 and I’ve always had a soft spot for them. That and the Phantom.

It could not survive my mothers best dusting efforts, however ;(

Looking forward to this one.

Great memories to have Neil. Yes, the old dusting routine has been the demise of many a youngster's models and trinkets

 

[flyjoe180]

Airframe is assembled. A LOT of filler was used. I've fixed the wing pylons too. I'm cleaning up the landing gear and weapons now. Almost ready for primer. Although there has been a lot of work required, it does look like a Warthog to me.

 

[yak face]

Excellent bashing joe , it looks like its been a real workout so far but its looking great now . Love the A10 , such a brute of an aircraft and unsurpassed in its mission . I had the Italeri A10 in the stash a while ago but moved it on , it looked a nice kit , dont know if it would have built ok though , might have to get another one and find out !

 

[Neil]

Excellent bashing joe , it looks like its been a real workout so far but its looking great now . Love the A10 , such a brute of an aircraft and unsurpassed in its mission . I had the Italeri A10 in the stash a while ago but moved it on , it looked a nice kit , dont know if it would have built ok though , might have to get another one and find out !

I know what you mean, I am close to the end of my build, so now need to decide on what is next. I have an Italeri A10… or one of my multiple Phantoms.

This is looking good but I remember that these are very tail heavy - that great big twin engine of course - but looking good Joe.

 

[flyjoe180]

Excellent bashing joe , it looks like its been a real workout so far but its looking great now . Love the A10 , such a brute of an aircraft and unsurpassed in its mission . I had the Italeri A10 in the stash a while ago but moved it on , it looked a nice kit , dont know if it would have built ok though , might have to get another one and find out !

Cheers Tony. Yes it has been a good workout, but nothing that anyone with basic model skills can't handle. It's more the sheer volume of corrections required. The italeri one I believe might be better than the Academy. Scalemates will confirm, but pretty sure it was one of the Italeri A-10s that Tamiya also re-boxed. I'm stuck with the two-tone grey scheme, but would have loved to have done it in the Greens/Dark grey Euro 'Lizard' scheme. Such an iconic warplane almost at the end of its tenure. I doubt they will replace it with anything remotely as effective, today's warplanes are all about multirole.

I know what you mean, I am close to the end of my build, so now need to decide on what is next. I have an Italeri A10… or one of my multiple Phantoms.

This is looking good but I remember that these are very tail heavy - that great big twin engine of course - but looking good Joe.

Cheers Neil. I'd love to see you do the Italeri A-10, hopefully it has a two green and dark grey option.

 

[yak face]

Yes it was the Tamiya rebox I had joe , in the ‘Lizard’ scheme too . Kicking myself for not keeping it now

 

[Neil]

Cheers Neil. I'd love to see you do the Italeri A-10, hopefully it has a two green and dark grey option.

It’s the Blacksnakes version, so 3 schemes, all of them are grey/grey - That said, now I think about it, I did have a number of decal sets for the Tamiya A10. I am going to have a look to see if I still have them.

 

[flyjoe180]

Got the Warthog primed and some black shading applied to help break up the greys. There's a 'false canopy' on the scheme for the lower nose area. Academy did not provide a decal, so I'm going to have to have a think about how I get that shape for painting. Weapons etc are also primed and everything is (I think) ready for paint. Reasonably happy with how this turd is turning into a half decent model.

 

[Steven000]

Looking good Joe, looking forward to the next steps, cheers

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Excellent progress Joe, such a great aircraft.