Hobby Master 1/72 HA1331 A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team 2021 81-0962 Davis-Monthan AFB Arizona

October 1975 saw delivery of the first USAF A-10A and deployment in March 1976. Built specifically for close ground support the pilot is protected by titanium armor while being covered by a bubble canopy giving a commanding view. The Warthog has everything needed to survive, dual engines; self-sealing fuel cells; redundant flight control systems protected by titanium armor; a 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun; a wide array of bombs and missiles. This plane packs a heavy punch and can stay on scene a long time to deliver its payload.

A-10A 81-0962 c/n A-10-0657 was delivered to the USAF in 1981 and spent time with the 510th FS/ 52 FW, 81st FS/ 52FW. In 2008 81-0962 was converted to an A-10C and in 2013 transferred to the 354th FS/ 355th FW. For the 2021 Thunderbolt II “Demo Team” season A-10A 81-0962 was chosen and given a paint scheme resembling the F-105s used by the 355th TFW in the Vietnam War. On the side of the fuselage are the names of the unit’s MIA, KIA and POWs.