Description: Revell 85-5521 A-10 Warthog 1/48 Scale Model Kit Designed especially for close air support, the Warthog entered service in 1975. During the war in Vietnam, the Air Force discovered that its fighter-bombers were not very good at providing close air support (CAS) to troops on the ground. What was needed was an aircraft like the attack types used by the U.S. Navy, and to fill this need, the Air Force first acquired surplus Navy A-1 Skyraiders. This led to the development of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, which, because of its ungainly looks, became commonly known as the Warthog. Designed around a seven-barrel, 30-mm cannon, which fires depleted Uranium rounds capable of piercing a considerable thickness of armor, the Warthog quickly became known as a tank buster. Additionally, eleven pylons under the wings and fuselage can carry a wide variety of ordnance including standard bombs, cluster bombs, and guided missiles. The pilot sits in an armored bathtub to protect him from the ground fire. The Warthog can fly safely with either one of its twin tails shot away and the two turbofan engines are mounted high above the tail to protect then from anti-aircraft artillery. The tail surfaces also shields the engines from heat seeking missiles. During Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, A-10's were very successful at destroying hundreds of tanks and other armored vehicles belonging to the Republican Guard and other units of the Iraqi Army. Features: 1/48 Scale, Skill level 4, ages 12+ Contains 165 parts Assembled length 13.00 inches Wingspan 14.63 inches Detailed interior with seated pilot and boarding ladder ECM pod, cluster bombs, napalm tanks, Maverick missiles and centerline drop tank Decals included for "LET'S ROLL", the 355TH Wing/12AF West Coast A-10 Demo Team, 2003, "NORRIS THE PLAYHOG" 104th TFS Maryland ANG, Sentry Independence, Volk Field Wisconsin, 1989 Molded in light gray and clear Requires paint and glue. (not included)
