Reviews : HobbyBoss N/AW A-10A Thunderbolt II

The HobbyBoss 1/72 N/AW A-10A (aka A-10B) is a good modern model in semimatte light grey plastic with straightforward assembly, good fit, no flash, engraved panel lines and cockpit panel decals. The cockpit is well detailed there's even a HUD. There are small flaws: panel line misalignments where the rear of the cockpit merges with the fuselage. There is a size difference between the upper and lower halves of the fuselage tail resulting in misalignments of the tailcone position lights and RHAW antennas. This model also omits the rear of the main landing gear sponsons containing IR decoy flares standard on the A-10A. I don't know if this is correct for the only A-10B ever built. Sadly, like other HobbyBoss kits of 2008 vintage, there's no ordnance. This A-10 has 11 weapons pylons and absolutely nothing to mount on them no Mk 82/83/84, no Sidewinder, no Maverick, no LGB.

The A-10 is one of the most recognizable airplanes in the USAF inventory. But how many people knew about this one off 2 seater? This kit was really easy to do - has a minimal amount of parts, and decals for the cockpit. The canopy is moulded in one piece so theres no option to open it. The fit has much to be desired - the worst part being the rear underside. This area needed several applications of putty and sanding and scraping to get the seam and contour to even be acceptable. The real plane flew with a FLIR (or similar) pod under the wing, but all you get with this kit are empty pylons. Decals went on great but the owls are wrong - they should be in color, and only one (on the port nose of the plane). That said, I think this would be a great jumping off point for a what if build, or a group build.