1/72 USAF A-10C Demo Team Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2020

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is one of the best known specialized combat aircraft of modern military aviation. It entered service with the U.S. Air Force in the 1970s and was designed primarily for direct support of ground forces, armor destruction, and operations in environments where durability, long endurance over the battlefield, and the ability to accurately engage targets close to friendly units are important. The distinguishing feature of the aircraft is the massive 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger seven-barrel rotary cannon, around which the A-10 design was largely designed.

The A-10C version is an upgraded version of the Thunderbolt II. Compared to earlier versions, it has received improved avionics, digital systems, more advanced communications and navigation equipment, and the ability to use precision-guided munitions more effectively. Yet it retained the basic characteristics of the original A-10: rugged construction, straight wing, high stowed engines, and a very distinctive look that earned the aircraft the nickname "Warthog".

This 1:72 scale Great Wall Hobby kit depicts the A-10C in the USAF A-10C Demo Team livery from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, in 2020. The Demo Team is used to showcase the capabilities of the A-10 type to the public during flight demonstrations, and its machines often carry more distinctive and collectible markings than conventional operational aircraft. For modelers, this demonstrator is an interesting combination of modern combat aircraft, iconic shape, and representative coloration associated with a specific unit and period.

The 1:72 scale offers a good compromise between the size of the finished model and the amount of detail. The A-10C in this scale will stand out well in a display case on its own and alongside other modern USAF aircraft. The model is suitable for builders looking for a contemporary American model with a distinctive character and clearly recognizable silhouette. Included are decals for the USAF A-10C Demo Team Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2020 variant. The package does not include paint or adhesives needed for assembly.