Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series Die-cast Model

Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II – 81-0964, 21st FS, 507th ACW, USAF, Shaw AFB, December 1991, "Mi-8 Killer"

1:72 Scale.  Length: 8.9”.  Wingspan: 9.5”


Limited production of approximately 1,000 models worldwide

During “Operation Desert Storm” two A-10s downed Iraqi helicopters. The first was on February 6, 1991 77-0205 piloted by Captain Bob Swain of the 706th TFS who downed an Iraqi Bo-105 C helicopter. The second was A-10A No.81-0964 c/n A10-659 piloted by Captain Todd 'Shanghai' Sheehy assigned to the USAF 511 TFS. Sheehy spotted an Iraqi Mi-8 Hip helicopter and started shooting 300 rounds of his 30mm cannon. The helicopter tail section caught fire so Sheehy fired another 200 rounds to finish it. 81-0964 was modernized to OA-10A in 1987 and A-10C in 2006.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a twin-engine ground-attack aircraft developed by Fairchild Republic for the U.S. Air Force. First flown on May 10, 1972, the A-10A entered service in March 1976. It was designed around the GAU-8 Avenger, a 30 mm internal rotary cannon that is the airplane's primary armament and the heaviest such automatic cannon mounted on any aircraft. In addition to its cannon, the A-10 can be armed with a combination of rockets, missiles, bombs and other mission equipment on eleven pylon stations under the wings and fuselage.

Designed for survivability, the A-10s airframe includes 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor for protection of the cockpit and other systems that enables the aircraft to continue flying even after damage from enemy fire. Commonly known by its nickname "Warthog" the A-10 is highly maneuverable at low speeds and low altitude and capable of short take-offs and landings.

The A-10 was used in combat for the first time during the 1991 Gulf War, destroying more than 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 other military vehicles and 1200 artillery pieces, making it by far the most effective aircraft of the war. A-10s also shot down two helicopters with the GAU-8 cannon. The A-10 flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90% of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles fired in the conflict.


Hobby Master is a manufacturer of high quality, pre-built, diecast models. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft or vehicle. They are made with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of an A-10 Thunderbolt II features: