Description

The A-10 Thunderbolt is a subsonic attack aircraft developed by Fairchild Republic for the United States Air Force but is commonly referred to as the ‘Warthog’ or simply ‘Hog’. The A-10 was designed to provide close air support (CAS) to ground troops by attacking enemy armoured vehicles, tanks, and other ground forces, and it is the only production-built aircraft designed solely for that mission. The A-10 was intended to improve on the performance and firepower of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider, and its airframe was designed around the high-power 30mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary autocannon. The airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 540kg of titanium armour to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb damage and continue flying. Its ability to take off and land from relatively short and/or unpaved runways permits operation from airstrips close to the front lines, and its simple design enables maintenance with minimal facilities. It served in Operation ‘Desert Storm’, where the aircraft distinguished itself. The A-10 has also participated in other conflicts such as the Balkans, Afghanistan, the Iraq War, and against the Islamic State in the Middle East. As the series title ‘Profile & Scale’ suggests, the book also contains colour artwork, walk arounds, and how to build plastic models of the A-10 in popular scales, making this an ideal reference for the enthusiast and modeller alike.