A-10 Hog Rocket Pods in 1/48?

Awesome!! :o)

Rebel, how about this aircraft from OIF, this is what a Hog looks like after firing a full drum of 30mm HEI on one sortie [:0].......

Thanks, I appreciate it! I've never built an A-10 before so I don't know much about the A/C let alone all the details and mods. I found Black Box's web site and found that they DO have an A-10 set! And a sweet one to boot! I was thinking of getting it for the Monogram one I have and simply trying to fit the plastic Monogram cockpit into the Hobbycraft. I think I'll use the Hobbycraft as a "dry run" for my A-10 detailing and later going all out on the Monogram. What do you think? I looked on Twobobs website- I thought I saw decals for the KC unit from them once (?), but I guess I was wrong. Dad got a book on OIF, so I'll have to check for pics. The decals that come in the "Homeland Defense" kit are for a green and gray Pennsylvania bird. Is this still even applied to A-10's? The other option is for the Connecticut (hope I spelled it right!) ANG in the correct compass ghost gray scheme. The decals don't look that bad actually. Almost all the upgrades and antennas will have to be added, so it looks like I have my work cut out for me!

Hey Reb;
have you tried the Eduard's PE kit (they are a little less expensive then the Black Box) for A-10's interior, and I know that True Details made the ACES II seats look really good too(but I don't know if they are still in production), as for the OIF look just before the first A-10 Sortie, they where sitting on the ramp with out the FOD covers anyway (the only time the engine covers where used is when the plane was in CANN status in the AEF) as for the smaller covers they are pulled when the crew cheif arrives at the A/C and ready's the plane for the days goes(but my unit never installed them,just only when a sand storms where coming through) , so you could leave all the fun stuff off and just have the RBF flags on the bombs & pylons only and it'll still be correct( as a matter of fact the flags are removed at EOR just prior to take off) as for the Landing Gear you could leave them on or off because the C/C pulls them just prior the crew show, so if you have the C/C & Pilot near by then all the LDG flags & FOD covers are removed but the weapons flags are still in place
if you have any more ??'s don't be afraid to ask me or drop an Email to me

Well, the canopy question you asked depends on the answer to my next question. The cockpit to that Hobbycraft/Esci kit is awful. There are no raised details of any sort OR decals included to help! I wonder what they expect the modeler to do. Does anyone (maybe Black Box or Verlinden) make a cockpit tub and ejection seat in 1/48? Even if it is designed for the Monogram kit I would like to try to use it anyways- just trim to fit. I would like to do an OIF bird just prior to the first mission of the day. Canopy up, full weapons load (no "Remove Before Flight" tags), no FOD covers, and the boarding ladder down is what I had in mind. I can do the upgrades with no problem, but I do need a new cockpit. Thanks for letting me use your info! I'll be able to start building tonight after work. All I have to say is TGIF!

Rrebel99, feel free to use whatever you need off my site, that's what it's there for. I'm going to do the paint page next so Idon't think the cockpit will section will be finnished in time to help you guys.
I will see what I can do about getting you guys the info you need to detail the cockpit. Are you going to do the canopy up or down?

Well, I just got the Hobbycraft A-10 "Homeland Defense" and it is the Esci kit. It looks only mediocre compared to the Monogram. It doesn't include any rocket pods otherwise I would let you have them. Dice- great web page! I hope it's o.k. that I printed it off to use as a reference for my model. I can't wait for pics of the cockpit. Are you going to have any of the ejection seat? What kind of seat does the A-10 have? I'm glad that I won't have to buy a book to get all the info I need for updating this model- between you and 72 I have everything I'll need! Thanks guys! And be forewarned about the "Hobbycraft" A-10...

Hey Flynavydan;
Well Dice has a great place to go for the update for the old Tamiya kit, but it depends on the locations of operations you want to do, if your doing the 23 FW (FT tail code) flying out of Tallil AB Iraq (May to Nov 03) then they flew with 2 MK 82's and 2 AGM-64's, 1 SUU-14(?) 7 FFR Rocket pod, and SUU-17 NVIS Flare pod, as for the 442 FW (KC tail code)flying out of Kirkuk AB Iraq (May to Nov 03) they flew 1 MK 82, 1 GBU-12, 1 AGM-64(depended on the mission requirements), 1 LITENING II pod, 1 SUU-17, and 1 SUU-14(?), but if wanted to make it of the conflict from Mar to May 03 then all A-10's in theater flew with 4 MK 82's, 2 AGM-64's (depended on which unit, KC & MA planes flew LITENING II pods and only used 1 AGM-64 instead of 2 because the LITENING II pods used the #9 pylon on rt wing), 1 SUU-14 pod, and 1 AN/ALQ-134 ECM pod, and 1DRA unit with 2 AIM-9's,
after the conflict the 2 remaining units dropped the ECM pod's & DRA's because of the absence of any air to air or ground to air threats

flynavydan, first welcome to the forums! If you're building an OIF A-10 you may want to take a look at this page on my website....

http://www.warthogpen.com/a_10_walk_around.html

BTW- would love to see the finished product!

See if this page helps, too: I pasted the relevant paragraphs, which are near the bottom of the webpage...
http://www.aviationusk.com/details/detflightp.html

"A.10 Thunderbolt II Detail & Weapons Set - for the Monogram kit - this set provides canopy framing and cockpit fittings, turbine blades, and many airframe fittings and updates, including formation lights. An access ladder is included, together with AGM-65 launch rails and missile details, an AN/ALQ-131 ECM Pod, a DRA unit with two AIM-9L missiles and two CBU-87 cluster bombs. Also included is a fully detailed access door to the gun loading bay for use when displaying an A.10 with our mechanized Ammo Loader kit [see below] - Price $28.95

A.10 Mechanized Ammunition Loader with Ammunition Cart - an intricately detailed kit to construct these items essential for your A.10 displays. The ammunition belt detail is faithfully reproduced, captured together with the finely-etched checker plate bed of the ammo. cart with it's five fully-detailed containers. This kit contains 140x280mm of etched sheetage together with many fine castings and is superb value for money - Price $33.95"

-ShamRage

Welcome to FSM Forum! Not sure about aftermarket details. But, when all else fails, scratchbuild: Evergreen Styrene and Plastruct both offer basic plastic tubes of any diameter. Rocket pod faces can be made by drilling holes in a disc inserted over the front face of the tube. Little details, if any, can be made from fine wire, etc. Looks like someone already made their own pods at http://www.arcair3.com/Fea1/101-200/Fea109_A10_Spitaels/Fea109.htm