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Trying to decide how I want to arm my 1/72 Italeri 1/72 A-10A/C. The first step is identifying what comes with it, and then deciding what I want to keep or go shopping for replacements for. None of the hardware is called out by name in the instructions, and there's one type of bomb that I'm having trouble identifying.
They're definitely too squat for mk-80 series bombs. Sort of similar to an old M-117 which wouldn't really make sense and the shape's not quite right anyhow. Short extended fuzes are an interesting feature, as are the short tail fins, and the long taper of the rear section.
I'm leaning towards a cluster bomb of some sort but the internet has not been terribly helpful. Either a lot of people are mislabling pictures of bombs, or else for any given model number (ie "CBU-100") there are several different versions with fairly different shapes. So, it's time to ask the experts. Any thoughts?
Who keeps stepping on wings? Someone won't stay off the wings and now I have to apply all these tiny "NO STEP" decals.
Hello!
Looks like it's supposed to be a SUU-30 dispenser. It's sometimes called CBU-58 or something like that, depending on the exact type of bomblets loaded in the dispenser. There are several sub-types of the SUU-30 dispenser, too, with slight modifications to the fins and two types of a tip - one is more rounded, the other one is more sharp. Hasegawa Weapons II has 6 pcs. of similar dispensers.
Hope it helps, good lck with your build and have a nice day
Paweł
All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!
www.vietnam.net.pl
Thanks! I see that the Hasegawa Weapons II ones (which came out in 1980) look virtually identical. However, the rounded nose version seems far more common, as does the other fin shape. If there's a resource that details what it all means (older mod versus newer? Different manufacturers?) I've yet to find it, so I think perhaps I'll send these to the spares bin and pick up something more straightforward.
Appreciate the info.
The ECM pods look like ALQ-131s
Thanks,
John
The kit comes with two pods - one shorter, one longer - and lists each one as optional, but does not label either. So at some point I'll have to sort that out as well.
I have already decided I'll be equipping it with a heavy but plausible load. Which is to say, perhaps not something exactly accurate to known loads from actual combat missions, but something it could carry. Normally I try to match something that was actually flown in combat, but it would be a shame to let all those hardpoints go mostly empty.
That type of CBU are Vietnam era ordnance.
I have yet to come across a photo of an A-10 ever carrying them. For CBUs, A-10s usually carry later models such as the Rockeye or other types. The ECM pod is an ALQ-131 type.
F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!
U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!
N is for NO SURVIVORS...
- Plankton
LSM
Nice pic and info. I need to build an A-7 at some point so maybe they'll get used for that!
If you wanted the "round-nose-ones" - SUU-30B - I drew 'em up recently in 3D:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/CJHHM666L/1-72-suu-30b-cluster-bomb-16x?optionId=291752334&li=shops
Good luck with your builds and have a nice day
SUU-30s are listed on the loading chart for the A-10, but I haven't seen them loaded either.
"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."
Pawel Hello! If you wanted the "round-nose-ones" - SUU-30B - I drew 'em up recently in 3D: https://www.shapeways.com/product/CJHHM666L/1-72-suu-30b-cluster-bomb-16x?optionId=291752334&li=shops Good luck with your builds and have a nice day Paweł
Thanks, I might do that!
Eaglecash867 SUU-30s are listed on the loading chart for the A-10, but I haven't seen them loaded either.
BrhinoSome kits like to give you a pair of Multiple Ejector Racks with 6 mk-82s each, but as far as I can tell no A-10 has ever flown MERs on a combat mission.
Yup. A-10s occasionally had MERs hung on them during testing, but they were never officially certified to carry MERs.
I know that hanging a lot of ordnance on an A-10 is possible by weight, but apparently drag is a major concern on that aircraft. Can't imagine why on such a "slick" airframe. LOL
Here's a thread that I started on here several years back. There's a few photos of different A-10 combat load outs.
https://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/162856.aspx
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