Product Description

This A-10C attack aircraft (serial number 80-0275) was selected for the U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II demo team in May 2019 and received a special paint scheme at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base from August to September of the same year.
The new paint scheme replicates the P-51 Mustang fighter plane from wartime, featuring the white and black striped identification bands from the Normandy landings and the star insignia of the American military at the time.
It was piloted by Major Cody 'SHIV' Wilton of the demo team.

The A-10 is a ground attack aircraft specifically designed for close air support, a necessity based on lessons learned from the Vietnam War.
It is said that the creators of the detailed requirements submitted in 1969 had in mind an aircraft that combined the strengths of the World War II Ilyushin II-2, He129, and A1 Skyraider.
Furthermore, in 1970, the U.S. Air Force requested an all-weather version designed for use against Soviet armored forces.
The requirements included equipping the aircraft with a 30 mm anti-tank autocannon, a weapons payload capacity of over 7,258 tons, high range, good low-altitude maneuverability, excellent short take-off and landing capabilities, and high defensive capabilities for survivability and maintainability.
Deployment to combat units began in 1976, but it never saw much action. With the emergence of the multirole F-16 and the shift towards arms reduction following the end of the Cold War, it was thought that it would be retired without ever seeing action.
However, during the 1991 Gulf War, air superiority was secured and the terrain was similar to the intended operational conditions, resulting in the destruction of approximately 1,000 tanks, 500 armored personnel carriers, and over 1,000 other vehicles, wreaking havoc on ground targets.
Due to its impressive performance, the A-10 underwent modifications and its operational life was extended. The A-10C is a variant that, starting in 2005, featured a glass cockpit with instruments integrated into monitors.
In 2015, more than 20 years after the Gulf War, it was announced that the entire system would be phased out.
However, the A-10's operational status was extended indefinitely again in 2016 due to its success in airstrikes against Islamist extremists, but ultimately it will remain in service until its scheduled retirement in 2026.
Nearly 50 years after its deployment, this veteran aircraft participated in the 2026 US-Israeli attack on Iran, being deployed near the Strait of Hormuz to counter small, high-speed boats.
In April, the last A-10 pilot trainee completed all of their training courses at the training squadron.
However, in late April, the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force announced that the operational life of the A-10 would be extended until 20230.
Since its conception as an aircraft specifically designed for ground attack in 1969, the A-10 has remained a threat to ground forces for over half a century.

Product Specifications

Country

USA

Item code

VICGWHS7211

JAN code

6947917000416

Purchase Information