The turbines look good, though the
engine nacelles are plastic, rather than
metal.
engine nacelles are plastic, rather than
metal.
It's here, it's finally HERE -- an A-10 in 1:72! Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! (I've been waiting for one of these for some time...sorry.)
With that out of the way, and with no further ado, here we have Hobby Master bringing us yet another "first", and it's a very worthy first effort.
And this is not just a generic representation, either, but rather it models one of just two A-10s to record an air-to-air kill. Captain Todd "Shanghai"
Sheely downed an Iraqi Mi-8 "Hip" heli in this bird on Feb. 15, 1991 (read full story from included info card below).
A first glance the grey scheme may look a tad dull, but there's more going on than you might think. First, it's a three tone paint job (there's a
small section of darker grey paint under the nose, and then two shades for the rest of the frame). The shark's mouth nose art is menacing, and
very cleanly applied -- as are all of the tampo-printed decals. HM really excels at giving us crisp graphics, everything -- even the smallest markings
-- are legible.
As with all of its models, HM applies a black wash that highlights the panel lines. I think the effect is overdone, but I do like the overall "used"
effect it gives the model. They could be worse (IXO and FOV, anyone?).
Assembly was a real breeze. Everything fit where it was supposed to nice and easy like. The only problem was getting the closed nose gear
door out, as it fits pretty tightly and there's no tab like on Corgi models to help you (this might be a good idea HM). A frightful array of ordnance of
all shapes and sizes is included, giving the model a truly deadly look in the "air" or parked on the ground. To display it in flight, the two racks of
center-mounted bombs need to be removed, however.
With that out of the way, and with no further ado, here we have Hobby Master bringing us yet another "first", and it's a very worthy first effort.
And this is not just a generic representation, either, but rather it models one of just two A-10s to record an air-to-air kill. Captain Todd "Shanghai"
Sheely downed an Iraqi Mi-8 "Hip" heli in this bird on Feb. 15, 1991 (read full story from included info card below).
A first glance the grey scheme may look a tad dull, but there's more going on than you might think. First, it's a three tone paint job (there's a
small section of darker grey paint under the nose, and then two shades for the rest of the frame). The shark's mouth nose art is menacing, and
very cleanly applied -- as are all of the tampo-printed decals. HM really excels at giving us crisp graphics, everything -- even the smallest markings
-- are legible.
As with all of its models, HM applies a black wash that highlights the panel lines. I think the effect is overdone, but I do like the overall "used"
effect it gives the model. They could be worse (IXO and FOV, anyone?).
Assembly was a real breeze. Everything fit where it was supposed to nice and easy like. The only problem was getting the closed nose gear
door out, as it fits pretty tightly and there's no tab like on Corgi models to help you (this might be a good idea HM). A frightful array of ordnance of
all shapes and sizes is included, giving the model a truly deadly look in the "air" or parked on the ground. To display it in flight, the two racks of
center-mounted bombs need to be removed, however.
Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series
HA1302: A-10A, 23rd FG, Sept. 2002, "Mil Killer" Released: March, 2007
 | |  |
| | |
The model is not as heavy as I expected, something that has suprised me a bit with all of HM's jets so far. The stabs, elevators, and engines are
all plastic, as are the gear and ordnance too, of course. I think the TBM is actually heavier, than this bird, in fact. This is not a huge deal for me,
particularly becase as it is now the gear has enough of a job holding the model upright nice and firmly. (Something the included "in-flight" display
stand also struggles a bit with. Like Dragon stands, it's pretty "wobbly".)
The fit/finish is very good overall. Some of the painting on the small parts, such as the ordnance and gear, looks a tad rough. However, props to
HM for getting all the ordnance racks to fit in their tabs without requiring a drop of glue! (The ordnance comes pre-mounted on racks, which you
then simply insert into tabs molded into the underside of the model. )
all plastic, as are the gear and ordnance too, of course. I think the TBM is actually heavier, than this bird, in fact. This is not a huge deal for me,
particularly becase as it is now the gear has enough of a job holding the model upright nice and firmly. (Something the included "in-flight" display
stand also struggles a bit with. Like Dragon stands, it's pretty "wobbly".)
The fit/finish is very good overall. Some of the painting on the small parts, such as the ordnance and gear, looks a tad rough. However, props to
HM for getting all the ordnance racks to fit in their tabs without requiring a drop of glue! (The ordnance comes pre-mounted on racks, which you
then simply insert into tabs molded into the underside of the model. )
Unfortunately, there is no pilot figure included (and those from Dragon's Weapons Sets won't fit
either, without modification at least, in case you're thinking of trying), and there are no moving parts,
except for the canopy, which opens. I really wish HM would AT LEAST give us rolling wheels. I like to
adjust my displays every now and then and rolling wheels make it much easier -- in general, lifting and
moving models seems to lead to parts falling off, gear collapsing, etc. And I'd like a pilot figure, too.
As noted above, HM includes a color info card in the packaging that tells you all about the aircraft's
history. This is a great addition, but will reportedly be short-lived. HM is planning to print this information
directly on the packaging itself, to save production costs. Since the cards are not serialized, this isn't a
big deal to me at all -- it makes sense really.
There are few visible gaps/seams to be found. However, the line where the wing and fuselage join is
fairly obvious -- if you hold the model up in front of a bright light you can see light through to the other
side.
I'm by no means an A-10 expert but there is one fairly significant gaff on this model that jumps out to
me. The elevators cant downwards about 5 degrees. They should be level. This doesn't sound like a big
deal but it is fairly easy to spot. You could probably fix the issue easily enough by heating them and
bending them. This problem will reportedly be fixed in subsequent A-10 releases.
I really wouldn't let this issue stop you from considering this model, however. Overall, it's a
great-looking bird, the amount of included ordnance is truly impressive (this is truly the king of all "Cat
strafers" for sure), and the history of the aircraft is interesting. This A-10 gets a thumb's up from me!
either, without modification at least, in case you're thinking of trying), and there are no moving parts,
except for the canopy, which opens. I really wish HM would AT LEAST give us rolling wheels. I like to
adjust my displays every now and then and rolling wheels make it much easier -- in general, lifting and
moving models seems to lead to parts falling off, gear collapsing, etc. And I'd like a pilot figure, too.
As noted above, HM includes a color info card in the packaging that tells you all about the aircraft's
history. This is a great addition, but will reportedly be short-lived. HM is planning to print this information
directly on the packaging itself, to save production costs. Since the cards are not serialized, this isn't a
big deal to me at all -- it makes sense really.
There are few visible gaps/seams to be found. However, the line where the wing and fuselage join is
fairly obvious -- if you hold the model up in front of a bright light you can see light through to the other
side.
I'm by no means an A-10 expert but there is one fairly significant gaff on this model that jumps out to
me. The elevators cant downwards about 5 degrees. They should be level. This doesn't sound like a big
deal but it is fairly easy to spot. You could probably fix the issue easily enough by heating them and
bending them. This problem will reportedly be fixed in subsequent A-10 releases.
I really wouldn't let this issue stop you from considering this model, however. Overall, it's a
great-looking bird, the amount of included ordnance is truly impressive (this is truly the king of all "Cat
strafers" for sure), and the history of the aircraft is interesting. This A-10 gets a thumb's up from me!
