Air Force 1 Model Company Die-cast Model

Smithsonian Series

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II – 74th TFS, 23rd TFW, USAF, England AFB, Louisiana, 1989

1:144 Scale.  Length: 4.5".  Wingspan: 4.75"

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a twin-engine ground-attack aircraft developed by Fairchild Republic for the U.S. Air Force. First flown on May 10, 1972, the A-10A entered service in March 1976. It was designed around the GAU-8 Avenger, a 30 mm internal rotary cannon that is the airplane's primary armament and the heaviest such automatic cannon mounted on any aircraft. In addition to its cannon, the A-10 can be armed with a combination of rockets, missiles, bombs and other mission equipment on eleven pylon stations under the wings and fuselage.

Designed for survivability, the A-10s airframe includes 1,200 pounds (540 kg.) of titanium armor for protection of the cockpit and other systems which enables the aircraft to continue flying even after sustaining damage from enemy fire. Commonly known by its nickname "Warthog" the A-10 Thunderbolt II is extremely maneuverable at low speeds and low altitude and is capable of short take-offs and landings.

The A-10 was used in combat for the first time during the 1991 Gulf War, destroying more than 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 other military vehicles and 1200 artillery pieces, making it by far the most effective aircraft of the war. A-10s also shot down two helicopters with the GAU-8 cannon. The A-10 flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90% of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles fired in the conflict.


Air Force 1 Model Company is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, pre-built, diecast model airplanes. Every model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. They are built using diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of an A-10 Thunderbolt II features: