Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1335 Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II "Mi-8 Killer" 81-0964, 21 FS, 507th ACW, Shawn AFB, Dec 1991. 1/72 Scale Diecast Model, Size: 9.75" Wingspan, 8.75" Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments & Display Stand Are Included.

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin turbofan engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic for the United States Air Force (USAF). Primary Role: Close Air Support Attack Aircraft.

The A-10C is an updated version of the 30-year old A-10A. The cockpit has two-F-16 style 5.5 inch color displays, a moving map display and other electronic upgrades while keeping the A-10 ability to function as a CAS aircraft/tank killer. They have taken the best of the ônewö and matched it with the best of the ôoldö and come up with one mean machine. The A-10C has already seen combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The A-10 motto, ôGo Ugly Earlyö.

October 1975 saw delivery of the first USAF A-10A and deployment in March 1976. Built specifically for close ground support the pilot is protected by titanium armor while being covered by a bubble canopy giving a commanding view. The Warthog has everything needed to survive, dual engines; self-sealing fuel cells; redundant flight control systems protected by titanium armor; a 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun; a wide array of bombs and missiles. This plane packs a heavy punch and can stay on scene a long time to deliver its payload.

During Operation Desert Storm two A-10s downed Iraqi helicopters. The first was on February 6, 1991 77-0205 piloted by Captain Bob Swain of the 706th TFS who downed an Iraqi Bo-105 C helicopter. The second was A-10A No.81-0964 c/n A10-659 piloted by Captain Todd 'Shanghai' Sheehy assigned to the 511th TFS. Sheehy spotted an Iraqi Mi-8 Hip helicopter and started shooting 300 rounds of his 30 mm cannon. The helicopter tail section caught fire so Sheehy fired another 200 rounds to finish it off. 81-0964 was modernized to OA-10A in 1987and A-10C in 2006.