Fairchild A-10B Sea Hog

[McColm]

Hi Guys,
In the real world there were no orders for a maritime/naval version of the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Although Fairchild did build a two seat version as a night all weather NAW.
The USAF did place an order for the two seater but it was cancelled and only the single seat built.
It would be easy just build the kit straight from the box and finish in navy colours, but I was thinking of adding the gun from the single seater. This would mean buying two kits, I know Academy do both in 1/72 and 1/48, there are after-market kits to enhance the cockpit and exterior.
As this is the Sea Hog an arrester hook and folding wings. I have seen the Hawkeye with its wings folded and know there is a resin kit in 1/72 scale, whether or not something along those lines would be feasible. The inflight refueling probe could come from a Sea Harrier or A-6 Intruder.
I'm tempted to build a 1/48 version and change the cockpit layout to that of the F-18. I haven't seen any Sea Eagle missiles only Harpoons, rockets and air-to-air, Maverick and iron bombs.
What do you think?

[Go4fun]

Pirate fast boats and small ships would come to fear the Sea Hog in short order plus it would allow CVBGs to have a close support option better than what is now available. Arrester hook and stronger landing gear are a must and for the wings think about the swivel and fold back option.
I like it. I like it a lot.

[Captain Canada]

There is a pic of a Hog on this site somewhere with double fold wings and a fold up tail IIRC, I'll sea if I can find it...

TeeHee...I mean, Booo !



Sounds like a plan, Stan

[kerick]

Have the wings fold up then back like the old Wildcats.
The 30mm gun was considered by many as a very effective anti ship weapon. A burst hitting the waterline on one of todays ships would cause a lot of problems.
I have heard it said that the Marines turned down the A-10 because it didn't leak enough hydraulic fluid.

[McColm]

Trumpeter do a 1/32 scale, HobbyBoss do 1/48 and EasyModel or something with a similar sounding name do a 1/72 version.
All show the cannon fitted.
Which now begs the question what if the cannon was removed and a radar housed in the nose. Retain the under wing pylons and add a few over the wing pylons for missiles.
The wings could be extended and a SLAR pod carried on the central fuselage pylon. A mini- U2.

[Dizzyfugu]

There is a pic of a Hog on this site somewhere with double fold wings and a fold up tail IIRC, I'll sea if I can find it...

I know which one you mean - not too old, from 2012 or 2013, and IIRC an external pic.

[pyro-manic]

Indeed. A podded radar under one wing (or scabbed onto the front of one of the wheel fairings) would be a good idea.

[comrade harps]

Something like these wings on a hog seen (more than once) at the Melbourne Model Expo:
1/48 Tamiya'Naval' A-10 Warthog
By Craig Murray

[Dizzyfugu]

Yup, that's the one! Thanks a lot for digging it out again! 

[PR19_Kit]

Looks like it would fit nicely in a handy sized box. 

[McColm]

Thanks for the photo.

[JayBee]

I knew I had this photo somewhere.
All I can say is that it is 1/144scale and was seen at SMW 2012.



Jim