U,S.M.C. OA-10M.

[chrisonord]

After the retirement of the OA-4M Skyhawks, the Marine corps needed an aircraft to replace these very useful, and capable aircraft with something that could do the job as good if not better. The F-18's were looked at for this role but were just not suited as they were way to fast, and burned too much fuel for the missions needed.The Marine corps, looked beyond their own current inventory, and hopefully found what they were looking for, in a cancelled USAF project.
The NAW A-10, was a 2 seater all weather attack aircraft, that was looked at by the airforce to compliment the single seat A-10's by being able to operate in all weather and night time operations. However the Airforce canned the idea. The Marine corps looked at the mock ups and a prototype airframe, and saw that this aircraft could very easily be built to the spec they needed.
Grumman was appointed the contract to build brand new 2 seater A-10's now designated OA-10M's. The first production aircraft was cleared for tests and taken out for trials at the Fallon test range. The aircraft, despite having 2 seats performed admirably and changed the minds of the sceptical test pilots straight away. The OA-10M more than lived up to its predecessor, despite being a little slow, it was capable of staying on station longer and carrying a much more varied load out than the scooter ever did.
The aircraft pictured, has yet to be given a unit designation as it was painted up and shipped to Honduras as part of the USMC/CIA/DEA task force sent there to quell a very large drug cartel's para military presence. The weapons load consists of 2 sidewinders, 2 Snakeye's 2 mavericks, 2 drop tanks,(3 is very often fitted) and a FLIR pod. Intel reports from within the cartel's ranks, say that the troops and leaders have become very nervous about going out on patrols or escort missions, as they have seen what the A-10 is capable of when it was used in anger in the gulf wars and Afghanistan.
The kit is the hobbyboss 1/72nd scale NAW A-10, which comes with no weapons whatsoever. Good job I had plenty to go at in the weapons dump . The colour scheme I thought was a bit different for an aircraft, so I gave it a go, and I think it looks ok apart from the decals looking pants and the matt clear coat looking like it has dandruff
Cheers,
Chris.




     

[sandiego89]

Nice, I always thought the A-10 was perfect for the Marines.  Your color might also do well for an Africa scenario. 

[James]

Very nice A-10. I've always liked the twin seater.

BTW sandiego89, good suggestion about the African scenario.

[deathjester]

Very nice work Chris, is this bird supposed to be carrier capable too?  The existing A-10 u/c should be strong enough to handle carrier landings - I guess in the short term all it would need would be catapult attachments, and a naval arrestor hook....

[chrisonord]

I did consider sticking an arrestor hook on it, but could not find anything suitable for it, but I might have a go at making one when I get some new styrene card and stuff in. I have 2 more single seater's that are also going to be marine aircraft, and I have some A-7's that will be current service A-7F's, I might give one of those a wrap round scheme in this colour.
Cheers,
Chris.

[Shasper]

From what I remember the OA-4Ms never went to sea, and I've never heard of the Jarhead Scoots being sent to the carriers either, so its possible for the A-10 just to be land-based only . . . But then again, they did launch Broncs from a CV enroute to the Gulf

Nice job dude! Did the kit have any "sticking" points? I recently took delivery of one & I'm eventually gonna build it either as a AF, Marine or Israeli bird.

[chrisonord]

Hya Shas,
The build wasn't too bad, there were a couple of parts that needed a bit of persuasion though and a bit of puttying, especially where the wing uppers join the fuselage, and the engines are awkward to line up properly. There is nothing too nasty with it so you will be ok.
Cheers
Chris.

[GTX]

Nice.

Regards,

Greg

[Sauragnmon]

Very nicely done, Chris - the scheme fits it nicely, and she looks really well - bit of a tail sitter is she?

[sotoolslinger]

Beauty Love the camo

[Shasper]

Thanks Chris, debating on whether or not I'm gonna add the extended main gear pods with the chaff/flare dispensers but I've got time to think about it