Hobby Master 1:72 USAF A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft, HA1336

Description: "Obsolete weapons do not deter." - British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher The A-10 and OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs are the first Air Force aircraft designed specifically for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective, and highly survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, especially tanks and other armored vehicles. The first production A-10A was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ., in October 1975. The aircraft can carry a wide variety of ordnance under its wings and nose, loiter on-station for long periods of time, and fly over a wide combat radius, making it an ideal warrior on today's battlefield. In the Gulf War, A-10s, with a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles used in-country. This particular 1:72 scale replica of a USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft that was attached to the 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 343rd Composite Wing, then deployed to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during March 1982. New for 2023! #HA1336 Dimensions: Wingspan: 8-3/4-inches Length: 9-3/4-inches Features: - Diecast construction - Accurate markings and insignia - Full complement of weapons - Plexiglass canopy - Interchangeable landing gear - Comes with display stand Historical Account: "Gone But Not Forgotten" - The 343rd Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where it was inactivated on 20 August 1993. The unit was formed at Eielson as the 343rd Composite Wing and activated in October 1981 to replace the 5010th Combat Support Group. It operated both fighter and forward air control aircraft. In 1991, it also became the administrator for periodic Exercise Cope Thunder operations, which moved to Alaska from the Philippines after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo resulted in the evacuation of units from Clark Air Base When the wing was inactivated, it was replaced at Eielson by the 354th Fighter Wing. The unit was first activated in September 1942 as the 343rd Fighter Group, a headquarters for three fighter squadrons in Alaska that had been assigned to XI Fighter Command and flew a mix of Curtiss P-40 Warhawks and Lockheed P-38 Lightnings. It added a fourth squadron the following month and participated in the Aleutian Islands Campaign through the fall of 1943. After combat ceased in Alaska, the group continued to fly patrols and participate in the air defense of Alaska until the end of the war. The 343rd inactivated in August 1946, when its personnel and equipment were transferred to the 57th Fighter Group. The group was activated again at Duluth International Airport in August 1955 as part of Air Defense Command's Project Arrow, which replaced post-World War II air defense groups with fighter units from World War II. In 1957, a group pilot earned the Bendix Trophy, flying a Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. During the Cuban Missile Crisis the group dispersed its interceptor aircraft and placed all its planes on alert. The 343d continued to provide air defense of the north central United States until it was inactivated in August 1970. In 1977, the 21st Composite Wing added the group, renamed the 343rd Tactical Fighter Group, as the headquarters for its fighter squadrons at Elmendorf Air Force Base, while the wing's air defense units throughout Alaska were assigned to the 531st Aircraft Control and Warning Group. In 1981, the wing's air defense units were transferred to Alaskan Air Command and the 343rd was inactivated when the 21st reorganized as a standard fighter wing. Please note: We happily combine multiple sales into one order to reduce shipping charges. Please contact us first to determine the cost of shipping before proceeding to final checkout so we can clarify the procedure with you.

Price: 120.99 USD

Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida

End Time: 2024-02-26T17:38:44.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD