Air Force 1 Smithsonian Series A00144
Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II Diecast Model
USAF 23rd TFW, 74th TFS Flying Tigers, #82-0665, England AFB, LA, 1989 |
| 1:144 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II | | 4.5" | | 4.75" |
On December 17th, 1941, the American Volunteer Group aka "Flying Tigers" was officially incorporated into the United States Army Air Force as part of the 23rd Fighter Group. The AVG's 1st Fighter Squadron then became the 74th Pursuit Squadron and was later redesignated 74th Fighter Squadron. In 1944 the squadron traded its famous P-40 Warhawks for the P-51 Mustang and was flying the P-47 Thunderbolt when it finally left China to return to the US. Stationed primarily at bases in the Southern states of the US, the squadron transitioned through the F-86 Sabre, F-89 Scorpion and A-7 Corsair II before upgrading to the A-10 Thunderbolt II that it flies today.
A-10 #82-0665 was operated by the 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron (as they were then known) in 1989 from England Air Force Base, Louisiana. Its tail bore the markings of the 74th TFS while the nose was adorned with a shark's mouth, paying homage to the squadron's rich ancestory and those reknowned shark-mouthed P-40 Warhawks of WWII.
Designed to counter criticism that the US Air Force wasn't serious enough about close air support, the A-10 Thunderbolt II was first flown on May 10, 1972. The Thunderbolt II is a single-seat attack aircraft used to protect ground forces from tanks, armored vehicles and other ground targets. Nicknamed "Warthog," the A-10 is highly maneuverable at low speeds and low altitude and is capable of short take-offs and landings. It is designed for easy maintenance-many of its parts are interchangeable between the right and left side and it can operate from bases with limited facilities. The A-10 is expected to remain in service until 2028 or beyond. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Air Force 1 "Smithsonian Series" presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Air Force 1 Smithsonian Series diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Authentic markings and placard details.
- Rotating propellers.
- Metal presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Permanently extended or retracted landing gear (see photos).
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
