Jack's A-10 Build


I must have been out of my mind to be taking on this project. Not because the kit is bad or even difficult, but because it is so darn large. To someone used to a more manageable scale, dealing with all these large parts, which become large sub-assemblies, then become much larger wing span and fuselage assemblies; well my work space became smaller and smaller as the project progressed.
Much has already been discussed about this kit on the internet as to the many sprues of parts, the size if the box, the lack of detail in the cockpit and whether it should have the GPS dome or not. All of this is true. Starting with the cockpit as step one in the building process, I found the instrument panel to be very basic and the side consoles to have just a hint of detail; but the seat looks pretty good, and with a little effort, detail can be added to pop the cockpit up a bit if you want. Of course there is the option to wait for the expected aftermarket resin detail set. I chose not to do this, deciding to build this kit as per instructions, without adding detail or opening panels.
Step two will complete the cockpit including the armored tub. (Step three deals with the pilot figure) On to step four through six, which deals with the cannon. Direction for the construction of the ammo container were a little confusing (for me), as there seemed to be more diagrams than needed some how. The ammo drum for the cannon is also one of the places you are directed to place eight grams of weight (just under three ounces) and another eighty grams will be placed just behind the cannon assembly. This is a lot of weight to deal with. I went to the local tire store for some old wheel weights and managed to squeeze half the weight into the ammo chamber.