A-10 Thunderbolt from the Mike Pastro Plan

Well I've always wanted to build amodel of the A10 Thunderbolt and having a PSS model of one ticks all the boxes for me.

I thought I'd do a blog of the build so as to keep my motivation going and also be able to ask for help when required mainly with respect on how to cover the model and paint it, together with how to make a canopy. Something that I've never done before.

Thought I'd attach some photos to show how I've started already.

The Hog flies even better with electrickery power

My scratch built with props in front of the nacelles.

Ray.

Flight times are too short with noisemakers Much MUCH better off the slope

And of course, with a cockpit that is clear

Nothing better than hunting Soviet tanks hiding in the Welsh valleys eh Mr Mead?

But with electric power, I can still slope soar, and fly from a flat field.

Ray, (the best of both worlds).

But how does the pilot see out? oops!

Wing centre section coming on quite nicely.

You won't be disappointed with a PSS A-10.

What paint scheme are you going for Philip?

Well after another week away last week looking after full size aircraft I'm back home doing some more work this time on the out port wing of my A10.

Last week wasn't fully wasted as I managed to cut-out alot of the fuselage frames in my hotel room in the evening. Will post an image of these later.

Chris Barlow many apologies for not responding sooner, had mean't to say I think I will be using the Winter Colours similar to those used by Andy Meade as it does seem to give a nice look.

What I need now is some help in how I should cover the model and put on the colour scheme. I'm used to using Solarfilm and solar tex but I'm not sure what to use for this model to give the best effect. Any help greatly received.

Hi Philip,

If we say that the way to get the camo scheme onto the airframe is with sprayed on paint, then of course we need to get a decent smooth substrate for masking up. My order of preference for this would be silver hobbyking film, then tissue and dope in second, then solartex in last place. 'Tex is quite hard to fill the weave well enough to stop bleed-through of colours unfortunately.

So if you were to use HK film, I'd use "balsaloc" first to ensure the best adhesion, then apply the film, then rub back with green scotchbrite, then prymol to key the surface, then plastic primer from a rattle can. Then when on the colours, lightest first - in this case my A10 got a complete coat of white enamel paint before the grey and black.

Hope that helps!

Andrew thanks for your suggestions. Have to agree about Solartex as I've only used that on an SE5A when I used to fly power.

I've used Balsaloc previously when using solarfilm so no hassle with that and will look up the Silver Hobby King Film. Not sure what you mean by Plastic Primer though, if you can elaborate that would be good.

Thanks for your help.

Andrew,

Thanks for your response which is excellent. Do like the idea where if the paint is chipped it exposes a silver base that looks like Aluminium. That's class and such an easy solution and so practical.

Have to say I've always liked the A10 since the day I saw one land at BAe Woodford where I used to work and had the chance to look at the aircraft and get to touch it. Looked down the gatling gun and the shells that come out are the size of 2p's, wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that. Pilot was a Capt Myers call sign "Quag". Had to laugh at that.

All the Best

Phil Beard

The outer port wing near completion and then join up to centre wing section.

Well I said last week I was away working on full size aeroplanes and in the hotel in the evening I managed to cut the frames out. At least I didn't waste any time whilst I've been away.

Well I haven't posted for a while, some may have thought I'd given up with the A10, but after a good summer racing the boat it's back to the model making over the winter period and whilst I didn't do as much on the A10 I did build a SAS Wildthing 60 as seen below and have completed the majority of a Flair Heron which I'll post some photos later on.

As you can see from the next photo the empenage of the A10 has taken shape nicely and is ready to be fitted through the fuselage.

Will keep you all updated as I continue to progress the build.