Designed especially for close air support, the Warthog entered service in 1975. Literally built around the 30mm GAU-8 Gatling gun, the A-10 can also carry immense weapons loads under its wings and fuselage, including AGM 65 Maverick missiles. A highly survivable aircraft, the A-10 has redundant hydraulic systems backed up by manual systems; it can survive direct hits by armor piercing rounds. It flew 8,100 sorties during Desert Storm and has seen action in Afghanistan and was a key battlefield weapons system during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Features: Detailed interior with seated pilot and boarding ladder, ECM pod, cluster bombs, napalm tanks, Maverick missiles and centerline drop tank, decals included for LET'S ROLL.

During the war in Vietnam, the Air Force discovered that its fighter-bombers were not very good at providing close air support (CAS) to troops on the ground. What was needed was an aircraft like the attack types used by the U.S. Navy, and to fill this need, the Air Force first acquired surplus Navy A-1 Skyraiders. This led to the development of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, which, because of its ungainly looks, became commonly known as the Warthog. Designed around a seven-barrel, 30-mm cannon, which fires depleted Uranium rounds capable of piercing a considerable thickness of armor, the Warthog quickly became known as a tank buster. Additionally, eleven pylons under the wings and fuselage can carry a wide variety of ordnance including standard bombs, cluster bombs, and guided missiles. The pilot sits in an armored “bathtub” to protect him from the ground fire. The Warthog can fly safely with either one of its twin tails shot away and the two turbofan engines are mounted high above the tail to protect them from anti-aircraft artillery. The tail surfaces also shields the engines from heat seeking missiles. During Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, A-10’s were very successful at destroying hundreds of tanks and other armored vehicles belonging to the Republican Guard and other units of the Iraqi Army