You know, the governments of nations often do some pretty stupid things when it comes to meddling with the military. Their often short-sightedness means that when something is needed, it is often not there. You can use the early retirement of the A-6 Intruder as an example of this kind of thinking. The same almost happened to the A-10. There were plans afoot to take all of them from the inventory and have them in the boneyard by 1992. No more Soviet threat, no more need for the A-10. Simple, eh? Besides, we need the money for important things, like seeing how many of the senator's cronies can get make-do jobs and ensuring that tobacco farmers get plenty of government funding to keep them in business.

Well, along comes the Gulf War, and you know what? The A-10 is exactly what was needed. It was the system that was perfect for blowing holes in Soviet T-xx tanks and causing mayhem amongst other ground targets. Ten years after that, the A-10 is still flying around and there still is no adequate substitute for it.

This sheet covers three tank killers from the Gulf War. The first two are in the standard European 'lizard' camouflage of FS 34102, 34092, and 36081. First is '#1 Tank Killer' from the 353rd TFS/354 TFW at Myrtle Beach, SC. It has only red fin tips for any color.

Next is an appropriately shark mouthed 74 TFS/23 TFW A-10 from England AFB in Louisiana. It has a number of kill markings on it, a blue fin tip and 'When Pigs Fly' door art. Often A-10s will carry a name and/or art work inside the crew ladder door.

Finally an experimental scheme of FS36495, 36320 and 36118 on a 47 TFS/916 TFW Warthog. This reserve squadron was based at Barksdale, Louisiana. It and several other aircraft had experimental camo schemes. None of them saw any combat.

Now for your kit choices. I know that Hasegawa and Academy have them. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Matchbox and Airfix also did one. As to which is the most accurate, I don't know, but I do know that the Hasegawa kit is not an easy build.

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