A-10 Warthog Model

Brrrrrr…it's cold outside in this handcrafted wooden A-10  model. Each A-10 Warthog model is individually carved from wood and hand-painted by skilled artisans, who can recreate these masters of the sky using just a few photos. These models make excellent heirloom pieces and make unique gifts for any aviation enthusiast. The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin-turbofan, straight-wing aircraft developed by Fairchild Republic for the United States Air Force (USAF). It was designed to provide close air support (CAS) to friendly ground troops by attacking armored vehicles, tanks, and other enemy ground forces. It is the only aircraft built specifically for CAS to have served with the USAF. The A-10 can also perform the role of a forward air controller – airborne (FAC-A), directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. Aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OA-10. The A-10 was named after the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, a World War II-era fighter-bomber known for its effectiveness at attacking ground targets, but it is more commonly referred to as the "Warthog" or "Hog." It was intended to improve upon the performance and firepower of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider. Its airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, allowing it to sustain damage and continue flying. Its ability to take off and land on relatively short runways enables it to operate from airstrips close to the front lines, and its simple design makes it easy to maintain with minimal facilities. The A-10 has been used in a number of conflicts, including the Gulf War, the American-led intervention in Grenada, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, and against the Islamic State in the Middle East. The A-10A single-seat variant is the only version that was produced, though one pre-production airframe was modified into the YA-10B twin-seat prototype to test an all-weather, night-capable version. In 2005, a program was initiated to upgrade the remaining A-10A aircraft to the A-10C configuration, featuring modern avionics for use with precision weaponry. The USAF had previously stated that the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II would replace the A-10 as it entered service, but this plan has faced significant opposition within the USAF and in political circles. With various upgrades and wing replacements, the A-10's service life can be extended until 2040, and there is currently no planned retirement date for the aircraft.