RC A-10 Thunderbolt from NitroPlanes with a wingspan of 42 1/2" and length of 39".
Included with the ARF rc airplane are BL EDF motors. It is available in a wide variety of color schemes.
Jim Marks emailed us this review of his NitroPlanes rc A-10 Thunderbolt:
The rc A-10 Thunderbolt kit arrived in a sturdy box. It was well packed with lots of reinforcements to prevent damage to the model inside.
The rc A-10 Thunderbolt kit is very complete and has few parts. It was ready to fly in just one night.
Once all the batteries were charged, I check out the rc A-10 Thunderbollt control linkages. You want to make sure that they are centered and do not have too little or two much throw. If you have a radio with dual rates, you
can dial in minimal throws for faster maneuvers, and maximum throws, with lots of exponential, for aerobatics and slower maneuvers.
The NitroPlanes rc A-10 Thunderbolt is very scale like in its flight speed. It isn't a speed demon, but neither is the actual aircraft. However, it
does excel in doing just about any maneuver I am capable of performing. It needs a little dive to build up speed if you want to do a good loop.
For all of its great maneuverability, the rc A-10 Thunderbolt flys like a trainer. You can throttle way back and slowly pull up the nose to
induce a stall. It will eventually stop flying without dropping a wing and just fall-off forward towards the ground. Just give it a little forward stick and increase power to get it flying again.
About the only mild surprise I had was in landing the rc A-10 Thunderbolt. It will really slow down and keep on flying. In fact, for my first
landing, I was just a little fast. The rc A-10 Thunderbolt got into ground effect and needed almost our entire runway to settle in. Now I keep landing speeds way down and don't have any problems.
All in all, to close this review, I would have to say that the NitroPlanes rc A-10 Thunderbolt is a good value for the money straight out of the box."
Thank you Jim. We are sure that our readers will find your rc A-10 Thunderbolt review helpful.
Flying Styro's rc A-10 Thunderbolt.
The rc A-10 Thunderbolt from Flying Styro has a wingspan of 39" and length of 53". Recommended power comes from Jet Screamer motors driving 56 mm XF fan units.
Mibo Jets rc A-10 Thunderbolt.
The great looking rc A-10 Thunderbolt from Mibo Jets has a wingspan of 118" and a length of 108". You can power it with two turbines that produce from 18 to 27 lbs of thrust each. All up weight is about 53 lbs.
Mibo Jets A-10 Thunderbolt in a turn.
The J Power rc A-10 Thunderbolt.
The rc A-10 Thunderbolt from JPower is a ARF that has a wingspan of 49", a length of 45", and a weight of about 2.8 lbs. Included are motors turning 64 mm EDF's, retracts, and a flight battery.
Hobby-Lobby has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt that is a foamy. It has a 39" wingspan with a length of 35". Weight is about 2 lb. 2 oz. You will need a pair of motors turning 56 mm EDF units for power.
GWS has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. The ARF has a wingspan of 38" and a length of 34". Recommended power comes from EDF 50 motors driving EDF 2030X5 fan units.
Combat Models has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. It has a wingspan of 51" and a length of 47".
You can power it with from .40 to .50 pusher engines, .21 to .25 ducted fan engine units, or the equivalent electric ducted fan motor units.
The Electric Jet Factory has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt with a fiberglass fuselage. The ARF has a 51" wing span. Included are two 70 mm EDF units. Recommended power comes from EJF 2W EDF motors.
There are two Aero-naut Modellbau rc A-10 Thunderbolt scale model airplanes. Both have the same dimensions, with the difference being that one
is an all wood kit and the other has a GRP fuselage. Dimensions are: wingspan - 51 1/2"; length - 40"; all up weight - 3 1/2 lbs. Power can be from two speed 400 to 480 motors or two Turbo-Fan 1000 units.
Bill Wright emailed us that, "Dare Hobby has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. Wingspan is 30 1/2" and length is 28". The kit is a Pat Tritle design. For power you will need two EPF 200 fan units. Starmax also has a rc A10 Thunderbolt. Its wingspan is 42", its length is 39", and its weight is about 31 oz. It comes with retractable landing gear, plus motors turning 64 mm EDF units. And Scale RC Models has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt with a 78" wingspan and a 70" length. You will need from .45 to .78 engines turning Turbax fan units for power."
Thank you, Bill, for all those great rc A-10 Thunderbolt sources.
Airwar.ru has blueprints from which a rc A-10 Thunderbolt may be built. Precision Cut Kits has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt kit that builds to a 75" wingspan. RC A-10 Thunderbolt plans are also available for sale from them. Uncle Willies has plans for a rc A-10 Thunderbolt pusher prop model. It has a wingspan of 56" and needs a .40 2C engine.
Mark Di Monte posted rc A-10 Thunderbolt plans on RC Groups. It is a foamy that uses a pair of Tower Prop 2409-12 motors turning EDF's. Air Age Store has rc A-10 Thunderbolt plans from Keith Sparks. Wingspan is 61", length is 50", and power is from twin .25 two cycle engines. Weight is about 7 1/2 lbs.
Plans for a smaller rc A-10 Thunderbolt can be found at the Air Age Store. This one has a wood fuselage with foamy wings. Wingspan is 48" and engines can be from .15 - .25 two cycle. The largest rc A-10 >Thunderbolt plans from Air Age Store are from John Kidd. They build to a 56" wingspan with a 45" length. You can use 1/2A engines for power.
Tank Henderson emailed to let us know that "Riccs has a A-10 Thunderbolt for sale. We don't know its wingspan, length, weight, or type of power, only its radio frequency. NitroPlanes had a rc A-10 Thunderbolt in a desert paint scheme for sale with a 3' 2" wingspan. ECrater has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt for sale. It has a 38" wingspan and is 34" long. Power is by Speed 380 type motors. Weight is about 1 lb. Wowplanes has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt kit for sale. Wingspan is 73" and it is 67" long. A pair of brushless motors driving 90 mm EDF units are needed to power it. Weight should be around 13 lbs."
Thank you for all the great rc A-10 Thunderbolt information, Tank.
There are George Miller plans for sale for a rc A-10 Thunderbolt with a 78" wingspan. Banana Hobby has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. It has a
42" wingspan. It is also available as a rc A-10 Thunderbolt kit. Air Hogs makes a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. No wing span, length, type of power, or weight is provided.
Happy Sun Toys has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. It has a wingspan of 34" and is available with brushed or brushless motors. Dianzhe Industrial Co. makes a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. It has a 38" wingspan and is powered by Speed 370 motors.
Frank Randazzo emailed us saying, "Be sure to include that Huayu Hobby Ltd., China has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt with a 38" wingspan in the Thunderbolt rc airplane discussion. Also GHD Crafts & Toys Factory, China, has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. Its wingspan is 34". One last model that should be in the discussion is that Shantou Chenghai Pengcheng Toys sells a rc A-10 Thunderbolt with a 38" wingspan. It uses 370 size motors turning 50 mm EDF units for power.
That's terrific information, Frank. Thank you from all of us.
Ocean Toys has a A-10 Thunderbolt for sale. Their page does not provide wingspan, length, weight or type of power. Jacko Toys Trading Co. has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. It has a wingspan of 34". Hong Xin Plastic Factory has the 38" wingspan rc A-10 Thunderbolt.
Shenzhen Model-Fans Electronic Co. also manufacturers the rc A-10 Thunderbolt with the 38" wingspan. Flying Best Toys has a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. They don't supply its wingspan, or length, but it is powered by 370 type motors turning 50 mm ducted fans.
You can find rc A-10 Thunderbolt plans at Traplet Publications. Wingspan is 50" and power comes from Speed 600 motors turning EDF's. Weight is about 4 1/2 lbs.
Fred Likstra told us: "I have a rc A-10 Thunderbolt built from Keith Sparks plans. It is powered by a .32 two stroke pusher prop engine." Charles Tummey wrote, "I have a A-10 Thunderbolt rc airplane that is EP pusher prop propelled".
Bill Forte emailed to tell us about his latest project, "It is a 37" wingspan rc A-10 Thunderbolt made from Depron that will use pusher prop power." Tom Sickles put up his A-10 Thunderbolt for sale. Its wingspan is 74" and length is 65". Bob Furillo purchased the model and will equip it with turbine power.
You can find fiberglass parts for the rc A-10 Thunderbolt at Fiberglass Specialties. Jet Engineering sells engine parts that can be used on a rc A-10 Thunderbolt. Century Jet Models has retracts to fit the rc A-10 Thunderbolt.
Jet Hangar Hobbies sells turbine engines that can be used to power a rc A-10 Thunderbolt.
close support
one
GE TF-34-100
2- 9,065 lbs.
ea.
21,540 lbs.
50,000 lbs.
1- 30 mm
16,000 lbs.
53' 4"
57' 6"
345 mph
440 mph
6,000 fpm
45,000 feet
800 miles
5/10/72
1977
The
origins of the A-10 Thunderbolt trace back to around 1970. At the
time, the U.S.A.F. wanted a ground attack aircraft capable of going up
against the heaviest armor of the Soviet Union.
Fighter
planes used in the ground attack role proved vulnerable to enemy fire
during the Korean and Vietnam wars. The U.S.A.F. wanted a
dedicated
ground attack aircraft that could take punishment from enemy fire,
deliver a heavy weapons load, and bring its crew back unharmed.
The
A-10 Thunderbolt was the answer that the U.S.A.F. was looking for. It
was manufactured by Fairchild Republic. They deliver a powerful
punch,
can carry a heavy weapons load, can deliver their ordnance with
accuracy, can withstand punishment, and bring their crews home safe and
sound.
The
A-10 Thunderbolt was specifically designed to fly low-level missions
against enemy armor and artillery in a battlefield environment. It has
large control surfaces on wings which produce a large amount of lift at slow speeds. The combination provides the aircraft with excellent maneuverability while carrying
heavy
loads. Unlike conventional fighter aircraft, due to its short take off
and landing distances, the A-10 Thunderbolt can operate near front
lines on short, unfinished landing strips.
A-10 Thunderbolt with heavy ordnance.
The
turbofan jet engines of the A-10 Thunderbolt are very efficient. This
permits a long mission loiter time. In addition, the heat signature of
the
engines is less than that of turbojet engines. This makes them less
vulnerable to attack from heat seeking missiles. Location of
the engines is high in the rear fuselage, also giving them protection from ground fire.
The
A-10 Thunderbolt is built for survivability. All major control systems
have at least dual redundancy. Its cockpit is surrounded by
titanium armor capable of repelling small arms fire. Internal and external self sealing retardant foam protects the fuel tanks.
Important controls can continue to function even without hydraulic
pressure. Many of the parts of the A-10 Thunderbolt can be used
interchangeably
on either side of the aircraft. This includes the vertical stabilizers, engines, and main landing gear.
A-10 Thunderbolt firing gun.
The
primary weapon of the A-10 Thunderbolt is its Gatling gun. Most of the
space in the nose of the aircraft is taken up by the gun and
its
ammunition. The gun can fire 30 mm armor piercing shells at a rate of 35
rounds per second. A single shell contacting a vital
point has been
known to destroy a tank from one mile away. The A-10 Thunderbolt is
also armed with bombs, rockets and armor-piercing
missiles. For night missions, pilots are equipped with night-vision goggles.
A-10 Thunderbolt launching missile.
A-10
Thunderbolt aircraft were first deployed in 1977, primarily in Europe.
They were in combat against Iraqi forces during the Gulf War in 1991
when
they neutralized over 1,200 enemy artillery batteries, over
1,000 tanks, and some 2,000 vehicles. They were in action in Bosnia and
Herzegovinia from 1994 to 1995 and again in 1999.
The
A-10 Thunderbolt was also used in support of the 2003 United States
invasion of Iraq. Most recently they have conducted missions in
Afghanistan and Libya.
In
November 2009 the USAF awarded Lockheed Martin some $7,700,000 in
additional contracts for A-10 Thunderbolt upgrades. Among them are
a fuel management system, plus wing and air frame enhancements to extend service life.
A total of 715 A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft were produced of which some 365 are still deployed.
RC A-10 Thunderbolt
