A-10A "JAWS"

Italeri, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Italeri's 1/48 scale A-10A JAWS will be available online from Squadron.com

Italeri has expanded their 1/48 scale Thunderbolt II family with an A-10A "JAWS". For more detail on the JAWS programme and some of the unique camouflage applied, see Part One and Part Two of Dana Bell's Reference Series on HyperScale. In particular, Part One contains a list of attributes of the four aircraft involved in this programme.

The kit comprises 214 parts in light grey coloured plastic, and ten parts in clear.

Moulding quality is very good, and a high level of detail has been applied to the exterior of the aircraft. Surface texture is by way of finely recessed panel lines plus raised details as appropriate.

The only difference in the plastic parts between this and last year's standard A-10A is the inclusion of two JAWS pods on the ordnance sprues. However, it should be pointed out that only two of the marking options represent JAWS aircraft - 262 and 258. The remaining three options should be built as standard A-10As (i.e. without the JAWS pod and other modifications as described in Dana's articles).

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The fuselage features electronics bay detail and a separate entry ladder. Both of these may be depicted closed if desired.

Other options include positionable flaperons with interior detail, a stack of bombs, rockets and pods, and two-piece canopy which may be displayed open or closed.

Parts breakdown is quite conventional, with locating pins and tabs to ensure that even inexperienced modellers should have no trouble building this kit.

Although detail is generally very good, the cockpit is a bit underdone, with flat side consoles and instrument panel being decked out with decal instruments and switches. For modellers who would prefer three-dimensional detail, the after-market has already come to the rescue with replacement cockpit parts in resin and photo-etch.

The outline of the kit looks generally good, but the intake fans are not quite right, with too few blades and mounted too shallow inside the engine nacelles. I am certain the the after-market will offer a replacement for these parts.

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The clear parts are very thin and free from distortion. The large two-part canopy looks very nice.

Five varied marking options are offered, but only two are actually JAWS aircraft. The first, 262, is a JAWS machine in experimental spotty camouflage, one A-10A in wraparound camouflage, two in two-tone grey while the final overall grey option, 258, was also in the JAWS programme. This aircraft later sported similar spotty campuflage to the first option. These decals appear to be excellent quality. They are in perfect register and luxuriously glossy. Decal instruments are also included. Comprehensive stencil decals are supplied, including markings for the bombs and rockets.

Italeri's 1/48 scale A-10A JAWS is an attractive and generally well-detailed kit that should be quite easy to build.

Recommended.