The "Memphis Belle" flew with the 324th Bomb Squadron and is arguably the most well known of all the B-17 Flying Fortresses that flew in WWII. In 1967, the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron paid tribute to the original, naming one of its F-105 Thunderchiefs "Memphis Belle II". That particular aircraft went on to score two air-to-air kills over Vietnam. In 2023, the USAF A-10 Demonstration Team honored both aircraft by painting A-10C #78-0651 in a South East Asia camouflage scheme and naming it "Memphis Belle III".

Designed to counter criticism that the US Air Force wasn't serious enough about close air support, the A-10 Thunderbolt II was first flown on May 10, 1972. The Thunderbolt II is a single-seat attack aircraft used to protect ground forces from tanks, armored vehicles and other ground targets. Nicknamed "Warthog," the A-10 is highly maneuverable at low speeds and low altitude and is capable of short take-offs and landings. It is designed for easy maintenance-many of its parts are interchangeable between the right and left side and it can operate from bases with limited facilities. The A-10 is expected to remain in service until 2028 or beyond.

Hobby Master's 1:72 scale A-10 Thunderbolt II has crisp panel lines and a high-quality finish. The hinged canopy opens to expose beautifully recreated front and side instrument panels, control stick and seat. Other fine details include a slightly offset 30 mm Gatling-gun barrel with cooling vents, a Pave Penny pod below the cockpit, several ventral mounted antenna and prominent high fuselage-mounted engine nacelles that provide an unobstructed view of the turbo fan's blades. The solid metal wing features cambered control surfaces and main gear nacelles, and a complete set of removable under-wing mounted ordnance has been included for multiple configuration options.

Info:     A-10C Thunderbolt II "- USAF A-10 Demo Team, #78-0651 Memphis Belle III, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 2023