Small Scale Military Headquarters

So, I just got the PTE A-10 for about $29 and put about $40 of paint/decals/decalpaper etc.. and 12-14 hours of labor to get a decent representation. I know, the PTE is not really 1/18 but if you don't display it next to the Hornet or Falcon, it isn't that noticeable. Wish I was talented enough to cut the engine cowlings off and remount appropriately - the angle bothers me. Did manage to get a little weathering on there though.

Nice work. You're right...those engines look odd.

Well done, dude...! You've transformed the ugly duckling into a swan...or something like that...! By doing such nice work on the details the inadequacies of the PTE are more forgivable...

The PTE pilot really bothered me too as it was a really weird color. I repainted olive drab flight suit with a Silver and black helmet. It looks alot better, but I don't think I used the right paint as it still feels "sticky". Any suggestions on fixing that or doing it better next time. I've never repainted action figures before - just used regular model spray paint - probably not the right choice - it looks good just doesn't feel good.

I recently got the PTE A-10 as well - I'm pretty forgiving on scale inaccuracies, and I think it's great for what it is (a $30 toy that strongly resembles the real thing).

What I don't understand is the die-hard A-10 hunger strike contingent (don't kill the messenger yet...) who demand a fabulous 1/18 A-10 and say they're willing to pay for it....and yet they haven't bought this ~1/18 beauty:

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/a-10.htm

Yeah, it's an RC plane, but one that won a "MODEL of the year" award for it's awesome detail. It's got just about everything we'd want from 21C or BBI or AT, and in a price range less than people are supposedly willing to pay Skyworks to produce the same.

Just buy it. You know you want to. And plus, you'll be able to eat again.

Oh yeah, pcoughran: awesome work on the PTE A-10! I wish I had the skills to do the same to mine!

the figure is sticky because you probably didn't use acrylic paints on it. If you used oil based enamal paints they won't dry thoroughly and the results are it will have a tacky feel.

In several years it will dry completely, so if you don't handle it at all, then you might as well just leave it. Another option would be to use paint thinner to take off the paint you applied and re-do it with arcylics. Nice job on making the PTE warthog a real looker.

The FSK Flying Styro A-10 is quite nice and nearly 1/18...more like 1/17. Top quality. The only real flaw is the engine nacelles are too big.

GWS makes a foam A-10 as well and while not nearly as fancy as the FSK one, it is exactly 1/18, has good lines and is quite a bit cheaper. The slope glider version you can get for $30-$40. You'll need to paint it and it comes with stickers not decals, no ordnance and no gun in the nose......but all that is fixable for anyone with a bit of skill. Of course these r/c planes have the advantage of being nice and light for hanging.

aferguson,
Thanks for the advice, if I ever redo a figure I'll know to use acrylics. Will probably just leave this one alone - and try to keep my 9 year old from playing with it - I have some of these big birds on his ceiling with a pulley system so he can lower them to play with. Most of my collection is hidden away and still new in the box. Sure wish I had some of these when I was his age.

This FSK looks better http://www.flyingstyrokit.cz/a10en.htm

BTW Great Job on that A-10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, that A-10 looks great! Nice work.

Great job on that PTE A-10!!!

parrish333 wrote: What I don't understand is the die-hard A-10 hunger strike contingent (don't kill the messenger yet...) who demand a fabulous 1/18 A-10 and say they're willing to pay for it....and yet they haven't bought this ~1/18 beauty:

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/a-10.htm

Yeah, it's an RC plane, but one that won a "MODEL of the year" award for it's awesome detail. It's got just about everything we'd want from 21C or BBI or AT, and in a price range less than people are supposedly willing to pay Skyworks to produce the same.

Just buy it. You know you want to. And plus, you'll be able to eat again.

Well I won't shoot the messenger, but I'll throw this to him. While it is beautiful, it will still take tons of work to bring it to the level of bbi's F-16 or F-18. I, like other A-10 fans on this board, would like to have an A-10 that just meets the level of detail bbi's F-16 and F-18 meet. To take it one step lower, give it landing gear like bbi's 1/32 F-4 Phantom. Just give me an opening cockpit and removable ordinance. Not too "fabulous" if you ask me. Just simple, but made out of material that will stand up better to handling over time and I don't have to go through all the hassel of customizing and chance messing it up.

If you look at the kit it lacks:

1. Landing gear options

2. Opening Cockpit

3. Option to interchange ordinance

Those are three big things to me and I'm sure big things to others. It won the "model of the Year" not by the kit itself, but what a very experienced RC modeler did with one. He did alot of customizing to his to win the "Model of the Year" prize. The unassembled kit is still around the price of what Skyworks is asking for their assembled custom models.

I agree that it is a beautiful model and if we don't see any sign of a 1/18 A-10 in the next few years, I guess that is where I will have to go or start talking to someone like Picklehaube. But I'm not giving up just yet.

Bravo sir, Bravo!! That is a real beauty. I want to get one and paint it to match my P47 Eileen.

Man your A-10 looks great. Just fine for a stand off scale. If they sold them like this they would move probably 10 times as much as they do.

WOW!!!
What a great job giving the PTE A-10 the detailing and attention it needs.
Thanks for sharing your work with us.
Razor

Great work and that plane looks fantastic with a little extra paint work

Incidentaly, I find this thread a bit ironic as I just purchased the PTE A-10 as well I plan to do something a little different with it, however, and will repaint it into something resembling a more realistic version Cobra Rattler. I may also make some further modifications, but will have to see how the project pans out...

You should start taking pre orders right now. You could really sell those beautys!!!!

I saw these in TRU last year and was planning on buying one but hesitated. Especially now I would like one for my 25th Gi Joes. It's a much better plane than the undersized toy Rattler that recently came out. I'll bet someone could make a really nice custom Rattler with this. Now they are almost impossible to find. The only place I've seen them is online for $65. Ouch!!

Anybody know of anywhere else to look for these besides ebay which I've been checking lately to no avail?

BTW: very nice Pcoughram!!!

Dauntless,
I saw three on the shelf at a TRU about 30 minutes from my house here in the St. Louis area 2 weeks ago. I think they were marked at $39. I know I got mine last year for $29.99. Don't know if they are still there or not.
pcoughran

Those are nice representations.
T

Great job on that A-10!!!!

Very nice job. If I had that ability I would pickup one of the 4 A-10s at our TRU