Hi, everyone. Today I recieved a Monogram A10 Thunderbolt II in 1/72nd scale. I was given to me by a friend of mine. The plastic is of the old monogram dark green with raised panel lines.It appears to be a desent kit with some extra details such as a open hatch to see the engine and the engine itself for what scale it is nice detail.Since it was given to me for free, I guess I can't complain or can I? My questions for all of you is this; 1.What type of kit is this,meaning is it a good kit or a bad kit? 2. If it is an ok kit, are there any aftermarket sets to make this kit a better out there?I'm looking to go all out on this kit if there is aftermarket stuff for this kit in this scale. I guess for now I need your opinons on the kit as well as any options. Thank you.

When it was first issued it was pretty much the best A-10 available. The shapes are dead-on and so was the detail. It's a bit dated now, because of course the Air Force kept updating theirs with all sorts of electronic greeblies that Revellogram ignored so built out of the box it's very much a 1980s A-10.

If that's okay by you, then go ahead and build it out of the box.

Actually, Monogram's little Hog is still the best and most accurate A-10 in 72nd, thought they did misshape the Engine nacelles. It's quite dated and has only been released in the Pre-LASTE configuration. It still exceedingly trumps all other 72nd A-10 kits in detail. Modelers ret over the raised panel lines, but the major issues I found with this kit was the fit, which can be quite rough. A lot of clean up and pre-fitting is required.

There are some 72nd A-10 AM options out there, though most are geared towards the more popular Italeri kit.

Olimp update set, though pricey for what you get:
http://www.olimpmodelsgroup.com/olimp.files/ORA_A10_72.jpg

Modern hobbies has an A-10C cockpit and update set:
http://www.modern-hobbies.com/cockpit-sets/a-10c-update-set-for-italeri-kits

Quickboost makes Engine inlets, though I can't recommend them as they are not only copies of the HobbyBoss A-10 fans, but they're terribly inaccurate.

http://quickboost.net/Obrazky/72411.jpg

Accurate 72nd A-10 Engine Fans/Inlets and wheels will be coming out in 1st quarter 2015.

I'd like to see more stuff in 72nd for the A-10.

Mike V