Hobby Master
HA1306
A-10A 'Black Lighning'
118th F/S103rd FW Connecticut
ANG commemoratinjg 118th RS P-51 in WWiII
2003 marked the 80th anniversary of the 118th FS, the third oldest ANG squadron. They wanted to
celebrate the occasion with a special paint scheme for their A-10A. Aircraft 78-621 was selected for the
modernized version of the scheme that was inspired by the 118ths WWII P-51s with black lightning bolts
on the side. This was how the WWII group got the name the “Black Lightning Squadron” and the 103rd FW
“wing jet” became known as “Black Lightning”. The 103rd FW markings were eventually restored to the
engine.
October 1975 saw delivery of the first USAF A-10A and deployment in March 1976. Built
specifically for close ground support the pilot is protected by titanium armor while being covered
by a bubble canopy giving a commanding view. The Warthog has everything needed to survive,
dual engines; self-sealing fuel cells; redundant flight control systems protected by titanium armor;
a 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun; a wide array of bombs and missiles. This plane packs a
heavy punch and can stay on scene a long time to deliver.
In the Gulf War, A-10s had a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and
launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles and were vital assets during Operation
Desert Storm and Operation Noble Anvil.
