Start building your LEGO Air Force today with this Mini LEGO Custom A-10 Thunderbolt! This Custom Set is made from 100% real LEGO bricks. Small, but mighty this Mini A-10 is about 6 inches long and is built by using 95 LEGO pieces, including 38 unique LEGO elements. This set arrives un-assembled and includes printed, easy to follow instructions that take you step by step through this fun build! Check out a sample of the instructions in the photos above! I take great pride in designing and offering these sets using 100% new LEGO, and hope to inspire others to get building! -Thanks Matt
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately nicknamed the "Warthog," emerged from a U.S. Air Force requirement in the late 1960s for a dedicated close air support (CAS) aircraft to counter Soviet armored forces during the Cold War. Developed by Fairchild Republic, the A-10 was designed around the GAU-8 Avenger, a massive 30mm rotary cannon capable of shredding tanks and fortified positions. The program began with a 1970 request for proposals, pitting Fairchild’s YA-10 against Northrop’s YA-9 in a fly-off competition. After rigorous testing, the YA-10 won in 1973 due to its superior durability and firepower, leading to a contract for full-scale production. The aircraft’s rugged, utilitarian design reflected its mission: to loiter over battlefields and deliver devastating support to ground troops.
The A-10 took its first flight on May 10, 1972, with test pilot Howard "Sam" Nelson at the controls, lifting off from Edwards Air Force Base. Production models began entering service in 1976, with the first operational unit, the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, standing up at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. The Warthog’s design emphasized survivability, featuring a titanium "bathtub" to protect the pilot, redundant systems, and the ability to fly with significant damage. Capable of carrying up to 16,000 pounds of ordnance—including bombs, missiles, and rockets—alongside its iconic cannon, the A-10 quickly proved its worth. Its low-speed maneuverability and long loiter time made it ideal for CAS, though its lack of stealth and reliance on daylight operations drew early skepticism in an era increasingly dominated by high-tech fighters.
The A-10’s combat history began in earnest during the 1991 Gulf War, where it became a legend for destroying over 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 military vehicles, and 1,200 artillery pieces. Pilots like Captain Kim Campbell, who later flew a heavily damaged A-10 back to base in Iraq in 2003, exemplified its resilience. The Warthog saw extensive use in Afghanistan and Iraq throughout the 2000s, supporting troops in rugged terrain against insurgent forces. Despite its success, the A-10 faced repeated retirement threats from the Air Force, which favored multi-role fighters like the F-35. Advocates, including ground troops and lawmakers, fought to keep it flying, citing its unmatched CAS capabilities and relatively low operating cost—around $20,000 per flight hour compared to stealth bombers.
As of 2025, the A-10 remains in service, though its future is uncertain. Over 700 were built, with around 280 still active after upgrades like the A-10C variant, which added precision-guided munitions and modern avionics. The fleet, primarily based at Davis-Monthan, has been bolstered by wing replacements to extend its life into the 2030s. However, the Air Force continues phasing it out in favor of newer platforms, with retirements accelerating in recent years—some airframes even sent to the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan for storage. The A-10’s legacy endures as a gritty, battle-proven icon, celebrated for its distinctive roar and unwavering support of soldiers on the ground, even as its era draws to a close.
Guarantee: All sets come with a 100% money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason- just ship it back for a 100% refund. -Thanks Matt
Shipping Info:
You will get an email with USPS tracking info once it ships. These sets ship securely in a white, sturdy, corrugated cardboard BLOCKJets mailer box. The box will then be sealed in a white poly mailer bag to protect your set and the printed color instructions from the elements during transit and delivery.
DISCLAIMER: This is not a LEGO® Product. These are new LEGO elements that have been repackaged. LEGO is a trademark of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this product. The LEGO Group and BLOCK Jets are not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product.
