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In December 2022, the National Defense Authorization Act approved a long-sought-after request by the U.S. Air Force to begin retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt II, specifically approving the retirement of 21 A-10s in 2023. The A-10 has been in USAF service since 1977 and MotoArt is especially honored to introduce a Warthog into the PlaneTags fleet. Meet 77-0252, a Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II.
Discover more on our blog A-10 Thunderbolt: The Turbofan Tank Buster
77-0252 was constructed as an A-10A and delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1978, first serving with the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters, Suffolk. The 81st Wing remained at Bentwaters for over 40 years, as a key part of NATO’s defense of Western Europe throughout the Cold War years. As they began phasing down their presence during the early 1980s, 77-0252 was transferred to the 176th Tactical Fighter Squadron, then to the 706th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The 706th TFS, the Cajuns, were called to active duty in December 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield, with the first of its A-10s deploying to Saudi Arabia on January 1, 1991. After retirement, the front fuselage of this A-10 was displayed at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. MotoArt acquired the back half in 2022 from Andy Wade, of Wade Salvage in Atco, NJ. Wade has amassed an eclectic collection of aircraft and vehicles in his own personal boneyard and serves as Deputy Mayor of Waterford Township in New Jersey.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II was used in combat for the first time during the Gulf War. It was designed to provide close air support (CAS) of friendly ground troops, and also served as forward air controllers, to direct other aircraft during close air support strikes to ensure that friendly troops are not harmed. The rugged A-10 is a single seat, twin turbofan, subsonic attack aircraft which was developed specifically for CAS. It was designed by the famed aeronautical engineer and aircraft designer Alexander Kartveli, who also developed its namesake, the P-47 Thunderbolt. The A-10 was armed with a 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger seven barrel Gatling style auto cannon that delivered its armor-piercing rounds at a high rate of fire. The A-10 was notably used in the Gulf War, Grenada, and Afghanistan. As of December 2022, there are 281 currently in service.
Join us in welcoming 77-0252 to the MotoArt family. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of a Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II. Engrave one as a gift for a veteran or pilot and be sure to add Warthog PlaneTags to your own collection today.
PlaneTags are:
*Important Notice – Please Read Carefully
Due to the customization production time, please allow 7-10 business days for order processing on custom products.
PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.
United StatesI purchased one of these tags for my girlfriends dad and he loves it! Great job MA!
United StatesLove it. Was a b-day present for my wife. Resides on her purse.
United StatesGreat service, excellent quality, great turn around time on the order
United StatesLove it! Actually flew that exact airplane with the 706TFS CAJUNS as CO
JapanI've bought several plane tags, and this plane has the thickest paint that I've ever seen. With the thickness and the contrast between the color of the paint and the metal, the whole engraving has a 3D look to it if you tilt the tag. It is on the higher end of the spectrum in terms of cost, but if you are a fan of A-10, I would recommend it.
