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Former wing commander immortalized in Italian skies

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Although he is now retired, former 917th Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Jack Ihle's name can still be seen on an A-10 Thunderbolt flying in the skies over Europe. The names of General Ihle, Master Sgt. Erick Munson and Tech. Sgt. Alex Wilkins adorn the fuselage of a remote-controlled aircraft constructed by Italian model builder Kurt Tötsch.

Late last year, Mr. Tötsch contacted the 917th Wing Public Affairs Office and requested photos of an A-10 so he could build a model of an A-10 jet. The request was honored, and a few photos were sent to the model builder to help with his project. Those particular photos were of General Ihle's jet while he was commander of the Air Force Reserve Command wing.

However, Mr. Tötsch is not the average fan of for the "Warthog," as the A-10 Thunderbolt is affectionately known.

Mr. Tötsch, who is from South Tyrol in Northern Italy, not far from the home of Arnold Schwarzenegger, is 46 years old and has been a model builder since he was 12.

"Fighter jets have always been an uncommon attraction to me," said Mr. Tötsch. "I fly ducted fan models like the MiG 15 and the F 16 of BYRON as well as various other models. My favorite turbine models were F9F Panther and a MiG 15 as well as now the coronation with the A-10."

After the 917th Public Affairs Office received the first images of the remote-controlled A-10, General Ihle was contacted and shown the pictures of the model that bore his name.

"It's neat to think that 'my' A-10 is flying around Europe," said General Ihle. "The craftsmanship is remarkable.

"It is amazing to me when I see results of what has to be a passion. The attention to detail, the time it took to develop, attempt and complete such a project can only be described as a passion," General Ihle said. "I'm proud to see our names on the jet."

Over the years Mr. Tötsch has adapted to expanding technology where remote controlled flight allowed advanced hobbyists to perform faster more stable flights. When new technology arrived on the market, he acquired it.

"At the end of the 90s the first automatic start turbines came to trade, and I accessed immediately," he said.

When preparing to build a new aircraft, Mr. Tötsch works out the plans with his colleague Robert, who owns a similar A-10, which bares the markings from another A-10 unit. They fly their respective jets at various flight events at home and abroad, said Mr. Tötsch.

After 420 hours of pains-taking work, Mr. Tötsch's A-10, tail No. 79-153, rolled out for its maiden flight with a wingspan of 118 inches and a length of 106 inches. It was fitted with two Frank TJ 74 S turbines with 35 pounds of thrust each. It has a 1.8-gallon fuel tank, and when full has a takeoff weight of 66 pounds. The landing gears are equipped with electric brakes as well as an electric retract system that takes 15 seconds to cycle. The jet also has a functioning cannon called a fright shot, which spews sparks to simulate the 30mm gun system.

Mr. Tötsch finally saw his "hog" in the skies over Villesse, Italy, on its maiden flight, April 29, 2010.

The model builder plans to keep the jet flying at public events and flying parks in Europe as long as he can, meaning General Ihle will be flying the A-10 for some time to come.

General Ihle is planning a trip to Europe and would like to meet with Mr. Tötsch and see the jet if possible.

In the end, General Ihle had no complaints, and he can't wait for an opportunity to meet the talented artist who created the A-10, and see the aircraft up close and personal. However, he did mention the pilot in the jet seems to sit just a little taller in the seat than he remembers.