February 4, 2018

TSM Model Wings Bowls Us Over With a Feather

Oftentimes, it takes a load of bricks to knock us down and force us to take an interest in something. And then there’s the odd occasion where all it takes is a simple feather. Earlier today we learned that TSM Model Wings is planning on stretching its wings in the aviation community in an incredible way, not just with the Top Gun license, but with a whole host of new toolings and subjects that left us slack jawed. According to their Facebook page, the Company has big plans for 2018, with both an A-12 as well as a YF-12 in development. Also in the cards are 1:72 scale renditions of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as well as an F-15 Eagle. Its not clear if any of these aircraft will be featured in the upcoming sequel to Top Gun, which isn’t due out until 2019 at the earliest. We also saw that a 1:200 scale portrayal of an E-2C Hawkeye is being produced, meaning they haven’t forgotten about their smaller brethren.

We’ll keep a close eye on TSM Model Wings going forward as they seem to have caught our attention as well as others with some of these surprise announcements. We’re hoping to have pricing and other information pertaining to these product announcements shortly and will update our product portfolio accordingly. In the mean time, enjoy the TSM Model Wing photo gallery.

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Dissecting Diecast: Which is Better? An Evolution or Revolution?

Hobby Master burst onto the scene way back in 2006, which, for all intents and purposes, might as well be an eon ago in the hobby industry’s time line. Since that time, we’ve kept a careful eye on their progress, marking all of their revolutionary advances with both applause and criticism, taking them to task when an item doesn’t live up to its hype and clapping them on the back when they have exceeded our expectations. However, there are times when they make evolutionary changes, that, quite literally, push the hobby forward and demonstrate their prowess as model makers even if other collectors, critics and model makers might not notice.

Earlier this morning, images were posted for two of their upcoming aircraft: a McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle – “75th Anniversary of Oregon ANG” (HA4559) and a Grumman F-14A Tomcat, VF-14 “Tophatters”, 80th Anniversary, 1999 (HA5214). As you can see by the accompanying photos, Hobby Master has demonstrated their ability to tackle some of the more complex camouflage schemes and adornments that other model makers might side step, a clear indication that more intricate artwork isn’t a thing solely left to aftermarket specialists.

In the case of the F-15 (top), look at how they have managed to not only recreate the screaming eagle, but align the tampo printing so that it covers multiple panels below the cockpit. As for the F-14 (bottom), marvel at all of the smaller cautionary signage that appear along the fuselage as well as some of the finer detail and stenciling that went into the wing tips, ventral fin and tail. In a word, bravo!

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