February 2026

Tales of Transparency: The Court Says, “Turn Off the Tariffs!”

In a 6-3 ruling, the US Supreme Court today struck down the Trump Administration tariffs that were imposed in early 2025 citing that the executive branch has overstepped its bounds by attempting to add tariffs to countries we trade with to level the “economic playing field”. According to the Trump Administration, they will attempt to enforce the tariffs by other means, many of which take time to implement. Its not clear if these attempts will come before the Supreme Court at a later date and get reviewed much like the Trump tariffs.

In the meantime, monies collected under the Trump tariffs will have to be refunded to those entities that were forced to pay them in order to bring goods into our country. This includes import/exporters and distributors but does not include retailers nor customers of retailers that had to pay higher prices throughout the 2025 calendar year and part of 2026. What it will likely do is help to decrease the price of goods that have yet to be shipped to the United States. Countries such as China will likely benefit the most since these trading partners were charged some of the highest tariffs under the Trump plan.

In his press conference following the ruling, President Trump announced that the US will be imposing a 10/15% global tariff on every country around the world that trades with the US at least until the Administration can come up with other ways to address the tariff issue. Clearly the President has no intent on letting the matter drop or who he lashes out against to gain the upper hand. At this point in time, we are not certain Trump can tinker with the tariffs without Congressional approval since Congress holds the power of the purse, not the Executive branch. And, in light of the recent SCOTUS ruling, its highly unlikely they will approve any subsequent attempts at imposing a tariff even if he claims our nation is being hurt by unfair trading conditions.

For more information on the Supreme Court decision and Trump’s response, visit this link.

Takeaway: While it was hoped that the SCOTUS ruling would help to bring about certainty in an uncertain world, it may have had the opposite effect. Trump is still pursuing other methods of raising tariffs, some of which he may have the power to implement and others where he clearly has to defer to Congress to enact. As a retailer, its therefore difficult to determine what the going price should be for anything coming in from afar. One minute, we remove the tariffs from the price of an item, and the next we have to put it back on and at indeterminate levels. We had hoped that with the SCOTUS decision we and others would be done with this whole affair but our President seems to feel otherwise. Ultimately, it may take a change in the administration to bring about tariff relief — one more willing to deal with our trade partners — which is still two years away. An eternity for some, a death knell for others.

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At JC Wings, Its Time for Extreme Measures

The following post popped up on our Facebook feed early this morning.

“At JCW Models, we have always believed that true excellence lies in the pursuit of detail. With the launch of our new flagship product line, JCW Extreme, we are setting a new benchmark in aviation modeling—one defined by uncompromising precision, extreme refinement, and a dedication to authenticity that goes beyond expectation.

JCW Extreme is crafted for collectors and aviation enthusiasts who seek more than a model; they seek an experience. Every aircraft in this line is engineered to capture the essence of its real-world counterpart with astonishing accuracy. From the aerodynamic contours of the fuselage to the subtle textures of the cockpit interior, each element is reproduced with meticulous care. Our mission is not simply to replicate airplanes, but to reveal their true character, allowing you to discover the hidden face of aviation.

This product line embodies the philosophy that precision inspires passion. By combining advanced manufacturing techniques with a deep respect for aviation heritage, JCW Extreme delivers models that transcend ordinary craftsmanship. They are not just scaled reproductions—they are immersive gateways into the engineering brilliance and spirit of flight.

For collectors, JCW Extreme offers more than ownership; it offers discovery. Each model invites you to explore the aircraft’s authentic features, to appreciate the artistry of aviation, and to connect with the stories these machines carry. It is a celebration of aviation’s finest details, brought to life in miniature form.

With JCW Extreme, JCW Models proudly presents the ultimate expression of our craft. This is where passion meets precision, and where the true face of aviation is revealed—one detail at a time.”

It would appear as if the F-16 shown here was sold by Calibre Wings to JC Wings as a means of kicking off this line. Its possible, too, that other Calibre molds will follow suit, much like their Su-22 mold that was sold to JC Wings a couple of years back. If true, they may have formed either a short- or long-term collaboration to ensure the success of this new range. Time will tell. Further, no word was given concerning price and initial dates of availability. Calibre makes several other subjects including the F-14 Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter, Su-24 Fencer tactical bomber and MiG-31 interceptor, all of which could now be in the hands of JC Wings as part of this line extension.

Takeaway: While I haven’t spoken to Noel Lee at Calibre Wings, its possible that he may have sold off his legacy molds to finance the B-58 production and future projects. It wouldn’t be the first time he raised capital by selling off an existing mold. Keep in mind that he has promised the creation of several models, so rather than compete with Hobby Master et al, it may make more sense for him to get out of certain models while he can and change direction by offering premium models aimed at a different and possibly more lucrative segment of the hobby.

Update: After speaking with Noel Lee via text, he explained that he did not sell the F-16 mold or any other mold to JC Wings. Instead, JC Wings has licensed the mold in an OEM arrangement with JC Wings. An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) produces parts, components, or systems that are purchased by another company—a Value-Added Reseller (VAR)—and integrated into the final product sold to consumers, often under the buyer’s brand. OEMs specialize in specific, high-quality components (e.g., engines, chips) and collaborate closely with buyers. Key benefits include guaranteed compatibility, high quality, and manufacturer warranties. So, while there’s a good bet that you will eventually see F-14s, Su-24 and MiG-31s produced under the JC Wings brand, the molds are still in the possession of and owned by Calibre Wings. 

Finally, after much prodding and pushing, it would appear as if JC Wings has finally launched its own web site. Its clean and professionally done, but took far too long to come to fruition particularly when collectors were requesting an online presence for several years running. In an age where my neighbor could put together a web site literally overnight, its a shame that it took JC Wings several years to build and host their own site thereby enabling them to communicate with their fans and interested parties directly instead of through roundabout methods.

While the site looks terrific, no mention was made regarding the JC Wings Extreme announcement, which is a bit of a step back right off the bat if they are looking to court their clientele with timely and accurate information. We can only hope they are reading this blog post and take action while the iron is still hot.

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Tales of Transparency: Time for a Breather

This month, we managed to get out a bunch of orders that had been languishing for some time because we were waiting for the products’ arrival from our distributors. This included Calibre Wings, Corgi, Hobby Master and Panzerkampf. A second batch of Hobby Master products are expected by the middle of February, so we’ve decided to take a step back and catch our breath for now until this new flock arrives. This next shipment includes a re-stock of their first issue YF-23 Air Dominance Fighter along with their eagerly awaited second issue, which is decked out in a charcoal-like skin color. A number of other important aircraft are expected, which are currently listed in our In Transit section. Interestingly, our distributor indicated that Hobby Master was contemplating more of the first issue YF-23. Great news if you were still holding out hope for a YF-23 — not so wonderful if you thought the first batch might increase in value for the foreseeable future. Still, if demand warrants the production of additional models, who am I to turn up my nose accumulating more models?

Anyway, this should do it for now since Chinese New Year is right around the corner. Typically the lengthy holiday slows down production of new models for several consecutive weeks despite Hobby Master having moved its manufacturing to Bangladesh several years ago. Corgi, Panzerkampf, Legion and a handful of others are still working out of China, so expect to see slowed production from them as well. As a result, March is forecast to be somewhat dry for new arrivals at least until everyone returns to work and companies can establish their next moves. New models are still being announced, as evinced by our February 2026 New Additions section, but don’t expect to see them for some time. Take a peek when you have a chance and make sure to get n your pre-orders at your first opportunity.

Takeaway: Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. After examining our March 2026 schedule, it appears as if we are expecting an incredibly heavy lineup of merchandise to hit our docket this March. Hobby Master, for example, has a doubled-up roster of new items slated to arrive, both at the beginning of the month and again towards its end. A number of new items are also expected from other suppliers, meaning we get to do a lot of shipping throughout the entire month. So much for a break!

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Calibre’s “In-and-Out” Belly Bombers

Well, we received our allotment of Calibre Wings B-58 Hustler bombers and out the door they went. We had several people waiting for what seemed like an eternity so we wanted to process their orders as quickly as possible and get them into the USPS slipstream tout-de-suite.

While I would’ve loved to have opened one up to see what they look like in the “diecast flesh”, we thought better of it and decided to get them ready for shipment first thing Friday morning. So, if you were lucky enough to have ordered one from us, keep one eye on your tracking information and the other on the USPS truck cause they’re headed out for the final leg of their journey.

Takeaway: Despite its price relative to other models of its size and standing, Calibre’s inaugural B-58 Hustler sold like hotcakes. We could’ve easily sold more models had we been permitted to obtain them, and had to turn away orders far in excess of what we actually sold. We anticipate Calibre will be announcing a second B-58, perhaps in a Southeast Asian camouflage scheme, very soon. While it likely won’t be as popular as the first release (second issues never are), we should continue to see brisk sales once its announced, built and inspected for imperfections. Will it carry the same price tag and come in the same presentation box? At this point its anyone’s guess and we can only hope Calibre will continue to offer subjects collectors have been requesting for several years on end.

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Panzerkampf Continues its Courtship with the Abrams

First they wooed us with the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank clad in the TUSK reactive armor kits. Now, they’re whispering sweet sonnets in our ears with the M1A2 SEP V2. Fresh off of news that they’re modelling a 1:64 scale Abrams comes news that the manufacturer plans to produce five different 1:72 scale takes on the US Army’s latest main battle tank, or at least until the M1E3/M1A3 rolls out.

Expected in the April/May time frame, the newest M1 rendition features the upgraded System Enhancement Package (SEP), which is a series of critical, incremental upgrades designed to improve the lethality, survivability, and networking capabilities of the U.S. Army’s main battle tank. The current SEPv3 (Version 3) and future SEPv4 variants focus on power generation, advanced armor, enhanced sensors like 3GEN FLIR, and ammunition datalinks for better combat effectiveness. Nice, right? The best part is that the price hasn’t changed from the previous iteration, despite being produced in China. Enjoy your new sweethearts!

Takeaway: Its hard not to love the Abrams main battle tank. Four decades after it first rolled onto the battlefield, the Abrams continues to soldier on, despite numerous challenges that can render the tank obsolete and almost meaningless before it can even take up a firing position. Fortunately, upgrades to the basic vehicle are underway in the form of the M1E3/M1A3, which will hopefully restore the vehicle to its prominence on the battlefield. For now, the V2 SEP variant will have to do and hence Panzerkampf’s decision to model this iteration instead of its next-generation counterpart.

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Hobby Master Breaks Ground on the Firebird

Looking to build out their product portfolio, Hobby Master debuted a line drawing of its next military subject, the Chengdu J-10 “Firebird” multirole aircraft. While not as sexy as some of the PLAAF’s sixth generation aircraft currently undergoing testing, the J-10 is nevertheless an important bridge to the future until their next generation warbirds move from the drawing board to serial production over the next few years. Due out in August, the first version of the J-10 represents an aircraft that is deployed to Zhuhai, China, during 2025, and would likely be employed in an aerial conflict that focused on the invasion and potential seizure of Taiwan.

A number of other models were also announced as part of the August release roster. These are currently being addressed as we speak with concrete pricing out by week’s end.

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Hobby Master Acquires the Century Wings Molds

Recognizing that the Century Wings line of military aircraft still has legs, Hobby Master has purportedly acquired the molds to many of the Century Wings aircraft models. The list reportedly includes the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft, A-6 Intruder attack aircraft, A-7 Corsair II light attack aircraft and F-8 Crusader air superiority aircraft. Additionally, the purchase includes their entire range of 1:144 scale military aircraft, which includes their A-6, A-7 and F-14 replicas. Word on the street says that the purchase does not include CW’s 1:72 scale F-14 Fleet Defense Fighter largely because Hobby Master already makes a model of the Tomcat.

Hobby Master will reportedly thoroughly inspect each mold and make improvements where needed to keep them up-to-date and ensure they are capable of being used multiple times over the course of their reinvigorated lifespan. While no mention was made regarding which models will come out first, the announcement does claim that some models will start to show up towards the latter half of 2026. We are assuming that Hobby Master packaging will be used throughout so there is no confusion with previously released black-box Century Wings models. With its exacting attention to detail, its possible that the CW F-14 mold could end up with yet another manufacturer, although nothing firm has been indicated and several manufacturers, among them Calibre Wings and JC Wings, already possess their own F-14 molds.

The acquisitions solidifies Hobby Master’s position as the leading maker of diecast military aircraft models and rounds out their range of Cold War era subjects. Naturally, it would be nice to see models based upon some of the warbirds currently being developed and tested world over by a number of nations, among them several sixth generation fighters and other equally important aerial platforms. Likewise, it would be sweet to see them delve deeper into other sophisticated combat systems, most notably drones, collaborative combat aircraft, ground vehicles and even surface and sub-surface systems that comprise many of today’s military arsenals.

Takeaway: This is a great development for fans of both Hobby Master and Century Wings. While Hobby Master has slowed down its production of new aircraft types, the Century Wings acquisitions serves a dual purpose by completing Hobby Master’s pantheon of Cold War military aircraft and resurrecting the Century Wings molds many had thought were doomed after the manufacturer announced its closure this past December.

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