Product Announcements

Hobby Master Breaks the Speed and Price Record

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird Reconnaissance Aircraft – 61-17958, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, July 1976

Earlier this year, Hobby Master stepped forward to purchase several molds from the now defunct Century Wings when the latter indicated they were shuttering their business for good. Over the ensuing months, we have seen these acquisitions slowly appear in Hobby Master packaging, re-purposed to stand alongside a growing list of aircraft models offered by few will dispute is the leading maker of scale models.

Yesterday, we learned that Hobby Master is finally ready to roll out the final model in their acquisition. No stranger to the modelmaking business, the iconic Lockheed SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft is a sleek, all-black jet that has set several speed and altitude records over the course of its multi-decade tenure. Its a beautiful design, both in the real-life world and in scale fashion.

Other models were also announced as part of their October 2026 introductions, all of which are tentatively set to be released this coming January. While we are still in the process of listing the new models on our site, we thought that you might like to know that yet another Century Wings model has been re-born, this time around carrying the Hobby Master moniker.

But then there’s the price tag. The Hobby Master SR-71 weighs in at $209.99, well above the cost for an Air Force 1 version and considerably more than its Century Wings predecessors. In fact, I believe its the highest priced model in the Hobby Master 1:72 scale portfolio, eclipsing some of of the latest toolings the manufacturer has been working on which includes their highly coveted YF-23.So, they have a lot to do to persuade collectors to purchase their model, particularly if little has been done to upgrade a model that has seen at least a dozen different releases over its lengthy tenure.

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Corgi Calls in Fire Support with “Puff the Magic Dragon”

Several months back, Corgi indicated they had formed a partnership with the Commemorative Air Force to begin producing models based on some of the aircraft found in the museum’s inventory. Well, today we learned about two models coming out later this year — one a direct replica of a warplane currently on display at the Commemorative Museum.

Expected later this year is “Spooky 086”, an AC-47 Spooky gunship that sported all sorts of close-in fire support weapons that were designed to stop advancing enemy troops in one fell swoop. A second AC-47 will also be produced, although it is based upon an actual “Spooky” gunship flown by the USAF over the battlefields of South Vietnam.

Both versions will sport three side-firing 7.62mm General Electric GAU-2/A miniguns, which were used with great effect to silence enemy troops on the move.Its not clear if wither aircraft will come with cremen manning the miniguns, which would help to bring the model to life.

In the latest installment od their Diecast Diaries, the Company also indicated that they have modified the original C-47 tooling so they could make other versions of the workhorse aircraft. For instance, the portside access door has been expanded, so that they could portray a C-47 with a paratrooper standing in the doorway ready to make his jump. Other modifications will likely portray the C-47 as both a reconnaissance aircraft and anti-submarine warfare platform, giving the tolling new life amidst the clutter of other aircraft models currently on the market.

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Forces of Valor Rides with the Desert Fox

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Sd. Kfz. 161/1 PzKpfw IV Ausf. F1 Medium Tank – “Red 402”, 4.Kompanie, Panzer Regiment 5, 21.Panzer Division, Deutsches Afrika Korps, Libya, 1942

Looks as if Forces of Valor is already setting its sights on 2027 to help reinvigorate their 1:32 scale classic military vehicle series. According to our point person, the Company plans on coming out with a Panzer IV Ausf. F1 medium tank painted in the desert sand colors of the Deutsches Afrika Korps. Even though they’ve been around for over two decades, I believe this is their first ever “Africanized” vehicle, sporting the insignia of the 15.Panzer Division. We’ve listed the vehicle on our site and expect additional items to be announced soon that will likely roll out in mid 2027. More pix are on the way, which will be posted to our site the moment they hit the presses.

In other news, the four 1:32 scale re-treads that were expected in July were pushed back a month and are now expected this August. I know its a bit of a disappointment to some that had hoped to add these vehicles to their collection in the early part of the summer instead of the latter half.

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Panzerkampf Continues to get Boxed In

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale German RCH 155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm) – NATO Camouflage

Panzerkampf seems to have a love affair with the Boxer multirole combat vehicle. While they don’t plan on a taking a ride into the Tunnel of Love, they do have two more variants of the Boxer vehicle planned for a second half roll out. The first vehicle for your consideration is the GTK Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, which is is a highly modular, 8×8 wheeled multirole armored fighting vehicle developed by a consortium of European nations (Germany, Netherlands, and the UK). The Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) variant is configured with a heavy turret for scout and strike operations, providing an advanced blend of mobility,

The second variant is the RCH 155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm),a wheeled self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale German GTK Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle – NATO Camouflage

The RCH 155 Module takes the firepower and the range of the PzH2000 by using its gun (155mm L/52), and combines it with an automated and remotely controlled gun module. Essentially, the vehicle can perform true “shoot and scoot” missions, capable of firing at a target, while on the move, instead of having to park and quite possibly be subjected to counter battery fire.

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Panzerkampf Goes Helo Happy this September

You can’t fault a manufacturer from returning to the well when they have a hit on their hands. In the case of Panzerkampf, the Company recently indicated that six more CH-53 Sea Stallion heavy lift helicopters were on the horizon, all bound for a September fly-in. Four of the choppers look remarkably similar to one another, decked out in a baby blue camouflage scheme typically used by embarked squadrons, so its going to be difficult for us to predict which will end up a best seller and which could end up as a shelf warmer. In any event, we’ve placed our order with our distributor and will keep our fingers crossed that we ordered in the correct quantities.

Curiously, four are based upon different naval squadrons while the remaining pair are connected to HMX-1 “Marine One”, which is used to transport the President and various figures locally around Washington D.C. and Camp David.

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Cold War Hot: Hobby Master and Their December Output

As we’ve come from this prolific model maker, Hobby Master trotted out some of the warbirds we can expect to see this coming December. Not surprisingly, a pair of Vought F-8 Crusaders were included in the mix, which came about as a result of their acquisition of several molds from the now defunct Century Wings. Also in the bag were several longtime favorites, which included two models paying tribute to the El Dorado Canyon mission undertaken two decades ago.

So, without further ado, here now the list of models we plan to bring in towards the end of 2026:

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MLD “Flogger-K” Fighter – “White 64”, 120th IAP, Afghanistan, 1988

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Ukrainian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MLD “Flogger-K” Fighter – “Blue 01”, 894th VAP, Ukraine, 2000

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy McDonnell F-4J Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 155580, VF-96 “Fighting Falcons”, USS Constellation (CV-64), May 1975

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Lockheed S-3B Viking Anti-Submarine Aircraft – “Final Countdown”, USS Nimitz (CVN-68), 1979

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC Boeing F/A-18D Hornet Strike Fighter – VMFA-232 “Red Devils”, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, September 2025 [Anniversary Scheme]

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 166649, VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers”, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), March 2023

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Multirole Fighter – 91-311, 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron, “40 Years El Dorado Canyon”, 2026 [Heritage Scheme]

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-111F “Aardvark” Strike Aircraft – 72-1448, 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England, August 1991

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 168392, VAQ-142 “Gray Wolves”, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), February 2026

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16B Viper Chase Plane – 78-0099, 6510th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base, California, 1990

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale US Navy Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat Fighter – “White 10”, Lt.(jg) Dennis Laird, VF-4 “Red Rippers”, USS Ranger (CV-4), October 1943

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Hobby Master Grabs for the Gripen

Just when we thought Hobby Master was done announcing new tooling for 2026 comes word that they plan on tackling the Swedisn-built JAS-39 Gripen as its next airborne warrior. For those of you unfamiliar with the SAAb Gripen, its a light single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab AB. The Gripen has a delta wing and canard configuration with relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire flight controls. Later aircraft are fully NATO interoperable. As of 2025, more than 280 Gripens of all models, A–F, have been delivered.

Prototype photos were posted in conjunction with the announcement so we anticipate the Gripen, if it does put in an appearance this year, will surface towards the tail end of 2026. More likely, its set to take off at the beginning of 2027, once an initial subject has been chose, a price has been established, and other mitigating factors have been addressed. So, for now, these prototype photos will have to suffice.

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The Forces of Valor Update: Four Vehicles Return from the Dead

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale Soviet T-34/85 Model 1944 Medium Tank – “White 36”, 55th Guards Tank Brigade, 7th Guards Tank Corps, Berlin, 1945 [Bonus Model V-2 Diesel-Fueled 12-Cylinder Engine]

As we close out the week and the month of May, we learned early this morning that four 1:32 scale armored fighting vehicles are earmarked to make their return. The four vehicles — a Soviet T-34/85, a pair of German Jagdtigers and a British Firefly — had been released several years ago when Waltersons first burst onto the scene. Since then, stocks have slowly run out, making them exceedingly difficult to find in the marketplace. While the three tanks aren’t exactly new, its refreshing to see that the manufacturer hasn’t given up on the line as some have speculated, perhaps largely due to the Trump tariffs getting nixed by the US Supreme Court.

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale British M4A4 Sherman Firefly Mk. Vc Medium Tank – 24th Lancer, 13th/18th Hussars, 8th Armoured Brigade, Normandy, France, 1944 [Bonus Chrysler A57 Multi-Bank Engine]

According to sources, all three vehicles are scheduled to come in this July, and will likely be followed up by some of the other vehicles recently shown at the Beijing Hobby Show that was held back in April. The remaining vehicles — which includes a Kubelwagen, Panzer IV, King Tiger and M26 Pershing — are likely being assembled as we speak and are probably scheduled to hit the streets in late 2026. If you were planning on shelling out big bucks for one of these behemoths you may want to wait a bit so you can snag them at more realistic prices.

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Sd. Kfz. 186 Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger Heavy Tank Destroyer with Porsche Suspension – Feldwebel Erich Bonike, “Black 314”, 3.Kompanie, schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 653, Germany, March 1945 [Bonus Maybach V-12 HL 230 P30 Engine]

Thus far, its not clear when the Company will begin producing new vehicles they have repeatedly alluded to over the last couple for years. The list is too lengthy to post here, so we’ll leave it up to the manufacturer to expound further, hopefully with some good news they can take to the bank.

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale 1German Sd. Kfz. 186 Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger Heavy Tank Destroyer with Henschel Suspension – Kampfgruppe Goggler, 3/schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 653, Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany, 1945 [Bonus Maybach V-12 HL 230 P30 Engine]

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Panzerkampf Calls Up the Leopard 1 for Frontline Service

Make no mistake about it, this blog post is a bit of a two steps forwards, one step back approach at defining what makes a good candidate for our expanding product portfolio. For starters, we’ve decided to pull down the latest batch of Leopard 2 main battle tank that Panzerkampf has in the hopper, all of which were scheduled to roll out later this spring. We’ve taken this unusual step largely because we don’t think very many collectors care about a Turkish, Finnish or Swiss Leopard 2 tank, despite their appearance and pedigree. To bring in all six vehicles, requires a large investment in capital, money we believe could be better spent in other areas of our business. While there are far fewer new releases coming out of late, we also believe that financing stillborn projects such as Leopard 2 tanks is a waste of resources and ensures manufacturers make a more well-informed decision as to which subjects they should replicate.

As I have stated previously, our job is to curate each line, bringing in those products we feel we can sell within a prescribed period of time. We are not here to carry EVERYTHING a manufacturer decides to make, and would rather limit our selection than stock an abundance of items that would likely need to be reduced substantially to help clear them out. Likewise, we’ve taken down both of their 1:64 scale M1 Abrams listings not because we already have an ample supply of Abrams but feel as if a $85 price tag for a “smallish” AFV replica is a bit much to swallow.

With that out of the way, we’re happy to report than Panzerkampf has decided to model the German-built Leopard 1 main battle tank, which we see as a better way of both moving the hobby forward, keeping collectors interested in their most recent releases and freeing up dollars for more cogent purchases. According to a Facebook posting, at least four new Leopard 1 tanks are on the drawing board, although images were provided for their inaugural vehicle. We’re pegging them at the customary price of $59.99 apiece, and anticipate taking delivery later this fall.

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Hobby Master Keeps Cranking Them Out for November

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Vought A-7D Corsair II Attack Aircraft – 70-0970, 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1970s

Never one to miss a beat, Hobby Master debuted their lineup for November earlier this week. Of particular note is their Vought A-7 Corsair II attack aircraft, when the mold was acquired from Century Wings just before they announced they were closing up shop. Aircraft of all size and eras were included in the mix, so there should be something for everyone when these warbirds take flight.

Interestingly, two Avenger’s made the cut. We bring this up because many collectors had feared that Hobby Master was giving up on World War II, instead preferring to offer jets from the Cold War on up to the present day. Privately, it remains to be seen if interest is waning in World War II, what with the 25th Anniversary of the Unites States coming up, History Channel’s WWII with Tom Hanks series set to kick off this Memorial Day, and record crowds attending all of the WWII museums located around the nation.

So, without any further ado, here now the rest of the models we plan to bring in for Turkey Day:

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAAF North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Fighter – Captain Leonard “Kit” Carson, “Mildred”, 362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, RAF Leiston, England, June 1944

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USAAF North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Fighter – George Preddy, “Cripes A’Mighty”, 487th Fighter Squadron “Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney”, 352nd Fighter Squadron, RAF Bodney, England, July 1944

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – 170106, VMA-311 “Tomcats”, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, 2024 [Low-Vis Scheme]

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman F-14B Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 161435, VF-103 “Jolly Rogers,” NAS Oceana, Virginia, 2002

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC Boeing Harrier II AV-8B Jump Jet – 165427, VMA-223 “Bulldogs”, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, 2025 [Low-Vis Scheme]

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger Torpedo-Bomber – “White 5”, Torpedo Squadron 4 (VT-4), USS Ranger (CV-4), September 1943

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger Torpedo-Bomber – “The First Avenger”, January 1942

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