Next to the Apache and Cobra gunships, perhaps the most feared helicopter gunship ever to take wing is the Russian built Mi 24, NATO reporting name HIND. Designed as a combination heavy attack platform and low capacity troop transport, the HIND has been around since the late 1970s, a testament to their endurance and ability to take enemy fire at the forward edge of the battlefield area where fighting is oftentimes the most intense.
It therefore comes as no surprise then that Panzerkampf would choose the Mi-24 as one of their latest rotary wing models. Recently two versions were shown to the public on their Facebook account, although no other information was provided. So, while we’d love to begin taking pre-orders for either or both of their upcoming helicopter assault gunships, for now we will simply post images of both models and await further information. In our opinion, their success will likely eclipse that of the MH-53 Super Stallion that was released last year, and has already gone on to become one of their most successful subjects. And, if the HIND sells well, you can bet they will be looking at other Russian attack helicopters down-the-road, capitalizing on the success of these battlefield weapons and their own ability to model them at scale. Curiously, it appears as though the HIND will be marketed under their Legion sub brand, even though these are brand new toolings not based upon other previously released models as is the case with their newly-launched military vehicle line.
As many of you may know, Dragon pulled up stakes in the US about a year or so ago, although no reason was given for the sudden move,. To date, no one has stepped forward to import the line, that is, until now. Rumor has it that one of our distributors is looking to bring back some, most or even all of the many ranges Dragon produces, beginning with their flourishing Neo Armor line. This, of course, comes at a crucial yet opportune time since Dragon has begun rolling out a number of new Neo Armor products that now cover both WWII as well as modern era subjects. We hope to have more concrete information by the weekend so bear with us as we wait to hear back from our source as they continue to hammer out the details.
Update: Great news for all you Dragon tread heads. We learned today that our distributor struck a deal with Dragon Models to import the Neo Dragon Armor line into North America. The first batch of vehicles are expected as early as this September, with additional shipments expected each month thereafter. We will be listing all of the new vehicles over the weekend and should have everything completed by Sunday. Bear in mind that the range has grown somewhat from its earlier iterations a couple of years ago and continues to gain momentum and new additions on a weekly basis. Furthermore, there are several items that we do not plan to stock, such as their JGSDF and South Korean AAVPs, as well as their JGSDF Bushmaster. These models have limited appeal here in North America and frankly we think it will take us a month of Sundays to move the inventory when we can best stick with those items we know we can sell without difficulty. Of course, these can still be ordered direct from Dragon on their web site. Lastly, we are exploring the feasibility of obtaining many or potentially all of the Cyber Hobby versions of each vehicle type that they plan to offer. Vehicles such as the Bushmaster and Boxer already have Cyber Hobby variants in the works, so its a good bet many if not all of their most recent introductions will be available as Cyber Hobby exclusives too.
After several years of lying dormant, it now appears as if Dragon is once again betting big on their smallest line of vehicles to see them through the post-pandemic world. Five new Shermans were recently announced, all sporting “Tiger Faces” on the front of the vehicles. During the Korean Conflict, it was rumored that the Communist Chinese soldiers were deathly afraid of anything that resembled a tiger since 1951, the second year of the Korean Conflict, represented the “Year of the Tiger”. We’ll post all of them to our web site shortly…
We strongly suggest pre-ordering those items you may be interested in obtaining as quickly as possible because our pre-order with the distributor is due to be placed early next week. I know some of you like to create dioramas with multiple vehicles of the same type, so please bear this in mind if you hope to have your order filled as completely as possible.
Its noon Sunday. I’m bleary-eyed and over caffeinated but it appears as if we have successfully listed all of the newest Neo Dragon Armor items to our web site. We are still checking with the manufacturer to determine if any of the assortments come with limited edition “chase” vehicles. If so, we will offer them separately. We are still in the process of uploading ancillary images for each vehicle so the lone image uploaded for each vehicle will have to suffice for now. Again, please peruse these new listings at your earliest opportunity and submit your orders early so we can best determine the quantities we will need to order from our distributor. Since we are no longer ordering from Dragon Models USA, its very possible that we will only be able to order each new item once before it is sold out and no longer available for re-order.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16D Viper Fighter – 90-0778, 310th Fighter Squadron “Top Hats”, Luke AFB, Arizona, June 2022
Even though they’ve fallen behind in both deliveries to their distribution network and artwork for many of their upcoming aircraft models, Hobby Master took time out from the 4th of July festivities to announce yet another flock of warbirds. The latest batch of aircraft aren’t due out until April 2023, but, nevertheless, crisscross virtually every major conflict of the last century, from WWII to the modern day. So, in effect, there’s something for everyone, if you don’t mind waiting what could be a year before they show up in the marketplace.
Here now the rest of what you can lay claim to next year:
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16C Viper Fighter – 87-0332, 100th Fighter Squadron “Red Tails”, 187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, Dannelly Field, Alabama, 2021Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 “Gustav” Fighter – “Christl”, Gerhard Barkhorn, II./Jagdgeschwader 52, Ukraine, September 1943
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale Croatian Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 “Gustav” Fighter – Mato Dukovic, Jagdgeschwader 52, Crimea, April 1944Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Sukhoi Su-27SM “Flanker-B” Multirole Fighter – “Red 06”, 2013Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale North Vietnamese Air Force Shenyang J-5 (MiG 17F) “Fresco C” Fighter – Nguyen van Bay, 923 IAP “Yen The”, 1972Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 162705, Commander Dale “Snort” Snodgrass, VF-33 “Starfighters”, USS America (CV-66), 1990Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAF Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – ZM158, 207 Squadron, RAF Marham, England, January 2022 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAF Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – “Beast Mode”, ZM158, 207 Squadron, RAF Marham, England, January 2022 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15C “Mod Eagle” Multi-Role Fighter – 84-0025, 53rd Fighter Squadron “Tigers”, 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AFB, Germany, 1980s [Low-Vis Scheme]
JC Wings 1:72 scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18C Hornet Strike Fighter – VFA-42 “Marauders,” 2004
A couple of weeks back, rumors began swirling that JC Wings was planning on making a F/A-18 based upon the latest Top Gun: Maverick film. Images were even circulated although nothing firm was announced by the manufacturer nor was anything said through their social media accounts. Thus far, we aren’t sure if the rumors are true so we’ll just assume they are that for the moment. What we do know is that late yesterday the manufacturer did show off their latest additions to their aerial arsenal, all of which are expected to take wing in the fall. Here now what you can lay claim to in a few months time:
JC Wings 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – VF-41 “Black Aces”, 1978 [Low-Vis Scheme]JC Wings 1:72 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 “Gustav” Fighter – Erich “Bubi” Hartmann, 9./Jagdgeschwader 52, October 1943JC Wings 1:72 scale US Navy Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – Electronic Attack Squadron 2 (VAQ-141) “Shadowhawks”, 2007JC Wings 1:72 scale Russian Sukhoi Su-34 “Fullback” Strike Fighter – Russo-Ukrainian War, 2022 (1:72 Scale)JC Wings 1:72 scale USAAF Lockheed P-38J Lightning Interceptor – Major Thomas McGuire, 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, 1944JC Wings 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15C Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 173rd Fighter Wing, 2020 [Commemorative Scheme]
With Top Gun: Maverick continuing to break box office records, it was perhaps a matter of time before one model maker ponied up the big bucks to secure the coveted Top Gun license. Earlier today, we learned that Hobby Master plans on producing a 50th Anniversary F/A-18F Hornet strike fighter. Its likely other Top Gun inspired aircraft will eventually be offered, from F-14 Tomcats to so-called fifth generation fighters (a.k.a. Su-57 Felon fighters), although we could be jumping the “Top Gun” by putting out such rumors. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Its not clear if the pilot figure will resemble Tom Cruise since he seems to be reluctant to agree to having his face adorn any kind of figure but the simple work-around is to put a seated pilot figure in the cockpit with his visor lowered over his face and the “Maverick” call sign splashed across the top of his helmet.
Anyway, we have listed this item on our web site and have begun accepting pre-orders. Keep in mind Hobby Master will likely be producing a thousand copies or more of this particular model to recoup their tidy investment. Still, this model will likely become a centerpiece for many a collector who, like Hobby Master, continue to “feel the need for speed.” 😛
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor Air Dominance Fighter – 04-4065, 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53d Test and Evaluation Group, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, November 2021 [Anti Reflective Coating]
No one can fault Hobby Master for being the most prolific maker of military diecast aircraft. Like clockwork, the modelmaker announced yet another flock of aircraft models looming on the horizon, this time around expected in March 2023. As usual, there’s something for everyone, from new 1:48 scale Messerschmitts Bf-109s to high flying 1:72 scale jet aircraft that cover every era imaginable. Perhaps the most ambitious announcement is their newest take on the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, which will purportedly be clad in an anti-reflective coating instead of its usual sky-blending grey finish. Aviation analysts are still unsure what this new “mirrored” coasting means for both the latest generation of military aircraft still on the drawing board and for stealth technology, although some claim that with the advent of compact energy-based weaponry, it could represent an effort to absorb light like the recently engineered Vantablack coating or possibly thwart these weapons by either bouncing a laser beam away from the aircraft or back to its host platform. Be that as it may, it will be interesting to see if Hobby Master can present this newest F-22 in the same startling finish that adorns a pair of actual F-22s currently undergoing experimental testing in the Mojave desert.
Here now the rest of what you can expect next spring:
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Attack Aircraft – 84-0828, 9th Attack Squadron “Flying Knights”, “40 Years of Owning the Night”, Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, May 2022Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Israeli Defense Force General Dynamics F-16I Sufa Fighter – “470”, 253 “Negev” Squadron, Ramon Airbase, Israel, 2022Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF McDonnell F-4E Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Gorillas”, 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, June 1972Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Sukhoi Su-30MK “Flanker-C” Fighter – “Blue 02”, MAKS-2009 Airshow, Zhukovsky, Russia, August 2009Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk Attack Aircraft – 155208, VMA-142 “Flying Gators”, Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, 1984 [Low Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale German Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21SPS “Fishbed” Fighter – 22+02, Jagdfliegergeschwader 1, Drewitz Air Base, Germany, 1990sHobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 163527, “Eve of Destruction”, VAQ-141 “Shadowhawks”, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), 1991 [Low Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – “Marie”, Captain Freddie Ohr, 2nd Fighter Squadron “American Beagles”, 52nd Fighter Group, ETO, 1944Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-7B “Emil” Fighter – “Black S9”, III./ Schnellkampfgeschwader 210, Russia, 1941
AFVs 1:43 scale US M26 Pershing Heavy Tank – 2nd Armored Division, Cologne, Germany, April 1945
Finally some good news in regard to the Armored Fighting Vehicles of World War II line. Word has reached us that the next six vehicles are due to hit our distributor’s warehouse by Friday so we should be receiving our order by the close of next week. Moreover, the next nine vehicles in the range are well on their way towards being completed and should be available by the end of the summer. As we have noted previously, we will be relocating our business around the same time as the vehicles arrive in the US, so we’ve listed them as September arrivals. All nine vehicles have been listed in the AFV section and are available for pre-order. Lastly, it would appear as if the manufacturer is finally back on track getting this series up to speed, so we are hoping that another six vehicles will arrive by Thanksgiving, possibly earlier if things go smoothly in the supply chain.
Back when we first started out well over twenty years ago, we stocked a line of construction vehicles produced by Joal. I believe they have since went the way of the Dodo bird but I always thought there was a natural cross over from military-related products to construction vehicles, probably because many of the key vehicles found in both realms use tracks as a means of getting around in rough terrain. That said, I decided to begin stocking a line of construction vehicles produced by Diecast Masters, who many see as the leader in construction vehicle replicas. The line is quite extensive, focusing primarily on Caterpillar heavy equipment, but with our upcoming move to Florida, I will likely start to list each new item over the next couple of weeks then take delivery once we have settled in to our new location. Likewise, we will also carry their range of long haul cargo trucks, many of which are based upon some celebrated automotive names such as Kenworth and Peterbilt.
This expansion doesn’t mean we are straying away from our core military business. Far from it. Its just that with the global supply chain still in a bit of flux, and several manufacturers struggling to get finished product out the door, now seemed to be the time to look at new ways to grow our business by addressing certain natural synergies within the marketplace. Anyway, just thought I’d give you a heads-up regarding how we plan to add to our product portfolio in the months ahead and bring in some new customers who may be searching for a reliable dealer with over two decades in the business.
Its no secret there are give-and-take relationships at every level of the diecast industry, from retailers vying with one another for the lion’s share of the consumer market, to distributors looking to lock up the selling rights to certain modelmakers. And, of course, there are the manufacturers, who oftentimes do their utmost to undercut their perceived competition by offering those subjects collectors are seeking, in some instances flagrantly using every trick in the book to beat their competition to market.
Take the MiG-31 “Foxhound” interceptor as an example, a high-flying weapons platform that was developed by the famed Mikoyan Gurevich design bureau during the height of the Cold War in an effort to prevent the super speedy SR-71 from making reconnaissance overflights miles above the Russian heartland. For some time, Calibre Wings has indicated plans to build and sell a 1:72 scale replica of the Foxhound, recently announcing they would be using a crowdfunding source to secure the necessary funds to first build the mold then make 800 examples of the model. In fact, an early build was recently presented to collectors through manufacturer-created videos and via Facebook, with the claim that the model would be completed and shipped out to early bird purchasers some time in 2023.
Today, Hobby Master, looking to beat Calibre Wings to the punch, indicated that they too were going to make a model of the MiG-31, only there’s would be released in early 2023, barring any issues with the global supply chain. Thus far, apart from the image shown above, little else is known about the Hobby Master offering, although its more than likely going to carry a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) designed to undercut the Calibre Wings version. Presently, anyone that pre-orders the Calibre Wings MiG through Kickstarter, will be able to purchase it for around $150 plus shipping, which Calibre Wings estimates will cost a further $60 to dispatch worldwide via an as yet unnamed courier service. If, on the other hand, collectors wait until the finished build is available, then they’re being asked to cough up $250 plus shipping, a hefty price tag considering where other comparable jet aircraft are currently pegged.
On a personal level, I’m not going to get involved in the issues that go along with bitter disputes between two manufacturers — that’s something they have to work out between themselves and hopefully to everyone’s satisfaction. We sell both lines and have developed strong working relationships with the principals at both companies. That’s how things are done in the industry and as one of its elder statesmen (I turn 66 this year if the wifey permits), would like to see both manufacturers figure out how they can prosper by offering the same model, each released within the same calendar year. We can only presume the Calibre Wings version will be more detailed, perhaps including a removable engine much like their F-16. Anyway, as the hobby continues to expand, with more and more new collectors joining the fray, it would be nice to presume that these two modelmakers can eventually put aside their differences and remember that at the end of the day they both serve the same audience who must then decide which models they would prefer to collect and where they want to spend their hard-earned cash.
Over the years, Hobby Master has chosen some interesting schemes for several of their aircraft models, occasionally taking up the challenge some collectors have made. While great for the discriminating collector, as a dealer, some times we’re left scratching our heads wondering if these eclectic liveries will sell and sell well, even when it adorns one of their best selling models.
Earlier today, Hobby Master picked up the latest gauntlet tossed down before them and announced plans to replicate “Toxic Death” – a F-117A stealth fighter that was stripped of its original blackened paint scheme only to bear what can best be described as graffiti before it was flown to its final resting place at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Frankly, we’re not sure how collectors are going to react to this one, unless, of course, they simply must own every version of Hobby Master’s long-running series of F-117 Nighthawks. Anyway, we’ve listed it on our web site, along with all of the other models they recently announced that are expected in February 2023. Lets see what everyone thinks about their most recent edgiest model.
Here now the rest of the lineup scheduled for February 2023:
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US M48A3 Patton Medium Tank with Reliability Improved Selected Equipment (RISE) IR/White Light Spotlight – “Zig Zag Men”, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, Landing Zone Schueller, Vietnam, 1971
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC M48A3 Patton Medium Tank with Reliability Improved Selected Equipment (RISE) IR/White Light Spotlight – “Death”, C Company, 1st Marine Tank Battalion, Vietnam, 1970
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USMC Chance-Vought F4U-4 Corsair Fighter – “White 18”, VMF-323 “Death Rattlers”, USS Sicily (CVE-118), 1951Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16C Viper Fighter – 86-0272, 64th Aggressor Squadron “Aggressors”, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada, 2017 [Aggressor Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – “75th Anniversary P-47 Scheme” 78-0618, 190th Fighter Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, May 2021 [Anniversary Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale French Dassault Rafale M Multirole Aircraft – 12 EF, Libya, 2011Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale German Panavia GR. Mk. 1 Tornado ECR All-Weather Bomber – Jagdbombergeschwader 32, Piacenza San Damiano, 1999Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15C Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – “75th Anniversary of the 173rd Fighter Wing Scheme”, Oregon Air National Guard, Kingsley Field, Oregon, 2020 [Anniversary Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15C Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 85-0114, 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida, 1991 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 166776, VFA-31 “Tomcatters”, USS USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), 2011Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 162692, VF-84 “Jolly Rogers”, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), August 1991Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Sukhoi Su-35S “Flanker-E” Multirole Fighter – “Blue 25”, 22nd IAP, 303rd DPVO, 11th Air Army, Khabarovsk, Russia, 2020sHobby Master’s 1:72 scale Egyptian Sukhoi Su-35S “Flanker-E” Multirole Fighter – “Black 9123”, August 2020 [Notional Scheme]
