Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale French Dassault-Breuget Mirage 2000-5F Multi-Role Fighter – “10 Years of GC 1/2”, 2-EQ, Groupe de Chasse, 1/2 Cicognes, September 2019
While other manufacturers struggle, Hobby Master doesn’t seem to be phased by either the pandemic or slowdown in the global supply chain, announcing its latest flock of warbirds scheduled for a June fly-in. Nothing remarkable was included in the showing although it is important to note that no new toolings were unveiled, meaning lots of current air frames are still viable for model refresh. Also of note are a pair of Dassault Mirage 2000-5s, a model that had trouble passing the scrutiny of the Dassault licensing group years ago. Anyway, here now the latest birds coming your way in mid 2022.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Greek Dassault-Breuget Mirage 2000-5EG Multi-Role Fighter – “237”, 332 Mira “Theseus”, Volkel AB, Greece, 2018Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy McDonnell F-4J Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 157245, VF-114 “Aardvarks”, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), 1972Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale NASA Boeing F-18A Hornet Chase Plane – N850NA/161703, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California, 2005Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale NASA Boeing F-18B Hornet Chase Plane – N852NA/161217, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California, 2012Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale German Panavia GR. Mk. 1 Tornado ECR All-Weather Bomber – Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51, Schleswig-Jagel, Germany, June 2014 “Tiger Meet 2014” [Tiger Meet Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15C Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 85-0093, “Chaos”, 44th Fighter Squadron “Vampire Bats”, CENTCOM AOR, September 2020Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 168363, VFA-27 “Royal Maces”, CVW-5 CAG, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), Atsugi Air Base, Japan, 2015Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman F-14D Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 164394, Lt. Cmdr. Meagan V. Flannigan, VF-213 “Blacklions,” USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), Persian Gulf, 2006
Oxford’s 1:72 scale RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Fighter – No.264 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, RAF Hornchurch, England, 1940
A bit unexpected, Oxford announced its intent to bolster its Frontline Fighter series with four more fighters for early 2022. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, Frontline Fighters is a great way to get into collecting model warbirds if you’re on a shoestring budget. They’re also great gifts, particularly for budding warbirds collectors interested in getting in the the ground floor without busting the bank. While they do not come with either interchangeable landing gear or a pilot figure, they nevertheless go a long towards modeling some of the most iconic aircraft of World War II. Here now the four newest fighters destined to come out in early 2022.
Oxford’s 1:72 scale Italian Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana Fiat G.55 Centauro Fighter – Montefusco-Bonet Squadron, Italy, 1944Oxford’s 1:72 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4/Trop Fighter – Eberhard von Boremski, 9./Jagdgeschwader 3 “Udet,” Russia, 1943Oxford’s 1:72 scale USAAF Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Fighter – Capt Daniel Boone, 333rd Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group
Finally, for those of you holding out hope that some of their earliest models would be re-introduced, we’ve learned that Oxford’s first Me-262 Sturmvogel jet fighter, OXFAC007, has made the cut and is expected to return to battle in early 2022.
Apart from a handful of 1:48 scale Messerschmitt Bf-109s and a pair of 1:32 scale Grumman F6F Hellcats, it would appear as if Hobby Master is content to keep releasing jets as part of its overall strategy to maintain equilibrium well into 2022. For May, for instance, even more jets are in the offing according to their latest announcement, with no sign of any inter war era prop-driven aircraft or 1:72 scale ground vehicles anywhere in sight. Even new toolings seem to have slowed down, in favor of adding more familiar aircraft collectors have been requesting over the last several months. This isn’t necessarily a knock against the Company – just an observation that they seem happy of late to maintain a conservative release schedule replete with jets that sell out month-after-month both here and around the globe. Be that as it may, here’s a list of what you can expect to see hit the tarmac this coming May:
Hobby Master 1:72 scale US Navy Northrop F-5N Tiger II Fighter – 761557, VFC-111 “Sundowners”, Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, November 2020 [Aggressor Scheme]Hobby Master 1:72 scale US Navy Northrop F-5N Tiger II Fighter – 761554, VFC-111 “Sundowners”, Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, 2021 [Aggressor Scheme]Hobby Master 1:72 scale US Navy McDonnell F-4H Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 148423h, Test Pilot CDR John Watts Young, Project High Jump, April 1962Hobby Master 1:72 scale US Navy McDonnell F-4H-1 Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 148390f, VF-74 “Bedevilers”, USS Forrestal (CVA-59), 1962Hobby Master 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16C Viper Fighter – 96-0080, 480th Fighter Squadron “Warhawks”, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, 2020Hobby Master 1:72 scale USAF Convair F-102A Delta Dagger Interceptor – 61363, 196th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 163rd Fighter Interceptor Group, Van Nuys, California, 1970sHobby Master 1:72 scale USMC Boeing F-18A Hornet Strike Fighter – VMFA-314 “Black Knights”, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, 2019Hobby Master 1:72 scale USMC Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – VMFA-314 “Black Knights”, June 2019 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master 1:72 scale Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Mitsubishi F-15DJ Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 92-8068, JASDF Aggressor, 2013 [Aggressor Scheme]Hobby Master 1:72 scale Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 82nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Esfahan/Shahid Beheshti International Airport, Iran, 1987
If you missed out on some of Solido’s recently released 1:48 scale military vehicles, take heart. Apparently sales were brisk enough to warrant a second production run, this time around, each bearing the familiar unit insignia and national markings of the US armed forces. Seven items are expected by the end of the year, including an M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles as well as a 105mm M101A1 howitzer, which as served as the backbone of our artillery branch for the better part of five decades. We’ve opened the pre-order window for each of these new items.
We’ve stumbled upon a reliable source of diecast military aircraft that just so happens carries a full line of models from the German firm Herpa. Extremely popular in Europe and established just after World War II, we’ve come to the decision that it makes sense we add them to our growing product portfolio. Since we do not stock civilian airliners, we plan to mainly carry their military hardware, which is still rather extensive in its own right.
After looking over their stock list, they appear to have a wide variety of military aircraft, from the standard-sized 1:72 scale platforms, to a wide array of smaller scale aircraft, no doubt designed to replicate some of the larger military aircraft that have seen service with all the world’s air forces. So, after we return from vacation, we will begin the process of culling the list and adding those items we think will do well to our web site. Keep in mind, we do not anticipate taking delivery of any of their products until the fourth quarter, largely due to the problems still plaguing the global supply chain. So, please be patient if you would like to pre-order anything you see, since it will be several months before they reach American shores.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – Indiana Air National Guard, Stout Field, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2021 [Anniversary Scheme]
Hobby Master announced ten more warbirds were added to their April 2022 roster, plus a pair of Ju-7 Stukas that were originally slated to swoop in this March. Interestingly, this recently unveiled A-10 Warthog was among the list, clad in a sleek midnight black anniversary scheme. When you combine the popularity of Hobby Master’s 1-10 Warthogs with a stunning scheme such as this, we feel this could be one of those rare gems in the making that will likely get bid up the moment they arrive. Here’s what you can also look forward to nabbing this coming spring:
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale North Vietnamese Air Force Shenyang J-5 (MiG 17F) “Fresco C” Fighter – Le Hai, 923 IAP “Yen The”, June 1968Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy McDonnell F-4J Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 157269, VF-92 “Silver Kings”, USS Constellation (CV-64), May 1972Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16C Viper Fighter – 89-2048, “Wraith”, 64th Aggressor Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada, 2020 [Aggressor Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAAF Boeing F-18A Hornet Strike Fighter – A21-18, No.25 Squadron, RAAF Base Pearce, Perth, Australia, 2021 [Heritage Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale East German Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – “Red 661”, (LSK-NVA), Germany, 1990Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC Boeing F/A-18D Hornet Strike Fighter – 165685, VMFA(AW)-242 “Bats”, Yokota AB, Tokyo, Japan, 2020Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAF Panavia GR. Mk. 4 Tornado IDS All-Weather Bomber – ZA542, No.31 Squadron, Operation Ellamy, Italy, 1991Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM “Flanker-C” Fighter – “Blue 77”, 2019Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman F-14B Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 163225, VF-102 “Diamondbacks”, Operation Enduring Freedom, 2002 [Low-Vis Scheme]
Even though we do not have images to share with everyone just yet, Panzerkampf is continually announcing a bevy of new products that are likely due out over the course of 2022. We’ve already touched upon the Leopard 2A4, Bumerang APC and UH-60 Blackhawk in a previous post, and how they will integrate into their scheme of reproducing some of the key pieces of armament fielded by today’s armies. Now comes news that they will also be making the US Joint Light Tactical Vehicle as well as the Sikorsky MH-60 helicopter, both in 1:72 scale, two important additions to the US arsenal that are routinely deployed amidst many of the world’s hot spots.
While we’d love to discuss which units they plan to replicate first, and when you can add them to your collection, the fact remains that Panzerkampf has proven themselves to be a competent and reliable modelmaker in the face of global supply chain tumult, intent upon carving out a respectable share of the marketplace now and well into the future.
While some manufacturers seem to have slowed down their production efforts, others seem to have unfurled their sails, aiming to catch the wind before their competitor’s do the same. Panzerkampf is one such modelmaker, churning out a growing array of military vehicles, aircraft and helicopters that have been widely accepted into diecast collections by the worldwide community. Over the weekend, Panzerkampf added yet another 1:72 scale modern vehicle to their arsenal: the Russian built Typhoon-VDV K-4386 Mine-Protected Armored Vehicle.
While not exactly widely known in military circles, the Typhoon nevertheless fills an important niche in the Russian Army, much like the US-built MRAP was developed by the US in the face of accelerating use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The Tayfun/Typhoon-VDV K-4386 is a 4×4 mine-protected wheeled armored vehicle designed and manufactured by Remdiesel, a subsidiary of Kamaz. It is the newest member of the Typhoon family of armored vehicles.
The Typhoon K-4386 is intended to support combat missions, crew transportation, logistics, cargo transport, medical support, and other intense armored offensive strikes.
Typhoon K-4386 is a single-compartment frameless armored cross country vehicle with two entrance doors in the front and one access door in the rear. It also features a roof-top hatch cover, allowing the troops to access weapons systems.
The K-4386 is built on a rugged hull, which provides the vehicle with a strong base, along with less curb weight and general centre of mass, leading to compact vehicular dimensions. The optimized hull enables the vehicle to carry more payloads and offer superior performance off the road.
The vehicle is 6m-long, 2.54m-wide and 2.4m-high and has a curb weight of 11,000kg, while its gross weight is 13,000kg. The armored vehicle can accommodate eight personnel, including crew and fully-equipped troops.
The 4×4 armored vehicle can integrate a range of multi-mission support systems and tools such as an assault ladder, a 6.75t self-recovery winch module, strobe lights for night missions, loudspeakers, a circular video camera for surveillance, and communication systems for inter-vehicle communication.
The vehicle was on display during the Russian Army’s 2019 International Military and Technical Forum in June 2019. It completed testing in December 2019 and is purportedly entering service with the Russian Army as we speak.
In a related development, Panzerkampf has also posted CAD drawings of their first Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks as well as a Russian-built VPK-7289 Bumerang (Object K-16) armored personnel carrier. Both are likely pegged for a 2022 release as other vehicles, long hinted at on their web site and elsewhere, have yet to be released here in North America. Despite these delays, the announced vehicles come as welcome news for diecast military vehicle collectors, who haven’t had much to choose from in recent years.
DeAgostini’s 1:72 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi J8M Shusui Rocket-Powered Interceptor
Looking to avoid the summer doldrums, DeAgostini announced the imminent arrival of four more 1:72 scale fighter aircraft to their rapidly growing portfolio of WWII-era aircraft. Packaged with a Japanese language magazine and packed inside a Janguage-language bookcase format box, the DeAgostini WWII-era fighter series is designed to present a wide range of combat aircraft to the worldwide community and, just as importantly, does so at a budget price. While many of the more common aircraft are portrayed, from Zeros to Corsairs, P-51s to Oscars, several of the more exotic aircraft are also depicted, such as this Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi J8M Shusui Rocket-Powered Interceptor, which was clearly modeled after the German Messerschmitt Me0-163 Komet interceptor. Look for all four new introductions to arrive by the third week of August.
DeAgostini’s 1:72 scale American Volunteer Group Curtiss P-40N Warhawk Fighter – “Boss’s Hoss,” Lt. Col. William Reed, 7th Fighter Squadron, 3rd Fighter Group, Chinese-American Composite Wing, 1944DeAgostini’s 1:72 scale Italian Macchi C.202 Folgore Fighter – 356 Squadriglia, 21 Gruppo Autonomo Caccia Terrestre, Regia Aeronautica, Russia, 1942DeAgostini’s 1:72 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero Fighter – Kazuo Tsunoda, 2nd Kokutai, Buna Airfield, New Guinea, 1942
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale German Junkers Ju-87G-2 “Kanonenvogel” Dive-Bomber – T6+AD, Hans Ulrich Rudel, Gruppenkommandeur of IIII/Schlachtgeschwader 2, Budapest-Ferihegy, Hungary, October 1944
While most of the other diecast manufacturers seem to have stalled as a result of COVID, Hobby Master continues to soldier on, announcing even more aircraft models for 2022. Of particular note are a pair of 1:72 scale Ju-87 dive-bombers, perhaps signalling their intent to return to modeling World War II era aircraft. Additionally, the March announcement includes a pair of over-sized 1:32 scale World War II era aircraft, which have been absent from their lineup for several consecutive years. Here’s what you can expect to see around the March time frame:
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale German Junkers Ju-87D-3 Stuka Dive-Bomber – T6+EK, Friedrich Reissner, II./Schlachtgeschwader 2, Eastern FrontHobby Master’s 1:72 scale German McDonnell F-4E Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 37-51, Jagdgeschwader 71 “Richtofen”, Germany, 1976Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 Multi-Role Fighter – ZK344, No.1(F) Squadron, Operation Shader, RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, 2021RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 Multi-Role Fighter – ZK343, No.1(F) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, England, 2020Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Navy Sukhoi Su-33 “Flanker-D” Air Superiority Fighter – “Red 70”, Major General Timur ApakidzeHobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed U-2R Reconnaissance Aircraft – 80-1084, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Fairford AFB, England, 1990sHobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-4 Fighter – Oberleutnant Walter Nowotny, 1/Jagdgeschwader 54 “Grunherz”, Staraya, Russia, March 1943Hobby Master’s 1:32 scale USN Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat Fighter – CDR. David McCampbell, “Minsi II,” Commander Air Group 15, USS Essex (CV-9), 1944Hobby Master’s 1:32 scale USN Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat Fighter – “Paper Doll”, VF-27 “Kangaroos”, USS Princeton (CVL-23), October 1944
