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.
Legion’s 1:72 scale USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – Robert Williams, “Duchess Arlene,” 100th Fighter Squadron, 332th Fighter Group “Tuskegee Airmen,” Ramitelli, Italy, 1944
Looking to build out their WWII aerial armada, Legion recently indicated plans to roll out six different takes on the war-winning “bubble top” P-51D Mustang. We’ve elected to bring in three of the six aircraft models they plan to produce, leaving a handful on the table for others to stock. While they all look terrific, our experience has been that certain models, among them Chinese and RAF-based versions, haven’t sold all that well for us, so there’s no reason we should expect anything different with these offerings. The three US-based P-51Ds shown here are slated to hit the tarmac early this summer.
Legion’s 1:72 scale USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – James Tapp, “Margaret IV,” 78th Fighter Squadron “Bushmasters”, 15th Fighter Group, Iwo Jima, April 1945
Pricing hasn’t changed, meaning you can still pick up each for the nominal sum of $49.99.
Update: We’ve heard from a number of collectors that the upcoming P-51D Mustang comes with a misshapen bubble canopy. While not apparent in the original set of photographs we received in the marketing material, it becomes rather obvious in the photo below. Frankly, even the tail seems a bit stubby as compared with the real aircraft and the wings seem to exhibit less curvature when displayed against the real deal. We brought these observations to the attention of our distributor and they informed us that the mold is essentially done and little can be done about it.
I’m not certain how they came up with this configuration when the bubble top canopy has been photographed by experts around the world for decades on end. So, we’ve cancelled our opening order but decided to leave the products up on our web site in the oft chance that Legion decides to pull back and re-work these models so they better reflect the “D” version of the Mustang.
Side view of an actual P-51D Mustang. After comparing the two images, it looks as if Legion molded the bottom of the canopy onto the fuselage instead of attaching it to the base of the bubble canopy.Supposedly, the Legion replica is based upon a previously-built mold, which obviously wasn’t inspected very closely for accuracy.
Takeaway: Save your money. If this is Legion’s attempt to portray the North American P-51D Mustang, then they need a better set of prescription glasses because it misses the mark by a long shot. A proper eye chart and better reference material might be in order.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Messerschmitt Me 410A-1 Heavy Fighter – “Black F”, 14./Kampfgeschwader 2 “Holzhammer”, Late 1943
If you missed out on Corgi’s inaugural Me-410 destroyer then we’ve got some good news for you. As part of their January-April 2026 line up, the manufacturer announced plans to roll out their second take on the twin-engine aircraft, this time around offering a night fighter version clad in a darkened camouflage pattern. Also up for consideration is a brand new Dornier Do-17 light bomber, the first one to appear on the diecast tarmac since way back in 2018.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Dornier Do17Z-5 Kauz Light Bomber – 1./Kustenfliegergruppe 606, October 1940
Currently, we are awaiting pricing information and actual release dates, so we’ve pegged them with an initial price point and approximate date of release. Other aircraft of interest are this Fairey Swordfish that was involved in the Battle of Taranto and this de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bomber that was attached to No.613 Squadron. Enjoy!
In other news, Corgi revealed that they are working in collaboration with the Commemorative Air Force to produce a wide range of models based upon actual aircraft in their extensive collection. While no further details were discussed, nor were some of the models shown, we anticipate these will start to trickle in during their second trimester showings.
Takeaway: Despite closing their North American offices late last year, Corgi is still showing no signs of slowing down by announcing the release of several new aircraft models. While none are new tooling, some old favorites are marking their return including the Dornier Do-17 “Flying Pencil”. Moreover, the second release of the Messerschmitt Me 410 is now on the calendar, clad in a subdued night time pattern and scheduled for the first trimester. With the trade tariffs still up-in-the-air, its not clear where each will ultimately be priced so we’ve listed them for what we feel is a fair price until more concrete information hits the air waves.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Boxer A2 Multirole Armored Fighting Vehicle with Skyranger 30 Air Defense Turret – Digital Camouflage
As one Company fades into the sunset, it appears as if another rises like a morning sun to the east. Yesterday, Panzerkampf indicated that they were bolstering their armored vehicle collection with the addition of the Boxer armored fighting vehicle. Produced by Rheinmetall. The Boxer is family of armored fighting vehicles designed by an international consortium to accomplish a number of operations through the use of installable mission modules. The governments participating in the Boxer program have changed as the program has developed. The Boxer vehicle is produced by the ARTEC GmbH (armored vehicle technology) industrial group, and the program is being managed by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation). ARTEC GmbH is based in Munich; its parent companies are KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall on the German side, (with Australian factory) and Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V. for the Netherlands. Overall, Rheinmetall has a 64% stake in the joint venture.
As we’ve come to expect from this manufacturer, Panzerkampf doesn’t like to test the waters by offering up one or two iterations to see how sales go and whether or not they should commit additional resources by making more versions. Instead, they plan to roll out 10 different versions of the Boxer that include a command vehicle, standard armored personnel carrier and a vehicle equipped with the Skyranger 30 air-defense system. The turret is equipped with a 30 × 173 mm KCE revolver gun firing programmable ABM, two Stinger surface-to-air missiles, and a sensor suite. The latter will comprise a Hensoldt Spexer X-band radar with three panels each providing 120° azimuth coverage integrated into the turret and an electro-optical tracking sensor with a thermal camera, day camera, and laser rangefinder for target identification and tracking. The turret will also be equipped with Rheinmetall’s Rapid Obscuring System (ROSY) smoke grenade launchers.
While we applaud the decision to add the Boxer to their burgeoning 1:72 scale military vehicle line up, its not clear why the manufacturer continually needs to roll out so many iterations all at one time. Not only does it saturate the market, making it more difficult for collectors to choose which vehicles to purchase before they potentially run out-of-stock, but it makes it equally hard for the average dealer to order and stock what is, for argument’s sake, similar products when other items are coming to market. We don’t want to be seen as complainers, but the fact remains that a better business strategy needs to be adopted for everyone to be satisfied.
As an aside, this series is a bit problematic for us for several reasons. To begin with, Dragon snagged first mover advantage a few years ago by releasing several Boxer AFVs as part of their Neo Dragon Armor series. While the choices may not have been as prolific as Panzerkampf’s, they were able to sell them for far less and with no competition in the space. Panzerkampf’s releases come on the heels of the Dragon offerings and as such most collectors likely already have an example or two wedged into their collection. Moreover, our distributor sells the Panzerkampf range in case lots, meaning we have to make a considerable investment in money, energy and space to stock all of these iterations. If we do decide to stock the series, we may only bring in a few versions, perhaps the Skyranger variants and a couple of AFVs that aren’t so redundant in appearance and background. I’m sorry but our primary mission is to curate the line, any line, and bring in only those versions that will potentially sell the best.
Takeaway: As a retailer with over 25 years in the industry, our principal job is to curate each line and bring in only those items we feel we can sell within a reasonable period of time. While we applaud Panzerkampf’s efforts to release as many versions of an item as is possible, they really need to consider staggering their releases so that each segment of the industry, from distributor on down, can stock and sell their products at a meaningful rate without having to worry about saturating the marketplace.
What better way to usher in the new year than with a new set of models? On New Years day, Panzerkampf announced plans to release five different 1:72 scale Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, all scheduled for shipping some time this spring. We’ve listed preliminary information for the quintet to our web site, although we’re still awaiting full descriptions and a better set of images for each model. Currently, we are still including the tariffs in their price, which could change should the US Supreme Court strike down the Trump tariffs in their decision expected by month’s end.
In a related development, reports are surfacing that Panzerkampf plans on tackling the US Air Force Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II Combat Rescue Helicopter as their next rotary-wing subject. The HH-60W Jolly Green II is the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter, built on the proven UH-60M Black Hawk air frame but significantly upgraded for long-range, high-threat missions, featuring enhanced fuel capacity, advanced avionics, integrated defensive systems, and improved survivability to replace aging HH-60G Pave Hawks for rescuing isolated personnel in hostile territory, as well as for other vital roles like medical evacuation and disaster relief. Its possible the HH-60W was involved in Operation Absolute Resolve, the recent combined arms mission to take down the Nicholas Maduro regime in Venezuela.
Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2b “Zero” Fighter – Lieutenant Junior Grade Tetsuzo Iwamoto, 253rd AG, Rabaul, January 1944 (1:48 Scale)
In a race to flood the market with diecast aircraft while other manufacturers sit back on their laurels, Hobby Master announced a bunch of new models for a June/July release. While no new toolings were unveiled, their most recent marketing literature did feature a number of favorites, including a pair of 1:48 scale Mitsubishi Zero fighters, demonstrating they are still supporting mid-twentieth century warfare platforms that seem to have fallen out of favor with other manufacturers. Here now the list of aircraft models we plan to bring in this coming summer:
Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2b “Zero” Fighter – 261st AG “Tiger Corps”, Kagoshima, Japan, February 1944 (1:48 Scale)
USAF North American F-100 Super Sabre Fighter – FW-871, The National Museum of the United States Air Force (1:72 Scale)
USAF North American F-100D Super Sabre Fighter – 55-2950, 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron “Panthers”, 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Toul-Rosieres Air Base, France, 1958 (1:72 Scale)
USAF Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – 22-5696, 176th Fighter Squadron “Badger Air Militia”, 115th Fighter Wing, Truax Field Air National Guard Base, Madison, Wisconsin, August 2004 (1:72 Scale)
US Navy Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – 169034, VFA-125 “Rough Raiders”, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), 2022 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)
USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft -“Maryland Farewell”, 104th Fighter Squadron “The Fightin’ O’s”, Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Maryland, September 2015 (1:72 Scale)
French Dassault-Breguet Mirage 2000N Multi-Role Fighter – 4-BJ, EC 2/4 “La Fayette”, Luxueil, France, July 1992 (1:72 Scale)
US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 160658, VFA-124 “Gunfighters”, October 1978 (1:72 Scale)
USAF Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 Air Dominance Fighter – “Blue 065”, 65th Aggressor Squadron, 57th Operations Group, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada [Notional Scheme] (1:72 Scale)
All of these new introductions have now been listed in our product portfolio and are available for pre-order.
US Navy Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King Helicopter – HS-1 “Seahorses”, USS Hancock (CV-19) (1:72 Scale)
We’ve learned that Legion Models plans on tackling the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King as the basis for its next helicopter subject. Its been reported that six different models will be offered although thus far only information pertaining to three models have been unearthed. While the three may look similar in appearance, each is based upon a different helicopter squadron and naturally a different seaborne platform upon which they operated.
US Navy Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King Helicopter – HS-4 “Black Knights”, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) (1:72 Scale)
Near as we can tell, all three shown here are expected in early 2026 and its quite possible the remaining three will face a delayed takeoff thereby hitting the streets mid year. We will certainly post information about the second trio of SH-3s as soon as we learn of their existence.
US Navy Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King Helicopter – HS-12 “Wyverns”, USS Midway (CV-41) (1:72 Scale)
We’ve listed all three helos in our Legion rotorcraft section and are now accepting pre-orders.
Update: We’ve learned that LEG14055LE will be available in extremely limited numbers, although no reason was given for its shortfall in availability. Its doubtful that we will list it on any of our marketplace sites and it will probably sell out prior to its arrival once word spreads regarding its availability. So, if you want one, we advise submitting a pre-order ASAP.
US M1A2 SEP Abrams Main Battle Tank – 1 Battery, 16 Cavalry Regiment, Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA, 2002 (1:64 Scale)
Back in November, we posted a video to our blog on the development of the next-generation M1E3 Abrams main battle tank, kind of hoping that someone would get the hint and offer up the first diecast rendition of the tank in ANY scale. So, earlier today we were surprised to see that Panzerkampf was tapping the elderly M1 Abrams tank for its 1:64 scale series. Don’t get me wrong — its welcome news that a new Abrams is hitting the battlefield, just a little war weary, if you know what I mean, when newer more capable tanks are on the drawing board.
According to Panzerkampf, two versions of the illustrious M1 will roll out in early 2026 — one painted in the traditional tri-color scheme and the other in a desert sand pattern. Interestingly, both tanks will feature movable tracks and sport a working suspension, making them a bit more realistic for fans of the venerable Abrams platform. Some information, such as their SKUs and ultimate price point, weren’t discussed, so we’ve pegged them at $69.99 apiece, given their size difference as compared with a smaller 1:72 scale tank, not to mention the current trade war still being waged between the US and the PRC. We will update the listings as soon as we learn more information about the pair of vehicles.
US M1A2 SEP Abrams Main Battle Tank – Company Commander’s Tank “Beast Master”, B Company, 3-67 Armor (1:64 Scale)
Given the paucity of new product announcements coming about because of the trade war, we’re grateful that someone, nay anyone, is stepping forward to produce new product for the diecast marketplace. And, with their history of producing a multitude of variants, we can presume that several different versions of the Abrams are in the hopper, featuring up-armored hulls, different unit insignia and some of the different upgraded vehicles that could run the gamut up to and including the M1A2 SEP enhancements.
Footnote: Based upon the size of these vehicles relative to their 1:72 scale brethren, we had expected this item to weigh in at around a $69.99 price tag. We were shocked to learn today that the MAP has been set at $84.99 making them far more expensive than their 1:72 scale counterparts. Obviously, the Trump tariffs are being taken into consideration for the bump up in price. Frankly, if the Trump tariffs aren’t rolled back when the US Supreme Court takes up the matter of tariffs in late January, then I’m not certain we will be bringing in these vehicles. Mind you, the 1:72 scale Abrams have sold very well over the course of the last couple of years so we were eager to stock and sell these vehicles even if they were tagged at a slightly higher price. But at $85 apiece I’m just not certain how they’re going to move at retail unless they are heavily discounted. Food for thought in 2026.
US Army Air Force Douglas A-20G Havoc Medium Bomber – “Little Chief”, 321st Bomb Squadron, 1944 (1:72 Scale)
In a surprise announcement made late Friday, six new aircraft models were added to the Hobby Master air armada, all of which are tentatively scheduled to appear in May. Although no new toolings were shown, the roster did include a number of eagerly awaited warbirds by collectors world over, among them this handsome A-20G Havoc light attack bomber. So, without further ado or fanfare, here are the rest of the May introductions.
Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force Chengdu J-7C Night Fighter – 69394, 2011 (1:72 Scale)
Czechoslovak Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-21MFN Fighter – “Black 2500”, 41st Fighter Squadron, Caslav AB, Czech Republic, October 2002 (1:72 Scale)
USMC Boeing Harrier II AV-8B+ Plus Jump Jet – 164569, VMA-223 “Bulldogs”, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, 2025 (1:72 Scale)
Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy Sukhoi Su-30MKK “Flanker-G” Fighter – 20694, 2013 (1:72 Scale)
Footnote: Incidentally, Hobby Master recently released preliminary photos for HA2826 (shown above), their newest F-22 Raptor Air Dominance Fighter. As some have correctly pointed out, the model is far too bluish in color, particularly around the nose cone and surface edges, and we pointed this out to Hobby Master. They responded by stating that the blues will be significantly toned down and that the final production images will have a more traditional greyish quality about it. So, take heart and don’t let the pre-production photos get you down. Like the second YF-23, which had to be re-shot to show off its true dark grey colors, the next F-22 will be touched up, re-photographed and re-examined to gauge its accuracy.
USAF Northrop F-5N Tiger II Fighter – “Red 117”, VFC-111 “Sundowners”, Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, 2014 [Aggressor Scheme] (1:72 Scale)
Earlier this week, Hobby Master indicated that a slew of new aircraft were in the works for an April release. While the list was indeed long, there weren’t that many new models that caught our eye, the bulk having to do with foreign air force’s that typically don’t sell all that well in the North American marketplace. For instance, while a Royal Thai F-16 looks promising, three are in the offing, meaning we have to tie up big bucks watching them sit for months on the shelf until we have a buyer. While it would be nice to stock everything under consideration, the fact remains that we have to be judicious in deciding which models fit our overall product portfolio. That said, only six new warbirds will be added, all of which have now been listed on our web site under the April 2026 release section. So, without further ado, here now the military muscle we’ll be offering to our esteemed audience this spring:
