Product Announcements

Hobby Master Ascends a Slippery Slope

Certainly one of the most critical aspects of replicating combat aircraft is getting the mold right. Lord knows there are plenty of rivet counters out there that feel it their duty to hold each model up to incredible scrutiny, passing final judgement and giving the model their seal of approval only when they are confident the manufacturer got everything correct from every conceivable vantage point.

However, the hobby has changed over the years, with more and more companies hitting home runs instead of swinging and missing each time they offer a new model for consideration. So, in an effort to take it to the next level and differentiate themselves from the competition, a handful of companies are demonstrating their prowess in the art of painting, tackling subjects few would have dared to go near just a few years ago.


Hobby Master’s 1:72 Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Boeing F-15J Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – JASDF 50th Anniversary Scheme, “Mount Fuji”, 2004

Take Hobby Master, for example. In recent years, the Company has been demonstrating its ability to not only offer compelling subject matter but also difficult schemes, showing why they have the right stuff to make aviation enthusiasts proud. Recently they announced plans to offer this Mitsubishi F-15J, which is clad in a 50th Anniversary of the Japan Air Self Defense Forces (HA4514). The aircraft’s fuselage and upper surfaces are adorned in an intricate apple blossom motif layered over the island-nation’s iconic Mount Fuji, contrasting symbols of the Japanese spring and winter. Clearly, getting this scheme correct takes a lot of patience and pride, requiring surgeon-like skills to not only apply the scheme but seamlessly matching it up so that every facet of the aircraft looks correct from every angle.

Look for this sumptuous example of modern art some time in March.

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Hobby Master’s Hero Pilots of Pearl Harbor


Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USAAC Curtiss P-40B Warhawk Fighter – 160/15P, 2nd Lt. George Welch, 47th Pursuit Squadron, 15th Pursuit Group, Wheeler Field, Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941

Several months ago, speculation had it that Hobby Master would be delving ever deeper into the 1:48 scale aviation market with a rendition of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. Turns out the rumors were true as the Company announced today their first foray into the early war fighter – a P-40 Warhawk that was flown by 2nd Lt. George Welch (HA9201). This particular warbird rose to meet the Japanese aerial forces as they were wreaking havoc at the US base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Following an extremely late night at the Squadron Christmas party the day previously, USAAF pilots George Welch and Kenneth Taylor woke to the sound of explosions and low flying aircraft. The date was December 7th, 1941 and the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor was under attack. Still wearing their mess dress from the previous night, the men rang ahead to Wheeler Field, where their Squadron had been deployed for gunnery practice and instructed ground crews to prepare two P40 fighters for flight.

Driving their Buick at high speed and coming under fire from Japanese aircraft, the men arrived at Wheeler and immediately made for their aircraft – taking off beneath waves of attacking enemy aircraft, the two pilots fought valiantly against overwhelming odds, even landing to re-fuel and re-arm, only to take off and fight again. During a frantic few minutes, Welch destroyed four enemy aircraft, with Taylor accounting for at least a further two. For their heroic actions during the Pearl Harbor attack, George Welch and Kenneth Taylor were both awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Look for Welch’s P-40 to meet the aviation onslaught head on some time this Spring.

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Eaglemoss Doesn’t Clown Around at this Year’s Comic Con

With Comic Con set to open tomorrow here in New York City, Eaglemoss unveiled some of the Star Trek collectibles they’ll be hawking at the show. Of particular note is this show-exclusive replica of the USS Grisom NCC-1030 drawn from the Star Trek Discovery cable series. Offered in limited numbers and roughly the same size as the USS Discovery NCC-1031, this snazzy little number will no doubt be snapped up the moment it drops out of hyperspace, so we’re a little envious of anyone that does manage to wrap their meaty little paws around this ship.

Presently, we aren’t sure if our distributor will be obtaining this highly coveted collectible since news regarding its release seems to remain mum for the moment and product originally slated to arrive months ago keeps getting delayed. We’ll certainly keep an eye on this one and formally announce its availability should it pull into our space dock in time for the holidays..

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Altaya Lifts Off with a Fleet of Helicopters

Long a player in the fixed wing aviation market, Altaya recently announced that 36 1:72 scale helicopters were in the hopper and headed to the North American market, just in time for the holiday season. The list of choppers is quite impressive, covering everything from attack helos to utility transports. All of the models have now been posted to our web site and we anticipate taking delivery by the end of September.

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Atlas Heralds the Fighter Aces of World War II

Atlas Editions is finally making available their esteemed 1:72 scale Fighters of World War II collection to the North American market. Similar in scope to Oxford’s budget-minded line of military aircraft, the Atlas range showcases fifteen different pilots who made a direct impact on the war effort on both sides of the ledger. Featuring diecast construction, retracted landing gear, spinning propellers, authentic markings and insignia, and a stenciled display stand, these aircraft are a perfect way to introduce new collectors into the diecast military space and a fitting tribute to the men and machines that fought valiantly in the skies over the battlefields of the Second World War.

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Hobby Master Dons Its Snow Shoes as it Announces Their January Roster

Hobby Master’s 1:72 Scale USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – VFA-101 “Grim Reapers”, CAG Bird, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, 2013 [Low-Vis Scheme]
While much of the country will no doubt be digging out from heavy snow falls this coming January, Hobby Master has the perfect way to keep you warm and toasty once you make your way back into the house. Earlier this week, the manufacturer announced what’s on tap for the beginning of the new year and, as usual, they have lots to crow about in the diescast military space.

In the air, look forward to shaking hands with their first ever F-35C Joint Strike Fighter (HA6201), which is larger than both the A and B versions and boasts stronger landing gear to deal with violent catapult launches and high-speed captured landings. Also expected are the following:

1:48 Scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Fighter – Hans-Joachim Marseille, I.Jagd/Lehrgeschwader 2, Calais-Marck, France, September 1940 (HA8706)

1:48 Scale USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – 3rd Fighter Squadron (Commando), 3rd Fighter Group, Philippines, 1945 (HA7740)

1:72 Scale USAF Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor Air Dominance Fighter – 95th Fighter Squadron “Boneheads”, 325th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England, April 2016 [Low-Vis Scheme] (HA2819)

Hobby Master;s 1:72 Scale USAF Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter-Bomber – 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, Detachment 1, 53rd Wing, Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 2004

1:72 Scale) USAF Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter-Bomber – 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, Detachment 1, 53rd Wing, Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 2004 (HA5804)

1:72 Scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 166957, VX-9 “Vampires”, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, 2018 (HA5109)

Hobby Master’s 1:72 Scale German Sd. Kfz. 7 8-Ton Personnel Carrier / Prime Mover – Winter Camouflage

1:72 Scale) German Sd. Kfz. 7 8-Ton Personnel Carrier / Prime Mover – Summer Camouflage (HG5004)

1:72 Scale German Sd. Kfz. 7 8-Ton Personnel Carrier / Prime Mover – Winter Camouflage (HG5006)

 

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Solido Grapples with the Collective in the Helicopter Market

Solido’s 1:72 scale US Army Bell UH-1B Huey Helicopter – Vietnam, 1964

Long a player in the military aviation and armored fighting vehicle market, Solido announced that it was going to give the rotary wing market a go with its first ever model of a helicopter. Scheduled for a September lift off, their first foray portrays a Bell UH-1B Huey utility helicopter as it saw service in Vietnam in 1964 (SOL7200010). Also expected in September is a Lavochkin La-7 fighter, which was pressed into service by the Soviets during their WWII-era struggle with Germany (SOL7200008). Interestingly, no new vehicles were included in the showing, leading several to wonder if more combat vehicles are on the docket for the rest of 2018.

Solido’s 1:72 scale Soviet Lavochkin La-7 Fighter

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Modelcollect Extends the Fist of War Universe on the Ground and in the Air

While they’ve never actually provided a back story to their proprietary Fist of War universe, Modelcollect did acknowledge today that the pseudo sci-fi series is being pushed out by another year into 1947. The Fist of War: Battle of the Bulge December 1946-January 1947 presupposes that a second war in the Ardennes Forest occurs between the radicalized Nazi forces and the beefed up Allied war machine. Lots more qudrapeds take to the fields of battle as do the more traditional tanks, now sporting heavier armor, larger armament and the newest in technological advances. No new vehicles were announced as part of this line extension, although we’re willing to bet that several are already on the drawing board.

In other news, the manufacturer indicated late last week that they were getting into the flying saucer game, with plans on building a Haunebu Nazi flying machine in the days ahead. The blueprint, shown here, looks significantly different to the one already created by Luft-X, meaning other Wunderwaffe projects are likely in the offing, thereby giving Luft-X a run for the money in the “What-If” category.

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PMA Sallies Forth into the Desert

PMA’s British Long Range Desert Group Patrol Car – Sand or Sand/Blue Camouflage (1:72 Scale)

Precision Model Art (PMA) has been rather quiet of late and with good reason. It looks as though the Company has elected to hit the ground running on the hot desert sands of North Africa with their first ever take on the Long Range Desert Group patrol vehicle. Offered up in two paint schemes (P0325 and P0326), the LRDG vehicles come with removable bonnets and entrenching tools, making them ideal for dioramas or wargaming battles. Best of all, both vehicles are scheduled for a third quarter release, and will likely be joined with crew figures to give them an even more realistic look.

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Eaglemoss “Cuts to the Chase” with a Couple of Bonus Starships

Eaglemoss’ Star Trek Federation Rick Sternbach’s U.S.S. Voyager Concept [With Collector Magazine]
Over the last couple of years, we’ve witnessed incredible success with several of Eaglemoss’ Star Trek exclusives. As a result, we’ve been waiting with baited breath over the next batch of “chase” starships, many of which are expected in the back half of 2018. Likely due our for Comic-Con is Rick Sternbach’s U.S.S. Voyager Concept, the first clean rendition of the curvy Voyager starship. First shown on June 16th, 1994, the Sternbach concept vehicle demonstrated how the smoothed hull could still be accented with interesting bits of Starfleet hardware.even if the nacelle placement was still being kicked around.

Eaglemoss’ Star Trek Klingon Bird-of-Prey (Landing Position) [With Collector Magazine]
Also due out in the next couple of months is a Klingon Bird-of-Prey, shown here in a landed position. The Klingon Bird-of-Prey was a type of warship utilized by the Klingon Empire that served the Klingon Defense Forces from the late 23rd century into the late 24th century. Typically we see it offered in a flying configuration, ready to do battle, so a ship with its defenses down and likely with its crew disembarked is a change of pace for Trekkies. 

Keep in mind that these bonus starships, which are not part of the standard starship range, sell very quickly and oftentimes command prices far in excess of their original asking price.

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