Product Announcements

Hobby Master Puts More Flankers on the Front Lines

Hobby Master’s second Sukhoi Su-35S “Flanker-E” multirole fighter was “blooded in battle” over the skies of war-ravaged Syria

We’ve been waiting for more versions of their soon-to-be-released Sukhoi Su-35S multirole fighter to be added to Hobby Master’s inventory, and now we finally have one. The second “Flanker-E” scheduled to hit the market is based upon one of four aircraft dispatched by Russia to Syria to help bolster the Assad regime in 2016. Formerly attached to the 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment, 303rd Guards Composite Air Division, 11th Army Air Force, “Red 6” represents a warplane that operated out of the Russian-built Khmeimim Air Base, near Latakia, Syria, during 2016 (HA5702). Painted in a sky-blue camouflage scheme and wearing Russian markings and insignia, we anticipate their latest Su-35S to do quite well at retail, since it is one of the first Flankers to be “blooded” in battle, and thereupon analyzed by Western intelligence agencies to see how it would stack up against current fourth- and fifth generation aircraft in service with NATO forces.

Note: A second version of HA5702 has been announced, hereupon referred to as HA5702, which will come with a set of decals so collectors can portray any of the Russian Su-35 Flankers currently seeing action in Syria.

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ModelCollect Explains Why “It Just Figures”

Judging by a recent posting on their Facebook page, it would appear as if ModelCollect will soon be offering a litany of pre-painted and pre-posed military figures. Shown alongside a 1:72 scale tank, the first set of figures look to represent Russian infantry, complete with gear and weaponry. If so, this marks another departure for this Chinese model maker, who has steadily built an impressive array of pre-built as well as model kits cutting across a number of eras. No further information was posted on their site, so we are guessing actual SKUs, pricing and dates of availability will be disseminated shortly.

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TSM Provides a “Personnel Touch” to Their Top Gun Collection

Announced way back in 2016, it would appear as if TSM Model Wings has finally put their stamp of approval on their long awaited range of 1:72 scale aircraft carrier deck, vehicles and launch team personnel that completes their Top Gun collection.

Needless to say, these very same products are designed to work in conjunction with any type of 1:72 scale US naval aircraft, making them versatile in their own right and an excellent means of displaying aircraft in their launch mode being prepped for takeoff. Based upon information supplied to us, we anticipate their availability towards the end of August.

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To Cloak or Not to Cloak? Hobby Master Gets Stealthy

Hobby Master’s first foray into the dark arts is this warplane known as “Fatal Attraction”, which was attached to the 415th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which participated in Operation Desert Storm

In a surprise announcement, Hobby Master has back tracked from its recent spate of Soviet warbirds in favor of offering a 1:72 scale version of a Lockheed F-117A Stealth aircraft (HA5801). As shown here, the model will feature an open bomb bay, so collectors can load out the aircraft any way they see fit. Slated to pop up on radar in November, the addition of the F-117 Nighthawk is an interesting move since there aren’t all that many liveries to choose from nor operators to cover. Still, adding the F-117 fills a niche in the marketplace, and helps to complete the entire pantheon of aircraft in the US arsenal for the better part of the 20th century.

An up-close look at the bomb bay door shows the “intricacy” of the artwork

Footnote: There seems to be some confusion over the price of Hobby Master’s first F-117A stealth aircraft. After bouncing around a bit, our distributor has set the final price at $104.99, a bit more than we originally thought, but a price that should help Hobby Master recoup its investment in the mold within a relatively short period of time.

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Corgi Pounds Out a Bunch of Hits for Its Second Half Lineup

The centerpiece of Corgi’s second half Aviation Archive releases is this Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Little Miss Mischief’, which was attached to the USAAF’s 324th Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, and will likely be compared to the recent efforts by Air Force 1

Many ardent aviation enthusiasts weren’t holding out much hope for Corgi’s second half lineup, citing all manner-of-reason why the manufacturer was falling behind the competition. So, when word came that Corgi announced their second half releases, quite a few collectors did a double take, instantly praising the “pooch” for finally pumping out some eagerly asked for favorites. While we are still awaiting important information concerning the new introductions before posting them online, consider this: Corgi is finally offering a heavily requested Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress as part of its back half mix, giving Air Force 1 a run for the money this fall and reestablishing themselves as the predominant maker of WWII-era fliers.  

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Modelcollect Demonstrates its Prowess with the V-1

A few weeks ago, we laid out our case explaining why we believed Modelcollect has become the predominant player in the 1:72 scale military vehicle space, outpacing both Dragon and Hobby Master in terms of detail and subject matter. While we are still awaiting information concerning their upcoming P.1000 Ratte mega tank, we learned today that another project may have stolen its thunder, whetting the appetite of collectors until the Ratte takes center stage.

Modelcollect posted images on Facebook concerning their V-1 “Doodlebug” V-1 flying bomb (AS72068), which even come bundled with a scale launch ramp. It would appear as if the ramp will come in five sections, which, when placed end-to-end, should measure at least two feet in length. Despite not being professionally photographed, the accompanying images shows the “lengths” with which the Company is going to nose out the pack, and the range of subjects they plan to tackle to maintain their momentum.

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Air Force 1 Tears a Page Out of the History Books

Air Force 1’s US Army Bell UH-1H Huey Helicopter – Sp4 Joseph G. LaPointe, B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, June 2nd, 1969

It’s comforting to see a model company draw its inspiration from one of the most heroic deeds a soldier could make. Back in 1969, Specialist Fourth Class Joseph G. LaPointe, Jr., a member of the 2nd Air Cavalry Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, was awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in Quang Tin Province on June 2nd, 1969.

SP4 LaPointe distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during a combat helicopter assault mission. SP4 LaPointe’s patrol was advancing from the landing zone through an adjoining valley when it suddenly encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from a large enemy force entrenched in well fortified bunker positions. In the initial burst of fire, two soldiers in the formation vanguard were seriously wounded. Hearing a call for aid from one of the wounded, SP4 LaPointe ran forward through heavy fire to assist his fallen comrades. To reach the wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker. As members of his unit attempted to provide covering fire, he administered first aid to one man, shielding the other with his body. SP4 LaPointe continued his lifesaving duties until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making strenuous efforts he moved back again into a shielding position to continue administering first aid. An exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded all three men. SP4 LaPointe’s courageous actions at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his comrades. His gallantry and selflessness are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

To commemorate his valor, Air Force 1 will be offering a 1:48 scale UH-1H Huey helicopter on which he served (AF10151). Expected this August, this venerable chopper will come with the usual heavy display stand and detail everyone has come to expect from this up-and-coming model maker.

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Hobby Master Claims Its Own Stake to the Vehicle Throne

 

Hobby Master makes a land grab in the diecast military space with its first ever M60 Patton tank

As some of the budget-minded partworks lines slowly fade into the sunset, comes word that Hobby Master is looking to get back into the 1:72 scale military vehicles arena in a big way. Earlier today, as part of their October product announcements, comes word that they will soon offer both a US-built M60A1 Patton main battle tank as well as a Russian-built ISU-152 self propelled gun. On a personal note, I find it interesting that this news comes just a day after we posted our opine that Modelcollect is making a bid to claim the armored crown, unseating Dragon from its longtime position as the dominant player in the vehicle game. Coincidence, perhaps, but the news concerning these two new entrants is certainly welcome, nonetheless, and could signal that other manufacturers are looking to dabble in the motor pool (sic) so long as inexpensive partworks lines have run their course and no longer pose a credible risk to their business model.

Earlier this year, Hobby Master announced plans to offer a ISU 122 self-propelled gun. Bigger and more robust, plans also call for a larger ISU-152 self-propelled gun
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Calibre Wings Takes it to the Next Level

Calibre Wings announced plans to model the General Dynamics F-16, which could be moved ahead of the Eurofighter Typhoon, Sukhoi Su-24 and MiG-29 already hinted at

There seems to be a mad dash, of late, to see which manufacturer can lay claim to replicating some of the most iconic aircraft of the modern era. While Hobby Master is taking on the Su-35S Flanker-E and Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-25 Foxbat, Calibre Wings has set its stakes on other high profile aircraft, the most notable now being the General Dynamics F-16 Flying Falcon. According to several postings on their Facebook page, the Company is already hard at work putting the finishing touches on the CAD program for the F-16, rather than porting over model kits, which could contain their own anomalies. This permits the Company greater flexibility when attempting to model the intricacies of each Falcon variant, and shows the lengths with which this newcomer to the replica game is prepared to carve out its own niche in the marketplace.

Sophisticated Computer Aided Design (CAD) programming is now utilized by most serious manufacturers rather than reliance on porting over model kits
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Modelcollect Tackles Germany’s Paper Panzers

 

Modelcollect breathes life into Germany’s vaunted “paper panzers”. The first is a German Flakpanzer E-100 Anti-Aircraft Gun

“[Hitler overestimated] the importance of [technology]. As a result, he would count on a mere handful of assault-gun detachments or the new Tiger tanks to restore situations where only large bodies of troops could have any prospect of success.”

– German Field Marshal Erich von Manstein

No stranger to offering scale WWII replicas, ModelCollect has quietly picked up the mantle that now defunct Panzerstahl threw down a few years back when they began modelling some of the proposed German vehicles still languishing on the drawing boards. Two intriguing models are expected this summer: the first is a humongous Flakpanzer E-100 Anti-Aircraft Gun  (AS72057) while the second is a German E-100 heavy tank with a 128mm main gun (AS72063).

Also slated for a July release is this massive E-100 heavy tank with 128mm main gun

Priced at just $29.99 apiece, these are absolute steals, combining Modelcollect quality and incredible detail with affordable pricing.

Also pegged for a summer release is a 1:72 scale look at a German Kampgwagenvernichter Ausf. F (E-100) StuG Heavy Tank Destroyer as well as a Landkreuzer P. 1000 Ratte Super Heavy Tank. While we have set a price for the former vehicle, we are awaiting word on the latter, due largely to its colossal size and higher-than-average shipping costs.

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