Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 “Friedrich” Fighter – Otto Kath, Stab/Jagdgeschwader 54 “Grunherz”, Staraya, Russia, December 1941
Few model makers are as forward-looking as Hobby Master. In fact, right around the middle of each month, Hobby Master trots out the latest models due out in approximately nine to ten months time. So, while others are still looking to get their ducks-in-a-row for the quarter before them, Hobby Master is toiling away at the drawing board for much further out, plying their drafting tools and expertise for months on end so they can beat their competition to the punch without looking back.
This month is no different, with lots of aircraft on the docket for every type of wartime interest and collector. While we are awaiting pricing for some of the latest warbirds still pending US Navy approval, here’s what you can look forward to placing in your curio cabinet come this December:
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC McDonnell Douglas A-4M Skyhawk Attack Aircraft – 160030, VMA-214 “Black Sheep”, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, 1989 [Low Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USN Curtiss SB2C Helldiver ASW Aircraft – “White 208”, VB-83, USS Essex (CV-9), April 1945Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USN Curtiss SB2C Helldiver ASW Aircraft – “White 62”, VB-18, USS Intrepid (CV-11), 1944Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC McDonnell F-4B Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 158378, VMFA-122 Squadron “Flying Leathernecks”, Da Nang, South Vietnam, 1968Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor Air Dominance Fighter – 07-4147, “Spirit of Tuskegee”, 477th Fighter Group, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, 2013 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 165926, VFA-122 “Flying Eagles”, Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, 2022Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale German Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Multi-Role Fighter – 31+45, “Living the Spirit”, Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 71 “Richthofen”, Rostock, Germany, 2021Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale US Navy Grumman F9F-5 Panther Fighter – Captain Royce Williams, “Actions Speak Louder than Medals”, VF-781 “Pacemaker”, November 1952Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale US Navy Grumman F9F-5 Panther Fighter – Captain Royce Williams, “Actions Speak Louder than Medals”, VF-781 “Pacemaker”, November 1952Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAF Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – ZM149/015, 207 Squadron, HMS Prince of Wales, June 2021 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAF Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – ZM159/025, 617 Squadron, HMS Queen Elizabeth, November 2022 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Soviet Air Defense Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25PD “Foxbat-E” Interceptor – “Blue 20”, 146th GFAR, Vasilkov Air Base, Russia, 1990
Its been seven years since Waltersons first acquired the Forces of Valor brand from its former owner, Unimax. In that time, the Company has released a number of well-received projects that cut across the diecast spectrum, from big and beefy 1:32 scale tanks to pose-able 1:72 scale WWII-era fighters. To mark its seventh year of operation, the Company was gracious enough to share with us several new products that are in the pipeline, all of which are fairly far along and due out by the end of the second quarter.
For openers, two rather different 1:32 scale Opel Blitz trucks have been created, both of which sport medical markings but intended for use in vastly different theatres of action. As you can readily see, one is donning a desert sand motif, indicative of its ties to Rommel’s Deutsches Afrikakoprs. The second is clad in a winter camouflage pattern, and is likely based upon a vehicle that saw action in either the winter of 1941 or ’42 on the cold, snow-covered steppes of the Eastern Front.
Also passed along to us is this waterline version of the USS Missouri, which is wearing a Measure 32, Design 22D camouflage it was painted in during1944, in support of US naval operations against the Japanese Empire in the Pacific. The Company also plans to re-issue a full hull version of the ship and has a similar strategy in mind for the re-release of the German super battleship, Bismarck.
While no mages were included in the brief, plans for the first half of 2023 include a US M24 Chaffee light tank in two dissimilar paint schemes. Also being rolled out is “Julia” – a US M4A2(76) Sherman that was used by the 761st Tank Battalion “Black Panthers” – a segregated, all-black American unit involved in the the crossing of the river Rhine operations in early 1945.
Lastly, as can be seen here, is a 1:32 scale 10-wheeled US CKWW 351 cargo truck, similar to the type employed in the Red Ball Express operation to bring greatly-needed fuel and other supplies to the advancing US forces in their bid to race across northwest Europe during the summer and fall of 1944. Since these are the first soft-skinned vehicles being resurrected and re-purposed by Waltersons, it isn’t clear as yet if these upgraded trucks will come with removable engines thus making them a part of the Engine Plus series or perhaps members of a brand new sub brand within the Forces of Valor universe.
The Company also hinted at several more 1:72 scale modern aircraft as being in the works, although its a good bet these are based upon molds first introduced by Unimax almost two decades ago. These will likely include a MV-22 Opsrey, F-14 Tomcat and possibly an F-22 Raptor. We’ve been promised clearer and sharper images to follow along with detailed information concerning product codes, pricing and feature lists.
One last bit of news should be taken at face value — the Company has categorically stated that some highly successful introductions will only be available for a limited time, pointing to the recently released “Cobra King” Sherman as a prime example. This means that while the Company is already running low on inventory thanks largely to incredible popular demand, they don’t plan to re-release it for upwards of 24-36 months and quite likely at a higher price point. Food for thought if you are still sitting on the fence considering whether to purchase this esteemed battle wagon.
Back in the day we did a fairly respectable R/C business that encompassed both the Forces of Valor and Taigen Tanks ranges of military vehicles. When Waltersons purchased VS Tanks several years ago, we were under the impression that they would be folding in the line within their own range of R/C tanks then, after getting their ducks in a row, rolling out a slew of vehicles that would make everyone’s mouth water. Thus far, the company has remained silent as to their radio controlled plans so we’ve switched gears, so-to-speak, and will instead stock the Heng Long line of military vehicles.
When I say stock what I really mean is that we will be drop shipping these vehicles to our customers courtesy of our distributor who will actually do most of the heavy lifting, covering everything from shipping out the product to handling any issues that might arise afterwards should spare parts be needed or repairs be called upon. As of now, we are still awaiting the price list and barring any issues will start listing the entire range sometime next week once we have completed shipping out all of the new Forces of Valor merchandise. So stay tuned, flex your fingers and get ready to enjoy the R/C experience from one of the most reliable and trusted manufacturers on the planet.
Militaria Diecast’s 1:72 scale USAF North American F-86F Sabre Jet Fighter – Major John Glenn, “MiG Mad Marine,” 25th Fighter Squadron “Checkertails”, 51st Fighter Group, Suwon AB, South Korea, 1953
We’re pleased to announce a new line of diecast combat aircraft known as Militaria Diecast. Produced by the same company that gave us the Warbirds of World War II series of military aircraft, Militaria Diecast will move the ball forward, so-to-speak, and examines some of the most iconic fighters arising in the aftermath of World War II. Three models are being offered at inception although we have decided to stock only two. The third, a Portuguese A-7 Corsair, has limited appeal here in North America, but if they decide to do a US version we will readily add it to our product roster.
Militaria Diecast’s 1:72 scale USMC McDonnell Douglas A-4C Skyhawk Attack Aircraft – VMA-242 “Bats”, CubanMissile Crisis, Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, Florida, October 1962
Based upon the pictures provided, it doesn’t appear as if the series will come with pilot figures although each of the aircraft can be posed in-flight on a display stand or on a set of tricycle landing gear. Lastly, the outer cases are very reminiscent of the type that accompanies the Warbirds of World II line, complete with a sturdy five-panel box, clamshell packaging and clear interior viewing pane so collectors can see the model without having to take it out of the box and possibly risk losing some of the parts.
No price has yet to be established for each of the new aircraft and a ship date is probably pegged for early spring, although no definite date has been set. For more information on this new 1:72 scale range, click the following link or either of the images shown above.
It may be the tail end of Chinese New Year, but that hasn’t prevented Hobby Master from announcing even more new aircraft models in the making for later this year. Expected sometime in November, the latest gaggle of model in minutiae encompasses just about everything for everyone, covering every major epoch from World War II to the present day. One new tooling was debuted – a 1:72 scale version of a RF-101 Voodoo reconnaissance aircraft shown above.
Here now the latest and greatest from the prolific house of Hobby Master.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15bis “Fagot” Fighter – “Black 8170”Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Chinese Peoples Liberation Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15bis “Fagot” Fighter – “Red 811”, Lt. V. I. Chizh, 72 GvIAP, Ansan, North Korea, November 1st, 1950Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIV Fighter – Wing Commander Colin Gray, Lympne Wing, Lympne, England, October 1944RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIV Fighter – Wing Commander, J. E. “Johnnie” Johnson, No. 125 Wing, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 1945Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16C Viper Fighter – 89-2060, 8th Fighter Wing “Wolf Pack”, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, 2021 [Heritage Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16C Viper Fighter – 91-0379, 79th Fighter Squadron, 2005 [Tiger Meet Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF McDonnell F-4B Phanton II Fighter-Bomber – 151506, VF-84 Squadron “Jolly Rogers”, USS Independence (CV-62), 1964Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15C Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 85-0114, 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Gorillas”, Eglin AFB, Florida, 1991 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Israeli Boeing F-15D Baz Multi-Role Fighter – “957”, Markiya Shakim “Sky Blazer”, No.106 Squadron “Spearhead”, Tel Nof Airbase, Israel, 2011Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – 169304, VFA-147 “Argonauts”, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), 2021 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye AEW Aircraft – 161522, “Miss B. Havin”, VAW-124 “Bear Aces”, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), 1991Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 168929, VFA-94 “Mighty Shrikes”, USS Nimitz (CVN-68), 2021Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 31B “Foxhound” Interceptor – “Red 24”, 712th Interceptor Regiment, Kansk, Russia, 2022
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M4A3E8 Sherman Medium Tank – Creighton Abrams’ “Thunderbolt VII”, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Germany, 1945
Technically, 2023 marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese mythology, however, with the deluge of Neo Dragon Armor subjects expected this February, we’re going to characterize it as the Year of the Dragon. According to a recent announcement made by our distributor, no fewer than 20 new products are expected in the second month of 2023, far outstripping our first shipment that arrived back in October. The list of upcoming releases is too numerous to list here, so we’re going to point everyone to our February Release section, which shows each item and, where applicable, each variation currently on the docket. We advise everyone to go through the section as soon as possible and pre-order those items you’d like to nab before some sell out.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. H Heavy Tank – “White 100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Mga, Russia, 1942
Going forward we will likely see more of these larger-than-normal shipments arriving every quarter or so. The reason for this is that ever since Dragon Models USA closed its doors well over a year ago, our distributor must bring in a container load of new product at a time to make it worth their while and lower the per unit trans-oceanic cost associated with importing goods from the Pacific Rim. That means the next shipment is probably pegged for this coming spring, and will likely include those items that are currently showing a “2023” estimated release date. Its also hoped that with shipping costs slowly decreasing as compared with the 2021-2022 period, that the retail price for many of their soon-to-be-released items will drop somewhat as well.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale Chinese Volunteer Army T-34/85 Medium Tank – Korea, 1950
After secretly crossing the Yalu River on October 19th, 1950, the Peoples Volunteer Army (PVA) 13th Army Group launched the First Phase Offensive on October 25th, attacking the advancing UN forces near the Sino-Korean border. This military decision made solely by China changed the attitude of the Soviet Union. Twelve days after PVA troops entered the war, Stalin allowed the Soviet Air Force to provide air cover and supported more aid to China. After inflicting heavy losses on the ROK II Corps at the Battle of Oniong, the first confrontation between Chinese and US military occurred on November 1st, 1950. Deep in North Korea, thousands of soldiers from the PVA 39th Army, encircled and attacked the US 8th Cavalry Regiment with three-prong assaults—from the north, northwest, and west—and overran the defensive position flanks in the Battle of Unsan. The surprise assault resulted in the UN forces retreating back to the Ch’ongch’on River, while the PVA unexpectedly disappeared into mountain hideouts following victory. It is unclear why the Chinese did not press the attack and follow up their victory.
The UN Command, however, were unconvinced that the Chinese had openly intervened because of the sudden PVA withdrawal. On 24 November, the Home-by-Christmas Offensive was launched with the US Eighth Army advancing in northwest Korea, while US X Corps attacked along the Korean east coast. But the PVA were waiting in ambush with their Second Phase Offensive, which they executed at two sectors: in the East at the Chosin Reservoir and in the Western sector at Ch’ongch’on River.
On November 13th, Mao appointed Zhou Enlai the overall commander and coordinator of the war effort, with Peng as field commander. On November 25th, on the Korean western front, the PVA 13th Army Group attacked and overran the ROK II Corps at the Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River, and then inflicted heavy losses on the US 2nd Infantry Division on the UN forces’ right flank. Believing that they could not hold against the PVA the Eighth Army began to retreat from North Korea crossing the 38th Parallel in mid-December. UN morale hit rock bottom when Lieutenant General Walton Walker, commander of the US Eighth Army, was killed on December 23rd, 1950, in an automobile accident.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale Chinese Volunteer Army T-34/85 Medium Tank – “215”, Korea, 1950
In the east, on November 27th, the PVA 9th Army Group initiated the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Here the UN forces fared comparatively better: like the Eighth Army the surprise attack also forced X Corps to retreat from northeast Korea, but they were in the process able to break out from the attempted encirclement by the PVA and execute a successful tactical withdrawal. X Corps managed to establish a defensive perimeter at the port city of Hungnam on 11 December and were able to evacuate by 24 December in order to reinforce the badly depleted US Eighth Army to the south. During the evacuation, about 193 shiploads of UN forces and matériel (approximately 105,000 soldiers, 98,000 civilians, 17,500 vehicles, and 350,000 tons of supplies) were evacuated to Pusan. The SS Meredith Victory was noted for evacuating 14,000 refugees, the largest rescue operation by a single ship, even though it was designed to hold 12 passengers. Before escaping, the UN forces razed most of Hungnam city, with particular attention to the port facilities. The UN retreat from North Korea also saw the massive evacuation from the capital city of Pyongyang. In early December, UN forces, including the British Army’s 29th Infantry Brigade, evacuated Pyongyang, along with large numbers of refugees. Around 4.5 million North Koreans are estimated to have fled from North Korea to either the South or elsewhere abroad. On 16 December 1950, President Truman declared a national state of emergency with Presidential Proclamation No. 2914, 3 C.F.R. 99 (1953), which remained in force until 14 September 1978. The next day, 17 December 1950, Kim Il-sung was deprived of the right of command of KPA by China.
China justified its entry into the war as a response to “American aggression in the guise of the UN”. Later, the Chinese claimed that US bombers had violated PRC national airspace on three separate occasions and attacked Chinese targets before China intervened.
Dragon has announced their own plans for Chinese intervention with two versions of a People’s Volunteer Army T-34/85 medium tank, both of which are due out in early 2023.
Luft-X 1:72 scale German Horten Ho 229 Fighter Bomber – Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum
We had thought that Luft-X was all but dead seeing as how nothing new has been announced from this resin model maker for the better part of five years. That said, it appears as if the creator of exotic German wunderwaffe aircraft is looking to make a comeback in 2023 with the release of not one but two versions of their highly sought after Ho 229 fighter-bomber. LUFT004 was released some time back and quickly sold out almost as soon as it made its maiden flight onto retailer’s shelves. A second version, dubbed LUFT004A, is based upon the aircraft currently on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, an annex of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. Both are scheduled to touch down in April and will likely get snapped up as quickly as they did on the first go round.
There’s a good chance that LUFT-X may resurrect several of their other previous releases as we amble further down the road in 2023, and hopefully add some new subjects once they re-establish their identity in the marketplace and gain traction among military aircraft collectors.
And, in a related announcement, Wings of Glory is re-releasing several of their resin-crafted WWI-themed military aircraft, once again demonstrating that they are looking to play a major role in the aviation sector. Look for their LZ 41 Zeppelin, Manfred von Richthofen’s Fokker Dr.I Triplane fighter, and Eddie Rickenbacker’s Spad XIII biplane fighter to soar over Flanders trenches this coming April.
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USAAF North American P-51B Mustang Fighter – Lieutenant Steve Pisanos, 334th Fighter Squadron “Fighting Eagles”, 4th Fighter Group, Essex, England, May 1944
Perhaps channeling or celebrating the life of the late great disco singer, Donna Summer, Hobby Master announced yet another wave of new diecast aircraft that are slated to hit the dance floor in September 2023. No surprises were included – rather most are based upon tried-and-true subjects that have sold well over the course of the last few years. Interestingly, a standard as well as a signature edition P-51 Mustang, based upon Steve Pisanos’ famed USAAF mount, is included in the mix even though the war hero passed away back in 2016. Not sure how they managed that but I’m sensing a theme here and I’ll let Hobby Master explain away that one. Anyway, here now the rest of the dance card:
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USAAF North American P-51C Mustang Fighter – Lieutenant William T Whisner, “Princess Elizabeth”, 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, RAF Bodney, England, 1944Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RCAF McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo Fighter – 409 “Nighthawk” Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada, 1982Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF McDonnell F-101B Voodoo Fighter – 50-80308, 62nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron “Spike War Dogs”, Ki Sawyer AFB, Michigan, 1965Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF McDonnell F-4E Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 68-0531, 163rd Fighter Squadron “Blacksnakes”, 122nd Tactical Fighter Group, Fort Wayne, Indiana, May 1987Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16B Viper Fighter – 920458, “Top Gun”, 90th Anniversary of Naval Aviation, NSAWC, 2009 [Anniversary Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16A Viper Fighter – 920409, “Centennial of Naval Aviation”, 2006-2008 [Anniversary Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MLD “Flogger-K” Fighter – “White 36” (1:72 Scale)Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAF Panavia GR. Mk. 1 Tornado IDS All-Weather Bomber – “Debbie”, ZD790, 31 Squadron, Bahrain, 1991 (1:72 Scale)Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Ukrainian Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29C ‘Fulcrum-C’ Fighter – “Yellow 45,” “The Ghost of Kyiv”, Ukraine, 2022Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Sukhoi Su-35S “Flanker-E” Multirole Fighter – “Blue 01”, 116th Combat Application Training Center of Fighter Aviation, VKS, September 2022Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman F-14D Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 163904, VF-31 “Tomcatters”, September 2006 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 71-0291, McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company, St. Louis, Missouri, 1980
As we finish up digging through an avalanche of new armor subjects, comes news that even more Neo Dragon Armor vehicles are slated for an early 2023 roll out. Frankly, its refreshing to see Dragon take such an active stance in reinvigorating the range, several years after the original Dragon Armor series of armored subjects reached the pinnacle of its success.
Looking ahead it comes as no surprise that Dragon would offer up a pair of German 251/22 halftracks as part of its 2023 lineup, perhaps hinting at their intent when they first indicated plans to re-release their time-tested Sd. Kfz. 251 halftrack earlier this year. The upcoming pair of 251/22 tracks are fitted with the infamous PaK 75 mm anti-tank guns, which were used with great effect to stem the tide of allied armor rolling across Europe in late WWII. And, if we had to guess, other 251 variants are waiting in the wings, likely signalling a cavalcade of re-purposed German APCs throughout the year.
Neo Dragon Amor’s 1:72 scale Sd.Kfz.251/22 Ausf.D w/7.5cm PaK 40
Also falling in for duty are two US-built M4A1(76W) Sherman medium tanks, which soldiered on late in the war even though they were no match for some of the heavier German armor they were tasked with engaging as the Allied armies advanced through northwestern Europe late in 1944.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M4A1(76)W VVSS Sherman Medium Tank – “Ferocious III”, 33rd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, Belgium, 1944Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M4A1(76)W VVSS Sherman Medium Tank – “Elowee”, 2nd Armored Division, France, 1944
Update: We woke up today to see four more new vehicles have been added to the Neo Dragon Armor lineup: two initial production Tiger I heavy tanks and a pair of Hummel tank destroyers. Needless to say, we’ve added these new entrants to our product portfolio and have begun accepting pre-orders but we do want to warn you that they are still several months away from being released here in North America. Remember, patience is a virtue!
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 165 Hummel Self-Propelled HowitzerNeo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 165 Hummel Self-Propelled HowitzerNeo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. H Heavy Tank – “White 243”, schwere Panzerabteilung 503, Rostov, 1943Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. H Heavy Tank – “White 100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Leningrad, 1943
