Hobby Master

Hobby Master Succumbs to the Naval Aviator Blues

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero” Fighter – 3-116, Saburo Sakai, Tainan Kokutai, Formosa, China, 1940-1941

Several months ago, we wrote how Corgi completely blew it with their soon-to-be-released 1:50 scale Tiger I heavy tank, which is supposed to portray an initial production vehicle that saw action in the Leningrad sector of the Russian Front during late 1942. Instead, they used a late model Tiger I and claimed it was historically accurate. And, lest we forget about the engine cowlings on the Air Force 1 B-17 Flying Fortresses, which are peeled back and exaggerated beyond all explanation. Well, it now appears as if Hobby Master will be facing much the same back lash with their soon to take wing 1:48 scale Mitsubishi Zero that was piloted by the famed IJN naval ace, Saburo Sakai.

While we don’t as yet have the aircraft in our possession, it appears as if the grey exterior paint scheme commonly associated with an IJN Zero has morphed into a sky blue overcoat, thereby giving the model a strange and somewhat eerie appearance that isn’t ugly but ahistorical nonetheless. During the war, its commonly believed that there was no single grey color used by the IJN to paint their aircraft. In fact, after Midway, when the IJN lost four front-line aircraft carriers, many aircraft were forced to deploy to land bases and were therefore repainted with a green top coat to help them blend in with their new surroundings. That said, it appears as if Sakai’s Zero, which was based at Formosa well before the disaster at Midway, falls somewhere in the middle, a failed attempt at getting his model to look like the real thing. A pity really.

We recognize that sometimes its a struggle to get a model painted in the correct colors and to date, Hobby Master usually posts pre-production photos on various forums so that collectors can give the products the once over before giving their nod of approval. In this case, it appears as if this never happened, and the model went into mass production well before anyone could critique it. Frankly, its not a bad model, and some collectors may decide to give it a Code 3 make over, meaning they’ll redress the model to make it more acceptable. Still, it would have been nice if Hobby Master had stuck to their tried-and-true process of letting collectors say yay or nay to the model before it was turned over to the production line thereby avoiding these types of mishaps.

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Hobby Master Embarks Upon a Hearts and Minds Campaign this June

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Fighter – Walter Horten, Stab/Jagdgeschwader 26, France, Spring 1940 (1:48 Scale)

As news spreads concerning the receipt of their December shipment, Hobby Master announced their latest spate of military hardware being readied for battle. Here’s what you can look forward to claiming for your very own this June:

On the ground…

#HG4916 – US 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 Tank (1:72 Scale)

#HG3015 – Soviet Kliment Voroshilov KV-2 Heavy Tank (1:72 Scale)

…and in the air

#HA7853 – RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Fighter – BL973/RY- S, Flight Leader Stanislav Fejfar, No. 313 Squadron, May 1942 (1:48 Scale)

#HA7854 – RAAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Fighter – AB972/UD-W, Flight Leader Brendan “Paddy” Finucane, No. 452 Squadron, RAF Kenley, England, October 1941 (1:48 Scale)

#HA8714 – German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Fighter – Walter Horten, Stab/Jagdgeschwader 26, France, Spring 1940 (1:48 Scale)

#HA4611 – USMC Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – 169164, VMFA-121 “Green Knights”, Iwakuni, Japan, 2018 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6602 – German Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Multi-Role Fighter – 30+83 (cn GS063), Jagdgeschwader 74, 2013 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6603 – Spanish Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Multi-Role Fighter – 14-06, 142 Squadron, “NATO Tiger Meet 2016” (1:72 Scale)

#HA5115 – US Navy Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 410/168478, VFA-151 “Vigilantes”, 2019 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6404 – Russian Navy Sukhoi Su-33 “Flanker-D” Air Superiority Fighter – Bort 88, Admiral Kuznetsov, Syria, 2016 (1:72 Scale)

Skymax Models

#SM8009 – USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – T-16, LCDR John C. Waldron, VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway” (1:72 Scale)

#SM8010 – USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – T-3, Ensign William R. Evans, VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway” (1:72 Scale)

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Hobby Master Dashes Once More Unto the Breach

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC McDonnell F-4N Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 15323, VMFA-531 “Grey Ghosts”, USS Coral Sea (CV-43)

Certainly one of the most prolific model makers of our time, Hobby Master has nonetheless kept one eye on the mill stone and one on the clock ever since they came into being back in 2006, releasing a steady diet of replicas month in and month out that have become the envy of aficionados world over. For April, collectors can expect to look forward to taking delivery on the following models:

On the ground…

#HG5313 – Republic of China (Taiwanese) M41A3 Walker Bulldog Light Tank (1:72 Scale)

#HG5314 – Republic of China (Taiwanese) Marine Corps M41A3 Walker Bulldog Light Tank (1:72 Scale)

…and in the air

#HA0152 – Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PFM “Fishbed” Fighter – “Red 50” (1:72 Scale)

#HA3336 – US Navy Northrop F-5E Tiger II Fighter – 527th Aggressor Squadron, Alconbury AB, England, 1976-1988 [Aggressor Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA8904 – USN Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat Fighter – Lt. Edward H. “Butch” O’Hare, “White F-15”, VF-3, USS Lexington (CV-2), 1942 (1:48 Scale)

#HA3876 – USAF General Dynamics F-16C Block 25 Fighting Falcon Fighter – “Ghost Scheme”, 64th Aggressor Squadron, 57th Adversary Tactics Group, Nellis AFB, Nevada [Aggressor Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA19014 – USMC McDonnell F-4N Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 15323, VMFA-531 “Grey Ghosts”, USS Coral Sea (CV-43) (1:72 Scale)

#HA5605 – Syrian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25PD “Foxbat-A” Interceptor – 5th Aerial Squadron, Tiyaz, Syria, 1985 (1:72 Scale)

#HA3026 – RAAF General Dynamics F-111C Aardvark Strike Aircraft – A8-272, No. 6 Squadron, 1994-2007 (1:72 Scale)

#HA5113 – US Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter – VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers”, 75th Anniversary Commemorative Scheme, USS Lincoln (CVN-72), 2017 (1:72 Scale)

This May, the following aircraft are scheduled to swoop in:

#HA4210 – USAAF Douglas A-20G Havoc Medium Bomber – “Little Joe”, 389th Bombardment Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force, Early 1945 (1:72 Scale)

#HA1328 – USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – 66th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 2005 (1:72 Scale)

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March Roars in Like a Lion at Hobby Master

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 160432, VMAQ-2 “Death Jesters”, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina

Its no wonder that Hobby Master has established itself as one of the most prolific makers of diecast military collectibles. Operating like a well oiled machine even in the face of labor and trade issues, Hobby Master has consistently released a diet of eagerly sought after replicas that has earned it a special place in the hearts and minds of collectors worldwide. This March is no exception, with the following new models up for your consideration:

On the ground…

#HG3705 – US M46 Patton Medium Tank – 64th Tank Battalion, Imjin River, Korea, Spring 1951 (1:72 Scale)

#HG3706 – US M46 Patton Medium Tank – 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, 1951 (1:72 Scale)

…and in the air

#HA8713 – German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 Fighter – I./Jagdgeschwader 77 “Blitz”, France, Summer 1940 (1:48 Scale)

#HA3552 – USMC Boeing F/A-18D Hornet Strike Fighter – BuNo. 164685, VMFA(AW)-121 “Green Knights”, 2004 (1:72 Scale)

#HA4813 – US Navy Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye AEW Aircraft – 163536, VAW-125 “Tiger Tails”, NAS Norfolk, Virginia, September 2009 (1:72 Scale)

#HA6010 – Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-27 “Flanker-B” Multirole Fighter (1:72 Scale)

#HA5008 – US Navy Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 160432, VMAQ-2 “Death Jesters”, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina (1:72 Scale)

#HA5228 – US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – “Super CAG” 160660, VF-111 “Sundowners”, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), 1986 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

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Hobby Master Closes Out the Month of September in Stealthy Fashion

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter-Bomber – “Vega 31”, 7th Fighter Squadron “Screamin Demons”, “Operation Allied Force”, Kosovo War, 1999

True-to-form, the September cache of Hobby Master products have arrived at our distributor and are now headed our way, come what may. Without further ado, here’s what you can look forward to adding to your diecast arsenal in just a few days time:

On the Ground…:

#HG3812 – US M8 Light Armored Car – “C-30”, Unidentified Unit, Ardennes Forest, December 1944 (1:72 Scale)

#HG3813 – US M20 Greyhound Light Armored Car – Unidentified Unit, Ardennes Forest, December 1944 (1:72 Scale)

…And in the Air:

#HA0195 – Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21SMT “Fishbed-K” Fighter – “Blue 22”, Krasnodar Higher Aviation Training Facility, Soviet Union, 1980 (1:72 Scale)

#HA0196 – Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21SMT “Fishbed-K” Fighter – “Blue 60”, 296 IAP, Soviet Union, 1980 (1:72 Scale)

#HA1222 – USN Grumman TBF-1C Avenger Torpedo-Bomber – “White 93”, VT-15, USS Essex (CV 9), November 1944 (1:72 Scale)

#HH1206 – Taiwanese Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopter (1:72 Scale)

#HH1207 – Republic of Korea Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopter (1:72 Scale)

#HA5309 – Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MLD “Flogger-K” Fighter – “White 55”, 120 IAP, Bagram AB, Afghanistan, 1989 (1:72 Scale)

#HA5805 – USAF Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter-Bomber – “Vega 31”, 7th Fighter Squadron “Screamin Demons”, “Operation Allied Force”, Kosovo War, 1999 (1:72 Scale)

#HA3022 – USAF General Dynamics EF-111A Raven Electronics Warfare Aircraft – ECS/48th TFW(P), Operation Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, Early 1991 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6402 – Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark Air Superiority Fighter – Aircraft Carrier Liaoning, 2017 (1:72 Scale)

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Hobby Master Pokes its Head Out of its Burrow for Groundhog’s Day

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Republic F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasel Aircraft – 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Vietnam War

While we were basking in the warm summer sun, Hobby Master took the opportunity drench us with a cold wake up call by announcing a bevy of new products expected this February. The vehicles and aircraft cut across virtually every category, scale and era, so without further ado, here’s what you can look forward to adding to your collection early in 2020:

For the Ground Pounders:

#HG1704 – German Sd. Kfz. 2 NSU Kettenkrad Light Tractor – 20.Panzer Division, Russia, 1944 (1:48 Scale)

#HG3814 – US M20 Greyhound Light Armored Car – 1st Platoon, B Company, 807th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Germany, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

#HG5611 – Republic of China (Taiwanese) M60A3 Patton Medium Tank – Taiwanese Marine Corps (1:72 Scale)

For the aviation enthusiasts:

#HA5906 – Peoples Liberation Army Air Force Shenyang J-5 “Fresco C” Fighter – 1956 (1:72 Scale)

#HA5907 – Peoples Liberation Army Air Force Shenyang J-5 “Fresco C” Fighter – 1960s (1:72 Scale)

#HA6502 – Polish Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – “100th Anniversary” (1:72 Scale)

#HA6503 – German Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – Jagdgeschwader 73 “Steinhoff”, 1994 (1:72 Scale)

#HA4610 – RAF Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – ZM151, 2019 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6203 – USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – “Pole Test Scheme”, 2012 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6204 – USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – “ED-104”, Edwards AFB, California, 2016 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA2550 – USAF Republic F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasel Aircraft – 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Vietnam War (1:72 Scale)

#HA5152 – RAAF Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – No. 6 Squadron, “100th Anniversary”, 2018 (1:72 Scale)

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Hobby Master Hits the Dusty August Trail

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Douglas A-1H Skyraider Attack Aircraft – 22nd Special Operations Squadron “Green Hornets”, 56th Special Operations Wing, South Vietnam (1:72 Scale)

We’ve learned that the August cache of Hobby Master products has arrived at our distributor so we should have them in stock by week’s end, barring any unforeseen issues. Here’s what’s headed our way:

HG5312 – Republic of China (Taiwanese) M41A3 Walker Bulldog Light Tank – Taiwanese Marine Corps (1:72 Scale)

HG3514 – Royal Australian Army Centurion Mk.5/1 Main Battle Tank – 1st Armoured Regiment, Vietnam, 1969 (1:72 Scale)

HG5610 – Egyptian M60A3 Patton Medium Tank – Egyptian Republican Guard Division, Cairo, 2011 (1:72 Scale)

HA1044 – USAF Lockheed F-104G Starfighter Interceptor – Captain John Christopher, FG-914, “Bluejay 4”, RAF Waddington, England, 1960s (1:72 Scale)

HA7852 – RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Tropical Fighter – No. 601 Squadron, Libya, December 1942 (1:48 Scale)

HA9203 – Chinese Air Force Curtiss 81-A-2 (P-40B) Warhawk Fighter – Ft. Leader Robert “R. T.” Smith, 3rd Pursuit Squadron, Kunming, China, June 1942 (1:48 Scale)

HA19009 – USAF McDonnell F-4E Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 73-1199, 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing “Peugeots”, Incirlik AB, Turkey, 1991 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

HA19010 – USAF McDonnell F-4G Phantom II Wild Weasel Aircraft – 69-0291, 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron “The Dicemen”, 1990 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

HA2914 – USAF Douglas A-1H Skyraider Attack Aircraft – 22nd Special Operations Squadron “Green Hornets”, 56th Special Operations Wing, South Vietnam (1:72 Scale)

HA2916 – French Douglas AD-4 Skyraider Attack Aircraft – EC2/20 “Ouarsenis”, Algeria, Early 1960s (1:72 Scale)

HA2623 – RAF Harrier GR7A Jump Jet – Operation Herrick, ZD404 “Lucy”, No.1 (F) Squadron, Kandahar, Afghanistan, November 2006 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

HA6101 – Russian Sukhoi Su-25SM “Frogfoot” Ground Attack Aircraft – “Red 24”, Khmeimim Air Base, Latakia, Syria, November 2015 (1:72 Scale)

HA6401 – Russian Navy Sukhoi Su-33 “Flanker-D” Air Superiority Fighter – Bort 67, 1st Aviation Squadron, 279th Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment, Feb 2014 (1:72 Scale)

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Hobby Master Lays Out Their Winter Wonderland for January

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAAF Boeing F-18B Hornet Strike Fighter – A21-116, “Classic Hornet 1985-2019”, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, Williamtown, 2019

Never one to disappoint, particularly around the chilly wintry days of January, Hobby Master laid out what’s on tap for the first month of the new decade:

HA4209 – RAF Douglas Boston Mk.IV Light Attack Bomber – BZ405, No.88 Squadron, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

HA1615 – ROCAF Dassault-Breuget Mirage 2000-5 Multi-Role Fighter – 2020/E120, 2018 “20 Years of Operation” (1:72 Scale)

HA3545 – RAAF Boeing F-18B Hornet Strike Fighter – A21-116, “Classic Hornet 1985-2019”, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, Williamtown, 2019 (1:72 Scale)

HA4518 – USAF Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 97-0219, 492nd Fighter Squadron “Madhatters”, “75th D-Day Anniversary Scheme”, 2019 (1:72 Scale)

HA5606 – Ukrainian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25PD “Foxbat-A” Interceptor – “Red 49”, 146th Fighter Aviation Regiment, Vasilkov Air Base, 1995 (1:72 Scale)

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Hobby Master Adds the Typhoon to Its Expanding Line Up

Lately there seems to be a land grab in the diecast aviation space, as several manufacturers look to carve out ever larger pieces of the marketing pie before the others can step in. Earlier today, we were informed that Hobby Master was adding yet another aircraft to its growing aviation stable: the venerable Eurofighter Typhoon. While Corgi has steadily cranked out a handful of Typhoons over the years, Hobby Master is looking to one up them by offering an even more exacting look at the aircraft that has helped to protect Europe from foreign invasion for the past few decades.

Prototype images of the Typhoon were posted to the Hobby Master Collector web site, and we expect a formal announcement concerning pricing, squadron markings and dates of availability from our distributor shortly.

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Hobby Master Publishes its Christmas Shopping List, and They’re Checking it Twice

With just 169 days to go before Christmas, Hobby Master today announced their holiday tidings, which cuts across virtually every segment and sector of the diecast hobby. Here’s what you can look forward to seeing in your holiday stocking:

HG4914 – Republic of China (Taiwanese) 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 Tank – 1940s (1:72 Scale)

HG4915 – Free French 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 Tank – 1940s (1:72 Scale)

HA0197 – East German Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF “Fishbed” Fighter – Jagdgeschwader 1, East Germany (1:72 Scale)

HA2121 – USAF North American F-100D Super Sabre Fighter – 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Ghost Riders”, Da Nang AB, 1965 (1:72 Scale)

HA9202 – USAAC Curtiss P-40B Warhawk Fighter – 47th Pursuit Squadron, 15th Pursuit Group, Wheeler Field, Hawaii, December 7th, 1941 (1:48 Scale)

HA8457 – USAAF Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Fighter – 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, Duxford, England, May 1944 (1:48 Scale)

HA3873 – Israeli Defense Force General Dynamics F-16D Fighter – 109 Squadron, 2006 (1:72 Scale)

HA4517 – USAF Boeing F-15A Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron “Green Dragons”, “William Tell 1984” (1:72 Scale)

HA5227 – US Navy Grumman F-14D Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – VF-2 “Bounty Hunters”, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

HA2717 – JASDF Mitsubishi F-2 Multirole Fighter – ADTW, Gifu Airbase, Japan, 2019 (1:72 Scale)

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