Hobby Master

No June Swoon for Hobby Master

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USN Grumman TBM-1C Avenger Torpedo-Bomber – “Barbara III”, Lt. George H. W. Bush, VT-51, USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), September 1944

It looks as if we’re going to be busy as bees next week, with lots of product rolling in through our doors ready to find new homes. The latest manufacturer looking to book receiving time with us is Hobby Master — their June shipment now en route to us with several key items shown front-and-center on the manifest. A number of items are already sold out at both the factory and distributor level, meaning they’ll likely go fast once they get listed as being available. Here’s a list of what you’ll be able to wrap your mitts around in the coming days:

HG5007 – German Sd. Kfz. 7 8-Ton Personnel Carrier / Prime Mover – 10.Infanterie Division, 1942 (1:72 Scale)

HG5607 – USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) (1:72 Scale)

HA2011 – Imperial Japanese Navy Nakajima B5N2 “Kate” Torpedo Bomber – Lt. Cdr. Shigekazu Shimazaki, IJN Carrier Zuikaku, Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941 (1:72 Scale)

HA4105 – Royal Navy BAE Harrier II FA.2 Jump Jet – “Operation Deliberate Force” No.800 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, HMS Invincible (R05), Mediterranean Sea, July 1995 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

HA1221 – USN Grumman TBM-1C Avenger Torpedo-Bomber – “Barbara III”, Lt. George H. W. Bush, VT-51, USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), September 1944 (1:72 Scale)

HA8650 – RAF Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIc Fighter – PZ865, “The Last of the Many!”, 1944 (1:48 Scale)

HA8652 – RAF Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIc Fighter – JX-E/BE581, Karel Kuttelwascher, “Night Reaper”, No. 1 Squadron, 1942 (1:48 Scale)

HA3550 – Royal Canadian Boeing CF-18B Hornet Strike Fighter – “2016 DEMO”, Captain Ryan “Roid” Kean, 2016 (1:72 Scale)

HA4608 – USMC Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – BF-05, Cdr. Nathan Gray, VX-23 “Salty Dogs”, HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), 2018 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

HA6202 – USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – CF-01, VX-23 “The Salty Dogs”, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, Naval Air Systems Command, 2012 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

HA5150 – US Navy Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 168893 VAQ-141 “Shadowhawks”, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), Atsugi Air Base, Japan, 2017 (1:72 Scale)

HA5225 – US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 161616, VF-21 “Freelancers”, USS Independence (CV-62), CVW-5, 1994 (1:72 Scale)

HA0307 – USN Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat Fighter – “White 50,” VF-17 “Jolly Rogers”, USS Hornet (CV-12), 1945 (1:32 Scale)

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Hobby Master Shows Off What Is on Tap for Turkey Day

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-111A Aardvaark Strike Aircraft – 67-0067, 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, Thailand, Early 1970s

Certainly one of the more prompt if prolific makers of diecast military products, Hobby Master today displayed some of the fixings you can expect them to lay out on your dining room table this coming Thanksgiving:

HG4607 – German Sd. Kfz. 121 PzKpfw II Ausf. F Light Tank – 7.Panzer Regiment, 10.Panzer Division, Tunisia, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

HG4608 – German Sd. Kfz. 121 PzKpfw II Ausf. F Light Tank – 6.Panzer Division, Kursk, Russia, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

HA2012 – Imperial Japanese Navy Nakajima B5N2 “Kate” Torpedo Bomber – 931st Naval Flying Group (KEB303), Kushira Air Base, April 1945 (1:72 Scale)

HA8318 – RAAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VIII Fighter – “HAVA GO JO!!” Lt. Norm Smithell, No. 79 Squadron, Summer 1945 (1:48 Scale)

HA8319 – RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX Fighter – ZD-B/MH434, No. 222 Squadron, Duxford, England, 2004 (1:48 Scale)

HA4609 – USMC Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – BF-01, 2010s [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

HA3025 – USAF General Dynamics F-111A Aardvaark Strike Aircraft – 67-0067, 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, Thailand, Early 1970s (1:72 Scale)

HA3024 – RAAF General Dynamics F-111C Aardaark Strike Aircraft – A8-132, ARDU, 1988 (1:72 Scale)

HA4812 – US Navy Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye AEW Aircraft – 165817 “Elvis”, VAW-116 “Sun Kings”, May 2007 (1:72 Scale)

HA5151 – US Navy Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 166894, VAQ-132 “Scorpions”, Aviano AB, Italy, 2011 “Operation Odyssey Dawn” (1:72 Scale)

HA6303B – Russian Sukhoi Su-34 “Fullback” Strike Fighter – “Bort #10”, Oleg Peshkov Commemorative Scheme, August 2017 (1:72 Scale)

HA8807 – Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero” Fighter – 3-116, Saburo Sakai, 12th Kokutai, 1940-1941 (1:48 Scale)

No new toolings were unveiled, although its comforting to see several older models that have been sold out for some time making a return engagement.

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Hobby Master Puts the “Boo” in October’s Sonic Boom


Hobby Master’s Russian Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29C ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – “White 51”, Borisoglebsk Training Center, Summer 2001

The folks at Hobby Master have been busy as bees of late, posting imagery for several of their upcoming projects as well as debuting a gaggle of new warbirds due out this October. Perhaps the most noteworthy new addition to the Hobby Master hangar is a MiG-29 Fulcrum multirole fighter, clad in a post Soviet Union break up scheme from 2001. “White 51” as its known, was attached to the Borisoglebsk Training Center, which plays host to the Borisoglebsk Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots, designed to train up would be fliers on the latest Russian aircraft.

Also slated to arrive this October are the following items:

HG5005 – German Sd. Kfz. 7 8-Ton Personnel Carrier / Prime Mover – SS-924015, “Marta”, 1.SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler ‘LSSAH’ (1:72 Scale)

HG5208 – British Cruiser A34 Comet Mk. IV Tank – T335293, “Arrogant”, Queens Own Hussars, Berlin Brigade, 1960 (1:72 Scale)

HA3112 – USAF Convair F-102 Delta Dagger Interceptor – 0-61409, Florida Air National Guard, 1960s (1:72 Scale)

HA7743A/B – USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – Captain Abner M. Aust, Jr., 457th Fighter Squadron, 506th Fighter Group, Iwo Jima, 1945 (1:48 Scale)

HA7744A/B – USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – “Hon Mistake”, 1st Lt. William G. Ebersole, 462th Fighter Squadron, 506th Fighter Group, Iwo Jima, 1945 [Signature Edition] (1:48 Scale)

HA4558 – USAF Boeing F-15D Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 78-0567, 65th Aggressor Squadron, 57th Wing, 2012 (1:72 Scale)

HA5007 – US Navy Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 163890/AJ502, VAQ-134 “Garudas”, June 2015 “US Navy Farewell Scheme” (1:72 Scale)

HA4516 – USAF Boeing F-15C Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 82-0023 “Maloney’s Pony”, 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, 1991 (1:72 Scale)

HA4419 – USAF Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – 15-5194, 466th Fighter Squadron “Diamondbacks”, 419th Fighter Wing, October 2018 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

HA6501 – Russian Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29C ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – “White 51”, Borisoglebsk Training Center, Summer 2001 (1:72 Scale)

HA5706 – Russian Sukhoi Su-35 “Flanker-E” Multirole Fighter – 901, MAKS-2007 Airshow, Zhukovskij, August 2007 (1:72 Scale)

HA5226 – US Navy Grumman F-14B Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 162911, VF-24 “Fighting Renegades”, USS Nimitz (CVN-68), 1989 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

HA6303 – Russian Sukhoi Su-34 “Fullback” Strike Fighter – “Bort #10”, Oleg Peshkov Commemorative Scheme, August 2016 (1:72 Scale)

HA0211 – USN Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless Dive-Bomber – CDR Howard Young, Commander of the Enterprise Air Group, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (1:32 Scale)

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The Hobby Master Production Line Expands Again

Every so often, a handful of curious collectors take it upon themselves to ask the manufacturers directly about the possibility of offering a particular subject in replica form. Earlier this week, a member of the Model Hanger 3 board did just that, taking it upon himself to ask Hobby Master if they planned to replicate the B-58 Hustler in 1:72 scale. The B-58 is an iconic aircraft of the Cold War period, and, naturally enough, an oft-requested aircraft that seems to have eluded hobbyists and collectors alike. While no formal commitments were offered in the near-term by Hobby Master, the manufacturer did indicate that three more aircraft will be modeled in the not-too-distant future: a F-105G Wild Weasel Thunderchief, a Saab Draken fighter and finally a Eurofighter Typhoon. Its not clear when each of these aircraft will see the light of day, but based upon snippets of conversation posted to the forum it would appear as if all three will take wing within the coming year.

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Hobby Master’s “Back-to-School” Specials for September

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

While some companies struggle to get product to market on a regular schedule, Hobby Master does so like clockwork, pumping out loads of product for the discriminating collector. This coming September, they have another dozen or so items scheduled for release, spanning everything from helicopters to armored vehicles, piston driven aircraft to jet fighters. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect when school returns from recess:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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) #HA3022

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

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

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

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

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Product Spotlight: We Remember


Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USN McDonnell Douglas A-4E Skyhawk Attack Aircraft – John McCain, VA-163 “Saints”, USS Oriskany (CV-34), Vietnam War, 1967

Merriam-Webster defines a commemorative as an item “issued in limited quantities for a limited time to honor or feature someone or something.” Poignant, to say the least.

As many of you may remember, Senator John McCain was a former US Navy attack aircraft pilot during the Vietnam War who was shot down over Hanoi and spent several fitful years in the ignominious “Hanoi Hilton” prison. The son of an admiral, he could have gone home early to nurse his wounds yet chose not to do so, deciding to remain in captivity with his fellow airmen for 5-1/2 years.

President George H. W. Bush, also a former US Navy pilot, flew an Avenger torpedo plane in WWII, one in which he too was shot down but fortunately made it back to friendly lines after being rescued by a US submarine. Both were dutifully remembered by our nation, McCain earning the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions and Bush receiving the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and Presidential Citation for his exploits. Both men have since passed away, having served our nation on and off the battlefield as only they could.


Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USN Grumman Avenger TBM-1C Torpedo-Bomber – “Barbara III”, Lt. George H. W. Bush, VT-51, USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), September 1944

Having said that, Hobby Master recently decided to pay both men an additional honor by re-releasing commemorative versions of the aircraft they flew into battle in their respective wars. In the case of Senator John McCain, we will soon take delivery of his A-4E Skyhawk attack aircraft when he was a member of VA-163 “Saints”, then embarked upon the USS Oriskany (CV-34) in 1967 (HA1429). And, in May, we will be accepting Bush’s Avenger TBM-1C torpedo-bomber, which he affectionately dubbed “Barbara III” in honor of his late wife and former first lady, Barbara, an aircraft that he flew into battle with VT-51 then embarked upon the USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) (HA1221). Both models are expected to sell very well at retail despite seeing the light of day for a second time around and produced in far greater numbers this go round than in the past. As we see it, sometimes quantity and recurrence on the collector’s shelf are superseded by fitting memorials to two of our nation’s monumental heroes. The true meaning of a commemorative.

It has been brought to our attention by the distributor that the name plate for the McCain A-4E Skyhawk has been misspelled and that the second “c” was not capitalized as shown in the accompanying photo. The manufacturer has included a corrected name plate with each model that can be easily affixed to the display base after first removing the original name plate.

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Hobby Master Lives Up to the March Saying


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)

Its been said that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Apparently, the same could very well hold true for Hobby Master, who ushered in the month with a bevy of eagerly anticipated models and looks to go out in much the same fashion although with a bang instead of a whimper.

According to our distributor, the March shipment of Hobby Master releases are expected to hit their loading dock late next week, meaning they’ve received two shipments of new products in a single month instead of the usual one. If that wasn’t enough, we’ve also learned about their August shipment, which includes several models having been pushed back by a month along with ten or so new items not previously announced. We’re currently in the middle of listing all the new vehicles and aircraft and hope to have everything, including some eye-catching line art, uploaded by the close of business.

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March Roars in Like a Lion Thanks to Hobby Master


Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) – “Genesis II”, “Task Force Ripper”, C Company, 3rd Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Operation Desert Storm, 1991

If there was ever any doubt behind the saying “March roars in like a lion,” all you need do is look to Hobby Master and their latest batch of releases currently en route. Some items, such as this M60 Patton tank (HG5606), weren’t even expected until the end of the month, so all we have is this line art drawing bravely acting as a stand-in until pix are provided. Other key items are their first ever 1:72 scale F-35C Joint Strike Fighter (HA6201) as well as a handsome 1:72 scale F-22 Raptor bearing the markings of the 95th Fighter Squadron (HA2819).


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]

We’ve updated our Hobby Master sections accordingly and hope to have all of the in transit items shown on our site ready for shipment by the start of this weekend, or early next week at the latest, depending upon when they arrive from our distributor.


Hobby Master’s 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]
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Hobby Master Claims, “Its All in the Family”

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Navy Sukhoi Su-33 “Flanker-D” Air Superiority Fighter – Bort 67, 1st Aviation Squadron, 279th Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment, Feb 2014

Never one to disappoint, Hobby Master announced this week that they plan to complete their Sukhoi family of modern era aircraft with the addition of a bouncing baby Su-33 “Flanker-D” Air Superiority Fighter (HA6401). Scheduled for a June landing, the Sukhoi Su-33 is, essentially, (NATO reporting name: Flanker-D) an all-weather, carrier-based, twin engine, air superiority fighter designed by Sukhoi and manufactured by Komosomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association, derived from the Su-27 and initially known as the Su-27K. Complete with canards for better maneuverability under high stress maneuvering, it was first used in operations in 1995 aboard theaircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, the fighter officially entered service in August 1998, by which time the designation “Su-33” was used. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union and the subsequent downsizing of the Russian Navy, only 24 aircraft were produced. Attempted sales to China and India fell through. With plans to retire the Su-33 once they reach the end of their service life, the Russian Navy ordered the MiG-29K as a replacement in 2009.

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Better Late than Never

Dragon’s 1:72 German Sd. Kfz. 182 PzKpfw VI King Tiger Ausf. B Heavy Tank – “313”, schwere Panzer Abteilung 501, Ardennes, 1944

As we hinted at earlier this month, there seems to be no shortage of new arrivals looking to pry open the 2018 door in an effort to still make it under the tree this holiday season. This weekend, Dragon announced that both of their long delayed 1:72 scale King Tigers are finally in the US and are now making their way to us as we speak (DRR60399 and DRR60400). With the holidays looming and shipping issues likely to kick in, look for both vehicles to become available the first week of January.


Corgi’s 1:72 German Dornier Do17Z-10 Kauz Light Bomber – Erich Jung, R4+AK, I/Nachtjagdgeschwader 2, Gilze-Rijen Airfield, Holland, October 1940

Corgi also announced that a flock of latecomers made port and are winging their way to us tout de suite. The haul includes:

AA38109 – RNAS Sopwith Camel Fighter – Flight Lieutenant Lloyd S Breadner, No.3 Squadron, Bray Dunes Aerodrome, France, 1918

AA38906 – German Fokker D VII Fighter – 4649/18 “Seven Swabians” Wilhelm Scheutzel, Jasta 65, September 1918 (1:48 Scale)

AA32820 – RAF De Havilland Mosquito Mk. VI Night Fighter – Flt. Lt. D A G “George” Parry, No. 105 Squadron [100 Years of the RAF] (1:72 Scale)

AA38808 – German Dornier Do17Z-10 Kauz Light Bomber – Erich Jung, R4+AK, I/Nachtjagdgeschwader 2, Gilze-Rijen Airfield, Holland, October 1940 (1:72 Scale)

AA36111 – RAF Consolidated Catalina Mk.IVA Flying Boat – JV928 ‘Y’ Flight Officer Alexander Cruickshank, VC 210 Squadron, July 1944 [100 Years of the RAF] (1:72 Scale)

The December Hobby Master shipment is reportedly on the high seas and could likely hit the streets in early January. While not exactly containing any stocking stuffers, the December shipment nevertheless includes a number of notable releases so don’t spend all of your gift card money just yet if you’re looking to nab some of these favorites.

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