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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
