Hobby Master

The Third Times the Charm for Hobby Master’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

The F-35C can carry ordnance both internally and externally, thereby enabling it to take on a wide variety of missions

Even though no model has been officially announced, it appears as if Hobby Master will soon be rolling out the third and perhaps most important version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Larger than either the A or B variants, the C version of the JSF (CV) is flown by the US Navy and features larger wings, a wider splayed tail assembly, more robust landing gear for catapult launches and fly-in arrestments, greater payload and fuel capacity and other things under the hood. With their October product schedule already in the public’s hands, its likely that the first C replica will come out just before the holidays.

Lockheed Martin has this to say about the F-35C (CV) variant. “Aircraft carriers remain at the forefront of U.S. military power, and the backbone of any carrier strike group is the aircraft it brings to the fight. The 5th Generation F-35C Lightning II is the only fighter that can respond to tomorrow’s threats and preserve the U.S. Navy’s maritime supremacy. Our naval aviators deserve nothing less than the most advanced capabilities to ensure they are able to perform their missions and return home safely.

More than 50 years of aircraft carrier-based fighter evolution culminates in the F-35C. Never before has low observable stealth been available at sea. The F-35C carrier variant (CV) is the world’s only 5th Generation, long-range stealth strike fighter designed and built explicitly for carrier operations.The U.S. Navy is the largest customer receiving F-35Cs, with the U.S. Marine Corps also planning to acquire the C variant in addition to the F-35B. 

The F-35C combines this unique capability of operating from a carrier deck with the unmatched 5th Generation capabilities of stealth, fused sensors and reliability, making the F-35C the Navy’s future first-day-of-the-war strike fighter.

The Navy and Marines require an aircraft capable of overcoming a variety of threats — surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles and tactical aircraft. By leveraging this potent combination of stealth, advanced jamming and threat system destruction, the F-35C enhances survivability and increases mission success rates.

The F-35C variant has larger wings and more robust landing gear than the other variants, making it suitable for catapult launches and fly-in arrestments aboard naval aircraft carriers. Its wingtips also fold to allow for more room on the carrier’s deck while deployed.

The tail wings are splayed farther apart on the C version to accommodate the larger wing. Larger wings enable it to carry more fuel giving it greater range than either the A or B version

The F-35C also has the greatest internal fuel capacity of the three F-35 variants. The F-35C carries nearly 20,000 pounds of internal fuel for longer range and better persistence than any other fighter in a combat configuration. And, like the F-35B, the F-35C uses probe and drogue refueling. This allows the Navy to operate its carriers a safe distance from the threat while its fighters reach remote targets.”

Recognizing the importance of differentiating between each type of F-35 and their effects on each service branch, we have decided to further separate the Hobby Master F-35 section into three distinct sub categories. We have also learned that the Hobby Master rendition of the F-35 variant will not feature folding wing tips to make it more compact on an aircraft carrier. No reason was given for the design omission and its entirely possible the manufacturer could reverse this decision.

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Hobby Master Hunts for Subs this October

 

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Lockheed S-3A Viking Anti-Submarine Aircraft – VS-29 “Dragonfires”, USS Enterprise (CVN-65), 1970s

When a Company heaps on added SKUs for a fourth quarter release, that’s generally viewed as a positive development in the industry since the manufacturer is willing to bet on the consumer for the upcoming holiday season and hopefully get as much mileage out of their product portfolio as possible. Hobby Master has been doing just that in recent months, pumping out added product that seems to supersede their monthly release schedules by leaps and bounds. 

Earlier today, they called attention to a new S-3A Viking anti-submarine aircraft (HA4907) that will ride on the coattails of their October releases. What makes this a significant offering is that the aircraft comes from Viking squadron (VS-29) “Dragonfires”, which served aboard the USS Enterprise during the 1970s. Obviously this means that collectors with a keen interest in “Big E” aircraft will get yet another warbird to round out their embarked squadron replicas. Better still, the price seems to have dropped for their newest Viking, down from a scale-tipping $118.99 to a much more manageable $100. 

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Hobby Master Lines Up Their Ghouls and Goblins for an October Haunting

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale rendition of a Russian Sukhoi Su-34 “Fullback” Strike Fighter – “Red 03”, Khmeimim Air Base, Latakia, Syria, January 2015

Like clock work, Hobby Master debuted their list of product due out for an October hay ride. While most of the offerings are based upon existing toolings, we did take note that they have added the Suhkoi Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft to their ever growing array of modern era aircraft. Their inaugural aircraft (HA6301) is based upon a warplane that saw service in the Syrian Civil War and was likely deployed to the Russian controlled Khmeimim Air Base, located at Latakia, Syria. 

Hobby Master knows they a good thing going by offering a pair of USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Reliability Improved Selected Equipment (RISE) IR/White Light Spotlight. This one is clad in a MERDC camouflage scheme.

Other items of particular interest are a pair of M60A1 Patton tanks, this time around clad in European tri-color camouflage schemes (HG5604 and HG5605). Their first M60A1 tank, wearing a Vietnam-era olive green paint scheme, sold out within days of their release, so Hobby Master has certainly taken the cue by adding more Cold War era armor to their roster.

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Hobby Master Ponders, “If Looks Could Kill”

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Fairchild A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – 107th Fighter Squadron “Red Devils”, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, August 2017 [D-Day Commemorative Scheme]
As the saying goes, “if looks could kill” then this menacing A-10 “Warthog” should be interred at a Maximum Security Facility instead of operating from a cold mid western air force base. Hobby Master’s latest A-10 ground attack aircraft (HA1326) is a blast from the past, paying tribute to the hundred year anniversary of the establishment of the 107th Fighter Squadron “Red Devils” back in August 2017. And, unlike some of its predecessors who typically wear a low-vis greyish scheme to blend in with the sky, this plane would prefer to hide at treetop level, thanks to its partially adorned olive drab exterior. Its also clad in bi-colored, striped identification markings, which was used by many elements of the USAAF during the WWII-era invasion of Normandy to lessen the chance of it being misidentified by AA gunners. Boasting a robust array of ordnance, and the over-sized “Red Devil” insignia of the 107th, look for this hellish warplane to take wing some time in September.

Face-to-face with Hobby Master’s latest and greatest A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft
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Hobby Master Passes the Ammunition for April

Among the many new items filling our warehouse shelves this April is this 1:48 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2B “Zero” Fighter that was piloted by Lieutenant Commander Shigeru Itaya, then deployed aboard the IJN Akagi during December 1941

Its been a busy week as far as Hobby Master is concerned, first announcing a spate of new items for a September release, then posting imagery for a number of new items and finally shipping nearly twenty vehicles and aircraft to their dealer network. Slated to arrive later this week are a pair of 1:72 scale M35 trucks, their first ever space shuttle, and their inaugural 1:48 scale Mitusbishi Zero fighter. Lots of other sharp looking aircraft are swooping in, all of which can be currently viewed in our Products in Transit section.

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Hobby Master: April Showers Brings September Flowers

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Air Force Douglas B-26K Counter Invader Attack Aircraft – 609th Special Operations Squadron “Nimrods”, 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhom Phanom, Thailand, 1969

Like clockwork, Hobby Master debuted their monthly introductions, this one scheduled for a September release. The range includes a second look at the B-26K Counter Invader (HA3225), the first having sold out nearly as quickly as it was first introduced. A number of handsomely painted aircraft are also being touted, including a digital cam Ukranian Su-25 Frogfoot (HA6105), a red hot Czech MiG-23 (HA5307) and D-Day Commemorative A-10 Warthog (HA1326).

The 1:48 scale line up reintroduces the Kettenkrad tractor

Also, of note, are a pair of 1:48 scale Kettenkrad tractors, which bodes well for both their military vehicle line up as well as their larger 1:48 scale grouping. We are still fine tuning the new additions but in the mean time, you can begin to pre-order any of the new products from our web site.

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Hobby Master: One Frogfoot Hopscotches Another

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Soviet Sukhoi Su-25 “Frogfoot” Ground Attack Aircraft – “Red 59”, 378. OShAP, VVS, 40th Army, Bagram AB, Afghanistan, 1986

A few months back, Hobby Master announced their intent to offer a 1:72 scale build of the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot (HA6101), a ground attack aircraft designed along the sames lines as the US A-10 Warthog. However, late yesterday, we learned that a different version will ship first this June (HA6103) and that the original model has been pushed back all the way until February 2019. As one forum member pointed out when HA6101 was announced, “it would have been nice to have included that big red star on the tail of the aircraft, to give it that menacing look we’ve all associated with Soviet aircraft.” We’re betting this is the principal reason for the line-up change and that other Frogfoots will more than likely come clad with the same star.

Hobby Master’s 1:700 scale US Navy Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser – USS Ticonderoga (CG-47)

In other news, Hobby Master revealed images for their forthcoming USS Ticonderoga (HSP1001), a 1:700 scale guided missile cruiser that will form the nucleus of the new Hobby Master navy. Finely detailed and designed to work in conjunction with other 1:700 scale naval forces, it looks as if Hobby Master is in the warship game for the long haul, with other meaningful releases not-too-far down the road. 

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Product Spotlight: Overflight and Intercept

“The Chinese jet… passed the nose of the P-8 at 90 degrees with its belly toward the P-8 Poseidon, we believe to make a point of showing its weapons load-out.”

– Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby, August 22nd, 2014

If looks could kill, then this Chinese Shenyang J-11BH multirole fighter can be considered “dressed to the nines.” Noteworthy for its encounter with a US Navy P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the J-11 is a single-seat, twin-engine jet fighter, whose airframe is based on the Soviet-designed Sukhoi Su-27 air superiority fighter, a fourth generation aircraft that rivals some of the best western aircraft in NATO’s inventory. As such, it is ideal for being vectored to and intercepting enemy aircraft that could be construed as violating its nation’s airspace, which is indeed just what happened almost four years ago.

On August 19th, 2014, a Chinese J-11B intercepted a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine warfare aircraft that was operating over the South China Sea. At a press conference three days later on August 22nd, 2014, Admiral John Kirby, the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense told reporters that “On the 19th of August, an armed Chinese fighter jet conducted a dangerous intercept of a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft, patrol aircraft, that was on a routine mission. The intercept took place about 135 miles east of Hainan Island, in international airspace.” He elaborated on the incident, saying that the Chinese jet, “crossed under the aircraft with one pass having only 50-100 feet separation. The Chinese jet also passed the nose of the P-8 at 90 degrees with its belly toward the P-8 Poseidon, believed to be displaying its weapons load-out. Afterwards, the J-11 flew directly under and alongside the P-8, bringing their wingtips, as I said, to within 20 feet. And then conducted a roll over the P-8, passing within 45 feet.”

The Pentagon spokesman said that the U.S. had registered an official complaint with China through regular diplomatic channels. He also said that the Chinese pilot’s actions had been “unprofessional, it’s unsafe, and it is certainly not keeping with the kind of military-to-military relationship” that U.S. seeks to establish with China. Moreover, in reference to the plane’s proximity to China, the Pentagon said that, “Military activities may be conducted within the Exclusive Economic Zone of another nation as an exercise of the freedoms of navigation and overflight.”

During one of the high speed passes, the J-11BH reportedly exposed its belly to the pilots flying the Poseidon, a seemingly sly maneuver meant to signal that the fighter is fully armed and ready to take action if its warning goes unheeded. We will naturally assume that Hobby Master’s take on the J-11BH will come armed with much the same array of air-to-air ordnance that the actual plane was packing. Look for Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale take on the Shenyang J-11BH multirole fighter (HA6002) to expose its own belly some time in August.

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Hobby Master Revisits the Cactus Air Force

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USMC Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat Fighter – “White 2”, VMF-223 “Bulldogs”, Guadalcanal, September 1942

Its no secret that Hobby Master has witnessed great success in the 1:48 scale aviation market, taking the hobby by storm with each new subject they put forward. So, it came as no surprise that their next 1:48 scale warbird would look to up the score, by turning back the hands of time to the earliest days of World War II when the conflict in the PTO was still very much in doubt. Scheduled for an August roll out, their latest aircraft is based upon the venerable Grumman F-4F Wildcat, a fighter that was outmatched by the Japanese Zero in virtually every category. Their inaugural aircraft pays tribute to the Cactus Air Force, a conglomeration of US military aircraft tasked with defending Guadalcanal and its newly conquered airfield dubbed Henderson Field (HA8901). Obviously, more versions are in the works, but we thought this particular warbird could be their most noteworthy of the bunch.

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Thunderbolts and Lightning, Very, Very Frightening

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USAAF Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Fighter – “Penrod and Sam”, Capt. Robert Johnson, 62nd Fighter Squadron “Spike War Dawgs”, 56th Fighter Group, Boxted, England, April 1944

Today’s post is a bit eclectic if still accurate, borrowing a phrase from a Queen song that aptly describes two of our most recent arrivals. The first is this 1:48 scale Republic P-47 Thunderbolt dubbed “Penrod and Sam”, which was piloted by WWII ace Captain Robert Johnson, then attached to the 62nd Fighter Squadron “Spike War Dawgs”, 56th Fighter Group (HA8455). “Penrod and Sam” was, in fact, the fourth aircraft flown by Johnson in the ETO, who would go on to become a 21-victory ace and earn a reputation as a fearsome fighter.

Corgi’s 1:48 scale RAF English Electric F.6 Lightning Fighter – XR728/JS, 5 Squadron, RAF Binbrook, England, 1987

The second model, which some are already nominating as best aircraft model of 2018, is this 1:48 scale replica of an English Electric Lightning jet fighter (AA28401). Exceptionally detailed, this heavy-in-the-hand model has become Corgi’s toast-of-the-town in recent weeks, demonstrating that this longstanding model maker still has the skills necessary to bring an award winning product to market.

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