Hobby Master

Product Spotlight: The Star of France?

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Fighter – Hans-Joachim Marseille, I.Jagd/Lehrgeschwader 2, Calais-Marck, France, September 1940

Before he became forever known as “the Star of Africa”, Luftwaffe ace, Hans-Joachim Marseille, took wing against Britain’s RAF during the Battle of Britain in September 1940. Curiously, his exploits were viewed as lackluster, largely a result of poor discipline by his superiors after it was discovered he enjoyed partying into the wee hours of the morning. Therefore, at the conclusion of the British campaign, he was immediately transferred to another unit, Jagdgeschwader 27, which relocated to North Africa in April 1941 in support of Rommel’s Deutsches Afrika Korps.

Under the guidance of his new commander, Marseille quickly developed his abilities as a fighter pilot. He reached the zenith of his career on September 1st, 1942, when, during the course of three combat sorties, he claimed 17 Allied aircraft. For this he received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. A month later, Marseille was killed in a flying accident after his aircraft suffered engine failure. Forced to abandon his fighter, Marseille struck its vertical stabilizer and was either killed instantly or incapacitated and unable to open his parachute.

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 W,Nr.3579 ‘White 14’ is thought to have been the aircraft in which Marseille scored his first aerial victory – an RAF Spitfire.Although he was able to shoot down the British fighter, ‘White 14’ sustained damage during the dogfight – Marseille was able to nurse the fighter back to Calais-Marck airfield, where he made a successful crash landing. Initially thought to be beyond repair, the Messerschmitt was later sent back to Germany for rebuild and upgrade, before going on to serve for a further two years with a number of Luftwaffe pilots on the Eastern Front. In August 1942, the aircraft was shot down by a pair of Soviet Air Force Hurricanes, crashing on marshland in the vast, unforgiving landscape of rural Russia.

Remarkably, the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered in the early 1990s and salvaged for a US Warbird collector. Following an extensive period of restoration in the UK, this genuine combat veteran Bf 109 made its first post restoration flight in California in September 1999, in the hands of experienced Warbird pilot Charlie Brown. Finished in the famous ‘White 14’ scheme worn by the aircraft as flown by Hans Joachim Marseille during the Battle of Britain, this historic fighter is one of only two genuine Daimler-Benz powered airworthy Bf 109Es in the world. After spending many years on the North American Airshow circuit, ‘White 14’ currently resides with the aircraft collection at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar – UK enthusiasts will definitely be hoping to see this rare and historic aircraft flying in 2017.

While we have no doubt that Hobby Master will eventually recreate the aircraft he piloted during the North African campaign, collectors will unquestionably take an interest in the aircraft he first cut his teeth on (HA8706). It is therefore with great pride that we announce Marseille’s first mount will take wing this coming January, and, according to our distributor, has already sold out at the factory level. With just 400 units being produced for a worldwide market, we believe this model will not only become the pride and joy of your early war WWII collection but will almost certainly rise in value as word of the aircraft’s availability spreads.

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Hobby Master Dons Its Snow Shoes as it Announces Their January Roster

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]
While much of the country will no doubt be digging out from heavy snow falls this coming January, Hobby Master has the perfect way to keep you warm and toasty once you make your way back into the house. Earlier this week, the manufacturer announced what’s on tap for the beginning of the new year and, as usual, they have lots to crow about in the diescast military space.

In the air, look forward to shaking hands with their first ever F-35C Joint Strike Fighter (HA6201), which is larger than both the A and B versions and boasts stronger landing gear to deal with violent catapult launches and high-speed captured landings. Also expected are the following:

1:48 Scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Fighter – Hans-Joachim Marseille, I.Jagd/Lehrgeschwader 2, Calais-Marck, France, September 1940 (HA8706)

1:48 Scale USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – 3rd Fighter Squadron (Commando), 3rd Fighter Group, Philippines, 1945 (HA7740)

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] (HA2819)

Hobby Master;s 1:72 Scale USAF Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter-Bomber – 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, Detachment 1, 53rd Wing, Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 2004

1:72 Scale) USAF Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter-Bomber – 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, Detachment 1, 53rd Wing, Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 2004 (HA5804)

1:72 Scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 166957, VX-9 “Vampires”, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, 2018 (HA5109)

Hobby Master’s 1:72 Scale German Sd. Kfz. 7 8-Ton Personnel Carrier / Prime Mover – Winter Camouflage

1:72 Scale) German Sd. Kfz. 7 8-Ton Personnel Carrier / Prime Mover – Summer Camouflage (HG5004)

1:72 Scale German Sd. Kfz. 7 8-Ton Personnel Carrier / Prime Mover – Winter Camouflage (HG5006)

 

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Product Spotlight: “The Aleutian Zero”

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale Captured US Army Air Corps Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Fighter – Tadayoshi Koga’s “Akutan Zero”, September 1942

“These flights covered performance tests such as we do on planes undergoing Navy tests. The very first flight exposed weaknesses of the Zero which our pilots could exploit with proper tactics … immediately apparent was the fact that the ailerons froze up at speeds above 200 knots so that rolling maneuvers at those speeds were slow and required much force on the control stick. It rolled to the left much easier than to the right. Also, its engine cut out under negative acceleration due to its float-type carburetor. We now had the answer for our pilots who were being outmaneuvered and unable to escape a pursuing Zero: Go into a vertical power dive, using negative acceleration if possible to open the range while the Zero’s engine was stopped by the acceleration. At about 200 knots, roll hard right before the Zero pilot could get his sights lined up.”

– Lieutenant Commander Eddie R. Sanders, test pilot for the captured Zero, in his classified report after undergoing flight testing, September-October 1942

In a previous installment of Product Spotlight, we pointed out the obvious disadvantages the Grumman F4F Wildcat possessed against the Japanese Mitsubishi Zero. While tactics were worked out in the short haul to deal with the Zero, it wasn’t until the US actually laid claim to a crash landed Zero that it could move forward and build an aircraft capable of defeating the Zero in a typical one-on-one engagement.

The Akutan Zero, also known as Koga’s Zero and the Aleutian Zero, was a type 0 model 21 Mitsubishi A6M Zero Japanese fighter aircraft that crash-landed on Akutan Island, Alaska Territory, during World War II. It was found intact by the Americans in July 1942 and became the first flyable Zero acquired by the United States during the war. It was repaired and flown by American test pilots. As a result of information gained from these tests, American tacticians were able to devise ways to defeat the Zero, which was the Imperial Japanese Navy’s primary fighter plane throughout the war.

The Akutan Zero has been described as “a prize almost beyond value to the United States”, and “probably one of the greatest prizes of the Pacific War”. Japanese historian Masatake Okumiya stated that the acquisition of the Akutan Zero “was no less serious” than the Japanese defeat at the Battle of Midway, and that it “did much to hasten Japan’s final defeat”. On the other hand, John Lundstrom is among those who challenge “the contention that it took dissection of Koga’s Zero to create tactics that beat the fabled airplane”.

The Akutan Zero was destroyed in a training accident in 1945. Parts of it are preserved in several museums in the United States.

Hobby Master’s rendition of the Aleutian Zero (HA8804) is expected to take wing in August.

 

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Hobby Master’s Ship-to-Shore Bombardment

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

Hobby Master’s July cache of new products may be one of the most significant in months, containing a number of eagerly awaited items that depict everything from warships to helicopters. The Company’s first-ever warship is slated to come ashore, a 1:700 scale replica of the USS Ticonderoga (HSP1001).

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Army Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow Attack Helicopter – 8th Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment “Flying Tigers”

At treetop level, expect to see their inaugural look at the venerable AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, a piece of hardware that has stood the Army well for the past several decades (HH1201).

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US M35 2-1/2-Ton Cargo Truck with M60 Machine Gun (1:72 Scale)

On the ground, new versions of the M35 cargo truck are expected. And lest we forget their aerial contingent, which includes a new look at the F-117 stealth fighter (HA5803), several multi-national F-15 Eagles, and a flock of other notable warbirds.

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter-Bomber – 88-0842, 8th Fighter Squadron “The Black Sheep”, Holloman AFB, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003

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Product Spotlight: “The Thach Weave”


Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USN Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat Fighter – Lt. Commander John Thach, “White 23”, VF-3, USS Yorktown (CV-5), June 4th-6th, 1942

One of the most important tactical developments arising from the early stages of the war in the Pacific was known as the Thach Weave. Created and tested by Lt. Commander John Thach, who served aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-5) as a member of VF-3, Thach was determined to come up with a solution to a problem daunting Navy pilots. Flying a Grumman F4F Wildcat, Thach and his fellow airmen were well aware of the issues the Wildcat faced against the Japanese Zero, which could out turn and out climb the Wildcat, thereby putting the Wildcat at a serious disadvantage in air-to-air combat. Thach examined the problem and eventually came up with a tactical solution that gave the War Department and US Navy time until it could field more versatile aircraft better suited at dealing with the Zero.

The Thach Weave (also known as a Beam Defense Position) is an aerial combat tactic developed by naval aviator John S. Thach and named by James H. Flatley of the United States Navy soon after the United States’ entry into World War II.

It is a tactical formation maneuver in which two or more allied planes would weave in regularly intersecting flight paths to lure an enemy into focusing on one plane, while the targeted pilot’s wingman would come into position to attack the pursuer.

Thach had heard, from a report published in the September 22nd, 1941m Fleet Air Tactical Unit Intelligence Bulletin, of the Japanese Mitsubishi Zero’s extraordinary maneuverability and climb rate. Before even experiencing it for himself, he began to devise tactics meant to give the slower-turning American Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters a chance in combat. While based in San Diego, he would spend every evening thinking of different tactics that could overcome the Zero’s maneuverability, and would then test them in flight the following day.

Working at night with matchsticks on the table, he eventually came up with what he called “Beam Defense Position”, but which soon became known as the “Thach Weave”. It was executed either by two fighter aircraft side-by-side or by two pairs of fighters flying together. When an enemy aircraft chose one fighter as his target (the “bait” fighter; his wingman being the “hook”), the two wingmen turned in towards each other. After crossing paths, and once their separation was great enough, they would then repeat the exercise, again turning in towards each other, bringing the enemy plane into the hook’s sights. A correctly executed Thach Weave (assuming the bait was taken and followed) left little chance of escape to even the most maneuverable opponent.

Thach called on Ensign Edward “Butch” O’Hare, who led the second section in Thach’s division, to test the idea. Thach took off with three other Wildcats in the role of defenders, O’Hare meanwhile led four Wildcats in the role of attackers. The defending aircraft had their throttles wired (to restrict their performance), while the attacking aircraft had their engine power unrestricted – this simulated an attack by superior fighter aircraft.

Trying a series of mock attacks, O’Hare found that in every instance Thach’s fighters, despite their power handicap, had either ruined his attack or actually maneuvered into position to shoot back. After landing, O’Hare excitedly congratulated Thach: “Skipper, it really worked. I couldn’t make any attack without seeing the nose of one of your airplanes pointed at me.”

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale take on Thach’s F4F Wildcat (HA8902) is expected to deal with the Japanese nemesis this October.

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Hobby Master Underscores Why its the Master

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – VFA-101 “Grim Reapers”, CAG Bird, 2013

Looking to build out a number of categories, add significant line extensions and provide imagery for many of its upcoming projects, Hobby Master showed off a wide array of new items due out later this year. Of note is their first ever F-35C variant of the Joint Strike Fighter (HA6201), which is a bit larger than either the A or B models and features reinforced landing gear aimed at withstanding the rigors of catapult launches and short-landing recoveries. On the ground, several new 1:72 scale military vehicles are being added to the roster, including a pair of late model Centurion tanks and a British Achilles tank destroyer wearing a flocked winter camouflage scheme (HG3422).

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale British Achilles IIC Tank Destroyer – 75th Anti-tank Regiment, Royal Artillery, 11th Armoured Division, Belgium, Winter 1944-45 (1:72 Scale)

Many of the new products are earmarked for an October release, as well as several additions slated for a January fly-in.

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Hobby Master’s Den of Thieves for June

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

Every so often we call attention to the monthly roster of Hobby Master products rolling in through our doors. June seems to be a particularly noteworthy month, since it contains a wealth of important subjects spread out across a number of scales, categories, and eras. Perhaps the most significant release is their first ever Suhkoi Su-25 “Frogfoot” ground attack aircraft (HA6103), the Soviet’s equivalent to our A-10 Thunderbolt II. Their first foray in the world of the Frogfoot is certainly memorable, bearing the Soviet’s trademark red star on its tail and representing a warbird that served in Afghanistan throughout the 1980s.

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero” Fighter – Tetsunzo Iwamoto, 201st Naval Flying Group, Rabaul, November 1943

Also in the hopper is Japanese ace Tetsunzo Iwamoto‘s Mitsubishi Zero, a 1:48 scale IJN fighter that was based at the Japanese fortress of Rabaul (HA8803). Other notable aircraft include a 1:48 scale Corsair from VMF-214 “Black Sheep” (HA8218), a huge 1:32 scale Dauntless dive-bomber (HA0209) and a pair of Soviet ISU-152 self-propelled guns (HG7053 and HG7054). Indeed, the June shipment should be of interest to a wide swath of collectors, cutting across the entire spectrum of diecast military products. Enjoy!

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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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