Hobby Master Ponders, “If Looks Could Kill”
Hobby Master
Hobby Master Passes the Ammunition for April
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.
Hobby Master: April Showers Brings September Flowers
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).
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.
Hobby Master: One Frogfoot Hopscotches Another
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.
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.
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.
Hobby Master Revisits the Cactus Air Force
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.
Thunderbolts and Lightning, Very, Very Frightening
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.
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.
Hobby Master Doubles Down for February
Ordinarily, Hobby Master is pretty good about getting their products to market on a timely basis, religiously hitting their street dates month after month with nary a problem save customs issues. Turns out this month we’ll be lavishly resupplied, since the March shipment arrived early and their February shipment arrived a wee bit late. Typically this isn’t a problem for us, although it may takes us an extra day or so to go through everything and marry up the new arrivals with any orders already in our system.
On the downside, we’ve learned that their eagerly anticipated inaugural 1:72 scale M60A1 Patton tank (HG5601) is already sold out at both the factory and distribution level, which means we can no longer accept any orders for it. It appears as if a great many people were looking to add this particular vehicle to their collection and bodes well for their military vehicle lineup, which has struggled somewhat over the last couple of years and is now being produced in Pakistan rather than mainland China. We have no doubt that a Vietnam era version of the M60 tank will be offered again, likely clad in different markings, but in the mean time expect their first effort to command higher than normal prices in the after market, if you’re lucky enough to find it. On a separate note, the Austrian version of the Patton tank (HG5603) is also expected in the shipment, and the Israeli version, painted in a handsome desert motif, has been pushed back until May. We’re also willing to bet that other variants will be announced soon, including the venerable M60A3 and the M60A2 Starship. Now, if we can only get them to produce these vehicles in larger scales, then we’ve truly hit a home run.
Dissecting Diecast: Which is Better? An Evolution or Revolution?
Hobby Master burst onto the scene way back in 2006, which, for all intents and purposes, might as well be an eon ago in the hobby industry’s time line. Since that time, we’ve kept a careful eye on their progress, marking all of their revolutionary advances with both applause and criticism, taking them to task when an item doesn’t live up to its hype and clapping them on the back when they have exceeded our expectations. However, there are times when they make evolutionary changes, that, quite literally, push the hobby forward and demonstrate their prowess as model makers even if other collectors, critics and model makers might not notice.
Earlier this morning, images were posted for two of their upcoming aircraft: a McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle – “75th Anniversary of Oregon ANG” (HA4559) and a Grumman F-14A Tomcat, VF-14 “Tophatters”, 80th Anniversary, 1999 (HA5214). As you can see by the accompanying photos, Hobby Master has demonstrated their ability to tackle some of the more complex camouflage schemes and adornments that other model makers might side step, a clear indication that more intricate artwork isn’t a thing solely left to aftermarket specialists.
In the case of the F-15 (top), look at how they have managed to not only recreate the screaming eagle, but align the tampo printing so that it covers multiple panels below the cockpit. As for the F-14 (bottom), marvel at all of the smaller cautionary signage that appear along the fuselage as well as some of the finer detail and stenciling that went into the wing tips, ventral fin and tail. In a word, bravo!
Hobby Master Revs Up the Choppers Again
After inexplicably leaving the helicopter market several years ago, it now appears as if Hobby Master has once again set its sights on the rotary wing market for 2018. Perhaps sensing competition from a number of entrenched manufacturers, Hobby Master today announced plans to offer a 1:72 scale Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter (HH1201) later this year, likely an indication that other new toolings and liveries aren’t too far behind. Slated for a July lift off, it will be interesting to see how things shake out in the helicopter sector, with stalwarts such as Forces of Valor returning to its roots and both Amercom and Air Force 1 continuing to churn out a steady diet of iconic choppers aimed at different segments of the market.