Hobby Master – Page 23 – The Motor Pool

Hobby Master has a Remedy for the Winter Doldrums

Earlier this week, Hobby Master disclosed what they have in store for January 2016. Several intriguing new liveries are being worked on, including this commemorative 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain scheme adorning a Canadian Cf-18 Hornet (HA3526).

Other notable entrants include two Israeli warplanes – one based upon a F-15 Baz flown by the “Knights of the Twin Tail” squadron (HA4505) and an E-2C Hawkeye flown by a reconnaissance squadron (HA4805). All of the new replicas have been listed on our web site and are now available for pre-sale.

Share This:

Fight’s On: Hobby Master Puts On its Boxing Gloves

With 15 years in this business, we ordinarily take any news we come across with a grain of salt, particularly when new products are announced, since they sometimes end up as no more than pipe dreams or chest-beating rants by boastful manufacturers. However, when Hobby Master announced their intent to offer a 1:72 scale replica of the Grumman F-14 Fleet Defense Fighter, we sat up and took notice. Hobby Master has been one of the most reliable model makers in business today, while one of their rivals, Century Wings, is equally well-respected, largely confining its efforts towards producing a narrow gaggle of aircraft. The F-14 has always been one of Century Wings most passionate projects, with something on the order of 35 different aircraft released to date. Some command a small fortune in the after market, prized for their accuracy and limited runs.

Hobby Master’s first effort will be based upon a bird that was used by the commanding officer of VF-211 “Fighting Checkmates”, which was embarked upon the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during 2004 (#HA5201). Moreover, the model will feature variable-geometry wings, thereby permitting them to be displayed in launch or in-flight configuration. Barring any licensing issues, a good subject for replication might be the F-14s depicted in the feature film, Top Gun, seeing as how the movie’s sequel is about to enter production.

Anyway, we thought it a bid odd that Hobby Master would devote precious resources towards producing a model that has become the bastion for another model maker, when loads of other untouched subjects could have made better choices. We wish them well in their endeavors and hope there’s enough market to go around for both companies to remain satisfied.

Share This:

Turning Lemons into Lemonade

While several manufacturers have been accused of not including enough information with their models it looks as if one went a tad too far in the other direction, and with unhappy results. Hobby Master originally included some text on the top of the radome for their inaugural E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning Aircraft (as shown in this image), an oversight that may never be fully explained. Anyway, as some have pointed out, the text never appeared on the actual aircraft (as shown in the second image), as several online photographs clearly show, meaning their first foray could have been headed to the bargain bin.

071217-N-4294K-008
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec. 17, 2007) An E-2C Hawkeye, attached to the “Screwtops” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, performs a fly-by for family and friends of crew members during an air power demonstration held by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during a three-day Tiger Cruise. Enterprise and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 are on a scheduled six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class George R. Kusner (Released)

To fix the error, Hobby Master has dutifully returned this bird to their hangar and is removing any and all text they inadvertently included, leaving just the “blue swirl” intact to signify it belongs to VAW-123 “Screwtops”. While other manufacturers may have declined the notion of recalling a model to fix such a glaring error, its refreshing to see that at least one model maker is willing to go the extra mile to make their replicas as true-to-life as possible, even if it costs them resources, time and energy to bring their product to market. No one likes a black eye, but the take away here is that the Company recognizes its responsibility to their clientele and is working towards rectifying the issue to everyone’s satisfaction. Well done!

Share This:

“Screwtops”: Hobby Master Earns its Day in the Sun

Well, the first pix are in for Hobby Master’s forthcoming E-2C Hawkeye Advanced Early Warning Aircraft. Frankly, we think even the critics will be overcome with emotion, based upon the colorful motif and painstaking detail that has obviously gone into the making of this model.

Their first take on the Hawkeye is based upon a plane that flew with VAW-123 “Screwtops”, then embarked upon the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), as it conducted a tour of duty through the Atlantic Ocean, during October 2005 (#HA4801).

Cleared for takeoff in July, it looks like Air Force 1 will have its hands full trying to top this “screwtop”.

Share This:

Hobby Master Super Sizes the Hornet

Ever since Hobby Master came out with their first F/A-18 Hornet, it was long speculated but never confirmed that they would eventually up the ante by producing its larger successor, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Earlier today, the Company finally fessed up by indicating that a Super Hornet is indeed in the works and expected some time in early 2016. Their first bird is a US Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18E Super Hornet Strike Fighter that was attached to VFA-14 “Tophatters”, and bears their 90th Anniversary commemorative scheme (HA5101). Frankly, if you like modern US warbirds, then this is a no brainer, simply because its the inaugural release. While an operational scheme always seems to do better at retail, its going to be hard to pass this one up.

As an aside, we hope they also decide to produce the Advanced Super Hornet, which is designed to maintain fleet requirements well into the 2030s. More information can be found here

Share This:

Hobby Master Spirits Us Away this October

As is customary for Hobby Master, the Company has just announced their lineup for the October time frame. There’s a smattering of aircraft and vehicles that cover virtually every epoch and conflict, which is cause for celebration for a great many folks. We’re still in the process of listing all of these goodies on our site and hope to have everything up for sale by the close of business today. Enjoy!

Share This:

Is the “Vigi” in Your Wheel House?

The first pix are up for Hobby Master’s soon-to-be-released US Navy North American RA-5C Vigilante Strike Bomber (HA4701) and boy do they like sweet. Representing a bird that flew with Reconnaissance Attack Squadron Six (Heavy) “Fleurs”, then embarked upon the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), during 1971, the “Vigi” will come with a full weapons load out and looks every bit as realistic as the platform it models. Its flight deck landing is slated for August, barring any unforeseen wave offs.

Share This:

Hobby Master “Hawks” their Hurricane

We did a wee bit of surfing on the Internet and managed to unearth a couple of photos of Hobby Master’s upcoming Hawker Hurricanes. Produced in 1:48 scale, their first pair of Mk. I Hurris include one flown by Sgt. J. Frantisek of 303 (Polish) Squadron, which was deployed at RAF Northolt, England, during September 1940 (HA8601). The second mount was piloted by Flying Officer W. L. McKnight, who was attached to 242 (Canadian) Squadron, then deployed to RAF Coltishall, England, during December 1940 (HA8602). Look for both warbirds some time in June.

Share This:

An Early Warning of Hobby Master’s E-2C

Ordinarily we are loathe to posting prototype images since buyers tend to formulate premature purchasing decisions based on non-representative imagery. In the case of the E-2C, however, we are making an exception largely because there seems to be a race to market between Hobby Master and Air Force 1, two modelmakers intent to get their replicas out-the-door first. Enjoy, and remember, these are early shots aimed at giving the collector an idea as to what they can expect from each company’s mold.

Share This:

Hobby Master Puts to Sea with the US Navy

Had they been announced just a scant 24 hours earlier, we might have concluded that Hobby Master’s latest products announcements were simply an April Fool’s joke. Despite the timing, Hobby Master doesn’t seem to be pulling a fast one with their two newest toolings – a Lockheed S-3 Viking Anti-Submarine aircraft and a Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft (HA4901 and HA5001 respectively).

Keep in mind that thus far only line art drawings have been posted, so product shots of both aircraft are likely still months away. Nevertheless, its encouraging to see that Hobby Master is investing the time, energy and resources into producing new toolings instead of sitting on their laurels and pumping out repaint after repaint. We applaud their efforts and recognize that without them, this niche hobby wouldn’t be where it currently is today.

Share This: