Hobby Master – Page 26 – The Motor Pool

Hobby Master Makes a Pass at the Pyramids

Every so often, even a died-in-the-wool military historian such as myself learns a thing or two about the world we live in. For instance, Hobby Master’s latest product announcement concerns an Egyptian-liveried McDonnell F-4E Phantom II fighter-bomber, which apparently arose as a byproduct from the Camp David Peace Accord in the late 70s. Flown by the Egyptian Air Force in the 1980s, this interesting if intriguing replica is painted in a startling desert camouflage pattern with day-glow orange sections adorning the top of the fuselage, wingtips and tail fin (HA1936). Look for this wonderful new entrant some time in August.

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Hobby Master Proves its Listening

Ordinarily, we take a pass when it comes to listing civil airliners on our web site, largely because this isn’t our core competency. Add to that the fact that we generally sidestep the smallish 1:200 scale sector, and you can readily see why we prefer to go with larger scale replicas with military overtones. However, when Hobby Master announced that it planned to offer a 1:200 scale Lockheed EC-121D Warning Star Aircraft (#HL9012), we were all ears, figuratively as well as literally. Measuring approximately 7 inches in length by about 7-1/2 inches across, a 1:200 scale representation of this iconic early warning flier seemed to fit the bill, offering unrivaled fidelity and decent scale at a price most collectors can afford. Expected some time in September, we believe aviation enthusiasts will enjoy adding this important aircraft to their diecast collection.

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Hobby Master Returns to MiG Alley

Even though tension on the Korean Peninsula seems to have subsided of late, that doesn’t mean diecast modelmakers can’t take an interest in the decades long hot spot. Hobby Master, for one, plans to reopen old wounds with their first ever 1:72 scale replica of the North American F-86 Sabre jet — the very jet that wrested control away from the North Korean Air Force during the early stages of the Korean Conflict. Other new aircraft and combat vehicles were also announced, all part of their September 2013 arsenal. We hope to have all of their latest product announcements up on our web site shortly.

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Hobby Master Avoids Any FAA Entanglements

Sidestepping the government-enforced furloughs currently affecting the FAA, Hobby Master has managed to land several new aircraft as part of their April release schedule. Two sharp-looking 1:72 scale jets taxied up to The Motor Pool’s arrivals gate, including a USAF Republic F-105D Thunderchief, nicknamed “The Polish Glider” (HA2510), which was attached to the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, then deployed to Takhli, Thailand, during 1970, and a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18B Hornet strike fighter (HA3531), attached to the Aussie’s 3 Squadron, then deployed to RAAF Base Williamtown, during 2006.

Also disembarking its passengers is a 1:48 scale rendition of a USMC Chance-Vought F4U-1A Corsair Fighter that was attached to VMF-111 “Devil Dogs,” then deployed to the Gilbert Islands during 1944. More new warbirds are expected later this month.

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Hobby Master Pays Tribute to Boston

In a roundabout fashion, Hobby Master is paying tribute to the city of Boston with its upcoming Douglas Boston Mk. IV light attack bomber (HA4202). Portraying a bomber that was attached to the RAF’s 18th Squadron deployed to Italy during late 1944-early 1945, the Boston is actually a derivative of the Douglas A-20 Havoc, which was originally built and intended for use with the French Air Force prior to their capitulation in 1940. The RAF agreed to take up the balance of the now-frustrated French order which was diverted to the UK, and the bombers were given the service name “Boston” with the further designation of “Mark I” or “Mark II” according to the earlier or later engine type. Look for the Boston to fly into history some time in August.

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Hobby Master Rolls Out the Thunderbolt

If you collect 1:48 scale military aircraft, then you’ll be happy to learn that photos have finally been released for Hobby Master’s upcoming P-47 Thunderbolt (#HA8401). Replicating a “D” model, complete with the perspex bubble canopy, their first Thunderbolt could likely become their most sought after, largely because of who it belongs to – legendary ace, Francis Gabreski. A member of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, Gabreski destroyed 34.5 aircraft in aerial combat over the ETO and was one of only seven U.S. pilots to become an ace in two wars (World War II and the Korean Conflict). Gabreski’s mount is due to take to the skies some time in June.

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Hobby Master Goes Thru its Pre-Flight Check List

It’s been a while since there was anything to crow about in the 1:72 scale, piston-engine regime, so it’s with great fanfare and a good deal of excitement that we make room for Hobby Master’s first-ever Douglas A-20G Havoc light attack bomber. The Havoc is one of those aircraft that everyone is familiar with but unable to lay their mitts on since they typically take a back seat to some of the more well-known bombers of WWII. That said, Hobby Master’s first A-20 (HA4201) portrays a “G” model that was attached to the 668th Bombardment Squadron, 416th Bombardment Group, and bears the D-Day striped invasion markings on its wings and rear fuselage over a green camouflage scheme. The black-and-white stripes were added to all Allied aircraft just prior to the D-Day invasion to help distinguish them from Axis aircraft and hopefully cut down on fratricide, which became an acute problem during Operation Husky – the invasion of Sicily in mid 1943.

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Hobby Master's Premonition?

With the Iranian nuclear crisis still in doubt, perhaps Hobby Master had a premonition of things to come when it announced plans to produce an Israeli F-16 that participated in the Raid on Osirak, in Iraq, some three decades ago. HA3817 portrays a “Netz” that was attached to 107 Squadron, responsible for putting out of action Saddam Hussein’s ambitions to become a nuclear power in 1981. Painted in a scintillating desert camouflage scheme and bearing all of the hallmark insignia associated with the IDF, we anticipate brisk sales for this new entry as well as some of the other new weapons platforms just announced.

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Hobby Master’s Premonition?

With the Iranian nuclear crisis still in doubt, perhaps Hobby Master had a premonition of things to come when it announced plans to produce an Israeli F-16 that participated in the Raid on Osirak, in Iraq, some three decades ago. HA3817 portrays a “Netz” that was attached to 107 Squadron, responsible for putting out of action Saddam Hussein’s ambitions to become a nuclear power in 1981. Painted in a scintillating desert camouflage scheme and bearing all of the hallmark insignia associated with the IDF, we anticipate brisk sales for this new entry as well as some of the other new weapons platforms just announced.

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Hobby Master Churns Up the Battlefield with the M48

Despite being rumored to be on the drawing board for months on end, Hobby Master has finally announced plans to produce a 1:72 scale replica of the US-built M48 Patton tank. It’s not clear how many liveries or the extent to which they will model the entire family of M48 medium tanks, but at least their first replica looks like a winner: a Vietnam-era M48 A3 outfitted with a search light and upgunned commander’s cupola (HG5501). We hope to have this delightful little warfighter up on our web site later today, along with the rest of their May 2013 product announcements. Stay tuned…

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