SkyMax Models

Hobby Master Pours Fuel on the Fire this January to Keep Everyone Warm and Cozy

Israeli Defense Force Lockheed-Martin F-35A “Adir” Joint Strike Fighter – “Black 268”, Nevatim Airbase, Israel, 2025 [Notional Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

Like clockwork, Hobby Master recently announced a gaggle of new aircraft models that are slated for a January release. While no new toolings debuted, the roster includes a number of fan-favorites that have demonstrated a strong sales history among collectors world over. Included are two models from their SkyMax Models range — a separate budget-mind line that has largely been ignored over the last few years., Both introductions are based upon the Grumman F8F Bearcat fighter, a highly respected if late-to-the-party warbird that ended up being pressed into service at the start of the Cold War.

Here now what you expect to place on your diecast tarmac in early 2026:

SkyMax Models US Navy Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat Fighter – 121717, VF-61 “Jolly Rogers”, 1949 (1:72 Scale)

SkyMax Models US Navy Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat Fighter – 121714, Duxford, England, 2014 (1:72 Scale)

USAF McDonnell RF-101A Voodoo Reconnaissance Aircraft – 54-1512, 29th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, 1965 (1:72 Scale)

USAF McDonnell F-4D Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 66-8738, 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Night Owls”, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1972 (1:72 Scale)

USAF McDonnell F-4C Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 63-7666, 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron “Black Knights”, Keflavik, Iceland, 1977 (1:72 Scale)

Israeli Defense Force Dassault-Breguet Mirage IIICJ Fighter – “Black 56”, Giora Epstein, 101 Squadron “First Jet Squadron”, Hatzor Air Base, Israel, 1967 (1:72 Scale)

USAF Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor Air Dominance Fighter – 09-4190, 90th Fighter Squadron “The Diecemen”, 3rd Fighter Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, 2017 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – 80-0283, 25th Fighter Squadron “Assam Draggins”, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Force Base, Japan, 2015 (1:72 Scale)

USAF Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 88-0705, 90th Fighter Squadron “The Dicemen”, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, August 2005 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

French Dassault Rafale B Multirole Fighter – “113-1E”, EC 01.007 Provence, Libya, 2011

US Navy Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 168256, VAQ-139 “Cougars”, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, 2025 (1:72 Scale)

Additionally, Hobby Master is bringing back a fan-favorite with the re-release of HA33003. This aircraft sold out quickly when it was first issued earlier this year, so its encore performance will certainly be viewed with great fanfare.

USAF Northrop F-5C Tiger II Fighter – 64-13332, 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando “Skoshi Tiger”, Bien Hoa AFB, Vietnam, 1965 (1:72 Scale)

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Skymax Makes an Encore Appearance

Skymax Models 1:72 scale USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – T-16, LCDR John C. Waldron, VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway”

No doubt the box office success of Midway this past year contributed to the decision for Skymax Models to return to the collecting community after all but vanishing from the aviation radar. Expected in June, the Company plans to kick things off by delivering a pair of Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo planes. Both models are based upon aircraft that served with VT-8, then embarked upon the USS Hornet (CV-8) during the pivotal battle of Midway in June 1942. Its not clear if the manufacturer plans to upgrade the packaging so that they resemble 5-panel Hobby Master packaging or retain the clear open box look they adopted when they first came into being well over a dozen years ago.

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Sometimes it Pays to be Patient

SkyMax Models’ USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 1942 “Battle of Midway”

We took a wait and see attitude with SkyMax Models over the past year, ever since they started raising their prices on some of their newest releases well above what we thought the market would bear. This strategy may have paid off for everyone concerned since two of their latest aircraft are now being offered at bargain basement pricing.

Cut almost in half from its original MAP pricing, the first aircraft up for your consideration is this Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo plane, which represents a warbird that took part in the Battle of Midway (SM8008) in June 1942.

SkyMax Models’ 1:72 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Aichi D3A1 Val Dive-Bomber – EII-235, Aircraft Carrier Zuikaku, “Battle of Coral Sea”

The second release is an Imperial Japanese Navy Aichi D3A1 Val dive-bomber, then embarked upon the Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku, which took part in the Battle of Coral Sea in early 1942 (SM5008). Both models are now being offered at just $39.99, a far cry from their initial street price when they took to the skies earlier this year.

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SkyMax Models Returns From the Dead

SM8006
Long thought to have been laid to rest, it looks as if SkyMax Models has risen from the dead and is giving us an encore performance. According to HobbyMaster Collector, the Company plans to reintroduce us to the Douglas Devastator this fall, by offering us a plane that was attached VS-42, then embarked upon the USS Ranger (CV-4), just prior to the start of hostilities in the Pacific during May 1941 (#SM8006). While its refreshing to see them make a come back, it would be nice to hear it from the manufacturer by providing its collectors and merchants a web site they can visit. Welcome back SkyMax!

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