Hobby Master, HA1055 TF-104G Starfighter

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA1055 Lockheed TF-104G, D-5817, "Dutch Masters", late 1960s.

SkyMax SM8005 Devastator pre-pro photos.

SkyMax 1/72 Flying Heroes Series, SM8005, TBD-1 Devastator 6-T-4, VT-6, USS Enterprise, March 1941. 

Hhmmm, a bit on the dull side but hey, some folks like the the Devastator, even here in SA!!!

First shots of the new Corgi Puma.

Shuttle from DAF has kindly agreed that we can use the photos he obtained from Simon, the Airfix/Corgi researcher, of the test shots of the new Corgi Puma.

They are not finished representations but rather "a run of the tools with all the bits stuck on". Constructive comments are being filtered back to Corgi through DAF.


Many in South Africa will be more than familiar with the Puma as well as the upgraded Oryx. It's a pity therefore that we are unlikely to see a South African version of this tooling. We can but live in hope.

Pre-production photos, J-2 (MiG15 bis) HA2415.

Hobby Master 1/72, HA 2415, J-2 (MiG-15 bis) "26100", Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force, Korean War, 1951.

Pre-production photos, F/A-18C Hornet, HA3510.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA3510, F/A-18C Hornet, BuNo. 163733, VFA-122 "Flying Eagles" NAS Lemoore, February 2011, Centennial of Naval Aviation.

Corgi 2012 release updates.

Delays have pushed back numerous Corgi releases we are very eager to lay our hands on. No surprises there, nothing new. Here are some updated release dates. 

AA33420 Westland Sea King HRH Prince William Training Flight SAR 2011 22 Sqn SPECIAL EDITION Mar-12
AA37806 Albatross DVa Ltn Helmut Dilthey, Jasta 40, Mid-1918 Mar-12
AA38506 Bf110 C-4/B, Schnell Kampf Geschwader 210, Russian Front 1941 Mar-12
AA36310A Fairey Swordfish MkI, L2742, 81 NAS, HMS Courageous, 1937 (floats) Sep-12 
AA36310B Fairey Swordfish MkI, L2742, 810 NAS, HMS Courageous, 1937 (wheels) Sep-12
AA31605 Handley Page Victor B2 139 'Jamaica' Sqn RAF Wittering 1964 May-12
AA32314 English Electric (BAC) Lightning F6 5 Sqn, RAF Binbrook 1984 Apr-12
AA39702A Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIc - BN230, FT-A, 43 Sqn RAF, Sqn Ldr D.du Vivier Acklington 1942 Apr-12
AA36807 Westland Lysander Mk.IIIa V9289, 357 Sqn, Burma 1945 May-12
AA39303 Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I 307 (Polish) Sqn EW-K, N3437 Apr-12
AA34604 DeHavilland Mosquito FBVI - HX922, EG-F, RAF 487 Sqn, Grp Capt P.C. Pickard, Amiens Raid, February 1944 May-12
AA39801 Panavia Tornado F3, ZE763/HD, 111 Sqn, RAF Leuchars, Scotland 2010 Apr-12
AA39403 Vickers Valiant B Mk.1, WZ404, 207 Sqn, RAF Luqa, Malta, Suez Crisis 1956 May-12
AA39602 Hawker Demon, K2905, 41 Sqn, C Flight, RAF Northolt, Autumn 1934 May-12
AA39205 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIa, P7308, 71 'Eagle' Sqn, RAF North Weald 1941 May-12
AA27001 Westland Puma HC Mk.1 ,XW219, 230 Sqn, RAF Benson, November 2009 Jun-12
AA34409 North American Mustang Mk.IV GA-S 112 Sqn RAF, Italy, May 1945 Jul-12
AA33713 Heinkel He111 H-5 1000kg 'Herman' Bomb A1+AH 1./KG53 Legion Condor 1942/43 Jul-12 

Hobby Master new releases for April 2012.

Some interesting new treats from Hobby Master in April!!! The BIG news is the F-16 in 1/72 and what's more, there two to choose from!!! An F-16A of the ROCAF and a USAF F-16CG.

In 1/72 fast movers there's also a very appealing Cuban MiG 21, the much desired F-111, The Chief along with another F-22 Raptor and an RF-4B, the first RF-4B I believe.

In 1/48 there's a Douglas Bader Spitfire Mk.Va. so a cannon armed Mk. Vb variant cannot be far behind!!! There's also a US Navy Boeing F4B-4.

In 1/144 there's a B-24D Liberator, "Lady Be  Good". The scheme is similar to the last one so hopefully the incorrect bomb bay door colour will be addressed.

On the Collectors Front.

There are a few models on the horizon from various manufacturers for collectors, some en-route, others clearing customs.

Corgi WWII:

Bf 110C Luftwaffe ZG 52, Charleville, France

PBY-5A Catalina Diecast Model, USAAF, John S. McCain

B-24J Liberator Diecast Model, USAAF 494th BG, 867th BS, "Shack Bunny"

Corgi Cold War / Modern:

Whirlwind HAR Mk 10 RAF Search and Rescue 22Sqn. RAF Finningley

Valiant B.Mk 1 XD829, RAF 

Nimrod MR Mk.2 RAF Kinloss 2009  

Jaguar GR.Mk 1 Diecast Model, RAF No.16 Sqn, "The Saint"

Jaguar GR.Mk 3 Diecast Model, RAF No.6 Sqn, RAF Coningsby

Hobby Master:

Bristol Beaufighter TF. X NE548, 455 Sqn., RAAF mid 1944 "UB-E"

SkyMax:

TBD-1 Devastator BuNo. 1512, VT-6, USS Enterprise, Wake Island raids, Feb 1942.

TBD-1 Devastator VS-71 0299 USS Wasp 1940

Falcon Models:

F-86D Sabre Dog, 357 FIS, USAFE, Nouasseur AFB, French Morocco

Carousel 1:

P-40B USAAC 15th PG, 47th PS, "White 160", George Welch, Haleiwa Field, Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, December 7th 1941.

Franklin Mint:

A6M2-N Rufe, IJNAS 5th Air Wing, Aleutian Islands, 1942

Witty Sea Vixen Pictures.

There's been much discussion by collectors regarding the accuracy of the new Sea Vixen being released by Witty. I found some pictures of the upcoming Witty Sea Vixen on the Sky Guardians Europe site to help you decide. 

Pre-production photos, F-105D Thunderchief "Arkansas Traveler"

Pre-production photographs of HM HA2509 F-105D Thunderchief "Arkansas Traveler" 59-1743, flown by Col. Paul Douglas, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Thailand 1968-69.

Final Product Photos, Finnish Air Force F/A-18C.

Final product photos, Hobby Master HA3509, F/A-18C HN-457, Finnish Air Force "Kreivi von Rosen", the last F/A-18C/D built.

In 1992 the Finnish Air Force decided to purchase 67 aircraft but reduced it to 
64. The primary functions of these aircraft are defense and not attack so the 
Finns designate their aircraft F-18C/D. 


In 1918 Swedish Count Eric von Rosen donated the first airplane to the Finnish 
Air Force. To honor his memory one fighter carries his name on the bottom of 
the vertical stabilizers. The one aircraft is F-18C HN-457 which happens to be 
the last F-18C to ever be manufactured.

Altaya Modern Fighters

Altaya is normally associated with a low cost 1/72 model range of WWII fighters and 1/144 bombers. They have also released a low cost 1/72 modern fighter option.

The models feature a metal fuselage with plastic wings. The u/c is interchangeable and it comes with a stand. Of course you do get what you pay for and this is evident in the blister pack packaging and general lack of detail in the u/c and weapons for example.

That said, where else would you get a die-cast Kfir or MiG 31 for example??? I bought a couple to have a look see. Both models will fill the gap!!! They look good on display and the lack of detail isn't immediately evident when standing back from the display.

I got two Kfir C2s, one of which came with the intake separated from the fuselage and the part in two pieces inside the blister packaging. Potentially it could easily be repaired but it does point to the model being a little fragile.

The bottom line in my view is, get the better quality models from higher end manufacturers and get what the big boys don't what to make, European types like the Rafale, Super Etendard and Gripen for example from Altaya, you won't be disappointed.

Gemini200 Hawker-Siddeley HS-748, RAF Andover.

Gemini have just released this attractive RAF HS-748 Andover, XS792, in 1/200.  1/200 is the perfect scale for this type of aircraft and a good few manufacturers have been using civilian aircraft molds to do some great military liveries.

Hobby Master BAe Sea Harrier FA.2

BIG BIG NEWS!!! A Hobby Master Sea Harrier FA.2, HA4201, is on pre-order in the UK.

The FA.2 Sea Harrier was the UK's most potent naval air asset that was withdrawn from service in 2006 by insightful politicians leaving the Royal Navy without the ability to detect, intercept and destroy all primary air threats at long range from the fleet.

Currently not much information is available. Updates to follow.

Gate Guardian RNAS Yeovilton circa 2004.

A Harry Worthan Carousel 1 Custom Fw190D-9

Harry has been at it again with a very, very nice custom Carousel 1 Fw190D-9 in 1/48. The model started out as a Gerhard Barkhorn Fw 190D-9 and has been transformed into Hans Ulrich Rudel's last mount. The aircraft was a very late version with only basic marking and modular parts.

The scheme has been well researched and is appealing in that it differs from the C1 offerings by having grey and not green camouflaged wings as well numerous colour variations throughout. C1 only produced 3 versions of their excellent Fw190Ds.