Final product photos HA1715 P-39N Airacobra White 01 Capt. Babak.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1715 P-39N Airacobra White 01 Captain Ivan Il'ich Babak 100 GAIP, Germany, January 1945.

In April 1942 Ivan II’ich Babak was assigned to 45th IAP (45th Fighter Wing) of the 100th GIAP (Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment) flying a Yak-1. In April 1943 Babak downed 14 fighters over Kuban making him a top Kobra Ace and winning the HSU award – Hero of the Soviet Union. 

Later that year Babak contracted malaria and spent several months in hospital. On April 22, 1945 Babak was shot down and had 33 victories and 4 shared. The inscription below Babak’s P-39N reads “From the school children of Mariupol”.

Final product photos HA1714 P-39N Airacobra White 01 Dol'nikov.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1714 P-39N Airacobra White 01 Grigorii Ustinovich Dol'nikov 100 GIAP, Germany, May 1945.

When Ivan Babak was placed in charge of the 16th GIAP in February 1945 his P-39N42-9033 was given to Grigorii Ustinovich Dol'nikov of the 100th GIAP. On April 18, 1945 Ace Petya Guchyak was shot down so Dol'nikov had Barak’s Angel on the right side painted over and an inscription added that read “For Petya Guchyak. 

When Ivan Babak was shot down on April 22, 1945 Dol'nikov had the inscription “For Vanya Babak” added to the left side. Dol'nikov accumulated 15 confirmed victories and 1 probable.

Final product photos HA3829 F-16CJ 22nd FS Commander's Jet.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3829 Lockheed F-16CJ Fighting Falcon 90-0829/SP, 22nd FS Commander's Jet, February 2007.

In 1994 with restructuring the 22nd FS (Stingers) moved from Bitburg AB, Germany to Spangdahlem AB to replace the 480th FS. The 22nd FS acquired the 480th FS F-16 Fighting Falcon and 90-0829 was one of these aircraft that at one point became the squadron flagship. 

In 1998 the 22nd FS primary role changed from general-purpose air interdiction to that of “Wild Weasel” suppressing enemy air defenses (SEAD). The Stingers remained in this role until 2010 when restructuring de-activated them and re-activated the 480th FS.

Final product photos HA1426 A-4E Skyhawk VMA-211

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1426 Douglas A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151147/CF 20 VMA-211, Chi Lai, 1968.

In September 1964 A-4E Bu.No. 151147 was delivered to the USN VA-43. It soon was transferred to VA-66 Waldos where it received the distinctive dorsal hump. In 1968 151147 transferred to VMA-211 Wake Island Avengers and stationed in Chu Lai where Marines had arrived in 1965. 

Home base for VMA-211 normally was Japan but between October 1965 and January 1973 they completed four tours in SEA. In 1968 in Chu Lai the aircraft was named “Apocalypse III” and flown by 1st Lt. Robert Rivers who later won a Silver Star.

Hobby Master releases for April 2016.

Big news for WWII enthusiasts with the announcement of a 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf109E! Many would have preferred a new 1/72 Bf109E but 1/48 is the route HM has chosen for their WWII fighters.

For 1/72 scale there is the next installment of the S-3A Viking from VS-28 "Hukkers", Hawaii ANG F-4D, Polish and Czech MiG 21PFMs, Singapore F-16D, RoCAF F-5F and Korean Era A-26B Invader.