SCALE MODEL NEWS

Hobby Master of Hong Kong makes a wide and expanding range of diecast models, of both aviation and military armour subjects. The aircraft in particular hit a sweet spot, with sizes that range in scale from 1:200 airliners to 1:32 combat types. Huge range of models - and collectors Latest aircraft on 2012 sale include a Duxford ‘Flying Legends’ Spitfire Mk. XIV, ‘City of Jacksonville’ F-106 Delta Dart, and a MiG-17 in Cuban Air Force markings. So there’s variety for you, a miscellany reflected in the widespread nature of the buyers, collectors living in dozens of countries. Hobby Master runs an interesting fans page, with profiles of enthusiasts and their collections - and if you get accepted onto the site, hey, you get a free HM model. Introducing HM collectors We’ve taken just three enthusiasts at random to give you a fix on the HM Brigade - but there are many more on the HM site, and it’s well worth going over to have a look. Australia: Chris Hansen Occupation: Security officer, part...

SMN report: Hobby Master’s December release list looks positively mouthwatering, with diecast collectibles available in no less than four scales. Smallest scale first Here we have a trio of 1:200 scale airliners, with two of them especially interesting subjects from the golden age of propliners. The Douglas DC-6B competed with the shapelier Lockheed Constellation, but was the excellent workhorse with which PanAm started its transatlantic tourist-class service, in 1952. HM’s DC-6B is finished in American Airlines markings - plain metal overall, accented by a red AA lightning strip along the fuselage sides. The other two HM airliners are the Boeing Model 377 Stratocruiser, and the more recent Airbus A310 twinjet. New-tool bomber Here we have another B-24 Liberator, this time to 1:144 scale. We haven’t seen the Lib in the metal yet, so it will be interesting to see what improvements have been made. If HM have concentrated on finer transparency mouldings and reduced gaps between major comp...

SMN report: Just coming into stores now is Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale Boeing-Stearman PT-17 biplane. The original was widely used during the 1930s and 1940s, with nearly 9800 built in all. After World War II, thousands were released onto the civil market and used for joy-rides, cropdusting and by private sports pilots. The two-seater is still around today, and many remain in flying condition. Neat engine and finely applied markings.  Hobby Master test shot. Weighty or what? The Hobby Master model is beautifully produced, with just the right ‘sit’, and of course has the weighty heft that feels so nice in a model, even if the real thing would never have left the ground at that sort of scale weight! Excellent rigging Once again, a big plus with a collectible like this is in the fully finished rigging, so difficult to match for anyone with average skills like this writer. Generally, the attention to detail is excellent, especially around the engine. From an appearance perspective, a thi...

SMN report: Air France is one of the world’s grand old airlines, with a history going back to 1933, when it was formed from the merger of five smaller French airlines. It has added two more French airlines since then, and is now merged with the Dutch airline KLM. The huge company currently flies a mixture of more than 250 Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Long history For modelmakers, there is all that history to draw on, with splendid aircraft like the Lockheed Constellation and the ill-fated Concorde to name just two. Another favourite here at SMN is the Vickers Viscount, ( above ) a smooth and quiet turboprop airliner that was highly successful worldwide from the 1950s to the 1980s. At least one airworthy commercial Viscount remains, which means that the aircraft has been in continuous service since its first flight in 1948 - an amazing 63-year record. Airbus Retrojet If you prefer a modern jet, then the Airbus A320 ‘retrojet’ ( above ) is the one for you. It was painted up in that attrac...

SMN report Seeing that beautifully produced Hobby Master Douglas Skyraider made us think that the diecast industry has one more ‘mission impossible’ to fulfill in the quality stakes - and that’s to fill those tiny cockpits with decent-looking humanoids. Skyraider cockpit As you can see from the superb pix and video of the real thing above, the pilot sits high and mighty in the Skyraider’s cockpit, the big bubble canopy giving him a terrific all-round combat view. Sad to say, the HM aircraft features a shrunken little man looking half asleep at the controls; in fact, the figure is pretty much on a par with the infamous and malnourished Airfix flight crews of long ago. Hobby Master pilots Part of the problem is to do with what’s actually possible. The limits of moulding technology simply don’t allow a canopy of scale thickness (yet!), so the pilot is bound to sit somewhat low in the cockpit. Even so, the average diecast pilot is pretty half-hearted, and in open cockpit machines, the issu...