[HotTrap429]

Just bought the Vraicu Hellcat on ebay for $22.00 Should be here soon. When it gets here I'll do a review. HobbyMaster's pricing is exceptionally reasonable for the quality product we get - can't really complain here.

[Old Crow]

Bingo! Stopping at Burbank's House of Hobbies today on the way out of LaLa Land- er, Los Angeles- they had just received a major Hobby Master shipment. The last Skyhawk, Peaanut camo A-10, Vraciu hellcat, and the first 2 1/48 Buffalos (RNZAF Singapore and USS Saratoga).

The Vraciu Hellcat is very nice, trading rockets and bombs for a standing figure of Vraciu himself. The 3-color blue scheme is beautiful. The Skyhawk is also amazing- still can't believe one is actually being made. Warthog fans will love the Peanut camo, easily the most striking Hog scheme, in my opinion. Didn't get the A-10 and I did not have enough time to take one out of the package to determine if the droop of the horizontal stabilizer has been rectified, so we'll have to wait for another review.

Now, on to the Buffalo. Another grand slam for HM. Absolutely brilliant. I could not help myself and, though I try to stay with 1/72, I just had to get one. This is due in large part, of course, to the unfair influence of other 1/48 scale nuts on this board- you know who you are.

In any case, back to the Buffalo. I must have spent 20 minutes trying to decide betwen the silver and yellow pre-war scheme and the RNZAF camo- also very nice. Decided on the former- love Felix the Cat on the side- but I am sure I will get a camo version later.

Very heavy model, cool retracting gear, detailed cockpit, beautiful silver finish, moving surfaces and great fit. Includes a fact sheet/data card and, get this, the box is the same size as all the 1/72 HM planes, except for the A-10. I assume this helps HM save cost. I don't know if I'm more impressed with the courage to choose this subject or the execution. In any case, it is hard to fathom a model of this quality for under $40. Great job, HM.

[bandit95]

These A-10's are amazing! I just wish the pannel lines wernt so dark and that the pylons and wepons were seperable. You will rarely see an A-10 without pylons. even the airshow birds carry the pylons. Do the weapons separate? It doesnt look like they do but i could be wrong.

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by bandit95

These A-10's are amazing! I just wish the pannel lines wernt so dark and that the pylons and wepons were seperable. You will rarely see an A-10 without pylons. even the airshow birds carry the pylons. Do the weapons separate? It doesnt look like they do but i could be wrong.

I have passed this post to Hong Kong for future consideration.

[planenutsfrog]

Does anybody have a picture of the real CF104 in the 1972 Tiger Meet scheme ?

Pse Hawkone, until when has the FN SBD5 been postponed, and btw do you know wich version of the SB2C is/are planned ?

Thanks.

[kabelace]

Not sure if this is the plane that HM is looking at but it is from 439Sqd. And is at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario. Pic from there site.

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by planenutsfrog

Does anybody have a picture of the real CF104 in the 1972 Tiger Meet scheme ?

Pse Hawkone, until when has the FN SBD5 been postponed, and btw do you know wich version of the SB2C is/are planned ?

Thanks.

The drawing on my site is quite accurate.
http://www.hobbymastercollector.com/...1005sample.JPG
There is no date when the FN SBD-5 will be released. When a date is decided upon it will be on my News page on my website.

[mustangdriver]

Hey Hawk, is there any thing to show or tell us on the P-61?

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by mustangdriver

Hey Hawk, is there any thing to show or tell us on the P-61?

I'm pretty sure the P-61 will be one of the last models done this year. With such a limited choice of colors (green, brown and black) I don't think it is a 100% sure thing. I know they really want to do it but it is a matter of numbers. How many versions will they be able to make to recoup their cost, how many of each version will they need to make so they don't over produce, how many to make so they can keep the retail price reasonable, how many people will buy more than one? In my opinion, if they do make it they definitely will be low production numbers. All we can do is wait for a few more months and hope.

[mustangdriver]

Roger that man, thanks.