Curtiss H-75 A1/A2 1:72 Arma Hobby - Model rewiev

 It’s only mid-April, and Arma Hobby has already released their second new kit of the year. This time, it’s the export version of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk, known as the Curtiss H-75. It’s exciting to see another 1/72 scale miniature, especially with the prospect of a U.S. version coming in future boxings. Let’s open the box and see if this kit lives up to the anticipation.

70080 Curtiss H75 A1/A2

 

The model comes in Arma’s familiar, well-designed box with attractive box art. As usual, the back of the box showcases the available paint schemes.

 Here’s what you get inside:

2 grey sprues with plastic parts

1 sprue with clear parts

decals for 3 painting options (2 French, 1 Polish)

masks for painting the canopy and wheels

model instruction manual

QR code linking to free STL files with additional 3D printable details

 This review covers the extended version of the kit that includes a 3D-printed detail set, offered as an optional preorder bonus.

This time, I’ve decided to go through the kit following the build sequence shown in the instructions, which—as we’ve come to expect from Arma Hobby—are detailed yet easy to follow.

 Starting with the main gear bay

Arma uses an unusual approach here: the sidewalls of the wheel
well are molded as a single long piece that must be bent into shape at designated points.
This design allows for excellent surface detail, including pre-marked holes which I’d recommend drilling out for added realism.

 

 

 

The reverse side of the part has recessed fold lines—just a touch of thin glue should be enough to soften the plastic for clean bending.

That said, if you prefer a simpler approach, the kit also includes fabric cover inserts that can be glued into the gear bay, which will hide much of the structural detail—like the beautifully rendered ceiling complete with embossed rivets and wing spars.

Cockpit assembly

The cockpit floor is full of detail—tiny rivets, molded structures, and a generally crisp finish.

As with most Arma kits, the cockpit is impressively well detailed. Some parts are molded directly onto the fuselage sides, while others are separate pieces. There are also plenty of decals included to enhance the interior.

 

 

 You also get two options for the instrument panel, hinting at future variant releases.

 

 

 

 Here’s the rear bulkhead and the pilot’s seat—nicely done, though I’d recommend thinning the edges of the seat for a more realistic appearance.

 

Fuselage and wing assembly

Once the cockpit is enclosed and the fuselage and wings are joined, the next steps involve attaching the stabilizers and forward fuselage. Control surfaces are separate parts, with fine panel lines and subtle surface detail. The undersides of the elevators include inspection panels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Separating the horizontal stabilizer will definitely help when applying decals—more on that later.

 

For completeness, I’ve also noted a couple of minor sink marks on my sample.

 

 Next up: parts 20 and 21, located just behind the engine. These include nice surface details—latches, panels, and the like—all delicately represented.

 

 

The engine

The radial engine is well executed. It gets enclosed in a four-part cowling—a method Arma has used before. It allows for detail on all surfaces but demands precise alignment.

 

 

 

A clever solution is used for the gun troughs—molded as angled pieces that guide alignment.
Of course, drilling out the barrel ends is a worthwhile upgrade.

Landing gear and final assembly

The gear legs and wheels match the kit’s high overall quality. The tires feature tread detail, too.

 

 

Final steps involve attaching the propeller and finishing up the airframe.
Sadly, the prop doesn’t spin :(

Surface details

Time to admire the surface finish. Panel lines are subtle and sharp—not too deep, not too wide. Exactly how I like them. Surface rivets and reinforcements are also carefully rendered.

 

 

 

 Ailerons feature reinforcing strips, though they are molded integrally with the wing—something I personally count as a drawback.

 

 

 

The gear bay even includes rivet detail inside.

Clear parts and markings

The final sprue includes clear parts. Two different windshields are provided—another nod to future variants. The clear plastic is thin and crisp—no complaints here.

 

 

 

 

 

As usual, the last few pages of the manual offer full-color painting and marking guides.

The selection is quite diverse—Zumbach’s aircraft is a highlight, though the natural metal finish and third scheme are also tempting.

 

 

Decals

The decal sheet is A5-sized and packed with stencils and cockpit labels.

 

 

But here comes the biggest disappointment of the kit:
The rudder stripes are printed together with aircraft codes—bad news for anyone who prefers to paint their markings. Especially since painting the rudder stripes manually is quick and yields a much better result than using a large decal. As it stands, you’re stuck using the decals whether you like it or not. Apart from that, the decals are sharp, colorful, and well printed.

Extra features

As with most Arma kits, you also get kabuki-style die-cut paper masks—handy for canopy painting.

Another addition, available only during the preorder period, is a 3D-printed set—a small block that includes the pilot’s seat, rear cockpit bulkhead, exhaust pipes, instrument panel with control column, machine guns, gunsight, and aiming devices.
For those who decided to wait until the official release, not all is lost. The instruction manual contains a QR code linking to free STL files of these same components. You can print them yourself or have someone with a 3D printer do it for you—I did just that for my P-39.

 

 

 

 

It’s a small block of resin parts, but the difference in quality is immediately noticeable—especially in the exhausts.

 

In summary: the new Curtiss from Arma Hobby looks significantly better than the recently released Hayabusa, which is a very welcome surprise. If I were to compare, this kit feels more in line with the Yak-1b or Mustang, rather than the Hayabusa or the 1/48 Airacobra. There are no visible flash or sink marks, and the whole model gives an impression of finesse and delicacy. The only thing missing is surface riveting, but the manufacturer’s stance on that remains unchanged. This gives hope that the upcoming releases will maintain this high standard.
 

The review sample was provided by manufacturer - Arma Hobby

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