Modeler's Workshop

 Arma Hobby really made us wait a long time for this new release. The first announcements appeared quite a few years ago — if my memory serves me right, it was shortly after the debut of the Mustang B/C version, around 2022. In the meantime, there were even some doubts about whether this model would ever see the light of day. After all, Eduard already has a Mustang in the same scale on the market. However, Arma Hobby surprised everyone by finally releasing their own “little pony” — the Mustang D. So the question remains: after some recent issues with sprue quality, does this kit live up to the earlier Mustang B/C? Or perhaps history has come full circle again, and we’re looking at another step forward, just like last time? Has the manufacturer introduced any unexpected design solutions? I’ll try to answer these questions in this article.

 It must be admitted that in the past year, Arma Hobby didn’t exactly spoil fans of the 1:72 scale. Sure, a few new boxes with the brand's logo appeared on the market, but they were merely re-releases of well-known models, such as the P-51B or the iconic Hurricane . A bit monotonous, wouldn’t you agree? Fortunately, at the end of the year, in December 2024, the Warsaw-based manufacturer surprised modelers with a true novelty: the Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa—a Japanese fighter straight from the Land of the Rising Sun.

We had to wait a while for another box of Ki-84 Hayate from Arma Hobby. At least compared to the Mustangs, of which several sets have already been released. Because the Expert Set sold out some time ago, I expected Hayate to be released in a new convention without photoedged parts but with canopy masks. And here it is:

Recently, Arma Hobby has been releasing new sets at a quite impressive pace. I just reviewed the content of the Sea Hurricane set, and here a new box fell into my hands. In addition, this is a Deluxe Edition, so there are frames inside that allow you to build two planes. The main theme connecting these two constructions is "Cactus Air Force", i.e. the actions of the combined air forces of the Marines, US Army and US Navy in the Guadalcanal area in 1942 - 1943.

Not so long ago Arma Hobby announced that it was going to release another Hurricane. It didn't take long for the model to go on sale and on my desk. Thus, the fourth version of this well-known British fighter has already appeared in the manufacturer's offer. The formula in which this kit was released is interesting. In the box we will find sprues known from the Hurricane Mk.I kit and a 3D printed conversion to the carrier-based version of this aircraft. An innovative idea, a bit more demanding than in the case of previous sets. However, thanks to the combination of injection technology and 3D printing, we have the opportunity to build a model of a less popular aircraft, for which we could otherwise wait months or even years. Reading the comments in Arma Hobby's social media, you can see that some modelers are already making big plans for what they would see next released in this formula. 

Together with the premiere of Airacobra , Arma Hobby released another box with a Mustang, this time with schemes for version B. The model was very well designed, so it's no wonder that the Warsaw company treats us with new boxes containing this legendary WWII fighter. I decided to check if the content of this set is at the same level as almost a year ago when the frames inside had their premiere.

Nothing lights up keyboards more than the announcement of the next Arma Hobby model. This premiere was also accompanied by great publicity. Especially since AH's PR person knows Facebook, so for several weeks the atmosphere around the new model has been successfully heated on the fanpage and the manufacturer's blog . Therefore, on modeling forums, often stormy discussions began on the subject of numerous betrayals and negligence of the designer. I decided to check it myself, especially since AH sent me a sample for this purpose.

 So far Arma Hobby released two kits that contains P-51B/C. This time we get Mustang in reconnaisance version designated F-6C. Courtesy of Arma Hobby Model Kits I am the happy owner of   70040 F-6C Mustang Expert Set Kit.    As usual boxart is delightful, even my wife noticed its aesthetics.:) Available painting schemes are announcement on back side of the box. The content is neatly packed in a plastic bag. There are three sprues in the kit: As you can see plastic content of this box is the same as in previous P-51B/C kit. I have described its advantages and disadvantages in previous post so if you are interested in check it out . Kit includes precut paper masks. Unfortunatelly they are not too photogenic... In the box we can find also plate with photoedged parts. It is rather small but contains everything we need I think. Despite only four variants of markings the decal sheet is included in the kit is quite large. Decals, printed by Techmod, are of very good qualit...

I reviewed bigger Mustang from Eduard on this blog, so it is time for smaller one from Arma Hobby. I decidet to buy kit with overtrees, becouse in Expert Set there are doubled decals. Due to that almost without any additional aftermarkets you can build two models. Sounds great isn't it?

For me there is nothing more American than Mustang. Both Ford Mustang and P-51 Mustang. I was schocked to discover that without Royal Air Force this plane would probably never have been designed. Isn't it ironic that the USA owes its iconic plane to Great Britain?

Although I build models mainly in 1:72 scale, I have a few iconic planes also in a larger scale. I believe that the Spitfire was the most beautiful WWII fighter, so it must be in my collection. However, I had to be patient, because almost all Eduard's kits disappeared from the market for some time, both in 1:48 and 1:72 scale. Fortunately, after release of early versions of the Spitfier, Eduard is gradually resuming older sets with this iconic British fighter. So far, in 1:48 scale, but for fans of 1:72 something interesting will also appear soon.

For many modellers from Poland polish aviation constructions of the interwar period are iconic. It should not be suprising that we are proud of talent and abilites of our constructors. After all they were able to create planes that were the best in the world. It was not easy in the realities of Second Polish Republic. To the joy many polish modelers, IBG Models decided to treat us with several Polish constructions from that period, including PZL P.11a and PZL 37B described today.

Few days ago Arma Hobby released brand new kit with Ki-84 Hayate in 1:72 scale. Fortunately, one hit my desk.      As you can see, kit is packed in typical for Arma Hobby box. What's new is the author of boxart. This time it's painted by Shigeo Koike, known from Hasegawa boxarts. Modellers, especially from Asia, will apreciate it, but I miss boxart in good Arma Hobby style.

The last produced variant of the Wildcat was created by thinning F4F-4 and adding a more powerful engine. You don't need to be an expert to guess that thanks to such a modification plane with wery good performance was created. This is also comfirmed by the fact that it was most widely produced version of it. The plane was named FM-2 Wildcat.