Interesting the U-2 model numbers are HA6901 and HA6904. What happened to -02 and -03?
Very good question about the increasingly murky world of HM late model U-2s. So far there have been two official announcements and three leaks, all black jets. The complete list is:
HA6901: U-2S Beale 2015
6902: U-2R Span pod, Fairford, 1990's
6903: U-2S Osan 2012
6904: U-2R Black Cat HM art and service chronology inconsistent
6905: U-2R "Snoopy tail"
The tomcat is a great livery, but I already have basically the same livery from at least 3 other manufacturers, two of which will likely have produced superior models to the hobbymaster, whose latest tomcats have been quite poor from the standpoint of overall finish. HM tomcats, like a lot of their releases, need to be considered these days as "semi-finished products, suitable for advanced detailing and finishing by the passionate collector." Washes, weathering, stencils, add-ons, pilots, exhausts/metallic bits - HM is behind the times.
I've been absolutely thrilled with both recent calibre wings VF-31 tomcats - especially the red tail. I couldn't see the point of any knowledgeable collector going for the HM version for the sake of a small cost savings. The calW aren't perfect of course, but there's no comparison in my mind.
i've pre-ordered the HM U-2 (and the roughly matching Century Wings Beale SR-71 re-release). The voodoo is a good get for anybody who doesn't have the earlier one. The Russian Knights aircraft will be good for those who can hold their noses, but it'll be a cold day in hell before I have an advertising bird for putin on my shelves (though I have been known to buy the occasional russian operational aircraft).
solid month from HM.
Last edited by FortunateSon; 08-26-2020 at 05:41 AM.
Good month of releases! I am particularly amused by the two “Mig 28” releases. Well played. I have seen the Russian Knights perform and I am tempted, but I think my money will go elsewhere. In particular, to the USAF U-2. That Voodoo is a beauty, but I have four Voodoos in my collection already. I’ll probably be more inclined to buy the Tomcat.
Good month of releases! I am particularly amused by the two “Mig 28” releases. Well played. I have seen the Russian Knights perform and I am tempted, but I think my money will go elsewhere. In particular, to the USAF U-2. That Voodoo is a beauty, but I have four Voodoos in my collection already. I’ll probably be more inclined to buy the Tomcat.
I wouldn’t pre-order that U-2 just yet if I were you. Well, not if you want an accurate model anyway.
italian typhoon surely, maybe the USAF U2..but i am not sure if i have enough space for it, how big is going to be? also i bet it's going to be a bit fragile.
Yeah, I think the CalW U-2 is going to be leaps and bounds above the HM in terms of detail and tooling. I am waiting for CalW.
You may well be right. I've not followed, however - are they proposing different liveries?
While the CalW may be better, I'm ok pre-ordering the HM. If I have to sell it, i won't lose much and the differences may be enough to generate interest.
What would really get my purchase - and I suspect ill be in a minority here - is if whoever sold the U2 with detachable wings for space-efficient box storage.
Maybe...? However, I have only ever seen one U-2 in person and it was a 9th RW U-2 from Beale AFB at the Abbotsford Airshow in British Columbia. Although I am not certain of the registration, HM’s release is exactly how I remember it looking. A quick google search revealed this photo from Abbotsford:
It falls outside my usual collection criteria, but I have always loved this plane. It’s either this livery or NASA for my collection, and I think I’ll stick to the one I’ve seen with my own eyes - especially since it’s the one available now.
You may well be right. I've not followed, however - are they proposing different liveries?
While the CalW may be better, I'm ok pre-ordering the HM. If I have to sell it, i won't lose much and the differences may be enough to generate interest.
What would really get my purchase - and I suspect ill be in a minority here - is if whoever sold the U2 with detachable wings for space-efficient box storage.
Yeah but it’s not a “real” RF-101, i.e. an RF-101C or RF-101A. Really wish HM would modify the tooling.
It’s a legit RF-101. The story’s a bit convoluted, but by the 1970s the single seat RF-101s took a lot of losses from Vietnam. Towards the end of the conflict they were running out of aircraft to use in-country while maintaining other commitments.
Meanwhile, Canada sold back some early F-101Bs in exchange for upgraded versions with IRSTs and other fire control enhancements. The USAF had the idea to take these ex Canadian F-101B’s and install cameras in place of the rotating weapons bay. That’s how we arrive at the RF-101B that HM is including in this batch.
It’s a legit RF-101. The story’s a bit convoluted, but by the 1970s the single seat RF-101s took a lot of losses from Vietnam. Towards the end of the conflict they were running out of aircraft to use in-country while maintaining other commitments.
Meanwhile, Canada sold back some early F-101Bs in exchange for upgraded versions with IRSTs and other fire control enhancements. The USAF had the idea to take these ex Canadian F-101B’s and install cameras in place of the rotating weapons bay. That’s how we arrive at the RF-101B that HM is including in this batch.
Well in that case let’s hope they avoid that weird shade of light green that’s been around for a while now.
So I just ordered 5 of the "MiG-28" fighters (split between the "UB" version and the "S" version) because I'm trying to put together a Top Gun shelf, and I'm kina curious about the differences between the two of them. I didn't accidentally order a battle damaged version or two did I? Are the differences between them unremarkable or should I update my order?
So I just ordered 5 of the "MiG-28" fighters (split between the "UB" version and the "S" version) because I'm trying to put together a Top Gun shelf, and I'm kina curious about the differences between the two of them. I didn't accidentally order a battle damaged version or two did I? Are the differences between them unremarkable or should I update my order?
One is a one seater and one is a two seater. UB / УБ stands for "Uchebno Boevoy" / "Учебно-Боевой" - Combat Trainer.
I'm more than a bit shocked if you didn't notice this, but we all have our days.
Sorry to break it to you but I had no idea there were two versions of these planes that were used in filming. Also I don't speak any languages outside of English, so I'm not sure why you would think that this is enough of a clue to fill in the blanks. I had no point of reference on these changes whatsoever
Sorry to break it to you but I had no idea there were two versions of these planes that were used in filming. Also I don't speak any languages outside of English, so I'm not sure why you would think that this is enough of a clue to fill in the blanks. I had no point of reference on these changes whatsoever
And the picture in the poster clearly showing a single seat and a two seat aircraft didn't clue you in, pal? Mate, you've made a bit of a silly gaffe. Accept it in good humor and in good nature, stop with the "sorry to break it to you" nonsense, and move on.
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HOBBYMASTER November 2020 POSTER
