My opinion of Hobby Master models
Over the past two years Hobby Master Models has come from relative obscurity to the top of the die-cast model world. The reasons for their success are very basic. The company produces excellent detail using quality materials (mostly metal and minimum of plastic). Their pricing usually is a considerable amount less than the competition. The biggest reason is they are a company that actually listens to the collector and takes their input very seriously. Another unique feature about this company is their after sale customer care. I have yet to hear from a collector who contacted the company because of a problem part and have HM not do whatever it took to correct the problem in an effort to have a satisfied customer. Many collectors have been drawn to Hobby Master for the reasons I mentioned and this has placed HM as number one in the die-cast collectibles world within their price range and often beyond.
HM is known for making some unique subjects and paint schemes that aren't the run of the mill. I'm not saying they don't make the most popular models and schemes, I'm just saying that they aren't afraid to think outside the box occasionally. They have expanded its die-cast line of models to include military aircraft in 1/32 scale, 1/48 scale and 1/72 scale. Their military vehicle models are made in 1/48 scale as well as 1/72 scale. They recently began a 1/200 scale Airliner Series that has become more popular than hoped. No matter if it is a Hobby Master military model or airliner they don't produce huge amounts of each one and if it sells out they have never made second productions. This helps to make a model more collectible and helps to keep the value of that model at an acceptable level. I don't recommend you collect any die-cast by any company as an investment just hoping that the value will increase. I believe you should collect these great models as pieces of interest because of their historical relevance, their visual appeal or any of dozen reasons but not for investment only. This way if the model happens to go down in value you will still be happy with your collection. If you are fortunate enough that your models do climb in value that will be a nice bonus. From my experience the vast majority of serious collector won't sell their model/s simply to make a couple of bucks. Their collections are their treasure and from the sales records Hobby Master is a large part of these collections.
HM is known for making some unique subjects and paint schemes that aren't the run of the mill. I'm not saying they don't make the most popular models and schemes, I'm just saying that they aren't afraid to think outside the box occasionally. They have expanded its die-cast line of models to include military aircraft in 1/32 scale, 1/48 scale and 1/72 scale. Their military vehicle models are made in 1/48 scale as well as 1/72 scale. They recently began a 1/200 scale Airliner Series that has become more popular than hoped. No matter if it is a Hobby Master military model or airliner they don't produce huge amounts of each one and if it sells out they have never made second productions. This helps to make a model more collectible and helps to keep the value of that model at an acceptable level. I don't recommend you collect any die-cast by any company as an investment just hoping that the value will increase. I believe you should collect these great models as pieces of interest because of their historical relevance, their visual appeal or any of dozen reasons but not for investment only. This way if the model happens to go down in value you will still be happy with your collection. If you are fortunate enough that your models do climb in value that will be a nice bonus. From my experience the vast majority of serious collector won't sell their model/s simply to make a couple of bucks. Their collections are their treasure and from the sales records Hobby Master is a large part of these collections.
Source...