Arma Hobby 2025 Release Plan

A wave of exciting new releases is coming from Arma Hobby! In 2025, we plan to introduce at least three new 1/72 scale models. What does our release schedule look like, and what guides us in its execution? Today, we’re pulling back the curtain to share insights into the development of our range.

Answers to Some Questions

Let’s start with understanding our current situation.

First, an important point: we have a pool of projects developed over the last three years. Unlike other modeling companies, our challenge isn’t a lack of projects but the difficulty in bringing them to production. Our original tooling facility, while producing excellent quality, struggled to keep up, causing delays. Additionally, the high cost of molds translated into higher model prices.

Second, how we solved this issue: we introduced the P-39 Airacobra in 1/48 scale at a new tooling facility, a process that took 15 months. As the first project, it posed significant challenges, requiring molds to be redone. However, the second project, the Ki-43, was completed in just three months, thanks to overcoming technical obstacles.

Finał projektu Ki-43 Hayabusa 1/72

Learning Curve

Many of you have asked about upcoming models and the fate of previous announcements. Each project allowed us to test design improvements, such as easier assembly and production flow.

However, delays in release meant we couldn’t always verify effectiveness of new ideas in design. For example, the delicate tailplane of the Ki-43 presented production challenges—thin trailing edges of the vertical stabilizer caused plastic underfills. To fix this, we increased injection pressure, leading to slight flash. While the model assembles well, this issue is noticeable on the sprue.

What do you think: should we slightly thicken the vertical stabilizer in the second production run of the Ki-43 to eliminate this issue? Let us know in the comments!

2025 Release Schedule

We plan to release new 1/72 scale models every 2-3 months in the order they were designed. Here’s what’s planned for early 2025:

• Curtiss H-75 A1/A2 (France 1939/40) – February 2025, followed by P-36 and H-75 variants in various schemes and a version with a different engine.
• P-51D Mustang™ – 2-3 months later, with P-51K, F-6D, and other versions to follow.
• Me-262A Schwalbe – Another 2-3 months later, possibly after summer. A two-seater version isn’t planned for now but might be considered in the future.

We’re also working on two 1/48 scale models and two additional 1/72 projects, details of which will be revealed later. Most of them focus on World War II aircraft.

Variants of Existing Models

Alongside new releases, we plan to introduce new boxes of existing models:

• P-39 Airacobra Recon 1/72
• P-51C Mustang™ (CBI Theater) 1/72
• Sea Hurricane IIb/XII 1/48
• P-400 Airacobra 1/48
• P-39Q Airacobra 1/48 (re-release)

Some models will include 3D-printed accessories, and all will feature links to free files for printing your own accessories.

What’s Next?

Our goal is to maintain a rhythm of four new 1/72 projects annually while gradually expanding our 1/48 range. We also aim to grow our 3D accessory files library, potentially including add-ons for other manufacturers’ kits.

To achieve this, we need to meet two conditions:

• Maintain design flow, which requires hiring new designers (job onsite in Warsaw, recruitment starts Q1 2025 – link).
• Ensure financial stability, which depends on your support. We don’t rely on grants or additional funding; our growth is entirely driven by sales. Buy Arma Hobby models and enjoy building them!

Thank you for your support—share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for updates!

 

This post is also available in: polski