March 06, 2026

Kit countdown... Clayton's top ten upcoming releases of the month...

It's that time again when Clayton Ockerby from Workbench Hobbies treats us to his top ten of upcoming releases that caught his eye this past month in his video preview...

Kit countdown... Clayton's top ten upcoming releases of the month...

G’day Guys – Clayton from Workbench Hobbies with the announcements over the past month that caught my eye in the hope I can highlight something you may have missed. In other news I am pleased to announce I have got my website back on line – It is something I’ll be building on, but you can see some of the back catalogue there as well as pick yourself up a mask set so be sure to swing by.

So, with that – let’s get started

Messerschmitt Me323E-2 "Giant"
From Trumpeter
No. 05121
1:35th scale !!
I had to check the diary to see if it was April 1st because I’m not too sure as to how real this is, but this low-res pic turned up on Scale mates suggesting Trumpeter had the Me323E-Gigant or Giant in the winds.

Details are sketchy at best, but assuming this is actually going to see it to market it would see a model that had an approximate wingspan of 1570mm and 806mm long. This thing was massive and If Trumpeter actually releases it as a full kit, it will be one of the largest injection-moulded aircraft kits ever produced in that scale.

Completely impractical at that scale but I does present some interesting possibilities for the diorama builders out there plus, everyone knows the biggest model on the table always wins peoples choice. Coming in only at 10 due to the lack of detail around it but lets encourage the ambitious nature of this announcement.


1/4-ton Utility Truck with 1/4-ton Utility trailer
From Takom
No. 1026
1:16th scale
It’s probably a little bit of a lazy announcement because Takom released the Willys Jeep back in 2022 however this boxing sees it paired with a ¼ ton, 2 wheel utility trailer. Takom’s 1/16 Willys MB Jeep is generally regarded as a very good big-scale model — nice detail, solid fit and lots of modelling enjoyment, though many builders add extra wiring and detail parts to take it to the next level.
It’s a great kit for those of you curious to try 16th scale without overcommitting to a larger scale subject. The Trailer just adds an additional element to load up and include on your display. Better start brushing up on the figure painting skills though because it also comes with a figure.


Fieseler Fi 156C-3 Storch
From IBG Models 
No. 72594
1:72nd scale
From the handful of 72nd scale IBG kits I have seen I have been impressed enough for this one to spark my interest. Last month saw IBG announce 3 versions of the Storch (or Stork) – the C2, C3 and D1. The C-2 and C-3 are very similar liaison/observation variants used widely by the Luftwaffe, with only minor equipment and fit changes between them. The D-1 is a late-production refinement with a few minor structural and detail changes.
A Storch was used to rescue Mussolini in 1943 during the Gran Sasso raid, and it was widely used on the Eastern Front as well as North Africa. It was the ultimate battlefield observation tool and general “runabout.” An interesting plane that can be easily paired with armoured vehicles in your next 72nd scale diorama.


Mirage 2000C
From Trumpeter
No. 05841
1:48th scale
Trumpeter has announced a 1/48 scale Mirage 2000C kit (catalogue number 05841) as a new-tool release in 2026. That means it’s a fresh mould with modern engineering, not a rebox of an old kit. The Dassault Mirage 2000C is a classic French single-seat fighter from the 1980s — a lightweight delta-wing jet that served with several air forces, excelling as an interceptor and air-superiority platform.

From what I have read, the go to kit in the past for this subject was the Revell boxing however that is nearing 30 years of age.. so there are high hopes for the Trumpeter kit. Details and engineering look promising from early previews, so hopefully this will be a big hit for fans of post-war jets.


Kirov Airship (15cm long)
Kaizo Models
No. KMN0001
I have mentioned the old computer game Command and Conquer - Red Alert on these videos previously and here we are again with it finding its way to the airwaves! This month sees The Kirov Airship announced by Kaizo Models. My understanding is Kaizo have been more in the modelling supplies space than actual injection moulded kits, however they seem to have made their way into that market with this release.
The Kirov isn’t based on a real Soviet airship — it’s pure alternate-history diesel-punk fantasy. It borrows inspiration from WWI/WWII zeppelins and Soviet industrial design, but it’s very much a video game creation. I like the simplicity of this and the fact it could be built and painted over a weekend. It is an opportunity to remember just how ground breaking that game was.
“For anyone who grew up hearing ‘Kirov reporting’ through their PC speakers — this one’s for you.”

This is a distinct, smaller, 15cm version compared to the ~40cm 1/350 scale Border Model kit. 


Curtiss P-36C
From Arma Hobby
No. 70082
1:72nd
I am turning into a bit of an Arma Hobby fan boy of late, and you will see why in the coming weeks… but the think that caught my attention with this one was not only the fact it was from Arma, but that stunning camouflage scheme on the box art.
The P-36C might not be as famous as the P-40 or the Mustang, but on December 7th, 1941, it was one of the first American fighters to fight back at Pearl Harbour and they were among the very first American fighters to shoot down Japanese aircraft in WWII. And that alone makes it a fascinating subject.
The plane was used by the French in 1940 and scored heavily against the Luftwaffe and it was also used by Finland, Norway, and few others. In Finnish service, they were particularly respected. My experience with Arma kits has been extremely positive so I am quite excited at the thought of recreating that camouflage on the small-scale subject.




Sd.Kfz.234/3 Schwerer Panzerspähwagen "Stummel" Late
MiniArt
No. 53046
1:35th scale
Starting to show my armour bias now, so indulge me for the moment with this Miniart Stummel. The 234 Version 3 saw short-barrel 7.5cm K51 L/24 mounted to the 8 wheeled armoured car. It’s the same gun used on early some Panzer IVs and StuG IIIs. Stummel translates to Stub or Stump – a nickname crews gave the vehicle because of the stubby barrel.
This is the latest release in Miniarts variants based on the 8-wheeler chassis and it is the second time the Stummel has been boxed – although this one is the late war version of the vehicle. The open top allows for a peek into the interior which appeals to me and knowing Miniart they will go to town with the detail and level of finish in those areas.
They do cop some criticism for overengineering their kits at times, so I’d suggest this one may be for those of you out there comfortable with the construction side of things looking for a little challenge and dabbling with an interior kit that actually has a chance of being seen.


Blade Runner 2049 K's Spinner
BellFine
No.
1:32nd scale
I have called this model out from when I was lucky enough to go to Shizuoka last year, so it is exciting to see it one step closer to coming to market. I am talking about the Bell Fine 1/32 scale Spinner from the cult movie franchise - Blade Runner.
Blade Runner is a dark, neo-noir sci-fi film set in a dystopian future where a weary cop hunts rogue bio-engineered humans while questioning what it really means to be human. All is starting to sound a little real unfortunately…
BellFine are known for licensing Sci Fi kits as well as producing good quality moulds. The subject hits all the nostalgia buttons but as a model kit gives us the opportunity to introduce tonal variation and interesting weathering possibilities. Might struggle to find this in the West but take a peek online and see if you can snag one!


TIE Bomber
From AMT
No. 1469
1:48th scale
Yes – I am a self-confessed Star Wars tragic, so to see AMT announce a 48th scale, new tooled Tie Bomber I was more than a little excited at the prospect. AMT had a line of Star Wars kits back in the 90s however the Bomber was the one missing piece so many of us were craving so to see it here I am sure some of you will be as excited as I was.
What can we expect being AMT…well whilst I am remaining optimistic, I am also realistic. There has been a few pics popping up online but it’s always hard to get a good read from mock-ups. It’s a shame Bandai didn’t get their hands on this one because like I said, this vehicle would be a must have for most of us… So come on AMT – put your best foot forward and give us something special!


M28A1/A2 Super Assault Tank
From Takom
No. 2210
1:35th scale
My number 1 is the model I didn’t know I needed and that is the M28A1 Super assault tank by Takom. This boxing is complete fiction however the T28 that it was derived from was very much a real vehicle. 
The T28 was an American experimental super-heavy assault vehicle developed near the end of WWII,. intended to break through heavily fortified lines (think Siegfried Line style concrete and anti-tank defences). It was less “tank” in the classic sense and more a heavily armoured bunker-buster.
Two prototypes were built in 1945 however the project was cancelled as the War came to a conclusion. One vehicle was scrapped and the other was parked and kind of forgotten about for 30 years. In 1974, the surviving T28 was found sitting abandoned in a field at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.It can now be seen at the National Armour and Calvary Museum in Georgia.
What If subjects aren’t traditionally my thing, and technically this isn’t a What if but the M28 boxing I like most definitely is. The possibilities this one ones for painting and weathering is really quite exciting and I reckon that is some of the most attractive box art I have seen – completely sold me…

Th ebig box set is also a temptation, with the two kits & a special reference book to accompany them...
all going to plan I will be channelling my inner Adam Wilder when this one shows up. I just hope they have got those track assemblies worked out…

Check out Clayton's video that accompanies this story on his YouTube page—Workbench Hobbies.

Clayton Ockerby.

See more of Clayton's amazing works on his YouTube Channel, his modelling portal "Workbench Hobbies" or his Facebook page