July 04, 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 here: I'm going to go through the recent announcements in the hope I can show you something you may have missed! 

NOTEABLE MENTION...

WWII German Heavy Tank King Tiger - Initial Production
Limited Edition Bovington Tank Museum King Tiger V2 Restoration Project
From Takom
No. 2096
1/35th scale
Before I start, a notable mention to this reboxing of the Takom Porsche-turreted King Tiger, which wasn’t a Porsche turret at all, but more on that for another time. The Tank Museum in Bovington, England, is restoring the only Porsche-turreted King Tiger (of which I was lucky enough to get a look around last year), and they have paired with Takom to raise funds for the project.
It’s a ten-year-old kit, but it’s being updated with an ID plate. It's a bit of a gimmick, but a win-win for all if you were wanting to play a small part in the restoration of this truly unique tank.

But let’s get started with the top 10! 

10 - U.S. M142 HIMARS
Heller
No. 30806
1/72nd scale
Now hear me out… I know Heller hasn’t had the best rap in the modelling world for quite some time, but I have had it on good authority they are committed to improving and establishing themselves as a viable option to the scale modeller. 
This is the HIMARS in 1/72nd scale. There are definitely other options for this subject on that scale; however, this is showing 77 parts to the kit, so I am thinking it should be reasonably detailed. I’ve included this more out of curiosity than a recommendation as such, so let’s wait and see what Heller delivers. 


9 - New Diorama Sets
DYNAMO Models
1/35th scale
I have made no secret of the fact I am a raving fan of the figures Dynamo Models are producing. I can confidently say they are the benchmark when it comes to 3D printed figures. It’s for that reason I am so excited to see they have now released a line of diorama bases to help the modellers create dynamic dioramas and displays. 
Much like the RT diorama stuff, the kits seem to use mixed media elements and 3D printed parts. Yes, you could carve foam and pour plaster and create your own, but these kits offer convenience and a starting point for those modellers not knowing where to start. It kind of got that Verlinden feel, and I am here for it.


8 - Pantherturm I's
From Akak Models
1/35th scale

- 35A55 Pantherturm I with "Panther-Ostwallturm" turret (with decals)
- 335A56 Pantherturm I with Panther D turret and Zimmerit
I’ve been wanting to make a vignette featuring a Pantherturm for a long time, which is why I was happy to see these two releases from Akak Models announced last month. 
During the latter half of WWII, the Germans repurposed surplus Panther tank turrets by fitting them to buried concrete or steel bunkers, these Pantherturm emplacements acted as low-profile, heavily armoured defensive positions  that could withstand heavy artillery and restrict advancing Allied armour along the Gothic Line and in the defence of Berlin
These kits are small and simple but offer us something unique and the perfect centrepiece for a late-war vignette


7 - Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 Flying Tigers
Arma Hobby
No. 70094
1:72nd scale
The Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 was the export version of the early P-40 Tomahawk, made famous by the American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers. Fighting over China and Burma in 1941–42, its iconic shark-mouth nose art became one of the most recognisable symbols of Allied air power during the early months of the Pacific War.

June saw Arma Hobby announce it's an all-new tooling for this aircraft, meaning we can expect future Tomahawk II and early P-40 variants in the future. 

I have very little information on this one other than the box art, but I think it’s worth keeping an eye on its evolution. 


6 - Sd.Kfz. 182 King Tiger – Operation Goodwood, 1944
Meng Model
No. ES-011
1/35th scale
When Meng first announced these King Tigers almost a decade ago, they could be paired with an interior kit if you were that way inclined, but last month saw them announce the boxing of the King Tiger with the interior included, PLUS they have also added bits and pieces to create a tank displaying battle damage as well as a couple of new figures. 

It also comes with a 3D decal sheet for presenting the zimmerit.
This looks to be a specific tank from Operation Goodwood from 1944
Operation Goodwood was a major British armoured offensive launched in Normandy in July 1944. Although it didn't achieve a decisive breakthrough, it tied down German forces and helped pave the way for the Allied breakout from Normandy.
I like the inclusion of the battle damage straight from the box. I can’t recall any other mainstream manufacturer having done that before. 


5 - Airfield Tractors Standard N Mod. 1938
From MiniArt
1/48th scale
Kit No. 5002
I’d initially overlooked these 48th scale Miniart airfield tractors, but after looking at them and the possibilities they present, my enthusiasm grew. Miniart has been producing a line of 35th scale tractors for some time, but I believe this is their first venture into the subject at this scale. 
Knowing MiniArt, I would suggest these are going to be highly detailed and perhaps better suited to the experienced modeller, but one thing you can guarantee with the new MiniArt stuff is it can look spectacular once it's built up. 
These would make a perfect addition to an early-war Battle of Britain airfield diorama. 
The more I look at these, the more I’d like to build one. 


4 - P-51B Mustang  Royal Hybrid
1/32nd scale
I may have bought this to you a couple of weeks late as it was a pre-order announcement, but last month saw Eduard announce the Royal Hybrid P-51B Mustang in 1/32
Eduard are calling this line their new Royal Hybrid range, and this kit is the first in that range. It's a brand-new tool that combines a traditional injection-moulded kit with a heap of high-quality 3D-printed detail parts, giving you a premium package straight out of the box without having to go hunting for aftermarket parts.
You can expect a highly detailed 3D-printed cockpit, 3D-printed wheel wells and landing gear, as well as 3D-printed exhausts and gun barrels, pre-painted photo-etch, and canopy masks. 
It will come with eight marking options and include a 100-page reference book covering the history and operational service of the P-51B/C Mustang. This looks to be a seriously impressive kit, and in 32nd scale, it will allow you to really go to town with the detailing. 


3 - British Stuart M5 Recce Tank
Classy Hobby 
No. MC16011
1/16th scale
Classy Hobby is a South Korean model kit manufacturer known for producing highly detailed military vehicle kits. They have earned a strong reputation for precise moulding, excellent surface detail, and tackling unique vehicles that few other companies have produced. 
Last month saw Classy Hobby announce the 1/16 British M5 Stuart Recce Tank to its line of M5 variants, with the initial release having been back in 2019. The M5 Recce was a British field conversion of the American M5A1 Stuart light tank, with the turret removed to create a fast and low-profile reconnaissance vehicle. Used in north-west Europe from 1944, it provided armoured reconnaissance units with a vehicle that offered better visibility, extra space for crew and equipment, and greater mobility while avoiding direct combat. Interesting subject and a size that I would regard as being manageable in 16th scale. I mean, with a name like "Classy Model", what could possibly go wrong?


2 - T-54B Medium Tank
Takom 
1/72nd scale
I have been known to dabble in 72nd-scale armour, but it is a scale that has been a little neglected in our hobby. Today we see Takom announce their boxing of the T-54B. The T-54B entered service in the late 1950s and became one of the most widely produced tanks in history. Rugged, reliable, and heavily armed, it served with more than 50 countries and saw combat in conflicts across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa for decades after its introduction.
The kit comes with etched parts and linked & length tracks. Takom has historically released this style of model in a 1+1 boxing, meaning you get two in the kit. 
One of my favourite 72nd scale builds was their Chieftain. This won’t be a shake-and-bake kit, but it will make for a lovely little display model. 


1. SdKfz 250/9 Halftrack
Takom 
1/35th scale
I was hoping Takom would expand on their Sdkfz 250 line, and this month sees them announce the Sdkfz 250/9 in their range. 
The Sd.Kfz. 250/9 was a German light reconnaissance half-track developed by mounting a 20 mm autocannon turret on the compact Sd.Kfz. 250 chassis. Introduced in 1943, it gave Panzer reconnaissance units greater firepower and cross-country mobility than the wheeled armoured cars it gradually replaced, making it ideal for scouting ahead of advancing armoured formations.
The kit comes with a full interior, workable tracks, photo-etched details paired with modern engineering, and plenty of detail straight from the box.
Tamiya’s kit from 1980 is now hard to find and old if we are being honest, and the Dragon kit was produced through the 2000s, so this new release from Takom will be the go-to kit for this versatile little half-track.
I know I have been including these halftrack variants in the top ten list pretty much every time they announce one, and I make no apologies for that. The base kit is absolutely stunning with incredible engineering at an affordable price. Some of the fine detail in this may test some modellers, so be patient and move through the assemblies slowly. 

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

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