August 08, 2026

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

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!

10 Seabrook Armoured Lorry
From Vargas Scale Models
No. R3D-35-168
1/35th scale
Vargas Scale Models continue to expand their impressive line of high-detail 3D-printed resin kits, and this month they've released the fascinating Seabrook Armoured Lorry in 1/35 scale. Based on one of Britain's earliest purpose-built gun trucks from the First World War, it combines a commercial truck chassis with armour plating and a 3-pounder naval gun. 
The combination of exposed mechanical detail, riveted armour and an open fighting compartment should make for a striking display piece with plenty of opportunities for weathering. It's certainly an unusual subject and one that's unlikely to ever appear as a mainstream injection-moulded kit.


9 SdKfz 251 Ausf A
From GINGER CAT 
1/35th scale
You may have heard of Ginger Cat from their high-quality 3D-printed accessories, but this month sees them dipping their toe in the injection moulding space, bringing us 4 kit releases to entice us to spend, with the one that caught my eye being the Sdkfz 251-Ausf A.
Ginger Cat are pairing ICM plastic with a tonne of their aftermarket accessories, much like a company like Eduard would looking to improve on the detail in the base kit and offer us some interesting versions of the subjects.
The interior looks especially impressive, with a fully detailed driver's compartment, engine, troop area, radio equipment and even the small crew heater included straight in the box. 
I’m keen to check this one out in the flesh. 


8. FS/GRIZZLY
Blacksnake Model 
No. GRIZZLY
1:35th scale
Blacksnake Models are a French manufacturer specialising in ultra-high-detail 3D-printed resin figures, vehicles and accessories, and they are a manufacturer that keeps popping up on my radar because their stuff looks amazing! 
This month sees them expand their modern military range with the Grizzly in 1/35 scale. Produced as a high-definition 3D-printed resin kit, it captures the aggressive lines and rugged appearance of France's latest Special Forces armoured vehicle, making it an excellent centrepiece for anyone interested in modern military subjects and contemporary dioramas. 

You won’t be seeing too many of these on the competition tables, so if you are looking for something fresh and new, this one might be worth a look. 


7. German Leopard 2 A6 MBT w/interior
Trumpeter
No. 00968
1/16th scale
If. You are going to go big; you might as well go all the way… Trumpeter have completely retooled their massive 1/16 Leopard 2A6, and this isn't just a re-boxing. The new kit features a highly detailed fighting compartment and turret interior, complete with the gun breech, crew stations and ammunition stowage, along with more than 1,300 parts. 
The level of moulding and interior detail is a huge leap over the original release, giving builders the opportunity to display the vehicle with open hatches or even as a cutaway. Curiously, while the engine deck can be opened, there's no engine included, but even so, this looks set to become one of the most impressive large-scale modern armour kits on the market. At 1/16 scale, it's a real centrepiece project that should keep dedicated armour modellers busy for months if not years.


6. SBD-3/4 Douglas Dauntless
From Border Model
1/35th scale
Border model teased us at Shizuoka last year with CAD drawings of the 35th scale Dauntless, and it is looking like it’s getting very close to making its way to the market. 
Border Model continue to push 1/35 scale aircraft with the announcement of their new Douglas SBD-3/4 Dauntless. Rather than the traditional 1/32 scale, Border has designed this kit to integrate seamlessly with 1/35 armour, opening the door to Pacific airfield and carrier deck dioramas. The kit features beautifully reproduced stressed skin, raised and recessed rivet detail, a fully detailed Wright Cyclone engine, a highly detailed cockpit and interior, photo-etched parts and poseable control surfaces, including the Dauntless' iconic perforated dive brakes. 
This is shaping up to be one of the most exciting aircraft releases of the year. There is also some suggestion the kit parts are coming prepainted, so watch this space, I guess…


5. Macchi M.C. 202 Folgore
From Italeri
1/48th scale
You would have noticed the fondness I have for these Italian aircraft, and this month is no exception. 
Italeri has unveiled a 100% new tool: the 1/48 Macchi M.C.202 Folgore, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful fighters of the Second World War. 
Powered by the licence-built Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine, the Folgore finally gave the Italian Air Force a fighter capable of matching many of its Allied opponents in speed and manoeuvrability. The new kit features finely engraved surface detail, a highly detailed cockpit enhanced with 3D decals and photo-etched parts, plus Italeri's impressive new decal package. If you've been waiting for modern tooling of this elegant Italian fighter, this could well become the new benchmark in the scale.
I am desperately hoping Italeri gives us something un-Italeri-like, although in fairness some of their later kits have been quite nice. 


4. Short S.25 Sunderland Mark III/V
From Roden
No. 353
1:144th scale
Roden has announced a brand-new 1/144 Short Sunderland Mk. III/V, one of the most famous maritime patrol aircraft of the Second World War. Nicknamed the 'Flying Porcupine' thanks to its formidable defensive armament, the Sunderland earned a legendary reputation hunting German U-boats across the Atlantic. This new tool kit represents the later Mk.III and Mk.V variants, featuring the improved hull design and radar equipment that made the aircraft even more effective in anti-submarine warfare. 
Roden haven’t always had the best reputation but seem to be improving with every release. I like that this is in 1/144th, as it keeps this huge flying boat to a manageable size, making it far easier to display without sacrificing its impressive presence. For anyone interested in Coastal Command aircraft, of which I am one, this is a very welcome addition to the scale.


3. German KS750 Motorcycle & Sidecar (late production) with IF8 Infantry Cart. Mod. 1934-36
Gecko Models
No. 16GM0002
1/16th scale
I remember as a kid wanting to get the 1/9th scale Zundapp the Esci released but never quite getting there, and this 16th scale Gecko Model German KS750 Motorcycle and Sidecar gives me the same vibe, plus this one is paired with the IF8 Infantry Cart. 
The late-production Zündapp KS750 was one of the Wehrmacht's most capable military motorcycles, featuring driven power to both the rear wheel and the sidecar wheel for exceptional off-road performance. 
Gecko's new kit looks to capture the vehicle in superb detail, with a fully detailed engine, suspension and driveline, spoke wheels, the MG34-equipped sidecar and the distinctive trailer, giving modellers plenty of scope for an eye-catching display or diorama. Gecko have been producing some really involved models, so I would imagine this is going to be quite spectacular when done. 


2. The Giant arrives – Gerät .566 Lastenträger 606/5 für K5/3. Tiger II
From DRAMi Model
No. 46001
1/35th scale
One of the more unusual releases this month comes from DRAMi with the Gerät 566. This wasn't a self-propelled gun at all, but a wartime proposal to transport the famous 28 cm K5 railway gun—better known as the 'Leopold'—using two specially modified Tiger II chassis.

Drami is the brand Zimi Model is using for their reboxed Dragon lines; however, I don’t believe this model kit has been seen before. I would suggest Zimi have cherry-picked a couple of Tiger 1 chassis and the bulk of the railway guy and created a completely new model kit for us to build. 
The subject itself never progressed beyond the drawing board, but it's certainly one of the most fascinating 'what-if' engineering projects of the Second World War, and DRAMi has brought it to life in 1/35 scale. It’s kind of cool, isn’t it?!


1. Skybreaker
From Border Model
Kit no: BC006
1/N scale
Now speaking, if unusual, check this one out! It’s the Class 2 Aerospace Battleship 'Skybreaker'. 
What is it? Well, Skybreaker appears to be an original science-fiction/mecha subject, with one toe in a mecha world and one with a steam punk WW1/2 vibe. There isn’t a lot of detail around this one yet, but I can tell you I saw this built up at Shizuoka last year, not really knowing what it was, so to see it getting some traction on the Border Facebook page and putting a name to the face is really quite exciting.
The N scale is traditionally a railway scale, but given this is fiction, it really doesn’t matter. The box suggests this is going to be a snap-fit kit with no paint required? This seems to be Borders' latest thing. I guess that opens the kit up to those that just want to build. 
It contains a carrier-based aircraft, and the propellers move – a good opportunity to motorise perhaps. Modellers are always calling for new and interesting things, so for me I think this is going to be very popular once it hits the shelves.

So, what did you think? What did you like? What did I miss? Let me know in the video comments down below. 

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