The Modelling News: Hobbyboss' September new kits - A Canadian Leo & "information gathering" aircraft from China

The latest intelligence aircraft from China and the Canadian Leopard C1A1 are the new item subjects from Hobbyboss this month. We always wait until they have sprue shots to add to the box art and aircraft profiles for our new item preview for you...

Hobbyboss' September new releases - A Canadian Leo & "information gathering" aircraft from China.

Chinese KJ-200

Model no: #83903

1:144th scale

Product Link on the Hobbyboss Website

KJ-200 (Chinese: 空警-200; pinyin: Kōngjǐng Liǎngbǎi; literally: "Airwarn-200") NATO reporting name: Moth or Y-8 Balance Beam system, is an Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program developed by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation. (KJ is from the first characters of the Pinyin spelling of 空警, (Kōng Jǐng), short for 空中预警 (Kōng Zhōng Yù Jǐng), which means Airborne Early Warning).

The Shaanxi KJ-200 AWACs platform was introduced sometime in 2009 and is based on the Y-8 transport platform. The KJ-200 is said to maintain about 20% commonality with the original Y-8 design.

The key component of this aircraft is an AESA radar system, visually similar to the Saab Erieye system, mounted on struts above the rear fuselage, as well as ventral sensor domes. The KJ-200 will provide intelligence collection and maritime surveillance capabilities.

Dimensions: Length: 239.1mm Wingspan: 264.4mm

7 sprues & Photo Etched Parts

The kit consists of over 120 parts, including 12 clear parts

Leopard C1A1 (Canadian MBT)

Model no: #84502

1:35th scale

Product Link on the Hobbyboss Website

The Leopard (or Leopard 1) is the main battle tank designed and produced in West Germany. It first entered service in 1965. Developed in an era when HEAT warheads were thought to make conventional heavy armour of limited value, the Leopard focused on firepower in the form of the German-built version of the British L7 105-mm gun, and improved cross-country performance that was unmatched by other designs of the era.

The design started as a collaborative project during the 1950s between West Germany and France, and later joined by Italy, but the partnership ended shortly after and the final design was ordered by the Bundeswehr, with full-scale production starting in 1965. In total, 6,485 Leopard tanks have been built, of which 4,744 were battle tanks and 1,741 were utility and anti-aircraft variants, not including 80 prototypes and pre-series vehicles.