HA7501 review



HA7501 review

I’m not going to get into any thing technical about this model or any model for that matter. I’m looking for something that is visually appealing, a good paint and markings application and parts that fit well. Just the general things most average collectors will look for and appreciate. I’ll leave any technical points of view up to others.

I received the P-26 HA7501 and what a great model. What a nice paint scheme on a wonderful little plane. This aircraft caught my attention the same way the Brewster Buffalo did. The brown fuselage contrasted by the bright yellow is such an amazing scheme. Hobby Master has applied the paint and tampoed the markings with touch of an artist. I can’t find one flaw with the finish, superb.

As soon as I picked this little guy up the weight of it impressed me. The only plastic on this model are the windscreen, Pitot tube, antenna and weapons rack and bombs. Oh yes the pilot is plastic. Everything is metal including the propeller that spins freely. I would estimate that the model is 99% metal. Even the wing rigging is all made of wire. This P-26 weighs more than some of the models that are twice its size. If weight is important than this series of aircraft will deliver.

Included are two bomb racks that push into small holes in the belly. One option is a rack with 5 small bombs and there is a second rack with 2 larger bombs. I found the holes where the racks small tabs push into the fuselage belly weren’t quite big enough so I took a very small jeweler’s screwdriver and gently inserted it in the holes and turn it a bit. This removed a tiny bit of paint that was in the holes and when I had finished the 3 tabs on the bomb racks easily fit in place.

The 2 front tires are rubber and roll very nicely. The tail wheel is molded as part of the fuselage so it doesn’t roll.

Personally I love these post WWI, pre WWII aircraft. They just seem to capture the spirit of the freedom found in flight and with their great color schemes are a feast for the eyes. The 1920s and 30s was an era between great wars that seems to have brought out the artist in aircraft designers. I really can’t begin to tell you how great this little masterpiece is because you have to see it in person to fully appreciate the fine detail and colors.

All opinions expressed in this review and on the Hobby Master Collector website are those of the site owner and do not necessarily reflect those of Hobby Master Limited. My HMC site is a personal collection of models and opinions and is solely financed by me with no outside funds going to finance it. This is why you won’t find any paid advertising spam or pop-ups.

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