Hawk 81-A2 "AVG" No.77 flown by Robert Smith 3rd Pursuit Sqn. Nov 1941 in 1:48 scale
This is the Hawk 81-A2 "AVG" No.77 flown by Robert Smith 3rd Pursuit Sqn. Nov 1941 in 1:48 scale by Hobby Master.
The Hawk 81-A2 “AVG” No. 77, flown by Robert Smith of the 3rd Pursuit Squadron in November 1941, was part of the legendary American Volunteer Group—better known as the Flying Tigers. What set this aircraft apart was its iconic shark-mouth nose art and rugged Curtiss P-40B design, which, while outclassed in speed by some adversaries, proved highly effective in the hands of skilled pilots using dive-and-zoom tactics. Operating in the skies over China and Burma before the U.S. officially entered WWII, Smith’s No. 77 symbolized not just early American resistance to Axis aggression, but also the ingenuity of volunteer pilots fighting with limited resources against overwhelming odds.
Hobby Master has earned a reputation as one of the top-tier brands for die-cast aircraft due to its meticulous attention to detail, durable metal build, and rich historical accuracy. Collectors often praise their models for realistic panel lines, pad‑printed placards, functional features like removable canopies and landing gear, and authentic detachable ordnance—all hallmarks of their popular Air Power Series. Hobbyists consider Hobby Master “top‑notch,” ideal for collectors seeking museum‑grade realism and durable craftsmanship.
The Hawk 81-A2 “AVG” No. 77, flown by Robert Smith of the 3rd Pursuit Squadron in November 1941, was part of the legendary American Volunteer Group—better known as the Flying Tigers. What set this aircraft apart was its iconic shark-mouth nose art and rugged Curtiss P-40B design, which, while outclassed in speed by some adversaries, proved highly effective in the hands of skilled pilots using dive-and-zoom tactics. Operating in the skies over China and Burma before the U.S. officially entered WWII, Smith’s No. 77 symbolized not just early American resistance to Axis aggression, but also the ingenuity of volunteer pilots fighting with limited resources against overwhelming odds.
Hobby Master has earned a reputation as one of the top-tier brands for die-cast aircraft due to its meticulous attention to detail, durable metal build, and rich historical accuracy. Collectors often praise their models for realistic panel lines, pad‑printed placards, functional features like removable canopies and landing gear, and authentic detachable ordnance—all hallmarks of their popular Air Power Series. Hobbyists consider Hobby Master “top‑notch,” ideal for collectors seeking museum‑grade realism and durable craftsmanship.
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