New Hobby 2000 delivery – He 162 and the new K2 in Polish unit markings now in stock

A new Hobby 2000 delivery has just arrived. This time it brings three very different subjects, each with its own historical and modelling weight: two variants of the Heinkel He 162 Salamander in 1/32 scale, and a new edition of the K2 Black Panther in 1/35.

It is an interesting combination. On one side, a late-war jet born out of urgency and collapse; on the other, a modern main battle tank that is only now becoming part of Polish military reality. Different eras, different contexts – but each clearly defined.

Heinkel He 162 Salamander – an aircraft of the final months

The He 162 is one of those designs that immediately reflects the conditions in which it was created. A short fuselage, engine mounted above the spine, simplified construction – everything about it points to speed of development, material shortages and the need to deliver something operational as quickly as possible.

Developed in the final phase of the war, it was intended as a lightweight jet fighter that could be produced rapidly and in large numbers. Today it remains one of the most recognisable aircraft of the late-war Luftwaffe, and a particularly rewarding subject in scale form.

From a modelling perspective, the He 162 works especially well because of its scale and character. It is compact, but visually distinctive. The interest lies not only in markings, but in surface treatment – the interplay of materials, tonal variation, and the inconsistencies typical of late-war production.

Available in this delivery:

• Heinkel He 162 A-1 Salamander 1/32
• Heinkel He 162 A-2 Salamander 1/32

These are strong choices for anyone interested in late-war German aviation not as mythology, but as a record of improvisation, constraint and transition.

K2 Black Panther – from display subject to operational vehicle

The K2 Black Panther has already appeared in the Hobby 2000 range, but the earlier release was based on a single demonstration scheme. This new edition takes a clear step forward – and that step makes a real difference.

This time the kit includes five marking options for vehicles in actual Polish Army units. That shifts the subject from a generic “modern tank in Polish service” to something much more specific – vehicles tied to real units, locations and a defined moment in time.

This is also the point where a subject becomes more meaningful from a modelling perspective. Once equipment enters service, it begins to develop identity: unit markings, numbering systems, small variations between vehicles, and the first signs of use. That context is what gives a model depth.

This release focuses on vehicles from 2023–2025, capturing the early stage of K2 service in Poland – recent, but already structured and recognisable. It is a contemporary subject, but no longer abstract.

Available in this delivery:

• K2 “Black Panther” Polish Army 2023–25 1/35

If the previous K2 was a model “about the vehicle”, this one is about specific machines in specific units. In practice, that changes quite a lot.

Now available

All of these Hobby 2000 kits are now available in the shop. If one of these subjects resonates with you – late-war jets or contemporary Polish armour – it is worth taking a closer look at this delivery.