The Hobby Centre

06/10/2026

No thinning.
No mixing.
No guesswork.

We've uncovered a stash of Testors Aztek Airbrush Paints in our discount section.

These airbrush-ready acrylics were designed to spray straight from the bottle and come in a wide range of bright colours, metallics, pearls, transparents, and specialty finishes.

A great option for:

🚗 Automotive projects and custom paint schemes
🤖 Gundam and mecha builds
🚀 Sci-fi models and spacecraft
🎲 Miniatures and gaming pieces
🖨️ 3D printed models and props

🎨 $3 each
🎨 4 for $10
🎨 10 for $20

Available in-store only while quantities last.

Stop by The Hobby Centre and see what colours are hiding on the discount paint rack.

06/09/2026

🚗💨 NEW ARRIVALS: INITIAL D MODEL KITS FROM AOSHIMA! 💨🚗

If you grew up watching anime, playing arcade racers, or dreaming about Japanese sports cars, there's a good chance you've heard of Initial D.

Originally a manga and anime series that followed Takumi Fujiwara and his legendary Toyota AE86 through the mountain roads of Japan, Initial D helped introduce an entire generation to drifting, JDM car culture, and iconic machines like the AE86 Trueno, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, and more. The series remains one of the most influential automotive franchises ever created.

We've just received a selection of Aoshima Initial D kits in both 1/24 and 1/32 scale, featuring some of the most recognizable cars from the series.

Whether you're a long-time fan looking to recreate your favourite mountain pass battles or a car modeller wanting to add some legendary JDM machines to your collection, these kits are now available.

🏁 Multiple scales available
🏁 Iconic cars from the anime and manga
🏁 Perfect for JDM, motorsport, and anime fans alike

🚗💨 NEW ARRIVALS: INITIAL D MODEL KITS FROM AOSHIMA! 💨🚗

If you grew up watching anime, playing arcade racers, or dreaming about Japanese sports cars, there's a good chance you've heard of Initial D.

Originally a manga and anime series that followed Takumi Fujiwara and his legendary Toyota AE86 through the mountain roads of Japan, Initial D helped introduce an entire generation to drifting, JDM car culture, and iconic machines like the AE86 Trueno, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, and more. The series remains one of the most influential automotive franchises ever created.

We've just received a selection of Aoshima Initial D kits in both 1/24 and 1/32 scale, featuring some of the most recognizable cars from the series.

Whether you're a long-time fan looking to recreate your favourite mountain pass battles or a car modeller wanting to add some legendary JDM machines to your collection, these kits are now available.

🏁 Multiple scales available
🏁 Iconic cars from the anime and manga
🏁 Perfect for JDM, motorsport, and anime fans alike

https://rb.gy/4542r0

Shop online for in-store pickup or shipping, or stop by the store and check them out in person.

Which Initial D car is your favourite? The AE86? RX-7? Skyline? Let us know below!

06/09/2026

🚗 Back by Popular Demand: AMT's 1960 Chevy Nomad

When this newly tooled kit hit the market earlier this year, it quickly became one of the harder-to-find automotive releases around. Now we've secured **6 more kits** on our next order—and we're opening **online pre-orders immediately**.

Why pre-order?

✅ Guarantees your kit from our incoming allocation
✅ No wondering if one will still be available when they arrive
✅ Secure your copy now and we'll contact you when it's ready for pickup or shipping

The 1960 Chevy Nomad combines classic tailfin styling, chrome-heavy details, and one of the most recognizable station wagon designs ever produced. Whether you're a longtime car builder or adding another classic Chevrolet to the collection, this is a kit worth grabbing while it's available.

⚠️ Only 6 currently allocated: https://shorturl.at/QdiyJ

🛒 Pre-order yours now through our website before they're spoken for.

As always, if you're local, you can choose in-store pickup at checkout.

06/09/2026

New Arrivals + Restocks Have Landed!

If you've been waiting for AK weathering supplies, now is a good time to take a look online before making the trip.

We've just received a large AK Interactive restock, including many of the products that disappear from the shelves quickly:

✔ Streaking Grime
✔ Dry Ground and terrain effects
✔ Mud, dust, rust, and weathering products
https://shortlink.uk/1rh8V

✔ Diorama materials and textures
https://shortlink.uk/1rhez

✔ AK Wet Palettes
https://shortlink.uk/1rheK

We've also restocked several popular hobby tools and accessories:

🔹 DSPIAE Sanders
https://shortlink.uk/1wIaQ

🔹 The Cube Painting Tool
https://shortlink.uk/1wIb7

🔹 Moisturizing Colormaxing Box
https://shortlink.uk/1rhfo

As always, inventory can move quickly—especially on weathering products—so we recommend checking the website first to see what's available.

🛒 Browse online: www.hobcen.com

Order for pickup, have it shipped, or use the website to plan your next visit.

The Hobby Centre
Defined by your imaginations since 1986.

06/08/2026

New Round 2 kits NOW in STOCK! Question. Are Bronies still a thing??!!

06/06/2026

🚚 NEW FROM ITALERI! 🚚

We've got a fresh shipment of Italeri kits hitting the shelves, with something for aircraft, armor, and automotive builders alike.

✈️ 1/48 Spitfire Mk. IX Aces (2843)
One of the most famous fighters of the Second World War, featuring markings for several legendary RAF aces. A great way to add a true aviation icon to your collection.

https://sl1nk.com/ytwqt8l

🇮🇹 1/72 CANT Z.501 "Alcione" (1479)
A distinctive Italian reconnaissance and rescue flying boat with a unique silhouette that's sure to stand out in any aircraft collection.

https://l1nq.com/iu2og36

🚛 1/35 Opel Blitz Kfz.305 Typ A 4x4 (6760)
An all-new tooling of one of the Wehrmacht's most important transport vehicles. Features include new moulds, rubber tires, and multiple marking options, making it a great choice for both standalone builds and dioramas.

https://l1nq.com/gnaku33

🏁 1/24 Jägermeister Racing Car (3678)
Bright orange, instantly recognizable, and guaranteed to grab attention in any display case. A must-have for fans of classic motorsport subjects.

https://sl1nk.com/c6bjrp8

Whether you're into fighters, flying boats, military vehicles, or racing machines, there's something new waiting at The Hobby Centre.

📍 Visit us in-store or online at www.hobcen.com

06/05/2026

Here is the story of the Haida build from the people that coordinated the effort.

Esprit de Corps Magazine received a strange request from a veteran ...

06/03/2026

🚨 MINIART PRE-ORDER ALERT! 🚨

Hey Plastic People!

We've got a batch of upcoming MiniArt releases and reissues heading our way later this month, but there's a catch:

⏰ Pre-orders must be submitted by June 5 if you want us to secure your kit from the first shipment.

This wave includes a mix of:
✅ Brand-new tooling
✅ Returning favourites
✅ Limited production reissues

As many MiniArt builders already know, some releases can become difficult to find once the initial allocation is spoken for. Pre-ordering is the best way to make sure your kit doesn't end up on the "I should have ordered that" list.

Available for pre-order:

35466: 1/35 STANDARD N INDUSTRIAL TRACTOR. MOD.1940/42
https://l1nq.com/e3sb4ir

48035:" 1/35 FOCKE-WULF FW 190D-9 EARLY PROD. JG 54 „Grünherz“ https://l1nq.com/qg80oaw

48044: 1/48 48048 FOCKE-WULF FW 190D-9. MIMETALL PROD. ADVANCED KIT + Jens Köpke https://sl1nk.com/tn5cdpt

48068: 1/48 P-47N-2RE THUNDERBOLT https://l1nq.com/0rptiae

48011: 1/48 JUNKERS F13 MID PRODUCTION EARLY SERVICE https://sl1nk.com/l81k6v5

53003: 1/35 Kfz.1 GERMAN TROOP CARRIER TYPE 170VK WITH CANVAS https://sl1nk.com/kzhqr5z

53007: 1/35 RAUPENSCHLEPPER Ost RSO/01. LAST PROD https://sl1nk.com/qloq9q3

53055: 1/35 GERMAN 3T CARGO TRUCK WITH MG 151/20 DRILLING https://l1nq.com/nn26b3b

35437: 1/35 AUSTRALIAN STUART MK. I https://sl1nk.com/ne5y8sl

38112: 1/35 CHICKENS https://www.hobcen.com/collections/new-releases/products/min38112-1-35-chickens

49023: BRITISH BOMBS https://sl1nk.com/l8fa8l5

53002: GERMAN FIELD COMMUNICATIONS POINT https://l1nq.com/a56scus

53004: 1/35 US REPAIR CREW WITH EQUIPMENT https://sl1nk.com/9y2tvil

53051: 1/35 KAMPFGRUPPE HANSEN. BATTLE OF THE BULGE https://l1nq.com/vjyvavo

📅 Order Deadline: June 6
📦 Expected Arrival: Later this month (subject to distributor delivery schedules)

If you'd like one place your order through the website!

Don't see something you're looking for? Ask! Just because it's not on the shelf doesn't mean we can't get it.

06/03/2026

This is how the story ended. To see the beginning check out our video : https://youtu.be/WWm9ei5WQyQ

A Royal Canadian Navy veteran living in a Kelowna retirement residence had no idea what was coming when he wrote a simple letter asking for help finding a model of a ship he served on nearly 70 years ago.
Richard Brown, a resident at The Dorchester on Leon Avenue, served aboard the legendary HMCS Haida in the mid-Atlantic in 1956 as a Navy cadet.
The HMCS Haida is widely regarded as Canada's most decorated warship, having served in the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Cold War, sinking more enemy surface tonnage than any other vessel in Royal Canadian Navy history.
Brown served 25 years in the navy and was in search of a model of the famous ship to display.
A letter requesting a model of the ship landed on the desk of Scott Taylor, editor and publisher of Esprit de Corps, Canada's military magazine. Taylor tracked down Bill Chappell, proprietor of The Hobby Centre in Ottawa. Chappell found model builder and artist Hank Gruben to help recreate the famous ship.
Gruben spent more than 90 hours crafting a hand-modified replica, customized right down to the details of how she looked during Brown's 1956 service.
Getting the model safely to Kelowna took a relay of volunteers passing it hand to hand from Ottawa to Whistler to the Okanagan. The Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, reached by phone while in the Philippines, personally arranged for Chief Petty Officer Etienne Langlois to drive from CFB Esquimalt to make the formal presentation.
"It's always a great honour to honour any veteran," Langlois said. "The sacrifice that people make for their country always needs to be recognized."
Langlois says moments like these also give generations of sailors a chance to swap stories across the decades "and realize that even though there's maybe 30 years difference, they're always similar."
Brown says thinking back on his days aboard Haida brings back vivid memories, not all of them fond ones.
"Getting seasick. I was never sick in all my life, I just wasn't used to being on a ship," Brown said with a laugh.
Now that his long quest has been fulfilled, Brown has already found the perfect spot for his hard-won treasure — on the mantel in his room at The Dorchester.
Castanet See less

Join us as we build a Canadian ship, HMCS Haida, for a veteran who ...

06/03/2026

The perfect pairing!

1/32 F-16:

https://www.hobcen.com/products/tam60315-1-32-f-16cj-block-50-fighting-falcon?_pos=7&_sid=d4f08e384&_ss=r

1/32 accurate nozzle:

https://www.hobcen.com/products/k32003-1-32-f-16-f100-pw-200-220-exhaust-nozzle-resin-part?_pos=5&_sid=d4f08e384&_ss=r