Quick reviews of San Francisco Bay Area Hobby Shops

Berkeley Ace Hardware

2145 University Ave, Berkeley, CA – (510) 845-0410

http://berkeleyace.com/ (under construction…)

For the airplane modeler, this is the Bay Area’s gold standard. Everything

from the mainstream; Airfix/Heller, Hasegawa, Italeri, Revell, Tamiya and

Trumpeter, to A-model, Anigrand, High Planes, MPM, Pavla, Special Hobby,

Supermodel, Sweet and Valom are on the shelf. Detailing sets from Ares,

Squadron, etc, are in the cabinent, as well as bagged kits from Bilek,

Pegasus, etc. The latest and greatest, particularly in model airplane kits, is

here. There is a big display of new kits on both sides of the stair-case

going down from the store’s entrance. A small display case holds local

modeler’s efforts. Also, the oldest, best and in some ways wierdest collection

of built models hanging from the ceiling.

Then there are the 2nd hand relics (Airfix/Buzco/Frog/Heller/Hasegawa/Revell)

going back to the 1960s (or earlier). For example, you can buy a 1/72 Frog

F4F Wildcat from before 1975, the Novo issue of same kit from 1975-1990, the

Eastern Express re-issue (with a great decal sheet) from last year, the

Minicraft/Academy kit which was clearly *inspired* by the Frog kit’s design,

Revell or Airfix’s kit from the 1960s, or Hasegawa’s recent, and superb,

version. Or Sword’s FM-2. Want a different scale? There’s a story there too.

The armor/military selection is wide but thinner than the airplane section.

The car section is somewhere between those two, and the ships/naval section is

wide but very thin. Lots of different subjects, lots of different scales.

They stock Model Master Acryl and oil-based, Tamiya, Floquil, Badger’s brand

of acrylics, some Gunze-Sangyo, along with tools, fillers, glues, finishing supplies,

If I could change one thing I’ve have them stock Polly Scale

paint but with RPM’s MSRP for Polly Scale at $3.99 and Testor’s MM Acryl at

$2.99, its not hard to understand why they don’t. The styrene, wood and

metal stock section is the most extensive locally, as it should be for the

university students, scale modelers, and model railroaders, not to mention science-fair entrants.

The train section is vast, with a great H.O. and N scale engines, cars, track,

features, etc, selection, parts, scratch building materials, decals, etc. A

pair of H.O. tracks are suspended from the ceiling and the staff will switch

on the pair of trains, one passenger, one goods, going in opposite directions.

Upstairs in the big room, an even larger suspended track allows one train to

circulate over the main floor, and you can view it at eye level from the

Electrical department’s staircase. There is also a large, multi-loop, layout

in the front window, on the South East corner.

1/32 and H.O. slot cars are also well represented, and there are test tracks

for both sizes at the Train department counter.

Prices are normal to, “Hey, this is a great deal!” Customer service varies

from very good (some of the staff are modelers) to rudimentary (some of the

staff are NOT modelers…). The complete hardware store upstairs, the

extensive Hot Wheels display, some Gashpon, some aftermarket decals and a lot

of reference books round out the offering. This is where my wife gets my

birthday and Christmas presents…

The last thing I bought here was a Smer 1/72 Spitfire Mk VI, made from

someone’s MkV kit by adding a tree of wingtip extensions, metal covered

alerons, a scoop for presurization and a newly tooled windscreen and canopy.

Boss Robot Hobby

2953 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705 – (510) 841-1680

http://www.bossrobot.com

Primarily a place for RC, slot cars, and Japanese Robot / Monster /

anime-themed stuff, they do have paint and finishing supplies, and

sometimes, scale plastic kits. More often, just Gundams and Tamiya educational

products. It has to be the smallest hobby shop in the Bay Area, and the

owner is helpful and thoughtful.

The last thing I bought here was a 1/72 Italeri Lockheed-Martin X-35 JSF.

Capitola Hobbies

3555 Clares St, Capitola, CA – (831) 462-3555

http://www.capitolahobbies.com/

Tidy, small, with a surprisingly wide range of plastic kits, as well as RC,

balsa and foam flying models, kites, paints and finishing supplies, games,

some toys, die-cast vehicles, etc.

The total stock of kits is small but wide, Tamiya racing cars along with

AMT and Revell cars, airplanes from the usual Hasegawa, Tamiya, Revell

Monogram, Revell Germany, and Italeri, Minicraft, and

Special Hobby (!). Model Master paints.

The owner is clearly intent on staying in business, nothing is gathering dust.

A fine place to support the local economy during a day off or a

weekend at the beach.

The last thing I bought there was a Sword 1/72 Grumman F8F-1/2 Bearcat,

steeply discounted, and some Model Master Acryl paints.

Chan’s Trains & Hobbies

2450 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109. (415) 885-2899.

http://www.chanstrains.com/

Very much a train store, with a small range of good-quality, mainstream,

models, on one shelf out of 4 or 5. A good range of tools, Model Master

(solvent based) paints, good balsa, bass and styrene stock. Some built kits

hanging in the front window. The owner has been running this store for decades

and the stock reflects what his customers are buying. Not so many plastic

models, but some, and not junk. For a small stock, there are a relatively

large number of big kits (Monogram’s 1/48 B-29, large ships, etc.)

leaving me feeling that some of the sales are gifts bought by train fans for

non-train-fan children or relatives. In contrast to the well regulated plastic

kit department, the trains and train accessories are a riot of new to ancient,

with many cottage industry suppliers represented. If you can get into 1/87, or

other railroad scales, you’ll find a lot of vehicles, figures and structure

kits. Again reflecting the buyers, RC electric vehicles (planes, cars, helos)

are stocked, with parts and accessories. From the scale modeler’s perspective,

this is a nice, neighborhood shop.

The last thing I bought here was Evergreen 0.040″ / 1mm half-round styrene

strip stock and a pair of drill bits, 0.040″ and 0.0145″.

Dan Webb Books

15 Grand Ave, Oakland CA 94612 – (510) 444-4572 **limited hours! Tue

thru Sat 11-4**

http://www.danwebbbooks.com/

The best bookstore for modelers I have ever seen- so good they even

have a few plastic kits on the shelves! (These probably came in boxes

of books…) The primary focus is aviation subjects, civil and

technical as well as military, and military and naval. An interesting

assortment of automobile, railroad, civil sea-fairing and boating

books and magazines are available, (more than I’ve seen in almost any

other store). Stock is sorted into technically focused, operational

histories, and of course there are a lot of memiors and proper

history. Nearly one wall is more typical used-bookstore items-

literature, physical science, art, mysteries, children’s books, recent

titles in hardback and paperback.

The civil aviation section is a whole book case, right by the

register, with more titles than you’d typically see in the entire

transportation section of a conventional book store. Airframe and

engine development are another whole bookcase. “RAF, Battle of Britan”

and “Luftwaffe, Battle Of Britan” are separate shelves. In the core

stock there is a free mix of rare, out of print and new, in-print

works, on the shelves and laid out for easy browsing on the large

tables that fill the center of the store. Then there are the boxes of

paperback references- Motorbooks, Osprey, Aircam, Kokobura, Schiffer,

Airlife, Bunrin-do and Eastern European titles. And boxes of the

Squadron In Action series, model railroad magazines, model airplane

magazines, military and figure magazines, model ship magazines. The

Naval Institute Procedings, Air Force Review, rail enthusiast

publications, etc. etc.

This is one place you simply have to set a budget for yourself before

you go in, because you’ll find more than you can afford (or explain) 9

times out of 10. Mr Webb clearly loves both books and the subjects his

store focuses on, and there is frequently a discussion between him and

his friends, associates, and down-town neighbors going on at the front

of the store. The shop does buy used books, which are inspected and

valued at the front desk. Magazines are not typically bought- the shop

is overflowing as it is.

Both Dan and his store are Bay Area treasures and this is, perhaps,

the best place of all for the hard-core Advanced Modeler Syndrome

sufferer, because you can get that reference that will allow you to

finish something!

The last things I bought here were Squadron’s “B-29 In Action”, a

paperback copy of “Is Paris Burning” and Norris and Wagner’s “Boeing

737 -100 and -200″.

D & J Hobby & Crafts

96 N San Tomas Aquino Rd, Campbell, CA – (408) 379-1696

http://www.djhobby.com/

This used to be my gold standard for plastic kit hobby shops- they still have

extensive paints, (Tamiya, Gunze-Sanyo, Model Master, Polly Scale, Humbroil (!))

tool, and adhesive lines, and carry some car, military, airplane and

ship kits, and a lot of magazines, but it ain’t like the old days. Stock does not turn as frequently,

plastic kits have been reduced to about 30% of their peak shelf space.

That said, They still carry themselves like royalty; examples of the

newest, neatest, kits are up at the register, already open and ready for you to look

at. Just ask. Lots of tools and a huge decal selection too.

In airplane models, they are down to this and that from Revell Germany, Revell-Monogram, Hasegawa

and Italeri, with some Tamiya and Academy, some of the smaller makers

(Acurate Miniatures, MPM, Special Hobby, Testors, Smer, L&S/Arii, etc), and too

much Minicraft. Cars have the usual ERTL/AMT, Revell, Tamiya, Academy, as well

as Heller/Airfix, Aoshima, etc. This is the most reduced section, I think.

In armor they have a lot of 1/35 from the usual suspects (Tamiya, Dragon,

Italeri) some AFV Club and other specialists, and some 1/7x (Revell, ERTL,Dragon, Italeri, Hasegawa) with a wide variety of 1/72-1/76 scale figures.

Most ship kits are Revell, Academy or Tamiya, with some Trumpeter and Lindberg.

Besides paints, where they really stand out is a truely VAST selection of

aircraft, military and car decals- probably the best I’ve ever seen in

person. They also have a huge RC & flying model department, a large games

and figures department, large trains department and very large slot car

department. A huge arts and crafts setup is in the other half of the building.

In airplanes, at least, they seem to have stocked too many kits of a limited range,

rather than smaller numbers of a broader range. Two dozen of Revell Germany’s

1/144 E-2 Hawkeye or a dozen or half a dozen of each marking version of

Minicraft’s 737-300, L.1049, etc, is just too many, even for a large store, and they sit on the

shelf making it look like nobody is interested. There appears to have been

more than one wave of turnover among the modeling staff in the last 5 years.

If they have what you want, or you’re open to a variety, they can be great,

still. But looking for something specific, and popular, is a roll of the dice. Things will improve when they clean out the airplane section, I hope. They’re still a good source for unusual car kits, though no longer the best.

The last thing I bought there were 1/72 Hawker Hurricane decals.

Franciscan Hobbies,

1920-A Ocean Avenue San Francisco, CA 94127-2745 – 415 584 3919

http://www.franciscanhobbies.com/

A medium-to-big, full range hobby shop. They stock a wide variety of

plastic kits,

with a particularly impressive model ship section. Planes and cars and

armor/military each get a display shelf, and stock is not restricted to

mainstream suppliers. There isn’t a full range of any product line, but there

are plenty of specialist kits, enough Revell-Monogram, Trumpeter, Hasegawa,

Tamiya, Italeri, etc, Like Hobbies Unlimited and Berkeley Ace, they have a

special display of new, big, expensive kits, up on the wall, just to whet

your appetite.

Trains are probably the biggest section, and I’m sure they make more money on

RC airplanes, cars and boats than scale models. A small selection of

aftermarket detail sets is at the register downstairs. Squadron and other

softback reference books are plentiful, and magazines (including back issues

that must be old hordes being recycled) and a shelf of hardback references

in the finishing department. Bass, balsa, carbon fiber, metal sheet and

tubing, and fittings of every size, shape and description are available.

The staff is enthusiastic and helpful. There are wonderful flying stick and

tissue model airplanes hanging near the entrance, but no display shelf for

customer’s scale models. I have a sense that there isn’t an advocate for

static scale models in the staff I’ve met, but that they see a need and know

the business. Anything you can name can be ordered, of course.

The last things I got there were a (2nd hand) Falcon 1/72 F3D Skyknight, a bag

of cottage industry tarps and bags for armor detailing, an Eduard 1/72 F4F-4

brass photo-etch set and the smallest plastic model airplane ‘kit’ I’ve ever seen-

Plastruct’s 1/1000 civil airplane bag containing an SST and three large, single

prop low-wing jobs- Pilatus PC-12s? Very cool!

Gee-Bee Hobbee

234 Golf Club Rd Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (925) 798-5133

Had just changed owners and when I last dropped in, the old stock was being sold

off at (mostly) discount prices. I’m told they’ve re-stocked with Revell-Monogram and Revell Germany, and other manufacturers. I’ll have to go see them.

They had been very RC intense, which would keep the doors open and pay the

bills, but also had a wide range of flying models, craft stuff, mainstream

plastic models, some trains, and decades of ‘hobby shop stuff’- tools,

adhesives, specialty stuff. Model Master, Polly Scale and Tamiya paints, along

with airplane dope and RC Car body paints, and a good shelf of Squadron books.

The last thing I bought there was an A-Model 1/144 UH-16 Triphibian, priced a

bit over market, a Hobbycraft B-47, priced a bit below market, and a Revell

Ferrari 612 on sale for $10.

Gunnings’s Hobbies

538 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA 94960-2614 – (415) 454-3087

http://www.gunnings.com/

A local hobby and craft shop out by Red Hill in the middle of Marin County.

(Well away from highway 101.) Two facing shelves of plastic kits, mainstream

and good quality, Evergreen styrene stock, I can’t remember what paints they

had. Also doll-houses, trains, RC airplanes, cars, etc. All in a small shop,

everything somewhat on top of everything else. Like Chan’s, think ‘local’

rather than ‘gigantic emporium’ and you’ve got it right. Very nice staff, neat

neighborhood if you don’t have to put up with the traffic every day.

The last thing I bought there was a bag or two of Evergreen styrene tubing and

a Revell Germany 1/144 Airbus A-319. Revell Germany have Danny Coreman

(DACO/Skyline) do a lot of their decals and he did the British Airway’s and

the extensive detail markings that come with this kit.

Hobbies Unlimited

937 Manor Boulevard, San Lorenzo, CA 510-351-7112

(were on Hesparian, until late April, old # (510) 278-1150)

They have moved, a few blocks down from the Farnsworth/Manor intersection. Maybe 2 miles northwest of where they were. In a nice, quiet, clean little shopping center.

A broad-based, general purpose hobby shop, deepest in plastic scale models,

trains, RC and slot cars, flying models, lots of airplane, ship, military

and train references. Solvent-based Model Master and the full line of Tamiya

acrylic/alcohol-based paints, and Floquil solvent based railroad paints are stocked,

but no Model Master Acryl, or Tamiya static model spray paint. Paint and

finishes for model rockets, RC cars, planes and train layouts available as well. Lots of glues and specialized tools.

Of course they stock the Aristo-craft 130, 140, 260 and 280 size utility electric motors for science-fair projects and the like. Also Dumas boat motors and lots of power boat propellers- the plastic ones are cheap, the metal ones are NOT cheap. Big RC car tires and wheels aren’t cheap either ($10-20 for 2-4 wheels, 2-4 tires) but modern, rough and tough stuff.

In car kits, a large selection of domestic USA kits, Tamiya, some Hasegawa,

Fujimi, Italeri, sometimes Airfix or Heller. Lots of sports cars and Grand

Prix cars, besides the US muscle cars and dragsters.

In airplane kits, Monogram/Revell, Airfix, Heller, Hasegawa, Tamiya, Accurate

Miniatures, Minicraft as well as short run kits, resin, photoetch and

vacuformed detaling parts are in stock. All scales, from 1/18 display models and

1/24 kits down to 1/144, 1/350 and 1/700 are available. Emphasis is 1/48 and

1/72 kits but this is consistently the best place for 1/144 kits in the Bay Area.

Naval and military/armor builders are also well served, lots of 1/35, some 1/7x and the new 1/48. Large selection and many choices. The owner displays

large kits at the end of the aisles and up on the walls, a lovely effect.

21st Ccntury Toys products are well stocked, both the

pre-built 1/18 planes and the 1/32 kits. Resin, photo-etched and

vacuformed accessory

and detail parts for airplane and car models are also well stocked.

For the flying model builder, balsa wood in 3 foot and 4 foot lengths is available, along with all the fiddly bits, high quality contemporary stick and tissue kits, gas and electric kits, and intro/easy flyer stuff. RC gear, motors, etc.

At their old location, of all the shops I visit, this was the one where you were most likely to find other scale modelers standing around talking. Sometimes even about models. With flying models, trains, scale kits, references, paints, RC cars, planes and boats, slot cars and magazines for all the above, all under one roof, they may be strongest ‘general’ hobby shop shop left to us. J & M would come in second, and Talbots, Franciscan and Fremont Hobby Town would tie for third. I hope this tradition continues at the new location.

The last things I bought here were a set of True Details 1/48 resin tires and

wheels for the AMT 1/48 F7F-3 and the new Squadron US Attack Submarines book,

Hobby Company,

5150 Geary Blvd San Francisco, CA 94118 – (415) 386-2802

http://www.hobbycosf.com/

Bigger than ‘local’, they have a fairly good stock of car and airplane kits,

some armor/military/figures, ships, spaceships and fantasy figures. All

mainstream, with the usual US and Asian brands, Revell Germany, BUM and

Italeri. A largish collection of magazines and some hard and

softback reference books too. The paint and finishing material stock is

extensive, with Model Master solvent and Acryl lines, Tamiya and Gunze-Sanyo.

The arts and crafts side has a huge range of brushes, along with extensive

art paints and supplies, craft stuff, RC plane & car supplies, doll house

supplies, etc. Some train stuff but much smaller than static scale models.

They don’t stock complete lines of models, but its not hard to find something

of interest, and the stock turns regularly. A nice display case built into the

front counter shows lots of car models from the local modelers. If I needed

a mix of modeling and arts and crafts item this would be my first choice,

in San Francisco.

The last things I bought there was a Tamiya 1/48 Sherman Firefly IC, a hardback

on the Lockheed Constellation with extensive color profiles and a bottle of

Gunze Sanyo paint.

Hobbytown USA – Fremont

39152 Fremont Hub, Fremont, CA – (510) 796-2744

http://www.hobbytown.com/CAFRM/

My favorite Hobbytown, of the several that I’ve visited, since the old

Milpitas store closed. Well stocked with Model Master, (acryl, military

and automotive), Tamiya (bottles and spray cans) and Polly Scale (aircraft

AND train lines) paints, also Vallejo’s full line of acrylics in squeeze

bottles. Tools and adhesives of many kinds.

Airplane, Ship, and Military kits get a facing shelf unit each,

separated by an aisle, Cars get a wall display across the end of the

aisles. A good range of mass-market kits, but no cottage industry stuff,

no resin or photo-etch accessories, no airliner decals, SNJ or Alclad, etc…

Osprey and Squadron books are in stock, and a decreasing selection of

Aeromaster decals, mostly 1/48 fighters (duh).

They are a volume outlet and the stock turns over pretty well. Tamiya,

Hasegawa, Revell/Monogram, Revell Germany, Academy, Minicraft, Testors,

Airfix, Heller, Trupeter, ERTL/AMT and some Aoshima Japanese drifters are all

in large supply. A LOT of die-cast collectors stuff in traditional modeler’s scales

also get a pair of facing shelves, and Japanese Gashpon trading kits are

available.They also carry RC, trains and slot cars, arts and crafts stuff for

kids. Things that move too slowly get marked down with bright green ’sale’ stickers, 25% off,

typically. There used to be a ’sale table’ but recently the bargains have been left out with the general run of products, so browsing is well rewarded.

Its a big store, and they seem serious about serving the local customers. But plastic scale models isn’t something that any of the staff I’ve met actually are interested in, so the result is somewhat out of a cookbook rather than from the heart.

The last things I bought here were a Revell 1/72 Hawker Hurricane Mk IIb, a

set of photo-etched windshield wipers for 1/24-1/25 scale cars and a bag of

beige flocking for the interiors of same.

Hobbytown USA – Sunnyvale

585 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA – (408) 738-9600

http://www.hobbytown.com/CASUN/

A smaller Hobbytown (they’re a franchise…) with one shelf of airplanes,

cars, armor/military, ships, Model Master Acryl and oil based paints. Lots of

tools and adhesives and figure painting paints. Obviously the big turnover for

them is RC and stocking spare and repair parts for RC cars, planes,

helocopters. I’m sure they could order static scale stuff through normal

distributors.

The last things I bought here were two sets of 1/72 figures, (Lewis

and Clark expedition,

British 8th Army), four bottles of Model Master Acryl paint and a

really great red sable

brush.

Japantown Collectibles – Japan Center Kinokuniya Bldg.,

1st Floor, 1581 Webster Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 Tel: 415-563-2970

Oriented toward the anime and Japanese culture fan, plastic kits are only a

small part of their stock, but they take them seriously. Lots of movie

and TV theme

car and plane kits that you’d otherwise only seee at Hobby Link Japan,

as well as

non-marketing-tie-in stuff that isn’t normally sent to the US market, like

Toyota Leven 86 drift racers and the Honda Beat micro-super-car. This is the

only place I have ever seen the Airfix TSR-2 on the shelf, and they stocked it

because a look-alike was in an anime movie/series! With Airfix and other

non-Asian brands in stock, you’re looking at a wide, wide, assortment of kits

here, and the staff is both enthusiastic and informed. Its hard to predict

which Drift Grand Prix, Space Battleship Yamato, Gundam, etc, kits might be in

stock, but of you’re interests go that way, this is definately a place to try.

If you’re after something specific, call first.

The last thing I bought there was an Aoshima Honda Beat convertable.

J & M Hobby House

1660 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA – (650) 593-5019

Up to the minute stock with the comprehensive and warm environment of

the old-style

Hobby and Crafts store. Hobbies are in the back, Crafts up front, and

the husband

and wife team that run this place have been there for 30+ years. The building is

an old dear of Art Deco style, worth a trip just to see itself. Stock

is varied and

fresh, mostly mainstream but with some cottage industry/short run stuff.

Naturally they have the Aristo-craft 130, 140, 260 and 280 utility electric motors in stock, along with several different assortments gears, Tamiya’s very nice gear-boxes, larger motors etc, for the inventor/tinkerer/science-fair participant.

Among plastic scale models, planes, cars and ships get the most shelf

military vehicles but less than, say, Hobbies Unlimited or Berkeley

Ace Hardware.

Full range of Model Master and Tamiya paints, Squadron books, Huge

selection of RC

planes, helicopters and boats, an amazing selection of HO slot car hop-up parts,

a substantial train department and operating ship models.

Far from living in the past, they listen to their customers, clearly

know quality

when they see it, only have one or at most two of anything in the wall of kits.

They sell a lot of RC Electric stuff to hardcore fliers, hop-up parts

to slot-racers.

The counter people sound like they know what they’re talking about.

If you visit only one store that’s new to you on this list, this should be it.

Then Yannis, and the rest.

The last things I bought from them was an ICM 1/48 Supermarine

Spitfire Mk VII and a

Lindberg 1/32 1936 Ford Coupe.

Kit & Caboodle the Hobby Shop – MOVED! NOW:

3675 Main, Oakley, CA – 925 625 6000

10-7, Tuesday-Friday, shorter hours Saturday.

http://www.kit-and-caboodle.com/

FORMERLY:

425 San Pablo Ave, Albany, CA 94706 – 510 524 9942

The former local hobby shop north of Berkeley, in Albany, near the BART station. Kit and Caboodle (Note, K, then C, and the web address has embedded “-” dash characters) seem to have moved to Oakley. I haven’t visited them there yet.

In the old days, they had the most depth in RC (at a guess RC airplanes) and trains, with an interesting

selection of plastic airplanes, some cars and some armor/military/ships etc.

Some of the stock was clearly new, some quite obscure (Pegasus WWI subjects,

Aircraft In Miniature vac-kits of transport aircraft in 1/72…)

I think a some of the airplane kit stock must have been second hand, there are only

a few of the 1/48 Monogram/Revell/Hasegawa/Tamiya/Academey kits that

set the pace for plastic modelling today. So you might have found an old dear by Airfix, Hasegawa,

Heller or Monogram, Italeri or Frog, in 1:72, or you might find the latest Revell Germany or

Tamya kit. Model Master and Polly Scale paint were in stock, and extensive paint

and finishing tools and supplies. (Railroad influence probably)

A large range of spare and repair parts for outdoor planes, cars,

rockets, etc, and sage advise for beginnners, was available. All of the staff

appeared to be even older than this faithful scribe, which may explain why

everything was so orderly and neat. They were very nice people and could

doubtless order anything that’s available through normal channels.

The last thing I bought, at their old, Albany, location, was a set of Model Master photo-etch part clippers- similar to plastic part clippers but about twice as expensive, with hardened blades.

Nor Cal Hobbies & Raceway

30600 Union City Blvd, Union City, CA – (510) 324-5700

http://www.norcalhobbies.com/

Aimed at the RC Car fan, they have one shelf unit of scale models, a

fair selection

of Tamiya, Hasegawa, Dragon, Revell, Academy, Italeri, planes, and military,

some cars, motorcycles and naval ships. Almost all good stuff too. Tools and

supplies are mostly RC oriented, but the vibe is good and though it moves

slowly, the stock is fresh, since they opened about a year ago. Prices are

suggested retail, not jacked up, as sometimes happens. Odds of finding exactly

what you’re looking for are low, but you can get a good kit for a present or

make a lucky find. It’ll be interesting to see if they re-stock or

just let it run down.

The last thing I bought here was the Tamiya 1/700 Russian Kursk waterline sub.

R C Unlimited

Rc Unlimited Hobby Shop

Slot Cars and Hobbies

Slot Cars Unlimited Raceway

Speedway

Castle Hobbies

14910 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA – (408) 377-7760

14918 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA – (408) 377-3771

http://www.rcunlimited.net/

They have a variety of names, but the 5 digit address on Camden is common. A

full-range RC Car shop, with some RC airplane and scale modelling stock. They

have an old, commercial, 1/24-1/32 slotcar track and lots of cars, parts,

historic stuff, etc. Some modern 1/32 home slot car stuff as well. An employee

there told me they bought-out the last of San Antonio Hobby’s stock, at least

in plastic kits and RC Cars. They have SA’s sign.

The plastic kits don’t turn very quickly, but they maintain a stock in cars and some planes. Tamiya Acrylic and Testor’s Model Master oil-based paints are both stocked, brush and spray types. Lots of brushes and other finishing supplies. Last time I was there I was looking for Metalizer but they didn’t have any in rattle cans. Last thing I bought was Tamiya static model car spray paint.

Slot Car Magic and Hobbies

104 Parrott St, San Leandro, CA – (510) 357-8514

http://www.slotcarmagic.com/

Primarily 1/32 slot cars, parts and accessories, and a lovely 4 lane track for

same. Computerized timing shows 6 or maybe 8 second laps, which is a long time

for a modern, spot-magnent-equipped, 1/32 scale-looking car from Scalectric,

Fly, Monogram, etc.

There is a selection of car and airplane static scale models in the back,

and a modest selection of paints and adhesives. Cars tend to be US muscle

cars from the 1960s and ’70s, airplanes are a small range of 1/144, 1/72,

1/48 and 1/32, almost all military subjects, but recent stuff and not junk.

Open late Friday and Saturday night for racing, this might be the place for

a quick purchase at 8:30pm. The couple that owns this place work hard every

day and its got a big heart. Naturally, they can order models and supplies.

The last thing I bought here was Testor’s dark metalic blue, rattle-can and brushing type, and some 1/16″ masking tape stripe for airline models..

Sheldon’s Hobbies

2130 Trade Zone Blvd, San Jose, CA – (408) 943-0220

http://www.sheldonshobbies.com/

The bulldozers got their old building on Old Oakland Road, but they’ve

relocated. Sheldon’s carries a small selection of static kits, but also a full line of Model

Master, Tamiya and Polly Scale model paints, epoxy and solvent-based putties,

brushes, sanding sticks, tools, scale references (mostly aimed at flying

modelsj), balsa, carbon fiber, basswood, hardwoods, aluminum, steel,

brass are all in

stock. And, of course, their main business of flying models, RC, U-control and

free flight, and RC cars, on-road and off-road, with finishing supplies for

cars and planes. They have an indoor track for RC cars in the back of the building. Three guys were drifting their cars around faster and I could when I was there last, and more were arriving as I left.

The last thing I bought here was a tube of Tamiya rubbing compound, a carbon fiber tube and a wide roll of fiber reinforced strapping tape, for use on a tape-reinforced styrofoam gliders and powered planes.

Talbots Toyland

445 S B St, San Mateo, CA – (650) 931-8100

http://www.talbotstoyland.com/

Between Talbots and J&M its clear that some kind of time-warp is at work on

the San Francisco Penninsula. To J&M’s classic old school hobby shop, working

in the 21st century, Talbots is an old school downtown toy story doing the

same, with its hobby department still thriving and vital.

Kits are all mainstream but the stocking is good, a fair variety is available,

and the magazine shelves includes both periodicals and Squadron and

other references

in soft cover. Kits are mostly cars, airplanes, some armor/military,

some ships,

the usual formula. Trupeter, Revell Germany, Italeri, Monogram

Revell, Hasegawa,

Tamiya, AMT/Ertl, etc, are the main kit vendors.

They have Model Master and Tamiya paint, some aftermarket decals. A small number

of very nice models are displayed in one case. Other “hobby” items include

trains, RC cars and planes, rockets, etc. A very large selection of diecasts

at the front of the hobby section will make you want to build better looking

models from plastic kits.

The last thing I bought here was the Tamiya 1/72 Supermarine Spitfire

MkV/Trop, and a set of U.S. star with yellow circle decals.

Toy Safari

1410 Park St Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 522-1723

I shouldn’t tell you about this place, but I will. This is a very nice, local,

toy shop, with a small, *very* eclectic model department. Everything from

two new 1/72 TBD Devastator kits (Valom’s new tooling and the recent reboxing

of Airfix’s 35+ year old effort) to a 1960s issue of Airfix’s venerable 2

pounder and Bren Gun Carrier. Star Wars kits, AMT and Fine Molds, are very

well represented. No paint, glue, or tools displayed. The ancient and

collectible kits have market (high, but fair) prices.

The stock is too small and too greatly varied to count on finding anything in

particular, but its not going to be boring! Some is clearly second hand,

perhaps estate and garage sales are the primary source.

The last thing I bought here was the original Bandai boxing of the two person

gunship from Miyazaki’s “Princess Nausicaa”.

Yannis Hobbies

4846 El Camino Real suite 10, Los Altos, CA – (650) 965-2113

Where the action is in super-premium scale modeling in the Bay Area- think Ben

and Jerry’s. The latest kits and reference material, from a wide range of

sources, for airplanes, cars, military, some ships, and some die-cast. Here’s

where to find books you never knew existed, where to see with your own eyes

some kit that just appeared in the Squadron catalog, where to find

magazines that

aren’t on any other shelf within 2000 miles.

Tamiya and Model Master paints, some tools and brushes, some decals.

Airplane and military/armor selection is very broad but not exhaustive;

anything can be ordered with a 2-4 day turn

In many ways this is a better replacement for San Antonio Hobbies than

San Antonio

itself was in the last decade(s). I’ve walked in and seen something I

*must* have

on almost every visit. And Yanni is one of us- a modeler, intense, someone

who really digs a cool kit, or the one kit of a cool original.

And there’s nothing snooty here- you don’t have to wonder if you qualify.

The several, small, display cases around the shop show a range of

local modeler’s

talent, from stuff I only imagine doing to things that were clearly works of

enthusiasm rather than skill. Shelves, tables and the counter are overflowing

with kits, magazines and other desirables. Its like Christmas. There are a few

inexpensive kits, but typical prices are MSRP, $12-25 (and up).

The last thing I bought here was a Hobby Boss 1/48 T-34/76 kit, which is a

scale-down of the Trumpeter 1/16 kit from a few years ago Comes with complete

interior and engine, $19.95!

———-========== * # * ==========———-

Places I haven’t visited yet:

Brentwood Hobbies

160 Chestnut St, Brentwood, CA – (925) 240-7111

Hobbytown USA

Sunrise Plaza, 638 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA – (408) 229-1972

Haven’t been there yet.

Hobby World

6901 Monterey Rd, Gilroy, CA – (408) 847-8799

Hobbytown, USA,

Petaluma

———-========== * # * ==========———-

Not-really-static-scale-model-places that I’ve visited:

Games of Berkeley

2151 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA – (510) 540-7822

No static plastic models. A wide range of game figures and figure

painting supplies

R C World of Planes

520 Lawrence Expy 307, Sunnyvale, CA – (408) 732-9029

No static plastic models.

RC Planes, a bit of balsa wood and carbon fiber for the scratchbuilder.

Victors Hobbies Inc

39269 Cedar Blvd, Newark, CA – (510) 796-8049

No static plastic models.

RC Planes and cars, balsawood, basswood, and carbon fiber for the

scratchbuilder.

Aeromicro

1655 S De Anza Blvd, Cupertino, CA – (408) 255-5566 – near SCOTT in SANTA CLARA NOW

No static, plastic, models.

Nice flying model ship, pretty much all RC electric.

Legends Diecast & Collectibles

790 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA – (650) 508-8588

No static kits.

A VAST stock of diecasts. But I prefer to build my own. I’ve never seen them

actually open but looking through their window is a treat.

Gator Games & Hobby,

4212 Olympic Ave, San Mateo, CA – (650) 571-7529

Not really a kit builders place. Game pieces, figures, paint and finishing

supplies.

Hobby Engineering Store

180 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA – (650) 552-9950 (650) 552-9925

The place to get parts for the robot or other complex, technical, thing that

you’re building at home. Nice people, neat stuff, though not cheap. Scale

modelers can get latex mold and resin-casting supplies here, as well as parts

for working features, sensors to detect triggers in the environment, etc.

Arch

99 Missouri St San Francisco, CA 94107 – 415) 433-2724

Listed as a hobby shop, they’re an art supply store, with lots of airbrush,

X-acto knife, finishing tools, etc. But no kits, as such.

Cliff’s Variety

Castro, San Francisco, CA

Reported on the Internet to have models and hobby supplies, the nice fellow I

spoke with on the telephone checked and came back to say that they didn’t have

any such stock at the moment.

———-========== * # * ==========———-

Games, Trains, RC, other specialists, but not plastic kit sources:

R C Tech

1618 Sullivan Ave, Daly City, CA – (650) 992-7600

California Hobbies LLC

1702 Meridian Ave I, San Jose, CA – (408) 448-1449

RC Airplanes.

Games Workshop

925 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA – (408) 226-6325

Figures, paints and supplies. A source of paint, brushes, etc, if

you’re close or their hours fit you.

Grandrc

2235 Grant Rd, Los Altos, CA – (650) 962-0400

Games Workshop

1466 Stoneridge Mall Rd, Pleasanton, CA – (925) 463-1481

Loco-Boose Electric Train Shop

260 Main St D, Redwood City, CA – (650) 368-1254

Nor Cal Trains

2791 Depot Rd, Hayward, CA – (510) 887-7115

R C World

4088 East Ave, Livermore, CA – (925) 960-1158

Welly USA Inc

23759 Eichler St J, Hayward, CA – (510) 782-8198

Caboose

1225 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA – (650) 508-8669

Starwood Scale Models

17 Starwood Dr, Woodside, CA – (650) 851-9027

Uppa Valley Lines

PO Box 60613, Sunnyvale, CA – (408) 733-8772

Digital Bay Control Systems

17950 Hesperian Blvd, San Lorenzo, CA – (510) 276-2710

Kwok Silas Helicopters

1909 Valdez Ave, Belmont, CA – (650) 591-0888

Gary Mathews Enterprises

14297 Wicks Blvd, San Leandro, CA – (510) 351-3503

Epic Adventure Games

222 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley, CA – (831) 438-2032

Peninsula Channel Commander

22300 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA – (650) 726-1452

Tom’s Trackside Trains

1675 Rollins Rd B1, Burlingame, CA – (650) 692-9724

Homeroom Racing Cafe

Was on Webster, said to be moving back to Park St, Alameda, CA – (510) 865-1575 Nice people.

Clawson Cassidy

3110 Porter St, Soquel, CA – (831) 479-1680

Toy Train Depot

1951 Bywood Dr, Oakland, CA – (510) 444-8724

All Speed Hobbies

230 S Spruce Ave, S San Francisco, CA – (650) 692-6180

———-========== * # * ==========———-

No longer in business: Sigh.

Hobby World: San Jose

6148 Bollinger Rd, San Jose, CA – (408) 873-2109

I have to believe this was an offshoot of Hobby World in Gilroy. They were big

on 1/28 Tamiya racing, with comic books, collectables and trading cards, lots

of RC cars, some RC planes, and a somewhat wierd selection of plastic kits.

Closed now, and empty.

The last thing I bought here was the Lee 1/144 F-14A kit- yet another bad

F-14, not even a copy of any of the existing bad F-14s.

Marsten’s Crafts and Hobbies

Princeton Plaza? Meridian and …

My childhood favorite, full service, plastic models, trains, balsa, slot cars.

Huge stock, brass trains, unpainted, in the window, packaged their own line of

craft supplies. Gone for at least 25 years now…

The last thing I clearly remember buying there was a Tamiya 1/48 M-60 tank,

possibly a Hawk Spitfire Mk 24.

Pepeno’s Hobby

3016 Macarthur Blvd, Oakland, CA – (510) 482-3300

Found in recent internet searches. There isn’t a hobby shop any more at that

address. A zombie name and address from the past? Its in the current phone book…

Root’s Hobby Hut

Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA

This closed store front stood empty for years, with the sign unlit but still

visbile. 1960s vintage? The sign is now painted out and its a tatto parlor.

Scenario Game & Hobbie Shop

37757 Duvall Ct, Fremont, CA – (510) 792-5468

No longer in business, they couldn’t make their old business work in a

new, rented, building, so they’ve closed.

The last thing I bought here was a can of airbrush propellant.

Wold’s Hobbies

7100 Village Pkwy, Dublin, CA – (925) 828-5350

Was a great place, now closed- the owner retired. They’ll be missed. A full range shop with coin collecting and some scouting stuff as well as RC, scale kits, trains, slot cars, books, paint & finishing materials. Very nice. They’re missed.

The last thing I bought here was the Minicraft 1/144 R4D-5 “Operation High Jump”

C-47/C-53 THIS boxing has had better engine cowlings, engines and propellers

added, Bravo Minicraft! Now if they’d just fix their L.188 Electra’s horizontal

stabalizers (in the wrong place!),

Then could you convince Revell Germany to fix the

horizontal stabalizers on the 737-800 – swapped left and right! If you mount

them so the tab holds them at the right dihedral, the airfoil is upside down.

If you mount the airfoil correctly, they have anhedral, not dihedral, like an

F-4.

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