Hobby Boss continues to expand it locomotive series in 1/72 scale by adding the German Br.86. There are over 220 parts on 7 sprues and an independently molded cab (probably with slide mold technology). One of the sprues is molded in clear for the cab windows. Along with the above-listed parts and sprues there is a display base. You have two marking options, a military one in field gray and a civilian locomotive in the typical red and black.

The overall surface detail is excellent and very delicate. I was surprised to see how fine the steam pipes were in the boiler sides. Overall fit is superb and I did not need to use filler anywhere, except in a spot where I damaged the part (i.e., my own fault).

Scale Aircraft Conversions is an aftermarket company that makes replacement white metal landing gear. According to their website they try to fix any inaccuracies in kit parts or to provide additional support due to the weight of the kit. They provide replacement landing gear for scales from 1/24th to 1/144th scale.

The pieces included in this set are the two main landing (MLG), two MLG retraction struts, nose gear, nose gear retraction struts, and the nose gear door linkage.

I always like to add figures to my builds to obtain a sense of scale. ICM has provided some of the best figures in plastic for some time. Their latest release is aimed at Father Winter and the German Luftwaffe.

They come packaged in a sturdy cardboard box with a beautiful painting of the figures on the front of the box top. A single sprue of light tan plastic is packed in a re-sealable plastic bag. Five figures and various components of a German airfield are included on the sprue. I could find no flash, and the faces, which are the basis of a good figure, are beautifully rendered.