Anyone familiar with the Vickers name knows how critical their contribution to British industry has been. Starting in 1828 as a steel producer, the company diversified into arms, ships, railroad stock and aircraft. The aviation arm of the company got its start by building rigid airships and blimps. This experience not only gave them experience in building these types of structure, it also brought them Barnes Wallis as one of their designers. At the same time, they introduced the R.E.P. Type monoplane. This single seater had a steel tube frame and was used as the base trainer for a flying school Vickers opened. During the first World War, the “Gun Bus” series of pusher powered fighters were designed and built as well as the first multiengine military aircraft in the world, the E.F.B. 7, flown in August 1915. Vickers also built several other prototype fighter designs that contributed to the evolution of the type but were not produced in numbers.

The OV-10A Bronco was a highly versatile aircraft and proved itself during the Vietnam War. Some aircraft operated by the US Navy were used in an anti-submarine training squadron, VS-41, Shamrocks. Some of these Bronco’s were painted in black or a very dark blue over white camouflage scheme. Interestingly, I could not find any pictures of OV-10A’s in this color. A number of Bronco’s were also returned to service during Desert Storm.

ICM seemingly defies all logic and continues to excite the modeling community with excellent model kits from the Ukraine. Keep them coming!! They have proudly added “Made in Ukraine” on their box tops.

The OV-10 arrived packaged in ICM’s typical superb box. All the plastic contents were protected in bags, along with a glossy instruction manual and two decal sheets.