The Item

If you want to bring your 1:48 scale Do 217J model kit to the next level, this excellent white metal cast detail set is just the thing for you. This 12-piece complete gear set with spats not only provides sturdy, fully detailed parts replacements, but they are specifically designed to fit the attachment points of the ICM Models kit.

Remove the parts from the casting stubs so as to avoid bending them. As with other SAC sets, there are minimal casting seams on the parts that will need to be removed. Simple scraping, filing, or sanding makes for easy clean-up. After removal from the casting stubs, the parts can be carefully polished with a rotary tool brush, then primed and painted. Because of their malleable nature the parts can be gently bent for a proper profile and perfect fit

All-in-all this set will definitely enhance the appearance of your Do 217J model.

The Subject

The Do 217J was a variant of the Dornier Do 217 bomber aircraft used by the German Luftwaffe during World War II. It was a long-range bomber designed to operate at high altitudes and was equipped with a range of defensive armament.

The Do 217J was powered by two Daimler-Benz DB 603A engines, each producing 1,750 horsepower, and had a maximum speed of 565 km/h (351 mph). Its operational ceiling was 8,500 meters (27,900 ft) and it had a range of 3,000 km (1,864 mi).

The defensive armament of the Do 217J consisted of a turret-mounted 13mm MG 131 machine gun in the nose, a 7.92mm MG 81Z twin machine gun in a dorsal turret, a 20mm MG 151 cannon in a ventral gondola, and a 13mm MG 131 machine gun in the tail. It could also carry up to 4,000 kg (8,818 lb) of bombs, including a variety of high explosive, incendiary, and anti-ship munitions.

Overall, the Do 217J was a capable bomber that saw extensive service during the later years of the war. However, it was often overshadowed by other German bomber designs such as the Heinkel He 111 and the Junkers Ju 88.

Thanks go to Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) for providing this set to review and to IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them.