ICM continues its current conflict series with Drone Hunters, a part of their DS (Diorama Series) line. This kit combines the M1097A2 Heavy HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) with a Soviet DShKM machine gun and three figures (one manning the DShKM, one with binoculars and one holding the MANPADS (MAN Portable Air Defense System, in this case a FIM-91 Stinger) in firing position).

Drone Warfare

Referencing the ICM website and instruction sheet, "Drones have become a crucial element of modern warfare, fundamentally changing combat operations. Today, hundreds or even thousands of drones are deployed in a single day of fighting. Kamikaze drones—aerial strike vehicles—present a significant danger. These range from small units weighing just a few kilograms to large platforms approaching aircraft size.

The larger drones are particularly threatening because they target rear areas with limited traditional air defense coverage. To counter this threat, Ukraine has established mobile fire groups, nicknamed “Drone Hunters.” These units operate from various vehicles—primarily pickup trucks but also military vehicles—equipped with large-caliber machine guns or small-caliber anti-aircraft guns. The groups are sometimes reinforced with man-portable air-defense systems operators. While most mobile fire groups consist of trained military personnel, some are formed from volunteers.”

The Kit

ICM has, once again, done a fantastic job of combining several kits into a DS kit that provides several opportunities for modelers. The M1097A2 HMMWV (Kit No. 35435 - https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/humvee-m1097a2 ) and Kit No. 35436 (https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/humvee-m1097a2-cargo-carrier provides the cargo seats not present in the previous release, Kit No. 35435), the DShKM with Support/Tripod (Kit No. 35747 - https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/dshkm-supporttripod), an observer figure with binoculars (Kit No. DS3521, Before the Assault), and the new parts for this kit, MANPADS and DShKM operators.

Upon opening the cover, there is a reinforced white inner box that does a good job of protecting the kit’s eleven gray plastic sprues (six are for the HMMWV (five for Kit No. 35435, one for the troop seats (Kit No. 35436), one for the DShKM (Kit No. 35747), one for the DShKM operator and observer (the observer is Sprue H3 from Kit No. DS3521, Before the Assault), one for the MANPADS operator , and two weapons sprues (one from Kit No. 35749, Infantry Weapons and Chevrons - https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/infantry-weapons-and-chevrons-armed-forces-ukraine, and one from Kit No. 35752, “Quietly Came, Quietly Went, Special Operations Forces of Ukraine - https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/quietly-came-quietly-went-special-operations-forces-ukraine), two clear sprues for the windows (in reality, the windshield is glass, while the door and rear windows are heavy clear plastic, and are well represented in this kit), four rubber tires, and decal sheet (same decal sheet as the M1097A2 HMMWV (Kit No. 35435).

The instruction manual is also available on the ICM website (https://icm.com.ua/pack/drone-hunters/). As usual, take care of small pieces as the plastic is fragile and can break when removed from the sprue gates.

Instruction Notes

There are minor notes that are identified here by their instructions as follows:

• Steps 4-7: This is the assembly of the engine and, while basic, is hidden under the hood once the vehicle is assembled.
• Step 08: The exhaust pipe has a beautifully produced hollow exhaust – well done, ICM!
• Step 10: Part C19 has two plugs to be removed.
• Step 12: Rotate the Step 11 assembly 90^o to the right to make it fit to the chassis from Step 08.
• Step 16: Part C41 appears to be too short, but the part is hidden from sight once installed.
• Steps 25-26: Recommend painting the wheels separately before mounting the tires. Unfortunately, there is no sidewall lettering, most likely due to copyright issues.
• Step 27: Recommend mounting the wheel assemblies after painting the HMMWV as the connections are fine and will not take too much handling.
• Step 29: Follow the instructions to paint and decal the instrument panel, then insert the clear windshields. I assembled everything and left the instrument panel detailing and windshield installation until after painting the HMMWV. It would have been easier to follow the instructions and mask this area as it is hard to get into the small, enclosed space once built.
• Step 34: Parts D7 (x2) are sun visors that require sinkhole clean up. These are very visible if the HMWWV is left open topped, less so with the canvas roof in place.
• Step 49: The hood is a five-piece assembly (main hood, each side panel and lifting hooks (2)); it would have been easier as one piece for the hood. As this is one piece in a real HMMWV, take the time to sand the seams before installing the lifting hooks and assembling the hood to the body in Step 56.
• Step 57: ICM has thoughtfully given the modeler a choice of troop seats which are shown in Step 62 for reference.
• Step 58: ICM has manufactured a canvas appearance to the rear cab canvas (Part G5).
• Steps 60-61: ICM has wonderfully produced a canvas texture to the doors (Parts G3 and G6).
• Step 69: The DShKM support does not have locator marks in the HMMWV bed. The painting diagram shows where it should be mounted.

Painting and Decals

The M1097A2 HMMWV is shown in a standard NATO tri-color camouflage with no markings. I painted the HMMWV per the instructions but did not camouflage the canvas or rear horizontal cargo bed, as in my experience, these areas were typically left in their NATO green color with no brown or black added (check your references if modeling a specific HMMWV). ICM has taken the guess work out of the paint colors with their Acrylic Paint Set for Humvee US Military Cars (Item No. 3059); it has colors for the NATO three-tone camouflage scheme and desert tan. This set has been previously reviewed here (https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/acrylic-paints-set-humvee-us-military-cars).

The decals are delicate and conform well to the model, have no silvering and really look the part. Care must be taken due to their small size. I like the detail in the instrument panel decals particularly.

Added Details

For those wishing for more detail, a seat belt kit is available through Quinta Studio (QR35003) and HMMWV tires are available through numerous aftermarket companies.

Figures

The figures are dynamic and really tie the model together and present an easy-to-make vignette or diorama. ICM has proven its worth to the modern armor modeler. Combining several kits is great and there are lots of options with this kit. A huge bonus is all the weapons included on the various kit sprues. There are enough weapons to outfit a few squads, and include the following:

• AKS-74 assault rifle with GP-25 grenade launcher (2)
• Assault rifle “Malyuk” with silencer (2)
• Assault rifle “Malyuk” (2)
• AKS-74 assault rifle (2)
• AKS-74 assault rifle with silencer and telescopic stock (2)
• AKS-74U assault rifle (4)
• AK-47 assault rifle (3)
• AK-47 assault rifle with GP-25 grenade launcher (1)
• RPG-18 grenade launcher (2)
• AK-74 assault rifle (2)
• FN FAL 50.61 automatic rifle (2)
• SOG knife in sheath (2)
• Glock knife in sheath (4)
• FORT pistol in a holster (4)
• Beretta pistol in a plastic holster (2)
• Sniper rifle UAR 10 (1)
• UAR-15 automatic rifle (2)
• FIM-91 Stinger man-portable anti-aircraft missile system (1)
• RPG-7 grenade launcher (1) with grenade (2)
• PKM machine gun (2)

Conclusion

Well done, ICM, well done! Slava Ukraini!

Profuse thanks to ICM and IPMS/USA for providing the review sample for me.