US Aerial Target Drones

Published on
Review Author(s)
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$34.99
Product / Stock #
48399
Company: ICM - Website: Visit Site
Provided by: ICM - Website: Visit Site

The ICM US Aerial Drone set contains a double boxing of their individual sets KDA-1 (Q-2A) Firebee with trailer (48400) and BQM-34A (Q-2C) Firebee with trailer (48401). These kits have been previously released individually in various sets, namely with the DB-26/JD-1 drone control ship kits, as well as by themselves ‘in-flight’ sets (48400 and 48401). Each drone kit is its own single part sprue tree and includes the trailer and dolly to display on them on the ground. Also included are the pylons to mount them on a mothership aircraft but no instructions on how to do so.

The assembly breakdown is rather simple for both of the kits. The internal parts consist of the engine exhaust cylinder and intake facing, and I painted the engine and fan surface with AK Metal Steel. I would also like to point out that you should paint the inside of the fuselage halves prior to assembling.

After the fuselage halves were assembled, I only had to use a few small dabs of Mr Putty 500 to fill where the sprue tabs were cut. I used Alclad white micro filler primer and then addressed the few small seams. After the seam cleanup, I worked on mounting the wings and tail surfaces. There were very tight recesses for these parts to push into and I just had to sand down lightly on the edges and test fit. Once the wings were set in place, I used Tamiya extra thin glue.

Before I started painting the exterior of the drones, I had discovered with painting the interior that the red was very dark and dull on the gray plastic. To ensure that I was able to get a bright finish, I sprayed Alclad white primer overall. Once this was completed, I was able to spray the entire airframe in Mr Color H3 Red. ICM does include some rather colorful options that have red, yellow, and white combinations so there are many variations you can choose from.

The service trailers were probably the most time-consuming of the entire build. ICM is very good at producing very thin and delicate parts and great care is needed in detaching them from the sprue but also in trimming them for cleanup. The tubular frame for the Q-2 was very delicate and when assembling the parts you need to ensure you get everything at right angles. I completed the trailers with a white Alclad primer and then used Model Master Insignia Yellow. The aluminum rails on the Q-2 trailer was Tamiya lacquer Aluminum that was brushed on. I then gave both of the trailers a minimal black wash with Tamiya black wash just to give a little depth.

I’d like to thank ICM for providing the kits for review. They keep producing extraordinary kits and interesting subjects despite their current situation. I would also like to thank the Reviewer Corps for giving me the opportunity to review the kits.

ICM US Aerial Target Drones

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