In addition to producing some wonderful model kits of a plethora of subjects, ICM has also added a line of acrylic paints, some of which have been reviewed here in the past. This set contains basic colors, which are good for adding details to nearly any subject, and can be mixed as needed to create any color you can imagine. Modelers who are familiar with water-based acrylic paints will have no issues with using this set.

When inspecting the box for this set you will see the six colors included as well as a chart showing basic colors that can be mixed by using the paints provided. While this is a limited example of colors that can be created, if you are unfamiliar with creating new colors, this set is a good starting point. Included in the set are White (item 1001), Black (1002), Deep Yellow (1003), Deep Red (1007), Dark Blue (1077), and Deep Green (1009). The paints are prepared for application with a brush and can be thinned for use in an airbrush.

Unique Master Models, or UMM, is well known to many modelers for the model work of the owner, and for the many unique tools offered over the years. One of the newer products is the Profiler – Scribing and Contour Guide. Available in small, medium, and large sizes, this tool is a great addition for modelers who scratch-build, as well as for those needing to scribe around curved surfaces.

This tool measures 130mm by 3mm, it consists of a soft metal strip that is smooth on one side and textured on the other and is coated with a rubber-like substance. The coating prevents the tool from slipping during use, and the metal will hold its shape, but can be straightened to allow for repeated use. Small 110mm by 2mm and large 150mm by 4mm Profilers are also available, depending on the needs of the modeler. The Profiler is ideal for both interior and exterior contour checks as well as being able to test the fit of parts.

Quickboost products are part of the Aires line of resin and 3D printed detail items known to many modelers over the years. One of the latest products is labeled as “Antennas” but consists of both antennas and sensors for use on the Tamiya F-14D Tomcat. Modelers with some experience with small resin parts should have no problem utilizing this set.

This set contains a total of ten resin parts held on a single block. The set will replace kit parts J2/3/4/5 and 6 as well as a molded in conical AOA probe that will require removal. The resin block conveniently spells out which kit part is replaced by the resin ones. There is also a single-page instruction sheet to assist the modeler in using the replacement parts.

ICM has been absolutely nailing it with new kits and products despite operating in a war zone amidst constant violence and destruction. This latest series of Hampden aircraft models are no exception, although I fear I chose the wrong kit to pick back up aircraft modeling after years away building armor, but more on that later!

What’s Inside the Box

The kit comes in a top-opening box under the cereal-box thick cardboard cover featuring the cover art. Inside the flap are ten grey plastic sprues - with some duplicated, as well as two clear sprues, and a large decal sheet for the four schemes. Details of the parts are crisp and flash-free and the steps call out paint colors for the most part.

For years the only way you could get an AH/MH-6 Little Bird in 1/48^th scale was to buy a Hasegawa Hughes 500 and a CMK conversion set. This was expensive and sometimes hard to find. Now, thanks to ICM, we can build both kits out of the box. This review is about the MH-6J.

Inside a sturdy cardboard box with a cover are two light grey plastic and one clear plastic. They are beautifully rendered with no flash. The fuselage has some of the nicest raised rivet detail that I’ve ever seen. Very in scale. This is a good/bad thing. Good in that you can see it is there, but bad when filling the seams and sanding. You can’t replace any lost detail with decal film because it is so petite. There is also a decal sheet with markings for two Little Birds. The instructions are beautifully presented on 12 high-quality pages in a booklet, that are easy to understand. You will have to be familiar with very small parts as there are plenty of them in this kit.