Arma has released their F4F-4 with the addition of Operation Torch marking and two bases in this very nice offering. The F4F-4 was originally released ea few months ago and this is a great option, I personally have a connection with Operation Torch as my father was part of this.

• Two grey Sprues
• One Clear Sprue
• One Decal sheet
• One Mask set
• One USS escort carrier deck base
• One Airbase base
• One Instruction guide
• An Errata sheet (showing the Martlet differences for the build)
• Bar codes for downloading 3D print files for additional parts you can print yourself

The detail quality is excellent in every way with this kit, crisp and detailed molding has become the norm for Arma Hobby kits.

The assembly is quick and easy as we have come to expect from these kits.

Summary

This is a re-boxing of the earlier G7107 1½-ton truck. That kit was reviewed in December 2021 by Mr. Phillip Cavender. I used Mr. Cavender’s review as a “heads-up” for any issues. From reading his review ICM has changed the assembly sequence with this re-boxing. Mr. Cavender noted that the engine is assembled in steps 20-28 after the axles are attached to the frame (steps 16-19). In the current instruction sheet the engine is assembled first (in steps 16-25) and the axles attached after that (steps 26-45).

The only difference with this set is that a new bag with three sprues to create four infantry figures with equipment.

Background

The following is excerpted from the instruction sheet.

A collection of photographs highlighting the Mercedes models used by Germany during World War II.

In the third volume of this publication, the cars of the Mercedes motor company's major production types are covered, such as the Mercedes 170, Mercedes 230–260 series, Mercedes 320 and Mercedes 540.

In this volume the author provides a detailed impression of these vehicles through original photographs, taken both during and before the war by the normal German soldiers who both used and served with these now classic automobiles.

The book opens with a forward, then an introduction, before going into the first vehicle with in-depth photo captions comprising most of the books’ text. Interestingly, there is no table of contents. If you’re looking for a specific staff car, you’ll need to thumb through the pages to find it. This is not a major issue for me, but some may find its omission cumbersome.

The vehicles covered in this book include:

A trend, among scale model manufacturers, is producing their own line of paints. Others (AK, Vallejo, etc.) have been packaging their paints in sets geared toward finishing a specific model. ICM Holding has positioned themselves by not only manufacturing the kits but also providing their own line of paints to finish said model. Which brings us to a recent acrylic paint set from ICM Holding, item number 3058-American Cars of the Early 20^th Century.

This acrylic paint set includes six bottles. The 12ml bottles of colors included in this set are: Grass Green, Extra Dark Green, Deep Blue, Olive Green. There is an additional 12ml bottle of Varnish Gloss and a 17ml bottle of Primer Black.

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.