Background and Historical Notes

From DXM Hobby Studio’s Decal Notes

These decal sheets provide some very colorful markings for eight of the U.S. Navy’s F-14B Tomcat squadrons, covering markings from the years 2001 – 2004. These are all from VF-103 ‘Jolly Rogers’ squadron, and all display either high visibility or low vis aircraft flying NAS Oceana.

This 1/48^th scale sheet is intended for use with either the Hasegawa, Great Wall or Hobby Boss kits.

Summary

This kit is a re-boxing of ICM’s Do 217M-1 WWII German bomber (Kit 48274), but with a new decal set of RAF markings for a captured aircraft.

As with other ICM kits, this one is overflowing with detail and precise engineering.

Background

The following is taken from the ICM instructions.

“The German Do 217M-1 bomber was a variant of the Do 217 series, equipped with DB 603A engines producing 1,750 horsepower. Combined with four-blade propellers, this significantly improved the bomber’s flight performance and increased its maximum speed to 557 km/h, though at the cost of reduced range. The Do 217M-1 served with Luftwaffe bomber and reconnaissance squadrons until the end of World War II.

1930’s era Gangsters had a certain fascination to many people. I’m sure most people have seen the movie Bonny and Clyde. The figures in this set of three brings us back to that time period without having to rob banks, get into firefights with law enforcement, the risk of prison or worse!!

The Kit: 24054

The kit, provided by the manufacturer ICM, based in Ukraine contains three Gangster figure that include two male and a female, the Gun Moll!! Injected molded with crisp detail and clean parts that contain no flash. The parts for the figures are contained on a single sprue. There are two additional sprues that are identical to each other, which contain a Colt Model1911 hand gun as well as the legendary Thompson Sub Machine with your choice if a stick magazine or the drum mad and the Colt in the other. Also, a three piece valise is included on the sprues.

Reskit has issued a 3D printed cockpit for ICM’s 1/35^th scale CH-54A or S-64E Tarhe. There are versions of this from Reskit primarily with and without 3D printed instruments like the ones I reviewed last in my Reskit F-111E review. This set does not include the printed instrument panels but does includes more than 30 3D printed parts. Also included are acetates for the instrument panels, decals and small printed sheet for magazines that can be added. These are all packaged in a well-padded box containing the parts and their supports and boxes.

Following the base and paint modifications, the rest of the build is finishing the model and taking the pictures.

To finish the build, you need to finishing the left arm and leg; these are built the same way of the previous right arm and right leg. I did paint and modify most of the cylinders in the arm and leg as per the previous sections. Once these are attached, we need to build the torso.

The torso is constructed from the inside out with plates being added. The connections of the “hydraulic” lines also occurs. The parts are precut and glued in place and I used the recommended super glue here sparsely. These are attached to the head and shoulder section. The plate sections are heavy plastic or metal. The process continues with the back and cylinders being added. Follow the instructions and read them thoroughly and you should be good as fit is precise and great.