IPMS/USA Reviews

Refer to Part One for the assembly review.

Reviews note and comments-I decided to make this a two-part due to the number of images and extensive text required to document the basic assembly phase. Although the assembly was a bit of a challenge for this model, the semi-finished model revealed a lot of nice surface detail that was appealing to me. This detail had some merit for an effort on my part to achieve a proper paint job and weathering application. If those efforts resulted in a nice-looking model the challenges faced during the assembly would make the effort worth-while.

Let's see what happens.

Painting

Thank you to Phil and to Bill for all the work that you do!

First Impression

This ICM offering is a bundle of two of previous releases:  the T-34-85 Soviet Medium Tank kit No. 35367 issued March, 2018  and the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B. King Tiger with Henschel Turret kit No. 35363 released July, 2016. The kits are separately packaged. The King Tiger has eight light-gray crisply molded sprues and a set of vinyl tracks. The T-34-85 consists of five dark-green sprues, one clear sprue, a set of vinyl tracks and individually packaged body halves. Two decal sheets are provided. The King Tiger versions are:  PzKpfw.IV Ausf.B s.Pz.Abt. Feldhernhalle, Hungary, March 1945; PzKpfw.IV Ausf.B s.Pz.Abt.

Aircraft and history:

The O-2A Skymaster, known as "Oscar Deuce" is a small twin engine aircraft used primarily as a Forward air controller (FAC) and psychological operations (PSYOPS). The USAF starting using the O-2 in 1967 in the Vietnam War as a replacement for the O-1 Bird Dog. With just a few years service, the O-2 was intended to be replaced by the OV-10 Bronco but the O-2 remained in service, primarily for night operations.

The USAF requested Cessna to make a military version of its 337 Super Skymaster with "hardpoints" under the wings, additional windows for observers and new cabin arrangement. A unique feature of the Skymaster is the engine arrangement. Unlike traditional twin-engine aircraft with engines on each wing, the Skymaster has one in the nose and another on the rear fuselage. This arrangement allows centerline thrust so if one engine loses power, aircraft control (in yaw) is minimal if any at all which is a significant safety advantage.

In what appears to be a never ending stream, ICM Holdings offers the modeling public another variant of the B-26 Invader, Medium Bomber. This latest novelty is the 1/48^th scale B-26 C-50 with markings for  three separate U.S. aircraft employed during the Korean War.

This plethora of variations of the 1/48^th scale B-26 that ICM Holdings is releasing is most welcome as it gives all the opportunity to build the Invader of our choice. I for one hope they continue and a 1/48^th scale B-26 K Counter Invader is in our future.

Marking options included with this release are:

• B-26C- 45DL, 8^th BS, 3^rd BG, Korea,1953 ( Night Invader /Overall Black)
• B-26C- 55DL, 729^th BS, 452^nd BG, Korea, 1951 (natural metal finish)
• B-26C- 45DT, 728^th BS, 452^nd BG, Korea, 1951 (natural metal finish)

Those of us of a certain age remember well the Berlin Wall and what it stood for and probably still remember when it was torn down in 1989.  Those of you who are younger may never heard of it.  If not, it is worth an internet search.

The kit has already been reviewed here and a very nice job was done so I went for a less weathered look, partly to be different and partly because I haven't decided how I want to display it yet.  It yearns for a vignette or diorama setting.

The build is pretty simple.  There are 3 sections of wall each made up of 3 parts.  There are also 3 pieces to place on top of the wall though only 2 are needed for the 3-piece section.