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1:48 B-26F Marauder ICM Catalogue number 48325 Price: around 70€ “The Glenn L. Martin Company's Model 179 answered a January 1939 Army Air Corps specification for a high-speed bomber. The Army ordered the streamline twin-engine, all-metal monoplane, designated the B-26 Marauder, in September and the first production example flew in November 1940. The design incorporated several new innovations. The high wing loading of the design and the resultant increased landing and take-off speeds caused many accidents in training. Intimidating epithets such as the "Widow Maker" and "One-a-Day-in-Tampa-Bay" added to the B-26's initial reputation as it underwent Congressional scrutiny. As those problems were being resolved, Marauders immediately went into combat after American entry into World War II. On June 4, 1942, Army Air Forces (AAF) Marauders defending Midway Island attacked Japanese aircraft carriers with torpedoes, but failed to score hits. The AAF sent Marauders to North Africa after the Allied invasion in November 1942 for service with the Twelfth Air Force. Eighth Air Force B-26s flew the first bombing mission against German forces in Europe on May 14, 1943. In preparation for the invasion of France, the Eighth's Marauders were transferred to the Ninth Air Force, the primary American tactical air force in Europe, in October 1943. Like the M1 Garand combat rifle, the Sherman tank, and the LST, the Marauder was an important weapon in the war against the Axis powers. B-26 crews flew over 100,000 sorties and dropped approximately 150,000 tons of bombs, primarily against Nazi Germany. The AAF lost fewer Marauders than any Allied bomber it flew—less than one-half of one percent. Besides the United States, the air forces of Great Britain and France operated Marauders in combat. Few Marauders survive today out of the 5,266 produced by Martin. *History from National Air and Space Museum. Just a brief history for a very well know aircraft. ICM Model released the 1:48 B-26F Marauder (kit number 48325) in 2025 as a follow-up to their very well-received 2024 B-26B kit (48320). This is essentially a rebox with new parts to capture the F variant's specific features, such as the adjusted wing angle and modified nose. We also review already the G version. You can see it here. And as for the G version, the F version also have the same ergonomic wing incidence. The early versions of this model exhibited landing and take-off characteristics that resulted in a high rate of accidents during these phases of flight. To reduce the landing and take-off speeds, the wing incidence was increased by 3.5 degrees. This modification lowered the landing and take-off speeds, but at the expense of maximum speed, which was reduced to 277 mph. Another significant change was the standardization of internal equipment, thus creating the “G” version of the B-26. The last of the 1931 B-26G units left the production line on 30 March 1944. Economic concerns and the reputation created by the early versions of the B-26 (nicknamed the “widowmaker”) led to the abandonment of this model and its replacement largely by the A-26 Invader, which had greater range and speed. Meanwhile, for example, a B-25 had 25% lower production cost. Externally, the B-26F is nearly identical to the B-26G. The main difference is that B-26G featured more standardized interior equipment compared to the B-26F. So, both models sprue are identical. Sprue A1 includes the fuselage with modifications to the wing angle (which differs from earlier versions). Others close details of the tail. And the inside halves of the fuselage: Similarly, sprue K1 provides the specific parts for this version, featuring spars for attaching the wing root, a new instrument panel, and the wheels' rims for the landing gear. Sprue H1 supplies the specific plexiglass nose for this version. With a wingspan of about 454mm, when assembled, it's a substantial model that replaces outdated offerings like the 1978 Monogram kit, which suffered from fit issues and limited detail. The usual ICM flip top cardboard with a separate card lid showing the artwork. featuring eye-catching artwork of a B-26F in action. Inside you have sprues separated in two plastic bags and the clear parts in another bag and full protected. You'll find around 380 plastic parts (up from 348-363 in the B-26B kit, accounting for variant-specific additions), molded in gray styrene with two clear sprue for canopies and windows. Parts are bagged separately to prevent damage, with the clear pieces protected by foam for excellent clarity and no scratches. The sprues are cleanly molded with minimal flash and sharp, narrow panel lines representing rivets and fasteners—far superior to the raised details on older kits like Monogram's. The plastic is soft and flexible, which is a mix felling as it which helps prevent breakage of delicate parts like antennas and gun barrels, but I used Deluxe Materials in a current ICM model that I making and the glue melt part of the plastic… So try to use a “delicate” glue on this plastic. The interior with separate bulkheads, crew access doors (via the nose wheel well), and a fully equipped bomb bay that can be posed open or closed with inserts is quite good from the box. Cockpit features like instrument panels and seats are crisp, but aftermarket boys are already making their patch offering excellent options to ultra realism of the B-26 cockpit, at least of the B version. Check Essentials Elements sets on facebook. The engines detail looks quite good. No doubts a very good effort have being made in giving a nice looking detail engines on this one. Kudos engine. To make it almost perfect in this scale you just need to add some wires. The clear parts, as usual are pristine and very clear with no distortion at all. The usual standard from ICM with a booklet with the first and last page in satin paper and the rest in normal paper. The color table chart only have ICM paint range and it start to make some sense (at least in Europe) as you start to have some online store that sell them as Art Scale Kit. The decal sheet has a good color registration and supply 3 finishing options B-26F-1-MA 42-96255 “Miss Maookie”, 586th Bombarment Squadron, 394th Bomb Group, Holmsley South, August 1944; B-26F-1-MA 42-96281 “Redlight Rosie”, 587th Bombardment Squadron 394th Bombardment Group, 1944 B-26F-1-MA 42-96323 “Zombie IV”, 587th Bombardment Squadron 394th Bombardment Group, 1944 A negative aspect that I already pointed when I review the B version. So if you watch carefully the sprues, you have notice something that is not the best solution (at all) from ICM… ICM decided to mould in the pitot probes in the fuselage and in the wings…. Why??? This is the best way to break during construction. I bet that at least 98% of those will be broken in the construction…. So the best way will be remove both, make the respective hole and store it an put it in only in the final steps of construction. It`s a negative aspect on this beautiful kit. Conclusion ICM's B-26F captures the variant's nuances well, including the increased wing incidence (reflected in wing root and spar design), absent nose gun (faired over), and modified windshield. It represents a late-production F model accurately, with the larger wingspan and 8-degree tail dihedral matching historical specs. The detail out of the box is very good and it will make a very good replica. For the expert and keen modeler some AM will make some extra detail to make this beauty into a total masterpiece. The construction is not totally straightforward as there are several sub-assembly that you need to take care and time (as undercarriage is a complex sub-assembly steps) to get it right on spot., so the novice could have some trouble in build this one. But all other modelers can make from this a truly fantastic model of the B-26F VERY Highly recommend this to intermediate/expert modeler My thanks to ICM for making this fantastic model.

1:48 UMa Hobby AV-8B Harrier II Plus Catalogue n.º D1001 Available at Artscale for €70 (just click here) The UMa Hobby 1:48 scale AV-8B Harrier II Plus (D1001), marks an impressive debut for the new model kit manufacturer. This model kit is making a big impact in modelling world, with high-quality components, innovative engineering, and comprehensive inclusions. If you check Scalemate (today, 17-8-2025) is in the first place of the Hot Kits. The box has arrived and we already made some unboxing videos of the beautiful model kit that you can see here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ApYzMtQQN/ https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GETMhJ5Df/ https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1F8tRyvR37/ https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EEykoeHWC/ https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1B3ZGBf6Qh/ https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14QtQao58eb/ Now, let`s open the box. The kit comes in an eye-catching box featuring a low-flying Harrier with realistic condensation effects from high-speed maneuvers. The box sides provide additional details, including 3D renders of the built jet, paint options for VMA-214 Black Sheep and VMA-311 Tomcats, and logos for Cartograph decals and Lambo 3D cockpit. All in the box! The first thing that is on this first models to get ot is a letter from Uma Hobby thanking for supporting them in their start in the modelling world. And I must say, just now, what a start! It`s “almost” like WnW in jet aircraft…. I just need to build it to said if is or not a “almost” WnW” start! UMa’s AV-8B Harrier II Plus sets a new standard in surface detail. The recessed details and raised detail are superb. The plastic quality is top-notch. The plastic features finely engraved panel lines, multiple rivets, access hatches, and a full ordnance to be include. Several options are included like the inlet in open state or close state, with two different parts, and also different parts from the open by tubing or close by tubing. As for ordnance, its all here. To updated the cockpit the Lambo 3D prints cockpit are simply fantastic and a great add on directly from the box. Yet te cockpit even without then, is fantastic. The wheels are made in 3D print! Nice. A very small Photo-Etch (PE) fret is also present for with cockpit head mirror and front “visor” scoop on the cockpit. The clear parts, including the main canopy, are of high quality with minimal distortion. UMa employs an innovative approach by replicating the metal frame of the real canopy in standard light gray plastic, while the transparent sections are made from clear material. The decals are top noch either in quality either in schemes offers. The decals are offered by Cartograf Decals so quality is guaranteed and it notice of the color pigmentation and thinnest of all. Speaking of schemes, the kit offers three US Marines AV-8B paint schemes, all from the 21st century: VMA-214 Black Sheep (2016, USS Bonhomme Richard). VMA-214 Black Sheep (2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base). VMA-311 Tomcats (2019, Isa Air Base, Bahrain). A full stencil diagram: And if masking is the worse part for you (even minor works) UMa thought about you. Mask are also present provided for the canopy, intake, and vertical stabilizer (for C scheme) simplifying a lot all the masking and saving a lot of time to the modeler. Checking the instructions, first of all, the construction sequence is not the usual one as it is quite separate. First is the cockpit and that`s is normal. But then you have assembly sequences for the nose, the for part of the fuselage, then you pass for the belly fuselage, then tail. Next step is all wings… and air-intakes. and then for the wings that will be fixed on the central fuselage. The engineering appears modeler-focused, with thoughtful additions like a missile fin alignment tool and options for flaps (up/down) and AGM-64 and AIM-9M missiles in maintenance or ready-to-launch positions. Also GBU12 is in the box. Them fuel tanks and LANTIRN pod. Everything is in the box indeed. As for the painting guidance, at first, I didn’t see it but after checking the color chart and the ID paint, is quite easy to see along the steps and the paint used in all parts. So, the painting indication are very good indeed. This model is all in box, as net the 3D cockpit detail from Lambo are very good and add a lot of fantastic detail. Conclusion The UMa Hobby 1:48 AV-8B Harrier II Plus it is a “WOW””. It is a remarkable debut from UM Hobby offering fantastic surface detail, quite innovative engineering in the construction and all in box since ordnance to aftermarket products. In fact, it always space for aftermarket but with this kit is a much hard for then. This model kit is right on the top of the to do pile! My truly thanks to Uma Hobby to make this fantastic Harrier!

1:48 Dornier Do-217 K-1 ICM Catalogue number 48273 Price: around 64,95€ The Dornier Do 217 K-1 was a German medium bomber developed during World War II as part of the broader Do 217 series, which evolved from the earlier Dornier Do 17, known as the "Flying Pencil" for its slender fuselage. The Do 217 K-1, introduced in the autumn of 1942, represented a significant advancement over its predecessors, incorporating a redesigned, aerodynamically streamlined nose and cockpit to improve performance. The Dornier 217 K-1 was a German WWII era medium bomber, developed from the previous Do 217 E medium bomber series. Unlike the previous Do 217 E, the Do 217 K-1 nose and cockpit was redesigned and aerodynamically streamlined, resulting in lower drag and higher speed. The crew of five was sitting inside the new fully glazed canopy. Compared to the Do 217 E the defensive armament was redesigned as the forward firing 7,92 mm MG 15 machine gun was replaced by twin MG 81 7,92 mm machine gun and the rear facing MG 15s were replaced by a single mounted MG 81. The offensive armament was removed. Maximum bombload of 4000 kg of bombs either in bomb bay or on external racks under the wings remained unchanged, although a single SC 1800 bomb could now be carried inside the bomb bay. The first Do 217 K left the factory in September 1942 and served throught the war as night bombers and against enemy shipping. The Do 217 is faster than most of other bombers it will meet in battle, being capable of taking out up to four bombing points when utilizing the Flamm C250 incendiary bombs or up to four bases utilizing the four SC 1000 bombs, depending on the maximal battle rating of the said match. Do 217 K is also very capable due to its heavy bomb load and the powerful SC 1800 bomb containing 1000 kg of TNT eq. and 30 metres wide destruction radius. Do 217 can also be used in naval battles as it comes equipped with a pair of F5W torpedoes with 3 km range and 300 kg TNT eq. However these might prove hard to use as the Dornier have to slow down to sub 301 km/h making it an easy target for the naval gunners. Despite being a bomber, the Dornier is also quite maneuverable with maximal structural limit being 700 km/h.[1] Just a brief history for a very well know aircraft. So, let`s crack the box to check one of the most wanted and eagerly awaited model of the year of ICM catalogue. The usual ICM flip top cardboard with a separate card lid showing the artwork. I like ICM artbox, they are quite good. Not my favorites but I like them. Inside you have sprues separated in two plastic bags and the clear parts in another bag and full protected. Opening the box, you get a total of 13 gray branches and two clear branches. The clear parts are individually packaged in protective bags. There is a lot of parts in this box that you will not use. The C and D sprues you will use less the 30 % of it. There are also same parts for the night version, that I check the instructions of it (as I don’t have the J version). Is the sprue H for engines, cowlings, and propellers is exactly the same for their radial engines. But let’s check it all. The first big thing here is the clear parts. This version has its one clear parts (the sprue J) as that is obvious considering the huge front gondola and the upper canopy is also new. The clear parts are perfect! Even in this shape… As usual are pristine and very clear with no distortion at all. Sprue K is also completely new and brings the two new fuselage halves as the largest parts, including parts for the interior, the armament and the fuselage tail. As we have both fuselage for the night fighter and this version, we make a little comparation. As you can see, the new fuselage is shortened at the front to accommodate the new full glazing, and the rear can be equipped with two different versions. You get both fuselages. It’s a totally new mold for the fuselage. Kudos to ICM The cockpit is quite big and there’s a lot of glazing to see inside. So, straight from the box, you can get a good cockpit detail has you have in the box side consoles, small instrument panel with three-dimensional components. So, with some work, the decals and some carefully painting you can get a great cockpit straight from the box, excepted for the seatbelts. As usually, for the seatbelts you need to use some aftermarket seatbelts. The sprue W gives 500 and 250 kg bombs very well detail. Passing on a first general view, is a typical ICM quality plastic, with no distortion, no flash, with very good surface detail. On sprue A, the fuselage halves and tail. Well on this release, these fuselage halves are not used. Sprue B On this sprue, full span wings, with upper and lower halves. Really nice molding. A rivet counter could have some extra detail. Sprue C Mostly all parts on this sprue will not be used. This model will give a lot of extra parts to your spare box. So just a few parts of the undercarriage bay. Sprue D Two sprues in fact, with all the parts for the engine DB603A, propellers and engine nacelles, nothing used on this version that wear the BMW 801D (both with 1700hp each). Well, on this model kit, only the wheels, landing gear are the only parts to be use. Sprue E This sprue brings us the flaps, upper turret (and all its details) instrument panels, side cockpit consoles and undercarriage bay. As for the side cockpit consoles, will not be use as the cockpit detail for this one is on the new K sprue. The instrument panels are quite good in raised detail and you have a decal set for the instruments bazels. Sprue G It supplies the engine mounts and undercarriage fairings. The night fighter nose cone is no needed for the build. The instructions. The usual standard from ICM with a booklet with the first and last page in satin paper and the rest in normal paper. The color table chart only have ICM paint range and it start to make some sense (at least in Europe) as you start to have some online store that sell them as Art Scale Kit. Anyway, the instruction manual is detailed and easy to follow. It includes step-by-step assembly diagrams, color callouts, and decal placement guides. The decal sheet has a good color registration and supply 4 finishing options: Do-217K-1, Luftflotte 2, Mediterrenean area, probably 1943 Do-217K-1, Stab/KG2, Holland, 1943 Do-217K-1, 1./KG 66, Chartres, France, Summer, 1943 Do-217K-1, 1./KG 2, Rhein-Main, 1943 The decals are design by ICM and made for the third party but I have no idea who. Conclusion Well, ICM continues to bring excellent kit to the modelling world and some, like this one, at least for me, was quite wanted. Just love the lines of this aircraft. Cleverly, ICM is delivering all Do-17 and Do-217 series in 1:48, getting all sorted out with common parts and new sprues for the totally new parts and they announced M-1 variant with inline engines A must eager (probably one of the most ones) model that we have been waiting as a 2025 release. The wait as worth it, no doubt about it!! The detail out of the box is very good and it will make a very good replica. For the expert and keen modeler some AM will make some extra detail to make this beauty into a total masterpiece. That big clear gondola is begging for it. VERY Highly recommend this to intermediate modeler My thanks to ICM for making this fantastic model. [1] https://wiki.warthunder.com/unit/do_217k_1

woooow!! love it!!

I would love one day to be at IPMS Nats in US! I hope that it will be a fantastic show to all! Please share the pics with us!

wow!! love it! great paintjob and weathering!!

Welcome back my friend!!!

That`s a great start my friend!! Cant wait to see more!!

Great review! Thanks!

1:48 Conquerors of Europe`s Sky ICM Catalogue number 48324 Price: around 81,95€ ICM continues to launch combo kit set that are a very good option to the modeler. Today we are checking the 1/48 “Conquerors of Europe’s Sky” combo set (catalog number 48324) that includes three iconic World War II aircraft: the B-26C Marauder, P-51D Mustang, and Spitfire Mk.XVI. So, three models in one box and its quite bix box. Packaging is typical ICM latest, each kit is served in the separate plastic bag. There are 454mm and 362 parts for big twin-engine B-26C Marauder, 207mm wingspan and 136 parts for Sptifire Mk.XVI and 235mm wingspan with 80 parts for P-51D Mustang. Let's crack the box!! One thing curious about this set…. It’s the first time that ICM release a C version… This B-26 contains an extra sprue that doesn`t exist in the B version. As for the Spitfire and the Mustang, these are older kits. ICM has made significant strides in improving the quality of their kits and as we going to show the new release feature crisp molding. The ICM 1/48 scale B-26B and B-26C model kits are very closely related, as they represent variants of the same aircraft family — the Martin B-26 Marauder — with minor but important differences. In real life, the B-26B and B-26C were mechanically and structurally identical, with the only real-world difference being the location of manufacture: · B-26B: Built at Baltimore, Maryland · B-26C: Built at Omaha, Nebraska As for the B-26 B click here For the G version click here Now as for the C version, a new sprue. The K sprue. The sprue K provides the specific parts for this version, featuring spars for attaching the wing root, a new instrument panel, and the wheels' rims for the landing gear. This sprue is also available in the G version but not on the B version box. But for this sprue to make the C version you only need the wheels hubs a vent, a small gondola and boomerang antenna. There`s a different between these two and the B-26C as they are from older moldes when ICM was still growing to the actual quality and finesse. First up is the P-51D Mustang It comprising around 80 parts, this model is more straightforward to assemble of all three. It offers a detailed cockpit and well-molded surfaces, making it a favorable choice for those looking to enhance their modeling skills. Considering that the kit was released in 2001 as the P-51C and in 2003 https://www.scalemates.com/kits/icm-48153-north-american-p-51d-15--1080729 with parts for the D variant, the kit has held up surprisingly well and is very easy to build. Of course, the kit can't compete with newer Czech kits in terms of detail, but it can be assembled quickly: So The P-51D the parts have good surface detail but not as good as the B-26C. Also the sprues have a few flash that will take a bit more time to clean up. Now the Spitfire. The kit dates back to 2001 and has held up relatively well for its age - https://www.scalemates.com/kits/icm-48061-spitfire-mkix--211640 The spitfire has more in-box detail with a full engine. The cockpit detail is quite good from the box. As I said with the P-51, the Spitfire is much older than the B26C, Its not the new ICM detail level. Although it comprising around 136 parts, the build is quite straight forward and building the engine will take some time and I suspect that if you put the engine you will not close down the engine panels. You can see the age on the molds as you have some flash to clean. And there’s no location tip, as it’s a limited run mold, back when ICM use them So the B-26 C comes with Two Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 engines (27 parts each), offering impressive realism comparable to high-end kits. However the engine gondola panels are not removal. ) In the Spitfire you can put the Merlin full exposed. As for the instructions of all models despite Spitfire and Mustang are older models kits, the instrucions are in the ICM modern state with only ICM color chart and clear parts indication. On the B-26 instruction is provide a canopy mask templates. The clear parts, are much better in the B-26 than thety are in the Spitfire and the Mustang, so you can see ICM evolution along the years also in the clear parts. However, all the clear parts have no distortion or bubble but the B-26 ones are more refine and clear. While the P-51 model kit does not bring any engine, the Spitfire and the B-26 C gives the modeler that option, but only the spit you can put it in sight. The B-26 C also have a pitot issue on the wing and fuselage, that I mention before when I review the B-26B. For the B-26 C, you got a large decal sheet with very good color and definition. Despite being a combo box, ICM don’t leave the modeler with a single option in the B-26 C but all 3 options: 1. B-26 C-45-MO 42-107783 “Thumper”, 441st Bombardment Squadron, 320th Bombardment Group, France, 1945; 2. B-26 C-45-MO 42-17534 “Belle Ringer”, 441st Bombardment Squadron, 320th Bombardment Group, France, 1945; 3. B-26 C-45-Mo 42-107729 “Stud Duck”, 34th Bombardment Squadron, 17th Bombardment Group, France, Longvic, April 1945; As for the instructions, typical modern ones from ICM with good location parts indication and color references only by ICM colors. Moving for the little friends, The P-51D and the Spitfire Mk XIV. The P-51 only have a small decal sheet with a single scheme. P. McKennon famous “Ridge Runner” P-51 D , Maj. P. McKennon, 4th FG, Spring 1945 As for the Spitfire, a bigger decal sheet means that you have two schemes: - Spitfire LF. XVI E, 74 Sqn., Drope, Germany, April 1945. - Spitfire LF. XVI E, Sqn. Ldr, K. Pniak (7 victories) OC n.º 308 (Krakov) Sqn. England, Summer 1945 Conclusion Priced around €80–€90, the “Conquerors of Europe’s Sky” set offers a substantial value, especially considering the inclusion of three aircraft models being the new B-26 with 3 decals options. A single B-26 cost almost the same thing. This set, consisting of two older models (Spitfire/Mustang) and a brand-new kit (Marauder), is a beautiful tribute to all those pilots who risked their lives in WWII. Lest we forget! Highly recommend My truly thanks to ICM for making this combo box!!!

Ohhhh, we could have some beer or lunch!!! But Its very good to know that you loved my home city!!!

Great review and well explain the differences between the B and G version.

For me, the best! I have mine a few years now, and its the only airbrush I have for all work and works like charm!

Woooow... fantastic build and display.