1:48 AH-1G Cobra and M8A1US Landing Mat ICM

[Fran]

1:48

AH-1G Cobra and M8A1US Landing Mat

ICM

Catalogue number 48298

Price tag: 37,60€

Cick here to get one

 

Once again we have the pleasure to bring another ICM release, this time the AH-1G Cobra in 1:48.

ICM Models is a Ukrainian manufacturer specializing in high-quality plastic model kits. Established in Kyiv in the early 1990s, with limited run kits and in 2000 they chance hands and they start to working much better and with advanced design technologies, precision molding, and attention to historical detail.

And ICM doesn’t rest even in a war scenario, releasing a lot of new models kit every month.

 This one is a Limited Edition (the first I see in a ICM boxing but there was already the “Ah-G1 Artic Cobra”) as a limited edition also) and the plastic is a total Special hobby work. Nonetheless is a great model kit.

 

If you want just check this video build of it… just fantastic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULkkGf7VJD8

The box is the typical ICM with a lift-top one with the boxart sleeve remove to check the interior of the box.

The kit includes 182 parts (169 parts for the Ah-1G and the rest for the landing mat).

 

The rivets are raised on the rotor tail as it should be.

 

 

 

 

Checking the interior parts of the cockpit it includes detailed instrument panels and controls.

 

 

 

 

The clear canopy allows for an open or closed display, and some mask templates are provided (nice touch). However I would prefer to get some from Art Scale!

 

 

 

You will need to sort out some seatbelts as this cockpit is quite open even with the canopy close and at least a seatbelts are most welcome as they are very notice if absence.

 

 

One really nice add is the towing rack to gives you some diorama ideas.

 

 

I also like the option of the service doors for the engine compartment. It`s just asking to to be detailed… so if you want you need to get some goodies form the aftermarkers boys.

As for the armament and their configuration, ICM gives several weapon configurations (4 actually), including miniguns and grenade launchers. There`s also decals provide for the weapons but the instructions are not clear at all in the placement of smaller decals so you will have to get some info and pictures about those.

 

 

 

As for the decal sheet is a quite busy but no large size sheet, with all the markings, insignias, instruments and several stencils.

 

The colour and pigmentation looks quite good. I think that they are ICM productions and they usually work well.

 

There are four options on the decal sheet, all but one in light green-grey, differentiated by their unit markings, the final markings having a dense dark green squiggle camouflage scheme over the green-grey.  From the box you can build one of the following:

1.    AH-G1 66-15262 “Hulk”, Company D, 227^th AHB, 1^st Cavalary Division, Phuoc Vinh, Summer 1970;

 

 

2.    AH-G1 68-17068 “Cindy Ann”, 1^st Squadron, 9^th Cav, Phuoc Vinh, August 1970;

 

3.    AH-G1 68-17077 “Corsair”, Company D, 227^th AHB, 1^st Cavalary Division, Lai Khe 1970;

 

 

4.   AH-G1 68-15101. H Troop. 10^th Cav. Pleiku, Autumn 1972
 

 

 

The instructions is a booklet with good drawings, simple to follow and see where all parts goes as usual with the minor report about the weapons decals.

 

 

The first 3 pages and the last 3 pages are in satin paper. It`s usually like this and I don’t understand why and I don’t see any reason for that.

 

The colour indication. So, all the colour indication are ICM references. There`s not much colour indication (could be better) and the ones that are, are ICM color… I now that ICM already release several acrylic paints and they really work really well but I would like to see other brands but I understand the ICM option.

 

As for the Landing mat, check our review here.

 

 

Conclusion:

  

The molding quality is excellent, with well-defined panel lines and raised rivet details as it is a great model from Special Hobby and in good time ICM rebox it.

A very versatile weapon loadouts and display options is a very good add and I love the markings options given, being quite appealing ones.

So you can get a really nice model straight from the box (you really need to sort out some seatbelts)

Overall, the ICM 1:48 AH-1G Cobra is a well-designed kit offering an excellent balance of detail and build complexity, making it ideal for both intermediate and advanced modelers looking for a rewarding project

My Thanks to ICM for making the Limited Edition.

 

Fran