1:48 ICM Bronco NOGS – US attack Aircraft

[rverissimo]

ICM 1:48 Bronco NOGS – US attack Aircraft

Code: 48306

Introduction

In recent years, ICM has delighted the modelling community with a wide range of newly tooled aircraft kits. The model presented here is yet another addition to an extensive family of aircraft variants.

This particular kit represents a specialised derivative of the OV-10 — the Bronco NOGS. This version was developed as part of a study to assess the OV-10’s capability for night-time combat. Two airframes were modified with an extended nose section, housing a turret underneath equipped with a FLIR system and a laser rangefinder. At the rear of the fuselage, a turret was installed containing a three-barrel 20mm M197 rotary cannon. The weapon was aimed using the laser designator and vision system.

Both aircraft were deployed for testing in Southeast Asia in 1971, where they flew approximately 207 combat missions with positive results.

What’s in the box?

Inside the box, you’ll find a total of nine sprues comprising 233 parts to assemble the model, an instruction sheet, and a decal sheet offering four marking options.

Sprue A

This sprue provides the essential parts to convert the standard OV-10 into the specialised NOGS variant.

It includes the extended central fuselage, along with the modified underside designed to accommodate the cannon turret and the nose section fitted with sensor equipment. The rivets and panel lines on the fuselage are finely moulded and to scale, and will stand out beautifully with careful painting.

Details such as the pylons for the wing-mounted rocket launchers are well executed, and the launchers themselves are depicted loaded, complete with the characteristic firing sequence cord at the rear. The instrument panel is also nicely detailed and will benefit from a precise paint job to bring out its features.

The clipped-tip propellers are another distinctive feature of this version

Sprue B

This sprue includes one half of each boom and the two halves of the tail stabiliser. Notably, the vortex generators are well represented. The panel detailing is fine and appropriate for the scale.

It’s also worth highlighting that the rivets, where necessary, are moulded in raised relief.

Sprue B2

This sprue provides the outer halves of the booms. In the photo, the raised rivet detailing is clearly visible.

Sprue C

This sprue provides the main wing (with the upper half moulded as a single piece) and the two lower wing halves. These parts feature structural reinforcements in raised relief, recessed access panels, and both raised and recessed rivet detailing. Also included are parts of the internal walls for the rear landing gear bays, which display structural detail. More adventurous modellers may wish to enhance these areas further with scratch-built additions.

The small weapon-carrying “stub wings” are not used for this version.

Sprue D

This sprue contains parts for the cockpit — including side panels, side consoles, and electronic equipment boxes — as well as details for the nose landing gear, control surfaces (which feature raised rivets and vortex generators), and the landing gear legs. The ejection seats are also included.

 

Sprue E (x2)

These sprues provide paired components needed for assembly: wheels, ailerons (in halves, with rivet detail), engine fronts, and propeller spinners.

Sprue F and F1

The clear parts are crystal clear and free from distortion. The framing is well defined, which will make masking a straightforward task.

Decals

The decal sheet, ICM design, are quite good with very thin film and great color pigmentation.

Instructions

The instructions are spread across 20 pages, with glossy paper used for the covers and matte paper for the inner pages. The build is divided into 94 steps, with the final page dedicated to identifying the clear parts and their corresponding masking templates. The first page includes a colour guide for painting, referencing ICM’s own paint range.

Marking Options

Only two airframes were converted for this project. The four marking options represent these two aircraft at different points in their operational life — the first two schemes depict their early service, while the latter two show them in their later operational stage.

 YOV-10D NOGS 155395, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, 1971

YOV-10D NOGS 155396, Naval Support Activity Binh Thuy, Summer 1971

YOV-10D NOGS 155395, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, August 1973

YOV-10D NOGS 155396, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, 1975

Conclusion

ICM’s OV-10 family is well known and widely appreciated. This particular derivative — which paved the way for the later Dash D version — represents a relatively unknown chapter in aviation history. The marking options are both attractive and unique, offering modellers the choice between a striking and challenging camouflage scheme or more conventional and colourful liveries.

The fuselage and booms feature a mix of recessed and raised surface details, enhancing realism. With a good coat of paint and your preferred weathering techniques, these details will really stand out.

The instructions are clear and easy to follow, as is typical of ICM. However, due to the unique design of the Bronco, some care should be taken with the assembly sequence to ease the painting of hard-to-reach areas — particularly between the central fuselage and the booms. Based on my recent experience with Academy’s 1:72 scale version of the model, I recommend leaving the booms until the final stages of assembly, attaching them only after painting the fuselage.

 So i define this model as highly recommended, for the originality of the set!

Our thanks to ICM for the sample review!

Ricardo Veríssimo

[blackbetty]

i built one of these in 32nd scale

[rverissimo]

Hi !

now that's a big bird!  

great model ! I llike the wiring detail on the cockpit!!