1:48 ICM Dornier Do-217 M-1

[Fran]

1:48

Do-217 M-1

ICM

Catalogue number 48274

Price: around 64,95€

 

The Dornier 217 M-1 was a German WWII era medium bomber, developed from the previous Do 217 E medium bomber series. Unlike the previous Do 217 E, and similar to the Do 217 K-1, the Do 217 M-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. Unlike all the Do 217 versions before, new engines were chosen as the radial BMW 801 engines were in shortage. Instead,the Do 217 M used inline DB 603A engines found in He 219 and Do 335 or Italian G.56 fighters. New engines drastically improved the top speed of the bomber which increased by approximately 80 km/h. The defensive armament was changed again, the forward 7,92 mm MG 81 was replaced by heavier 13 mm MG 131 and the rear facing MG 81 machine guns were changed from single to dual mounted. 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 Do 217M took part in Operation Steinbock, the last Luftwaffe offensive against British isles aswell as in sinking of the battleship Roma on her way to Malta.

 

The Do 217 M-1 was introduced in Update 1.29 together with the other planes of the Dornier 217 family. 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 M is also very capable CAS 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, rivaling fighters such as Bf 109, making the Dornier be able to run away in dive from opponents such as Spitfires or Yaks.

(https://wiki.warthunder.com/unit/do_217m_1)

So the main difference and it quite eaassy to see are the engines.

While the Do-217 K-1 was powered by the BMW 801 engine, the M-1 was powered by the Daimler-Benz 603.

So this kit has all parts of the K-1 version except the engine sprue.

But first the box art! ICM really has some great artist painting or making such box art. This one is no exception as it´s, for me, very appealing!

 

 

 On his version you will get much less plastic as you don’t have the engine BMW sprue. On the K version you have a Daimler benz engine and the BMW engines. In this version, only the DB engines.

 

 

 

 

The clear parts are perfect! Even in this shape…

 

 

 

As usual are pristine and very clear with no distortion at all. This example has a little cloudy window in the from gondola but nothing that a bit of polishing would not solve.

 

 

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.

 

Passing on a first general view, is a typical ICM quality plastic, with no distortion, no flash, with very good surface detail.

 The main different for the K version- The engines

You can chance to chose between close engine and open engine.

To open the engine, a minor surgery has to be made so you have to cut the gondola engines and start working on step 48A. If you want all close you start the 48b.

The good of it is that you can have one close and one open.

 

 

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 masking templates is a nice touch but I would recommend some good masks like the ones from Art Scale.

The decal sheet has a good color registration and supply 4 finishing options:

 

 

• Do-217 M-1, 2./KG2, France, Summer 1943

 

 

• Do-217 M-1, 2./KG2, Culimiern, early 1944

 

• Do-217 M-1, 1.(f)/Nacht, Kastrup, Spring 1945

 

• Do-217 M-1, 2.(f)/Nacht, Prague-Ruzyne, 1945

 

 

 

The box profiles.

 

Conclusion

 

Well, ICM is filling up all D-217 variants in 1:48, all with very good models kits straight from the box. The M and K line were a must have to all Luftwaffe fans. The wait as worth it, no doubt about it!!

As all latest ICM model kits, 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.