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OK - no blowing raspberries you lot... Another build/project/squirrel. Came to the conclusion before Christmas that a lot of the model projects I'm playing with are big and complicated - thought it might be a good idea to pick up a nice, modern, small(ish) kit and not overthink it - if it could be a test bed for other stuff I'm trying to learn - and a few new techniques - all the better. Now I do have a bit of a 'thing' for pre-war RAF/FAA types - and have quite a pile of projects I really want to do - but they are mostly a little intimidating, and expensive, resin kits. Max, and others, have provided great inspiration with Gladiator builds - and Max's beautiful Gauntlet. Now - it happens that I have three ICM Gladiators tucked away - relatively cheap - and I have spares if I c*ck it up... Modelling bench cleared over the break - and a start made. Oh, and here's what I thought of the kit when it was released. Aims decals - the 56 Sqn markings have already found a home elsewhere... A selectuion of 'extras' - not as complex as it may look. RB Productions flat rigging wires - sadly not currently available - and something I've been wanting to try for ages. 3d printed vinyl instrument panel - in this case Quinta - again - something I've been meaning to try for a while. AIMS etched fret for the Mk.I and Mk.II - will only be using a few of the comprehensive collection of parts provided. Plan is a little extra detailing - without going mad - and a neat build and silver paint job. Oh - and a bit of 3d modelling and printing. Back in a mo... Iain

It's been a while since the last post I made on the workshop but I finally managed to complete the model of the Fiat CR.42 "Falco" and presents the machine CR. 42 Falco, 83 So., 18 Gruppo, 56 Stormo C.T., Ursel, Belgium, November 1940.I added extras from EDUARD, YAHU MODELS and CMK to the model. I also did the riveting based on the drawings posted in KAGERO. Enjoy watching. You can also see something in the cabin. A close-up of the engine. And a close-up of the riveting.

I hadn’t realised that I hadn’t created an RFI thread for my ICM Tiger Moth, so here goes. The light was perfect yesterday morning for photographs and I managed to finish just before the rain came…….again! This shot shows the sad fact that ICM haven’t managed to get the dihedral of the lower wing right despite their one piece moulded wings and fuselage centre section idea because the plastic is not rigid enough to maintain the angles. It is what it is! I rigged the flying wires as tightly as I dared in order to “pull up” the wings but to no real effect. I enjoyed the build and wouldn’t rule out doing another, but I’ll have to seriously think around that lower wing dihedral!

My next project will be ICM's Yak-9T. I've also bought some Eduard etch as well as their Brassin exhaust set. Here's a look at what's in the box. Firstly, the clear parts. Wings. Fuselage bits. Detail sprues. The kit includes a representation of the Klimov V12 engine and it must be built as this is how the propeller mounts. You have a choice as to how you build it; either detailed with the upper cowlings off, or bare basics with engine cowling closed. I always like to see what powers the plane, but I also like to have the option to close it up so this will make me put on my thinking cap as to how I could achieve this. The Yak-9 is slightly bigger than the Yak-3, and it may fit into a Trumpeter display case, so that may be an option too. Here's a picture of my SH Yak-3 against the wings on this kit. There are four options for markings provided OOB. I'd like to paint this in the mid war VVs camo scheme of green/black topsides, which is provided for in the kit. I'm going to look around for something different but unfortunately Begemot, who did the decals on my Yak-3 haven't yet done a set for the Yak-9. I may be able to use some of the markings left over from the Yak-3 build, so who knows what I'll do eventually. However, a quick internet search hasn't revealed anything so far. Nothing has yet happened on this build, but I'll probably start painting the inside bits tonight. I'm hoping that this will be another very enjoyable ICM kit, as all the others built so far have been. More soon, I hope. Cheers, Michael

Anyone who’s a Beatles fan will be familiar with the term ‘dark horse’ attributed to George Harrison whose talents blossomed late in the Beatles’ career with the Abbey Road album. A dark horse is a previously lesser-known person or thing that emerges to prominence in a situation, especially in a competition involving multiple rivals or a contestant that on paper should be unlikely to succeed but yet still might. (Wikipedia) In our hobby, the ICM FIAT CR.42 is just that. Released without much fanfare two years ago, the Falco was obscured by its ‘rival’ the Gladiator but nevertheless became a modellers’ favourite in internet forums especially among beginners at large scale biplanes. Now hot on the heels of our friends @Fanes @spook @Dpgsbody55 and some others, here’s my take on the FIAT biplane with a nod to my host country: Belgium. In a nutshell, in September 1939, Belgian authorities ordered 34 CR.42 from FIAT. On March 6, the first of 30 planes arrived in Belgium still carrying Italian camouflage, to be assembled. They were assigned the serials R-1 to R-30 and were attributed to the IIe Groupe de Chasse between escadrilles 3/II and 4/II whose pilots began to convert in their new mounts. Two months later, on May 10 the Wermacht launched its attack against the Low Countries and Belgium. The nearly obsolete Fiat were pitted against the vastly superior Bf 109E. All the CR.42 of the 4/II were destroyed on the ground. The remaining squadron retreated to France and surrendered to the Wermacht after Belgium asked Germany for an armistice on June 28 1940. Thus ended the brief life of the Belgian FIAT. It was almost 4 months after the Belgians took delivery of their first Fiat. For a detailed account of the short combat life of the CR.42 in Belgian service, click HERE For the inventory photos of the CR.42 in Belgian service, check out the excellent Daniel Brackx’s BELGIAN WINGS. The familiar ICM kit A modern colorized version Since there are already a few detailed articles about the building of this kit, I ‘d like to concentrate on the camouflage and the painting of this model. There are quite a few period photographs of the Belgian FIAT as one can discover on the BELGIAN WINGS site. Nevertheless they all are in monochrome. There are a few controversies about the colours of the camouflage. Sure we all know they came in ‘Italian camouflage’ but which one? as it’s a VERY complex subject as we will find out. Hopefully some connoisseurs will chime in. Thank you for your commentaries and your invaluable input. Until next time, Cheers, Quang

ICM kit with figures. Added Eduard Interior, few cables here and there, canopy handles, med kit. Skids reinforced with papaper clip, rotor too. Very nice kit, with extra patience required on gluing transparent parts. WIP: https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/94750-icm-ah-1g-mo-ther-lover-vietnam-132/

This is a kind of New Year resolution! You're supposed to make them and keep them right?! Some of you may remember this build that ended none too well: and from that moment to this the remnants have lain untouched and unloved in its box. But the phoenix is about to rise from the ashes! I looked at it this morning and sorted out what's what: so alongside this build: 2023 will start off as "everything Tiger Moth". Happy New Year, and cheers.....

I've thought about doing an OV-10BZ for some time, but have been busy with other projects. Today I thought I'd dive in and 3D print a prototype jet engine pod for the ICM 1/48 OV-10A kit, with an eye towards making all the conversion parts needed for the OV-10BZ. First print looks promising. I'll make some adjustments when I get some free time.

Hello guys! I started ICM Cobra in september. Goes together nicely as every their new release I had. I found a way to manage Achilles heel of this kit - undercarriage. I simply made groove for paperclip wire and poured thick layer of CA glue. Then I will put small metal tubes into fuselage to make strong joint. Does anybody have "Du-Me-Mi" AH-1G Photos? I'm looking but without success. I don't like to rely on profiles as they are often superficial. After this modification I started cockpit and transmission. Added Eduard PE, lead wires and made first aid kit from alluminium foil. There is small gap in beetween bottom fuselage panel and fuselage halfs and small problem with transmission side panel - slightly protruded. Nothing to worry about. Kit itself is "weekend edition" for every thorough modeller.

We take an 'in-box' look at the latest release from ICM, kit 32090 for the Yak-9T. It's a lovely looking kit in the box... Have fun, Iain

We take an 'in-box' look at ICM's very nice Fiat CR.42 kits, in this case the ground-attack CR.42AS boxing. A cracking subject, beautifully done IMHO. Iain

We take a look at ICM's recent rendition of the wonderful de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth - released last year. We wish the ICM team, along with family and friends, all the best given the current awful situation in their country - we very much hope they all stay safe and well. A couple of relevant accessory reviews to follow shortly... Blue skies! Iain

This from the Hannants "Hot news" email just received: "We have had some more good news from Ukraine. ICM are working again.... We have sent them an order...."

Hi, Gladiator from ICM is a very enjoyable adventure. Fast to bulid, with nice engine. ICM was in road to top of plastic manufacturers, unfortunately because of Russian aggresion they halted production. I added Aires seat with seatbelts, and PE. I have strenghten horizontal stabilizers and skids with needle/paperclip.

Although my record at completing a project during a group build is rather empty - here's to another attempt! I chose Revell's boxing of the ICM Bü 131. Well, it's not a blue box but I hope that it's a happy one nonetheless. There were several other Revell boxes in the stash but most of them are planned as minor conversions (PR Spitfires), with loads of aftermarket (109G-6) or a huge conversion with loads of aftermarket (Ju 88 to Ju 188F). Nothing that I feel confident to complete until the end of february. Since I had a lot of fun with ICM's small I-16 the expectations are up. The inventory: The quickboost seats are in for one reason only: the seatbelts. The kit includes none, I hate PE belts and fiddling with two sets of textile belts at once has no place in my happy box. The subject I have a thing for recon aircraft. Luckily the Jungmann wasn't only used as a training plane but also for liaison duties. Scrolling through one of my favourite books regarding german photo recon ("Embleme der Luftwaffe" bd.1) I stumbled on a crashed Buecker. (source: Collection Richter for research and discussion purposes only) It was used by Stab/NAGr.3 (tactical recon unit) during summer 1942 in the Ukraine. Drawing the unit emblem and cutting masks for it shouldn't be a problem - same goes for the indiviudal markings. There will be some artistic licence involved since the first to letters aren't readable. The reference in the book states ?B+J0 as a possibility (usually the Stab would be J2+?B). The profile from the Revell instructions is included for another reason - I have no idea if the crashed Buecker is painted RLM70/71 splinter camo over RLM65 or plain RLM71 over 65. Both schemes were used on the Jungmann and the photo isn't helpful. I'm leaning towards the latter but that's not an urgent decision. Cutting plastic starts today - pictures will follow tomorrow. Cheers Joachim

Here is my latest project, namely ICM's lovely Fiat CR-42 model. Overall, this is a lovely model to build as is the usual case with ICM kits these days although there were a couple of things I thought could have been done a bit better. This is a model I have wanted for a long time and I'd dearly love to see more injection molded LSP Regia Aeronautica subjects tackled as Italy built some great planes in WW2. This particular plane is the fighter variant and was operated by the 75th Squadron, 23rd Gruppo Autonomo, based in Sicily in June of 1941. The decals are from the kit, but I have added some photo etch courtesy of Eduard. I've also enhanced the engine detail with some copper wire spark plug leads as well as some extra plumbing which I think is oil related. Here's a shot of the completed engine. This is the completed cockpit, to which has been added some Eduard etch as well as rudder cables made from wire. Work In Progress build here: Fiat CR-42 Falco, by ICM Cheers, Michael

I completely forgot to make a proper RFI post for the small I-16 I finished this year. You can find the WiP thread here: Stuff and materials used: ICM's wonderful I-16 Type 10 kit Aerocraft brass landing gear (highly recommended) eduard fabric seatbelts - Sutton type since there's only rusian belts made from PE (hate them) small scratched bits and bobs no decals this time, all markings are painted using homemade masks And here it is in all its glory: What's left to say? The I-16 was my first ICM kit and for sure not the last (Bü 131 and Sea Gladiator already in the stash). The build was a joy with good fit and good detailing with some room left for scratch build improvements Painting the insignia wasn't easy on this one but I learned a lot as well! So long Joachim

Hi everyone, I am making my ICM Mk I Gloster Gladiator as a J8. The kits cockpit was already started as it was my display model for advertising the AIMS cockpit detail set so trying to paint it up nice as an afterthought means it is by far my best work. There are some more bits to add to the right side but these cannot be added to until the halves are together. Also on the J8 the IFF control on the upper left side was changed to underneath the Flygradiostation type III device but mine was glued solid as had not intended making the kit! Anyway apart from my mistakes I hope you like. thanks.

For my own amusement as much as anything else I've been comparing the three Tiger Moth kits which are now available. I thought I'd make a running thread of my musings on various aspects of the three but please feel free if inclined to add observations, comments, questions or ribald humour! Part 1 - THE KITS: The oldest of the three is the Matchbox one, first produced as long ago as 1978 in multi-coloured plastic (why?) then latterly re-boxed by Revell in 1997 in a light grey plastic: Matchbox/Revell is quite a mouthful and too much typing for me so from now on I'll call it Revell. Only last year Silver Wings picked up the challenge in what appeared to be a gap in the market given the venerable age and increasing scarcity of the Revell kit. The Tiger Moth is very much in line with the type of aircraft that Silver Wings tend to specialise in so fitted the bill very nicely. A little persuasion from LSP members added to the chances of its issue: And then, completely out of the blue ICM announced a new Tiger Moth kit which has come out very recently indeed. ICM are the emerging player in 1/32 scale aircraft, we were all stunned and delighted by the Gladiator that they produced last year, so a new Tiger Moth was very welcome: BOXES: It's worth mentioning the boxes, and indeed the box art because in each category one is notable for all the wrong reasons. The villain in box design is the Revell one, an end-opening box which as a storage box whilst working on the kit is as much use as a chocolate fire screen. The hero is the ICM box, it's the type we have come to expect from them of a cover lid lifting off to reveal a stout box which opens from the top and closes securely. ICM can't rest on their laurels though because the box art isn't that good, especially the representation of a Tiger Moth being flown solo from the front cockpit.....it doesn't happen!! MATERIAL: Both the Revell and ICM kits are injection moulded plastic, the Silver Wings resin with some photo-etch. COSTS: Most people wanting a Revell Tiger Moth will search on eBay and as we all know prices there can fluctuate wildly, a recent search showed kits available between £25.00 and £70.00. Silver Wings kits, being short-run and resin are always expensive, slight variations can be found but typically they are around £120.00. The brand new ICM kit works out at about £35.00 from suppliers such as Hannants. WHAT'S IN THE BOX: So what do you get for your hard-earned money in terms of bits of plastic (or resin)? Five sprues with the Revell kit which includes two aircrew and a mechanic (not very well done I'm afraid), but also floats should that "float your boat" and an enclosed canopy if you want a Canadian version. Lots of bits (I haven't counted them but some smaller ones duplicated) giving a high level of detail. For example, a one-piece mould in both the Revell and ICM kits of the main undercarriage structure comprises five pieces in the Silver Wings kit. Just three sprues in the ICM kit, the most notable part is the lower wings and cockpit floor structure moulded as one, therefore setting the lower wing dihedral. More about that in later additions to the thread. INSTRUCTIONS: Wide, wide variations here! All are A4 size. The Revell one: Compared to the Silver Wings ones: The main problem with the Silver Wings instructions is that apart from the PE, there are no part numbers showing allocation positions so the builder is entirely at the mercy of the clarity of the illustrations. Experience shows they don't always work! and the ICM ones: I know which I prefer! Enough rambling for today, more diatribe downstream!!

We take a look at ICM's excellent 1:32 Gloster Gladiator Mk.I... From what I've seen/heard this is proving to be quite a popular kit! Have fun, Iain

I've been going back and forth wether to participate in this GB or not. There are some trainers in my stash (e.g. the Bü 131) but my main topic is recon planes and therfor most trainers will be build as liaison planes. Speaking of recon birds: my FR IXc Spit is still sitting on the shelf waiting for completion... Anyway I chose a rather simple subject: A Polikarpov Type 10 in the (post war) colours of the Spanish Airforce. Some of the former republican Ratas were used as training aircraft at Moron airbase until mid fiftys! I bought the ICM decals some time ago but I think I'll ditch them since I gained a lot of confidence with cutting maks on my Silhouette Portrait. The only addition (so far) is the beautiful brass landing gear from Aerocraft. Stay tuned Joachim

We take a look at the Sea Gladiator variant of the excellent ICM Gladiator kits. Blue skies! Iain

Hi all, Have posted a quick in-box review of the new ICM Stearman PT-17/N2S-3 Kaydet kit. Blue (and Yellow!) skies... Iain

Hi, i started new ICM kit of this lovely biplane. I decided to convert it to early version - with other type of spinner similar to I-16. My choice of painting is red 29: but I can't find any photo of it : / Maybe you can help me? If i won't find it, alternative scheme is this one, with existing photographs: Engine is not a good side of kit, it looks like scaled 1:72 element, but it won't be visible much under engine cover. Wheel bays are unfortunately empty, maybe i scratch something there. Despite these disadvantages, kit is coming together very nicely and fast. ICM did great job!

Well I hope you are all well. I have been ill and not going to post office for a few more weeks so not taking orders but want to share with you a number of products that are available and can be shipped once I am feeling better. 32P021 Gloster Gladiator Export parts for Norwegian and Swedish J8 /J8a £12.00 Coming soon - 32F002 Hans-Joachim Marseille £TBC 1/32 Ju 88 A-1(F), A-5(F) and D-2 rear bomb bay camera fairings Thanks for looking and stay safe. As we modellers are all used to social distancing and wearing masks and latex gloves everything should be business as usual!