Review
This offering from ICM of a Do 217M-1 has to be coming to the end of its possible variants, due to the large number of kits they have delivered of the model over the last couple of years. The offering arrives in a cardboard flip-top tray, with an additional card lid. Inside the plastic is within a single plastic bag and this also contains 2 further bags with alternate clear sprues. The decals are provided inside the instruction booklet. An examination of the parts shows that everything is moulded as it should be, and while there is always a risk with plastic mouldings you can’t really know what you are going to get. Access to the parts for removal is good, and the sprue gates I would class as fair to medium where size is concerned. I do not know an awful lot about this particular Do 217M-1 as my preference relates to the earlier ones from the Battle of Britain where they were known as the “flying pencil”.
The cockpit of this model shares the same fault that ICM unfortunately recreates a lot of. And that is the lack of harness detail on the seats. The bulbous nose section of the cockpit contains a host of defensive firepower, but by placing everything in one area, it does make injury to crew much more likely from a single burst from enemy fighters. On the plus side, it does mean that the co-ordination between the defensive stations is better organized, and also care for injured parties, rather than having to crawl over bomb-bays and such like. I cannot vouch for the physical aspects of the cockpit, but I will say that ICM usually does a reasonable job of at least getting the basics right. I like that the wing spars have been included to supply support and so makes sure that the wing orientation/angle is correct. The bomb-bay is quite nicely detailed for what is a cramped area and that is of course if you have the bomb-bay doors open.
Moving to the exterior of the plane, recessed panel lines have been tackled very well having a reasonable depth and good shape. The wings have especially good recessed detail on them. All of the flight control surfaces have been provided as separate mouldings, and so can be set as the modeller desires.
The engine nacelles are assembled off of the main aircraft, this helps to prevent damage to any parts of the model as you are progressing. 2 very nicely replicated engines are included, and if you want the engines on show a little bit of work and a saw will make this possible. The undercarriage is also installed into the engine nacelles prior to being installed to the main model, and I am sure that all of us have had the situation where you do not know where to grab the model without causing damage. So I consider this assembly method a big plus for the modeller. The large glazed area of the model have been cleanly tackled, are of a reasonable thickness and offer very good clarity. Three different bomb loads have been included, with a mix of 500 and 250lb bombs. ICM in its latest typical inclusion have provided a mask template for the glazed apertures and a guide to placing them on the model.
ICM has provided 4 finishing options for this model:
Do 217M-1 9./KG 2, France, Summer 1943
Do 217M-1 2./KG 2, Columiern, Early 1944
Do 217M-1, 1.(F)/Nacht, Kastrup, Spring 1945
Do 217M-1 2(F)/Nacht, (Presumabley), Prague-Ruzyne, 1945