This offering from ICM in 1/48th scale is a release of the Marauder minus the Spitfire and Mustang which was previoulsy released as Conquerors of Europe’s Sky, and so I do not intend to spend very long on this release. For me, this series of Marauder’s provided by ICM have a number of high points, with only 1 minus of which I am aware. Interior detail of the fuselage, while not complete covers the essentials as regards what realistacally can be seen. All of the detail in the various locations along the fuselage have been well replicated in this model, and I have yet to hear of any complaints thus far. My critque of this release is that a number of holes need to be opened up, and while I am pleased to see the required drill size covered the point that the holes need to be made are provided via measurements in millimetres and bearing in mind that some of these measurements are 0.8mm oldens such as myself, would have difficulty in seeing it let alone accurately measuring it.
A usual none feature of ICM kits, is the lack of harnesses, and so I am not going to bother listing that as a negative. You are provided with the option of a open or closed bomb bay and I like that the counterbalance weight to prevent a tail sitter has been covered as regards weight and location. If like me, you have a favourite weighting material, the top of the location where the weight is to be added can be accessed after the fuselage has been closed up and this means that Deluxe liquid gravity can be added in my case with ease. Externally all of the panel lines are nicely recessed and at the same time subtle. Flight controls are provided as separate pieces, and so can be set as desired.
I like that ICM provides wing spars allowing you to accurately angle the wings and snug-up the gap between the wing root and the fuselage. Reasonably detailed radial engines have been provided in the kit, and so those modellers who wish to go down the super detailing route can do so with a good base from which to work. As regards having the engine cowlings open, I do not know how accurately that can be done in this release without surgery. Looking at the wheel base in the engine nacelles I am pleased to see a very fair level of detail, although it is true that it could always be better. The wheel struts also look to be reasonably well detailed, although some wiring detail will need to be added to replicate brake-lines and such.
The model itself once assembled will I believe, meet everybody's base requirements and provide a good base for super detailers to progress further. ICM has again provided a mask template to aide the painting of the model, and has provided 3 finishing options for this release:
B-26C-45-MO 42-107783, ‘Thumper’, 441st Bombardment Squadron, 320th Bombardment Group, Frane 1945
B-26C-45-MO 42-107534, ‘Belle Ringer’, 441st Bombardment Squadron, 320th Bombardment Group, France 1945
B-26C-45-MO 42-107729, ‘Stud Duck’, 34th Bombardment Squadron, 17th Bombardment Group, France, Longvic, April 1945