Review

This offering from ICM arrives in a flip-top cardboard tray with a separate card showing the artwork. Inside the model is packed in 2 plastic bags, an examination of the contents reveals no issues of concern, access for removal of parts is also good but obviously there are some small parts that could easily by lost, damaged or broken. An issue that has come to my attention of late is that due to the instruction booklet being loose inside the box and the decals being parked inside the booklet the risk of damage due to damp is high, and something to consider, if like many modellers your purchase tends to go into storage rather than onto the bench. This particular release being a B-26F version means the wing angle was altered by 3.5 degrees which explains the reason for a new fuselage being included. A new ventilation mast which I was unable to identify, a difference to the windshield and removal of the fixed nose cone. These changes do mean that a small number of parts within the model are no longer used, but I have to commend ICM for having released a model where changes are so easily achieved without finding 100s of sprues within the box. I did find one of the exhausts loose in the bag but no damage had occurred.

You need to be aware that there are a number of holes that need to be drilled into the fuselage, and I am pleased to say that hole drilling areas are marked on the plastic and so easy to find and accurately positioned holes can be made and the size of the required drill bit is also covered. Something-else that is not quite so easily be achieved is removal of panel line details on the interior of the fuselage, and this will need to be tackled carefully. I suggest the use of a chisel, using the blade on the reverse cutting side as in using the bevel rather than the flat. Of course, you may wish to tackle it with a knife. Interior detail in this model is particularly good, from stem to stern, with the use of decals being included for use in various areas of the model and I also like that ICM has also called out individual painting of parts which will aide the general modeller greatly. There is a typical weakness present, which is the lack of harness details, and this is something that ICM really should overcome, even if it is just decals - at least there will be something present. 

Defensive machine guns are nicely detailed, even if the muzzle is not hollowed out. However for those who like to go to town, Master Model have excellent brass replacement barrels. The bomb bay provides a good level of detail, but moist importantly provides braces for the wings, which is something I have come to appreciate. Moving to the exterior surfaces of the model, very pleasing panel line detail is present in all areas, which will give those using some of the weathering products available to make a model really pop. Fillets that fit in-between the wing braces have been included and do have detailed faces. Fitting them will require a little bit of care and attention as they could fall into the bomb-bay making access that the ability to get them out difficult. 

All of the flight control surfaces are provided as separate parts, and so can be set as desired by the modeller. This could also result in some very pleasing models being shown in flight. Well detailed radial engines are included for both Port and Starboard with detail being of a good degree as regards plastic parts, Obviously photo etch is of course available to further improve that detail. The nacelles on which the engines mount has internal wall detail for the under carriage bays which is another areas that is sometimes overlooked. However, from memory, there should by some hydraulic piping present in this area which is not replicated. The undercarriage struts themselves are pleasing, even providing separate torque links which does add to the details normally present in these areas. The tyres are provided in 2 halves which as I understand it resin alternatives are available, without the seam line around the tyres that interfere with the tread detail and are also weighted from memory. ICM as usual provided a mask template for covering the clear aspects when painting, and they have also covered the placement of these masks using a very clear guide. 

ICM has provided 3 finishing options for this release:

B-26F-1-MA 42-96255 “Miss Manookie”, 586th Bombardment Squadron, 394th Bombardment Group, Holmsley South, August 1944

B-26F-1-MA 42-96281 “Redlight Rosie”, 587th Bombardment Squadron, 394th Bombardment Group, 1944

B-26F-1-MA 42-96323 “Zombie IV”, 587th Bombardment Squadron, 394th Bombardment Group