Jump to content

Dornier Do 17Z-2 - 1:72 ICM


Paul A H

Recommended Posts

Dornier Do 17Z-2

1:72 ICM

 

do17z2_01.jpg

 

The Dornier Do 17, nicknamed the Fliegender Bleistift or flying pencil due to its slender shape, was a light bomber designed by Dornier Flugzeugwerke in the mid-1930s. During the early design period the aircraft was euphemistically referred to as a high speed mail plane, but it's highly likely that it was always intended to fulfil a combat role. The Do17 was able to carry a bomb load of 1000kg, but range was limited when carrying heavy loads. Defensive armament was comprised of MG-15  machine guns carried in various positions in the forward fuselage.

 

The Dornier is the latest all-new tooling from Kiev-based outfit ICM. Inside the very sturdy top-opening box are three largish frames of light grey plastic and two of clear plastic which together hold a total of nearly 200 parts. The airframe is covered in crisp, recessed panel lines which look very good indeed, and the mouldings are crisp and clean. The instructions are an A4 stapled booklet which has been printed in colour and the decal sheet is clear and well printed. The overall impression is of a well-executed kit which looks as though it should be enjoyable to build. 

 

do17z2_02.jpg

 

do17z2_03.jpg

 

do17z2_04.jpg

 

Construction begins with the very well detailed cockpit. Interior detail includes the crew seats, rudder pedals, control column (moulded in two parts), radio gear and other sidewall details and a large number of spare magazines for the defensive machine guns. The instrument panel is made up from two parts and is beautifully detailed. Internal frames for the bomb bay and wing spar are also included, as is an optional fuel tank for the forward part of the bomb bay. The upper wing is moulded as a single span, complete with interior detail for the main landing gear bays. The ailerons are moulded as separate parts, which is always welcome. The rest of the flying surfaces follow suite, with the rudders and elevators all moulded separately. The elevator balance mechanisms are also included. 

 

With the major parts of the airframe complete, construction turns to the bomb bay and landing gear. Twenty 50kg bombs are included, although whether you use them all will depend on whether you have installed the optional fuel tank first. The landing gear is nicely detailed, although construction is somewhat unconventional. You have to install the interior parts for the landing gear onto the undersurface of the completed wing and then build the engine nacelles around them. This is quite a clever way of approaching this stage of the build and it should work well. The exterior parts of the nacelle have to be constructed with the firewall and engine sub-frame fixed to one half of the nacelle. The engines themselves comprise six parts and include options for different exhaust arrangements.  

 

do17z2_05.jpg

 

With the engines in place, the rest of the build is occupied with finishing details. The canopy is nice and clear and includes an option for the DF loop, or the later streamlined fairing. Six MG15s are included. The bomb bay can be finished in open or closed positions, and for once you aren't required to simply cut the bomb bay doors apart to finish it in the open position as separate parts are included for that option. 

 

do17z2_06.jpg

 

do17z2_07.jpg

 

Three options are provided on the decal sheet:

  • Do 17Z-2 5K + HR, 7./KG3, France, August 1940
  • Do 17Z-2 F1 + BL, 3./KG3, France, August 1940
  • Do 17Z-2 U5 + BH, 1./KG2, Greece, May 1941
  • Do 17Z-2 A1 + TZ, 15.(Kroat.)/KG53, Russia, Winter 1941-42
  •  

All four aircraft are finished in RLM 70/71 over RLM 65, with the fourth aircraft finished in a temporary winter distemper over the top of the camouflage. The decals look excellent and include a smattering of stencils.

 

do17z2_08.jpg

 

Conclusion

 

We've waited a while for a nice, modern kit of the Do17. Airfix were first to market with a very good kit, but ICM's new effort looks to have shaded them slightly in terms of detail. The mouldings are high quality, there is plenty of the aforementioned detail and surface structures are fine and crisp. Overall this is a well executed and carefully designed kit which is rich in detail. Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of logo.gif

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never seen pictures of a twin-boom Do17 before; good find!  (Dives bravely for very, extremely deep cover.)

 

You're quite right about the dual role design: for the rest of the world it was a high-performance mail and passenger transport (up to six passengers IIRC) , but for the German audience definitely a schnellbomber.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

25 minutes ago, Panzer Vor!!! said:

:think:  :doh: :D

Msg sent

 

22 minutes ago, stever219 said:

I've never seen pictures of a twin-boom Do17 before; good find!  (Dives bravely for very, extremely deep cover.)

 

You're quite right about the dual role design: for the rest of the world it was a high-performance mail and passenger transport (up to six passengers IIRC) , but for the German audience definitely a schnellbomber.

 

I dunno what you're talking about, it looks fine from here... :whistle:

 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have the Airfix kit and have also closely inspected the box contens of this one.

Which one is a better kit?

The answer is simple. ICM.

Why?

It looks and feeels more delicate and propellor blades and hubs are good OOB, as well as defensive armament (those MG15s sure do look like themselves), while the Airfix kit needs replacement of all those parts and especially machine guns.

The ICM kit is thus cheaper and better.

 

Josip

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...