ICM Dornier Do 215B-4 - 1:72 ICM

[Paul A H]

Dornier Do 215B-4

1:72 ICM

 

 

The Dornier Do 215 was a development of the successful Do 17z, intended specifically for export to foreign customers. A range of power plants were tried with a view to improving performance, resulting in the selection of the Daimler Benz DB601Ba inverted V-12. The initial batch of aircraft, destined for the Swedish Air Force, were embargoed upon the outbreak of war and then pressed into service with the Luftwaffe. A range of variants followed, but none were produced in any great number. The 215B-4 was a dedicated reconnaisance aircraft, fitted with Rb 20/30 and Rb 50/30 cameras.

 

This kit is a re-release of ICM's excellent new tool Do 17, with different parts for the wings and engines. 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. 

 

 

 

Construction begins with the very well detailed cockpit. Interior detail includes 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 really nice in terms of moulded detail. 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 bulged fairing for the Rb 20/30 camera is included as an optional part. Check which of the including marking options you wish to use, as the Hungarian version appears not to have had this fairing installed.

 

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. The DB 601 engines are presented in their complete form and are rather nicely detailed, which opens up the possibility of finishing the model in some form of maintenance diorama. The main landing gear legs have to be installed as part of the construction of the engine pods, so take your time making sure everything fits well together and is painted ready for installation.

 

 

With the engines in place, the rest of the build is occupied with finishing details. The canopy is nice and clear and includes the streamlined DF 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. 

 

 

 

Three options are provided on the decal sheet:
⦁    Do 215B-4 G2 + JH, 4./Aufkl. Gr.Ob.d.L, France, August 1940
⦁    Do 215B-4 T5 + AH, 1./Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L, Luonetjarvi, Finland, July 1941
⦁    Do 215B-4 L2 + ES, 3./Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L, Ukraine, August 1941
⦁    Do 215B-4 F7 + 53, 1./1 Long Range Reconnaisance Squadron, Royal Hungarian Air Force, Ukraine, August 1942

 

All four aircraft are finished in RLM 70/71 over RLM 65, with the latter two aircraft finished with a mottle of RLM 71 over the lower surface. The decals look excellent and include a selection of stencils.

 

 

Conclusion

 

We've waited a while for a nice, modern kit of the Do17/215 family. ICM's new effort looks to be slightly ahead of the Airfix kit in terms of detail, and of course they are now releasing a wider range of variants from their moulds. Speaking of which, 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

[weesiep]

More then just slightly ahead I would say. Just received mine. Very fine detail, very crisp and especially the super thin and consistent panel lines are of a very high level. Bought it together with the Eduard 1/72 Spitfire mk IX but I rate the panels lines of this ICM kit higher.