ICM Do 215B-5 WWII German Night Fighter - 1:72 ICM

[Paul A H]

Do 215B-5 WWII German Night Fighter

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-5 was a dedicated night fighter, of which 20 were converted from B-1 and B-4 airframes. The aircraft were originally fitted with an infra red searchlight in the nose, but this system proved to be ineffective. From mid-1942, aircraft were fitted with the Lichtenstein 202 B/C radar instead. 

 

This kit is the third iteration of ICM's excellent new tool Dornier. The plastic is essentially identical to the B-4 kit, but with a small extra sprue containing parts for the nose, radar array and under-fuselage cannon pack. 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 like it should be thoroughly 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 cannon pack in also fitted at this stage. 

 

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, while the rear-firing MG15 is included. The new nose includes the delicate radar antenna and four fixed machine guns, as well as the clear part for the IR searchlight. 

 

 

 

Decal options include:

• Dornier Do 215B-5, Stab II./NJG 2, Leewarden, Spring 1942. This aircraft is finished in RLM 74 and RLM 75 over RLM 76.
• Dornier Do 215B-5, flown by Oblt. P. Gildner, II.NJG 2, Giltze-Rijen, Autumn 1941. This aircraft is finished in overall matt black. 

The decals look nicely printed and a number of stencils are included.

 

 

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 have offered 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