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About plane: The Po-2 (originally U-2) was designed as a training aircraft in 1928. During World War II, it was adapted for many tasks including flying ambulance. The model shown here is equipped with Bakshayev containers - each could hold one stretcher with a wounded person. About model: Model based on great ICM 72244 kit. Rigging from Uschi. Paints from Bilmodel. Decals self made.

ICM is to release 1/72nd Polikarpov Po-2 kits - ref. 72243 - Polikarpov U-2/Po-2VS WWII Soviet Light Night Bomber (100% new molds) NEW Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM72243 - ref. 72244 - Polikarpov U-2/Po-2, WWII Soviet Multi-Purpose Aircraft NEW Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM72244 V.P.

U-2/Po-2VS with Soviet Pilots and GP (48254) 1:48 ICM The Polikarpov Po-2 or U-2 in the training role, was a standard training bi-plane developed to replace the U-1 which was a copy of the Avro 504. The prototype first flew in 1928. The aircraft would also later find roles in crop dusting, light attack, reconnaissance, liaison and even psychological warfare, The Russian forces used the aircraft very successfully in the night bomber role where the Germans nicknamed it the Sewing Machine due to the note from its engine. The aircraft would also go on to fire some of the first shots in the Korean War. American forces would nickname the aircraft "Bedcheck Charlie" due to its nocturnal raids. Due to its low radar signature the aircraft was very hard to detect by allied forces in Korea. In what was fast becoming the Jet age the Po-2 was credited with a kill on an F-94 when it stalled trying to shoot down the Po-2, and a USMC would score the Skyraiders only Air-2-Air victory against a Po-2. It is estimated that upto 30,000 aircraft were built and it was in production longer than any other soviet era aircraft. The Albanian Air Force only retired the type in 1985! The Kit This is now the forth boxing since 2014 from ICM of the Po-2VS/U-2. This issue features the same plastic but with the addition of a sprue containing pilot figures and ground personnel. The kit arrives on three main sprues, two smaller sprues of armaments, and a small clear sprue. Construction starts in the fairly basic cockpits. Instrument panels are built up and installed into the fuselage as well a some flight controls. The fuselage is then closed up and the front added on to mount the engine. Once this is finished work can start on the wings. For the lower wing holes are opened up then the seats and their frames can be installed in the centre section which also forms the cockpit floor. one on this can then be added to the main fuselage. Next up the engine is made up and installed on the front of the fuselage. The tail planes and the rudder are then added. Underneath the main wing now the undercarriage is built up and added as are the bomb racks and bombs if using them. The struts are then added and the upper wing can be added. The observers rear mounted machine gun can then be made up and fitted. A basic rigging diagram is provided to rig the bi-plane. Markings There are three decal options included in the box. From the box you can build one of the following: U-2VS from 213rd Night Bomber Air Division, Soviet Air Force Summer 1943. Po-2CV from 46th Tamansky GvNBAP, Spring 1945. Po-2VS from 2nd Polish NBAP, Lubin Area, Summer 1944. Decals are printed by ICM, with good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. Figures The kit comes with a set of 7 figures which are all well moulded. There are two what look like pilots, a senior office figure, 3 ground crew, and female figure. Conclusion It is good to see an important historical aircraft like this kitted, and its good to see the ICM kit on release again. The inclusion of a figure set makes for a ready made airfield diorama. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Hannants homepage reveals one of the next ICM 1/48th kit: a Polikarpov Po-2/U-2 "Mule". catalogue ref. 49251 Source: http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM48251 Pics: http://www.plastik-modellbau.org/blog/neuheiten-von-der-spielwarenmesse-heute-icm/2013/ http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=13661 For the record ICM has released a 1/72nd kit of the Po-2/U-2 on October 2012 under catalogue ref. 72241 Source: http://www.icm.com.ua/comingsoon/213-u-2po-2vs-wwii-soviet-light-night-bomber.html V.P.

My model building may seem manic to some. In fact, it is keeping me from smoking, the cessation of which is the hardest thing I have ever done. I stopped in mid-August and, although I fell off the wagon recently, have renewed my goal to stop this filthy habit. So it is back to the bench I go and I think I have a good one. This has been in the stash for a few years so I am excited to do more to it than gaze at the incredibly tiny parts, moulded very thin, sigh, and put it back on the shelf. Time to jump in! Plus...I am thinking of my fellows in the upcoming NATO/WarPac GB and just wish to say, hail Comrades-we fly for Mother Russia and the Proletariat! I will be building the aircraft on the box art because I like all those slogans. Simple as that. Here are some pictures to whet the appetite... The instructions are on a single sheet of paper. Ha! The main sprue is slightly warped. I checked out the fuselage to see if it had been effected. Not so much. i'll get into it in a couple of hours. Looks like the engine first. --John

Good day, everybody! It's my next model of legendary flying training deck Po-2 from Ukrainian 'ICM".

Hi all Po-2 medical, 1/48 ICM and begemotdecals. Average type of the sanitary plane. It is made for the customer. Cheers, Martin

Here's ICM's 1/48 scale Po-2 completed recently. Painted with Tamiya Acrylics for the uppers, Italeri RLM-65 for the unders, and some Vallejo metallics for the engine and machine gun. Built out of the box, with only the MG sights replaced with some PE scraps, some basic engine wiring added and seat belts added to the excellent ICMs offering. Rigged with elastic thread, after assembly and painting. Assembly was trouble free, and even the struts aligned with their locator holes properly. Replaced the kit provided ordnance with some from the ICMs I-153, just so. Kit decals used over painted IPs, with liberal application of Mr. Softer. The end result looks rather convincing.

Scratch built undercarriage (apart from the wheels), exhaust manifolds and wind shields. Finished in Chinese markings.

Sources: http://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=68170&start=3270 http://www.modelarovo.cz/azmodel-co-bude-nebude-na-eday-2013/ AZ Model/Admiral is to release a 1/48th Polikarpov U-2/Po.2/CSS-13/K-62 kit (former Gavia updated Po.2) - ref. ADM4807 & ADM4808 Box art: Don't forget ICM is also to release a brand new Po-2/U-2 kit in the same scale: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234933524-148th-polikarpov-po-2u-2-mule-announced-by-icm/?hl=polikarpov V.P.