ICM German Luftwaffe Pilots (1935-1945) 32101 1:32

[Mike]

German Luftwaffe Pilots (1935-1945) 32101

1:32 ICM

 

 

Adding figures to a model gives it scale and realism that is hard to otherwise achieve, and often this is done with resin figures that are both expensive and for those not too keen on resin, this can be off-putting.  Styrene figures however are simple to deal with, and with advances in sculpting and moulding techniques they are becoming more detailed and realistic as time passes (unless I paint them!).  This new set from ICM, who have an excellent reputation for injection moulded figures, depicts a group of WWII Luftwaffe pilots stood relaxing.  It arrives in a top-opening box, with the usual inner flap on top, with a single sprue of medium grey styrene inside, together with a sheet of instructions on glossy paper.

 

 

The figures are moulded very crisply, and at 1:32 they are large enough to show off subtle details such as zipper pockets, boot details, insignia and other badges.  Couple this with the breakdown of parts, and you will have a highly detailed figure once you have assembled them.  The moulding seams are minimal, with slender sprue gates that also won't need much clean up, and the parts join at convenient breaks such as waists, trouser seams etc.  One chap has his hands out in front of him, which necessitates his arms being separate from the elbow down, so a little filler may be needed there, but precious little if any should be required elsewhere.  The two capped figures have their heads moulded as a single part, while the pilot with a peaked cap has a two part head, split at the cap brim, and each pilot has a side arm in holster that should be glued onto his waistband.  Two of the figures have moulded-in life vests, while the third does not, instead having a ¾ length coat with fleecy collar turned up around his neck.  Each of them have their faces turned subtly skywards as if they are watching their colleagues return after a mission, having already landed themselves.

 

 

The instructions show the part numbers and paint codes on the same diagram, which relates to a table on the rear in Revell and Tamiya codes with the colour names in English and Cyrillic text.

 

Conclusion

Excellent sculpting, sensible part breakdown to maximise detail, and three pilots in the one box make for a good value package that will be of great use to large scale WWII Luftwaffe modellers.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

 

 

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