ICM Stearman PT-17 With American Cadets (32051) 1:32 ICM via Hannants

[Julien]

Stearman PT-17 With American Cadets (32051)
1:32 ICM via Hannants

 

 

The Stearman Aircraft Corporation was founded in 1927 by Lloyd Stearman. then in 1929 it was sold to The United Transport & Aircraft Corporation. This would then split in 1934 due to US Antitrust legislation with Boing which had been a part of it becoming its own business again; Stearman then became a subsidiary of Boeing. At about this time they designed what would become their most famous aircraft the Model 75 Kaydet. The new aircraft was a conventional tail wheeled biplane with an un-cowled radial engine. The aircraft was selected as the basic primary trainer for the USAAF and the USN, as well as for the Royal Canadian Air Force. In USAAF Service it would be designated the PT-13 with a Lycoming R-680 engine, The PT-17 with a Continental R-670-5 engine, and a PT-18 with a Jacobs R-755 engine. The USN had the NS, and NS2 with a variety of engines.  Canadian PT-27 aircraft were USAAF PT-17s supplied under Lease Lend. In total over 10000 aircraft were built,  many were sold off post war, and a lot of these still survive today. 

 

The Kit

This is a new tool kit from ICM. The quality of the plastic is first rate with nice moulding inside and outside of the main fuselage. Fabric effects are very good.  The kit arrives on 4 main sprues and a small clear sprue for the two screens. Construction starts with the main framework that forms the internal structure for the two pilots.  The two sides have additional parts such as the throttles added, along with the rudder pedals  The floor frame has the duel controls added, and then the two sides can be joined up. There is a front V shaped frame to be added however this has strangely been missed off the instructions.  The one piece seats can then be added to their support frames and installed in the main cockpit frame. This is now ready to be installed into the fuselage. The tail wheel has to be put in at this stage and then the fuselage can be closed up. The main landing gear and wheels can now be attached to the main fuselage.

 

 

 

Next up are the wings and rear control surfaces. The tail planes with their separate control surfaces are added first, followed by the large rudder. The main lower wing is next. This is a single part lower section with left/right uppers. Once this is on the windscreens are added for ease of access. The upper wing can now be constructed (single part upper & lower sections).  The mounting struts are then added to this wing before mounting it to the airframe.

 

 

 

 

Next up its the engine. The  engine mounts and exhaust parts are added to the fuselage and then the engine itself can be constructed and added. The engine is quite detailed as its on show but there is penalty of room for detailing it up further. 

 

 

Decals

A large in house sheet gives markings for three aircraft.

 

• PT-17 USAAF, 63rd AAF FTD, Douglas, Georgia 1942 (in the classic Blue and yellow training scheme)
• PT-17, WAASPs, Avenger Feild, Texas, 1943, (All over Aluminium scheme)
• N2S-3 USN, Unit not known 1943, (Yellow / Aluminium scheme) 

 

 

 

Figures
ICM Bill this kit as the PT-17 with Cadets, however the figure set is their US Wasps set. The WASPs or Women's Air Force Service Pilots was a civilian Women organisation which were US Federal Service Employees. As well as training other pilots they would ferry aircraft around, and test aircraft. Their aim was to free up male pilots for combat roles. The WASPs were disbanded on late 1944 is slightly dubious circumstances.  It is estimated that WASP members delivered half of all aircraft production in the US Thirty-eight members lost their lives in accidents, eleven died during training, and twenty-seven were killed on active duty missions, as they were not classed a military they had none of the rights or privileges, and were in the end pretty badly treated. Members only gained veteran status in the late 1970s with the award of a WWI Victory medal in the early 1980s.  These could be WASP Cadets, There are three figures, two pilots and one ground personnel it look like. All are what would be considered dressed for the period. In general the mould in crisp and clean with plenty of detail. . Like ICM's recent figures these are well sculpted and should build up well.

 

 

Conclusion
Another first-rate kit from ICM of an important training aircraft, The re-boxing with the figures is a welcome one Highly recommended. 

 

Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd.

Review sample courtesy of