ICM BQM-34A (Q-2C) Firebee with trailer (48401) 1:48 ICM

[Julien]

BQM-34A (Q-2C) Firebee with trailer (48401)

1:48 ICM

 

 

People think drones are a new thing for the military but in reality they are not. The Firebee was developed by Ryan for the new USAF in 1948 as a jet powered gunnery target with the first flight being in 1951. The USAF Designation was Q-2A, and when the US Navy bought them they designated them KDA-1. The original Firebees were air launched from a modified A-26, or ground launched using a RATO system. The system was later used by the US Army as well. Q-2Bs were fitted with a modified engine for higher altitudes. They were developed over time with the KDA-4 being the main USN version, however differences were mainly internal. The Royal Canadian Air Force purchased 30 KDA-4s which were launched from an Avro Lancaster Mk.10DC.  

 

In the late 1950s the USAF Awarded Ryan a contract for a new second generation Firebee this would become the BQM-34A or Q-2C. This was a bigger airframe with longer wings. One of the main recongition features was the fact the original nose intake was replaced by a chin intake for the new Continental J69-T-29A turbojet. As well as the USAF and USN the US Army had a ground launched (With Rocket assist) designated the  MQM-34D, this version having a longer wing than the USAF & USSN ones. The main launch aircraft for these new drones was the DC-130. While initial production ended in 1982 the production line was re-opened in 1989 to  produce more targets. These BQM-34S featured improved avionics and a new J85-GE-100 engine.

 

 

The Kit

This kit is a brand new tool from ICM, following on from their original kit. Like that a trailer is also supplied. These will also no doubt be a nice addition to one of their Invader kits at some point   The kit arrives on one sprue for the Drone, and a second for the trailer.  The model will be just over 145mm long when built. 

 

 

Construction is fairly basic and starts with the full length intake/exhaust for the engine.  The engine is installed inside the main body and it can be closed up, a triangular inert goes in the top.  The left and right main wings are single parts, these have tabs on them for where they join inside the main body to lock together. The tail planes are also single part with tabs again to lock in place. single piece. End plates are added to the tail planes and the rudder goes on the top. 

 

 

The ground handling trolley is more complicated than the original. the main U support frame is built up then this adds to the side rails with a rear cross member for strength. Two axle supports go on, and then the wheels fit to these. A tow bar adds to the front.

 

Decals

Four options are provided for on the decal sheet:

 

1. USN BMQ-34, Naval Base Ventura County (overall red as the box art)
2. USN BMQ-34, 36 Mission markings. (Red with Yellow wingtips and a checker board tail)
3. USAF BQM-34, Wallace Air Station. (Red with Yellow wingtips)
4. USN BQM-34, circa 2000s in overall white. 

 

 

The decals look nicely printed, in register with no issues.

 

Conclusion

This is a good looking kit which will look good hanging under a model, or built as a standalone model. Highly recommended. 

 

Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd.

Review sample courtesy of

[tony.t]

Thanks for the review. Just bought one and it's refreshing to have a nice model without the faff of doing cockpits, and all for fifteen quid!

 

Hope they re-release this with the RATO rocket and ground launch gantry used at William Tell for the (not so clay pigeon) shoots there. 

 

(Would be very nice in 1/32nd scale too)

 

Tony 

[Julien]

Thanks. ICM really seem to be doing great kits at the moment which are good quality and priced competitively. If these sell well there could be chance of 1/32. They have be done 1.48 first I think as they can ties them in with their 1/48 B-26 kits.

[sinistervampire319]

Finally got one of these. Cool little kit.
Hope they release the later versions as used over Vietnam.
 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Model_147#/media/File:556th_RS_AQM-34_Drone.jpg