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de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth with WWII RAF Cadets (32037) 1:32 ICM


Julien

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de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth with WWII RAF Cadets (32037)

1:32 ICM

 

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The DH.82 Tiger Moth really needs no introduction. Designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company the aircraft served as the the primary trainer for the Royal Air Force from 1932 until the 1950s when it was replaced by another de Havilland product the Chipmunk. Developed from the DH.60 Moth the DH.82 was called the Tiger Moth. The original aircraft was Powered by a 120 hp de Havilland Gipsy III piston engine. The DH.82A was Powered by a 130 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major piston engine and could be fitted with a hood over the rear cockpit for blind flying instruction. Further variants would be the DH.82C fitted with an enclosed hood for cold weather operations in Canada; and the Queen Bee which was an unmanned radio controlled target drone. 

 

 

The Kit

This is a welcome new tool kit from ICM. The parts are crisp and well moulded consistent with ICMs modern tooling. The kit arrives on 3 main sprues of parts with a small clear sprue. Construction starts with the modeler drilling 4 holes in each fuselage side. The instrument panels then go in, with instruments being provided as decals, however each is a separate decal and not just one sheet for a panel. Bulkheads then go in behind each cockpit. The fuselage can now be closed up. At the rear the tailplanes go on which is a single part then the area in front of them goes on, which is a different part for each of the two decal options. The rudder can then be attached also (This has the tail skid moulded on). At the front the engine is built up and added to its bearers, The completed unit can then go on the front of the fuselage. The top engine cowl then goes one followed by the sides and at the cockpit openings the fold down sides go on. At the very front the engine front cover goes on. To finish of this section the windscreens can go on, and behind the rear cockpit the blind flying hood if fitted. 

 

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We now move to the lower wing. This has a single top half with split left/right lowers. First up a number of holes need to be drilled into the wing. The top of the centre wing section from the base of the cockpit. To this part are added the control runs, rudder pedals and control columns. next up the two seats need to be fitted. Once the seats are in the top of the lower wing can be fitted to the fuselage.  The struts for the top wing on the engine cowl and wings can now be added in. Now we move to the lower of the top or upper wing. Again this upper wing is split with a single lower part, and left/right uppers. Before the lower part of the upper wing can be fitted again a series of holes must be drilled. This wing can now be fitted while lining up with all the struts.  Once this is on the central fuel tank is fitted followed by the left and right upper wings. Flipping the model over then fits the left/right lower main wings, and the engine under cover then goes on. 

 

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Now the main structure is together we are on the finishing straight so to speak. To the upper wing the leading edge slats are attached and the the lower wing the ailerons. Next up its the turn of the basic undercarriage.  The main struts and shocks are all moulded as one part to which the wheels attach, the whole unit then fits to the fuselage where the front and rear bracing struts then go on.  At the tail the tailplane bracing struts attach as well. Control for the ailerons then go onto the main wing with control horns going onto the tailplanes and rudder. The prop goes on the front to finish things off. If the modeller wants to rig there model then this is shown throughout the instructions. 

 

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Decals

Two options are provided for on the decal sheet:

 

  • No.3 Flight Training Sqn, RAF Grantham 1938
  • No.25 (Polish) Elementary Flyight Training School, Summer 1944

 

The decals look nicely printed with no issues. 

 

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Figures

This new set from ICM was released on its own, and these are now boxed with the Tiger Moth kit. There is one pilot getting ready for flying, two other cadets and a senior officer with a pipe. In general the moulding is crisp and clean with plenty of detail. Like all of ICM's recent figures these are well sculpted and should build up well.

 

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Conclusion

It is great to see ICM releasing new tools of aircraft like this in 1/32. Highly recommended. 

 

Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd.
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