ICM RAF Bomber & Torpedo Pilots 1939-45 (48090) 1:48

[Mike]

RAF Bomber & Torpedo Pilots 1939-45 (48090)

1:48 ICM via H G Hannants Ltd

 

 

During WWII the RAF were tasked with maritime interdiction and harassment missions to disrupt and sink German shipping, and to protect the Allied shipping whenever possible.  The crews often flew older aircraft such as the Beaufort that could carry torpedoes, flying straight and low at their targets in a valiant attempt to launch their torpedoes with a chance of hitting the target, evading incoming fire from the target, additional craft in the vicinity, and other enemy aircraft when in coastal waters.  These brave men and boys took immense risks to carry out their missions, and many didn’t make it home, fighting for the existence of their way of life.

 

This set has been sculpted to coincide with the recent launch of ICM’s own Beaufort, and arrives in a medium-sized, top-opening box with ICM’s trademark captive flap on the lower tray.  There is a single sprue in grey styrene and an instruction sheet within, containing parts for five figures, consisting of three aircrew and two mechanics.  As usual with ICM figures, the sculpting is first-rate, and parts breakdown as well as seamlines are sensibly placed to ease clean-up and construction.

 

 

 

The aircrew are all wearing WWII period RAF blue uniforms with leather flying jackets and two are wearing Mae West life jackets over the top.  The captain is wearing a flat-topped cap and carrying what looks like a log-book in his right hand, while his left hand rests in his jacket pocket.  The other two crew are walking with their hands to their sides, carrying a parachute pack or leather flight helmet in one hand, and the parachute carrier is also still wearing his harness.  The ’erks are wearing dark blue overalls, one in long boots is standing with his hands about to rest on what is shown to be a torpedo on the box art, while the other gentleman in short boots is kneeling down, ministering to a trolley wheel on the box.  Both their overalls have the word “TORP” written on the panel on their blacks, with a white square below left, denoting their specialisation, presumably so they can be tasked with jobs appropriate to their skillsets from a distance.

 

 

As usual with ICM figure sets, the instructions include drawings in full colour that have the part numbers and colour codes called out in black text and red boxed text respectively, the latter cross-referring to the paint table on the opposite side of the sheet, which gives colour codes for ICM’s paint system as well as colour names in Ukrainian and English printed over a swatch of the colour itself.  There is also an ICM paint set for RAF Pilots numbered #3033 that is available from Hannants here if you’re in the market.  I’ll try to remember to cross-link the reviews when we’ve done the paint set.

 

 

Conclusion

Another quality figure set from ICM that is also pocket-friendly in this era of high inflation.  Five figures with excellent sculpting that will mesh well with the recent crop of torpedo bombers that have been released in this scale.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd.

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

 

[Graham Boak]

Quite right, Mike, except that the Blenheims never carried torpedos.

[Mike]

13 minutes ago, Graham Boak said:

except that the Blenheims never carried torpedos.

They didn't? I think I might be losing the plot

 

I've edited the social media posts first, as you know how het up people get when someone's wrong on the internet

[bootneck]

Isn't that box art of a Beaufort?  Those did carry torpedoes.

 

Mike