Introduction

ICM has taken to releasing 1/32nd scale aircraft models of late and is now offering figures to accompany these releases. Here I will be looking at the VVS RKKA Pilots 1939 – 1942 release in 1/32nd scale. This set offering three figures that will be perfect company for their Soviet aircraft releases so far in this scale.

Review

This offering from ICM is packaged in their now standard high quality cardboard flip top tray and separate card lid. This packaging has held up to everything but the roughest treatment by postal services. Inside is a single re-sealable plastic bag containing a single grey sprue. This is accompanied by a single sheet that guides you to assembling and painting the included figures.

The sprue is well laid out with the parts for each figure in a straight line on the sprue. An examination of the parts reveals no concerns as regards moulding quality. There is of course some moulding seams present, but nothing beyond any modellers’ ability to deal with. The parts are easily removed from the sprue and the gate between the parts and the sprue are easily tackled.

This set offers two pilots and a soldier with some documents. The pilots on offer from ICM provides one stood talking to the soldier and the other waving from the cockpit of an aircraft. The flight uniform of the pilots looks good from an accuracy stand point. The only negative I have been able to pick up on is the lock of the wool insulation around the top of the boots, but it is possible that on the standing figure this is hidden under the trouser legs.

The parachute and harness detail provided is also accurate according to my reference and will go some way to hiding the major weakness in the aircraft models from ICM, the lack of seat harness detail. The gloved hands are well replicated and despite their bulky appearance due to the gloves all elements are present. The faces look acceptable other than the area above the eyes which seem a little off.

The soldier figure is also good as regards uniform detail. It features the details clearly present early on during the period of World War 2 such as the bulged thigh area. The high boots of this figure are well done, but their height seems excessive unless it is an officers uniform. The hands are well done as he points out details to the standing pilot possible a map or orders. The face is again good for the most part but again the area above the eyes looks off.

Assembly

Removal of the figure parts was as I expected an easy task. The clean up of the gates and seam lines was also a relatively easy task with a new No 11 blade. The pilots go together very well with no obvious areas of concern due to a very pleasing a precise mating of the parts. The standing pilot does have separate flaps for the helmet and these two pieces did require some effort to get aligned to my satisfaction. The soldier/officer has only one issue to overcome and that is the joint at the waist, I never really got this joint together to my satisfaction, but some work will I am sure make it good.

Conclusion

With the release of two 1/32nd scale Soviet fighters released by ICM this offering is a great addition to the ICM range. The pilot figure that is set up as in the cockpit will overcome the issue of a lack of harness detail in these models and give them a much improved appearance as regards the cockpit. The standing figures add a nice possibility of a diorama that gives the models a true sense of scale. All told a great offering from ICM.