Tupolev Tu-2S

ICM, 1/72

Reviewed by Glen Porter

ICM's 1/72 scale Tu-2S will be available online from Squadron.com
 

The Tu-2 was considered one of the best medium bombers built by the Soviets during WWII, so much so that production was not stopped until into the 1950s. It was flown by many countries other than Russia and was encountered by Allied Airmen during the Korean conflict. The Tu-2S was an up-powered version of the Tu-2.

This kit by ICM is a reissue of their older kit in the newer white box artwork but still carries the same kit No. 72031 and is marketed as a Tu-2S instead of Tu-2. It's also slightly simplified in that it only has one marking option where the older kit had more. The plastic, I believe is unchanged but in this one ICM have included a Modelmaster paints reference chart as well as the older Humbrol chart.

The kit itself is highly detailed through-out with the only omission being the interior side-walls. Three crew figures are supplied but I wouldn't bother with them and the machine guns are some what soft in detail and may be better replaced. A fare bit of flash will have to be cleaned off but it's not extreme. The plastic of cause is all white. This makes it a bit hard to see the surface detail but it's not a major fault in my opinion.

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The exterior detail I'm in two minds about. At first glance there doesn't appear to be much but on closer inspection there's a mixture of raised and engraved detail including about a million rivets but very much to scale. Those who don't like to enhance their detail will love this, but, for the rest of us, it doesn't lend itself to the modelling license to show the contours of the model. I'm not sure how you would go about putting a wash on this even though the rivets are etched. They're just so small!

The clear plastic parts are not bad but not up to the standard of most modern kits and I'm told they are a little brittle, but still usable.

As I mentioned above, there's only markings for one aircraft but apart from being a bit matt they look okay with good register and very fine carrier film but oddly, there are two instrument panel decals but they aren't mentioned in the instructions. As the instrument panel has raised detail anyway, I guess the decals can be bypassed.

Build diagrams in the instructions are reasonably clear with detail colours pointed out during construction and as with any model the instructions should be studied closely before committing to glue.

I don't think we will see this aircraft from the likes of Hasagawa, Academy or Revell, but then that's why we love small manufacturers like ICM and others. If you are a Russian Aircraft Nut or you think modern engraved detail is unrealistic then here's one for you.

Recommended.

Purchased for review by HyperScale

Review and Images Copyright © 2006 by Glen Porter
Page Created 20 February, 2006
Last updated 19 February, 2006

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