1:35 ICM Zil-131 Emergency Truck

 

I wasn't sure what to expect from an ICM kit at this scale. I've built three of their 1:72 kits and they're not the best quality, but they still scrub up ok. I'd say this was about the same. This one is lacking in detail and very basic. That said, it's done well. It's far better than the Revell M34 and it fits together with no real problems. The instructions are also pretty good, If I had to sum up this kit with one word it would be "adequate". It gives you everything necessary to get a fine result, but no more.

That said, there's nothing wrong with basic. I'm not one for detail for its own sake, especially when it's unlikely to be seen. The rear compartment does come with some interior detail and it's quite good, though I did a bare minimum job on it as it can't be seen. It might have been nice to have hinged rear doors so that it could be seen - and that's the kind of detail missing from this kit. The cab detailing is practically non-existent, but there's just enough for my purposes with the doors closed.

What I like about this kit is that there are no annoying sub assemblies split into many parts. Another way to look at this (and other ICM kits) is that it's no nonsense. It does what it says on the tin. And in this case, that's all that really matters. They've picked a really nice subject that looks good even in all over green, and given us something that really stands out.

This is basically three small kits in one. There's the chassis assembly, which is neither difficult nor onerous, the cab, and the rear compartment, which can all be built and painted separately, and then very little is required when it all comes together. For this I've used basic misting techniques and oil paint streaking, with a subtle dry-brushing, and though I've gone to town on the rear compartment, the rest largely speaks for itself.

The rear compartment could have done with a bit more exterior detail as it looks like a plywood box and it has some accuracy issues, but I expect it's presently beyond ICM's capability, and would have driven the price up. ICM kits are easy on the wallet, while most other brands are now costing more than they should. There's certainly a place for merely adequate kits at affordable prices.

But, you know, never mind all that. I mean look at it. It's fantastic and I love it. It was fun to build, challenging enough, and the result is glorious. I'm totally happy with it and I would build one again. If ICM survives the war in Ukraine then they're likely to be a fixture in any modeller's stash. They do a wide range of off-beat stuff that you just can't get anywhere else. Their box art is also seriously cool. It would be a great loss if they don't survive.

1:35 Ryefield Models Panther G

 

I've put this one off for quite a long time. I took one look at the number of parts and the individual track links and chickened out. I enjoy the painting more than the building which is why I'm more of a Tamiya fan. This is just balls-achingly fiddly, where components that could just as easily be one part are split into five.

On this kit it makes very little sense since it isn't a full interior kit, so there is no merit to adding the extra interior detail, and the gun assembly is so fragile it breaks when trying to shoehorn it into the absurd turret pivoting mechanism which plugs into two poly parts that don't fit at all. It's neither fish nor fowl.

Ironically, the thing that put me off the most (the individual track links), ended up being less hassle than I imagined once I managed to undo my initial mistakes, and now I may never go back to the bog standard rubber band style tracks. The reward is worth it and it really makes the final result.

Having elected not to go to town in interior detail that wouldn't be seen, I did more or less the bare minimum on this one, and there must be a hundred parts left over. I'd have gone mad otherwise, particularly since the instructions are not clear and most of the photo-etch parts are either useless or completely pointless.

Painting it wasn't so much fun either. German armour never is. I think it's the one instance where you can't get away with cheapo Chinese splatter guns. After four attempts I ended up going for alternate stripes masked with blu-tac, which is good as far as it goes but I don't feel it does justice to a kit of this price and quality. Another reason I put off doing it. It has to be done well or not at all.

Grumbles aside though, the added exterior fine detail really is good and if it sat aside the older, cheaper Tamiya Panther, the difference in quality would be obvious. The weld lines and the machine-gun ports set this apart from the competition. 

Weathering this one was challenging. I again attempted the hairspray technique for chipping but whenever I try it, it just looks like a defect rather than intentional weathering. There are other ways to achieve the same thing, and it's better to not do it than to overdo it. Mind you, I can see why so many modellers over-weather their vehicles being that most of the little features are missed by the camera, and if you really want to show off your skills, you have to go larger than life.

As a project this took at least three times longer than something else of its size. It is a high quality kit but there are some serious faults, not least the bar suspension system which is laborious and brittle, and the wheel holes need drilling out so they fit. For a kit so accurate in terms of detail, the kit engineering isn't very good. When you build a recent Airfix kit you know they've really thought about the user experience. This one is just a string of endless difficult chores.

As for the final result, it really belongs in a diorama. Without added stowage and tools, there's only so much you can do with the base kit. For a large vehicle it doesn't have much free surface area to play with weathering techniques. The King Tiger is probably a better subject.

This kit is hard work, quite expensive, and quite expensive in paints, and if you're going to do a Panther, I'd be tempted to say avoid this one - but the alternatives are inferior. The Academy/Airfix Panther is ok (much easier to build) but it isn't that much cheaper than Ryefield and the detail is nowhere close. The Tamiya is basic and low quality. But then if you are going to this much expense and this much bother, you might as well go all in on the Takom with the full interior. I have that one in the stash for when I'm next feeling masochistic.