ICM 1/72nd Tupolev SB 2M-100A
|
 |
Background
Taken direct from the instructions:.
"The SB (Skorostnoy Bombardirovschik – high-speed bomber) was one of
the world's first twin-engine bombers with smooth metal plating and retractable
chassis. SB (ANT-40) has construction in the A.N. Tupolev Design bureau
under the supervision of A.A. Archangelsky. It made his maiden flight
in October 7, 1934.
 "Since
1937 it was produced with M-100A engines and three blade propellers. These
aircraft became the basis of Soviet bomber aviation. SB took part in many
armed conflicts in the late 30s, such as Soviet-Japan conflict on the
Khalhin-Gol River, Soviet-Finnish Winter War, and in the initial stage
of the Soviet-German War."
The best reference on the SB is no doubt the superlative tome authored
by Mikhail Maslov and released by Icarus
Aviation Press. There are no other books needed on the SB once you
purchase this book by Maslov. Everything you would want on the aircraft
exists within this book.
 As
I have stated in the past, this aircraft is NOT KNOWN as the Tupolev SB-2,
instead known only as the Tupolev SB. There existed past confusion because
the official designation of these aircraft also included the number of
engines used on this aircraft, along with the engine type. So, this release
of the ICM kit is known as the Tupolev SB 2M-100A because the aircraft
SB has 2 M-100A engines, just like a later release of the aircraft SB
used 2 M-103 engines, so was known as the Tupolev SB 2-M103.
The Kit
 A
new 1/72nd kit of the SB has been high on the list of most
people wanting to build the SB. While MPM
released one years ago, it has serious shape issues and is far from accurate.
Plus it wasn't the easiest kit to build. This new ICM kit is thankfully
much more accurate, is generally a very nice model detail-wise, but can
still be considered a bit difficult to build. This is because ICM (naturally)
molded it in such a way so they could make as many variants of the real
aircraft with very little mold changes. So, you build the model in much
the same way as you would the real aircraft. This has happened with other
ICM kits in the past, namely the Tupolev TB-3 and the Tupolev Tu-2. Ironic
their most difficult builds are so far are Tupolev aircraft…
 The
ICM kit consists of 154 parts, not including those parts used for other
variants that will be put in the spares bin once this model is complete.
Parts are very nicely done with well done panel lines and the detail is
outstanding. In years past ICM had a problem with quality control and
would release kits with serious dimples and the like in the plastic. Thankfully
it appears this has been ironed out, as there appears to be no surface
flaws on the kit I have. Decals are nicely done, in register, and are
for four aircraft. First is an SB that flew with the 24th SBAP
at Karelia in December, 1939, finished in all-over gray. Second is a machine
of the 49th SBAP based in Mongolia in June, 1940, and it has
the green "squiggly lines" (a technical term) over gray finish. The third
scheme is for an aircraft based on the Western (Soviet) Front during the
summer of 1941, and it is finished overall in green. Finally, the fourth
scheme is another all-over gray bird of the 44th SBAP also
based at Karelia in January, 1940, but this one sports skis. One thing
I'm still trying to determine is the type of green. Was it AII Green or
AII Dark Green?
 Because
of the break down in parts, construction is unusual. First you build all
the bombs – which makes sense, because now you have them finished and
out of the way. Or, you could also take the route of building the bombs
while other parts of the build dry. Next up is building the center structure,
which includes the center part of the wings, along with the central part
of the fuselage. This is good because it ensures the right shape to the
wing root. Building this part of the model includes adding some interior
detail as well as wing "spars".
Once the center section is complete construction moves to the fuselage
nose and the fuselage rear. Again, internal parts are added and fuselage
halves are closed. After finishing the fuselage pieces the instructions
have you build the two engines.
 Now
to make the model look like a "real" aircraft and assemble the fuselage
pieces together, followed by the wings, horizontal tail, and engines.
One thing nice with this kit is that all control surfaces are separate,
so if you find photos of any that had deflected control surfaces you can
pose them with this kit. While the instructions also have you add the
props, those are best left off until after all assembly and painting is
complete. After adding – and masking – the clear pieces then I would start
painting.
After painting, then go back to the instructions and add the landing
gear (wheels or skis, both are catered for in the kit), bombs and bomb-bay
doors (if leaving this area open – if not, add the bomb-bay doors before
painting).
 Conclusion
Finally, a much needed and accurate SB and ICM is to be commended for
their ambitious release. While trying to cater the molds to all possible
aircraft versions the kit is broken down in a way that may make assembly
a little difficult, it's still very nice to finally have an accurate SB.
My thanks to ICM for the review kit.
|
|
