Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.B Armored Vehicle Kit in 1/35 scale - ICM model. The Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.B is a variant of the German Sd.Kfz.251 armored vehicle, used during World War II. The Sd.Kfz.251 was a wheeled and tracked armored vehicle designed for troop transport and battlefield support. The Ausf.B version represents one of the first modifications made to the platform, featuring improvements in structure and operational capabilities. Technical Specifications Type: Armored personnel carrier Weight: 7,800 kg Length: 5.98 m Width: 2.13 m Height: 1.95 m Engine: Maybach HL 42 TRKM 6-cylinder gasoline engine Power: 140 CV (103 kW) Top speed: 50 km/h Range: 300 km Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive and tracks Armor: Up to 14.5 mm (sloped armor for vehicle protection) Design and Armament The Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.B was equipped with an armored hull that protected the crew from bullets and shrapnel. The vehicle was designed to carry 10 soldiers or 4 passengers and featured a side-opening configuration to allow for rapid troop disembarkation. Armament varied depending on the mission and specific configurations, but generally included: 1 MG34 or MG42 machine gun mounted at the front for defense. In some versions, smoke grenade launchers and other self-defense equipment were also included. Operational Role and Deployment Troop transport: The Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.B was primarily used to transport troops on the battlefield. Its armor and ability to traverse difficult terrain made it well-suited for supporting infantry units. Mobile support: The vehicle was also used to provide support to troops during battles, enabling rapid movement of forces on the ground and protecting soldiers while on the move. Assault and Support: It was frequently deployed during assault operations and to support armored forces, protecting troops from enemy attacks as they advanced. Conclusion The Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.B was one of the Luftwaffe’s most important vehicles during World War II, thanks to its sturdiness and versatility. Used to transport troops and provide support in the field, it remains a symbol of Germany’s ability to develop efficient and innovative combat vehicles during the war. Â
Kits Military Vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (SPz Marder 1A3, URAL-43203 and BM-21 Grad) in 1/72 scale - ICM model.Military Vehicles of the Armed Forces of UkraineThe land forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine use different types of military equipment, consisting mainly of Soviet-era models. Most of these vehicles have stood the test of time and remain effective for combat operations.Military wheeled vehicles are among the most common equipment in modern armies. The Ural-4320 all-wheel-drive vehicle remains popular due to its high operational qualities. There are numerous variants of it, including versions with KUNG-type bodies, i.e., enclosed vans for mounting special equipment and transporting personnel.Among the many rocket-launching systems, the BM-21 "Grad" is one of the most popular. It provides fire support to army formations, destroys personnel and vehicles, creates minefields and generates smoke screens.The Ukrainian Armed Forces also use Western armored vehicles, such as the SPz Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicle. This vehicle is one of the most proven and reliable weapon systems of its kind in the world. In Ukraine, the SPz Marder 1A3 has been employed primarily by the Air Assault Forces, where it has demonstrated excellent qualities as a well-protected and reliable combat vehicle.The Marder 1 is a modern German infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). The first prototypes of the vehicle were built in 1961, and mass production continued in 1970-1975, ending with the production of 2,136 units. Marder 1 is powered by an MTU MB EA-500 engine,with a power output of 600 hp. The vehicle is armed with a single Rheinmetall Mk.20 Rh 202 20 mm automatic cannon, 2 MG3 7.62 mm machine guns and 1 Milan anti-tank missile launcher.The Marder 1 was created as a new IFV for the Bundeswehr, intended to replace the Schutzenpanzer Lang HS.30 armored vehicles, which were obsolete in the 1960s and 1970s. Development work began as early as 1960, but the Marder 1 did not enter series production until ten years later. As a result, however, the resulting structure was highly refined, with a low failure rate, high mobility, and highly amenable to modernization. Several development versions of the Marder 1 vehicle were created during the operation. The first of these was designated as the Marder 1A1, which had much better night combat capabilities than the basic version. Soon after, the Marder 1A2 was created, which had better weapon stabilization devices-especially the Rh 202 cannons. In the late 1980s, the Marder 1A3 was introduced into service, with significantly strengthened armor - particularly the front of the hull, which resulted in a weight increase from 28 to 35 tone. The last two developments are the Marder 1A4 and Marder 1A5: the former has better communications equipment and the latter has improved mine cover. The TAM tank and the Roland self-propelled anti-aircraft system were built on the Marder 1 chassis. The Marder 1 infantry fighting vehicle was exported to Chile and Indonesia.The Ural-4320 is a military all-terrain (6x6) truck originally Soviet and now Russian-made. UralAZ plants based in the city of Miass are responsible for its production. Mass production of the vehicle began in 1978 and is still ongoing. Transmission was provided by a single KAMAZ-740.10 diesel engine with 210 HP and since 1993 JaMZ-236 and JaMZ-238 engines with 230 HP.The Ural-4320 was developed as a modernization and development of the Ural-375D car. The main modernizations included changing the shape and ergonomics of the driver's cab, strengthening the structure-particularly the suspension-and increasing the truck's load capacity from 4000-4500 kg to 5000 kg. The powertrain was also modified to consume much less fuel, and performance was slightly improved, particularly top speed. The Ural-4320 performs mainly transport tasks in the Russian Army: cargo units and infantry, both on the road and in the field. The chassis of this truck also serves as a platform on wheels for the BM-21 Grad rocket launcher.The first work on the BM-21 Grad self-propelled missile launcher began in 1960 at the Tula plant. In 1963, the set was adopted by the Soviet Army. Mass production began in the same year and continues to this day at Fabryka Splaw in Tula. The BM-21 set was developed as a successor to the BM-14 launchers. Compared with its predecessor, it had a very large number of modifications. First of all, a new wheeled chassis based on the URAL-375D truck was used in a 6x6 arrangement. The BM-21 set also has a new launcher with a caliber of 122 mm (compared to 140 mm in the BM-14). The launcher also carries 40 rounds in the combat position, compared to 16 in the BM-14. The effective firing range was also greatly improved: while the BM-14 could hit targets at distances up to 9800 m, the BM-21 Grad system could shoot at targets 20,400 m away! The BM-21's main task, however, still remained to hit surface targets, such as enemy artillery groups, field fortifications or places of its concentration. The BM-21 set was exported to many countries, including: Algeria, Angola, Egypt, North Korea, Syria, Vietnam, as well as Poland and Czechoslovakia. The BM-21 has taken part in a large number of conflicts, for example, the Vietnam War (1964-1975), the Afghan War (1979-1989), the Iran-Iraq War (1979-1989), or the Gulf War of 1991.
Luftwaffe Night Fighter Aircraft Kit - Messerschmitt Bf-109 E-4 / Fw-189 A-1 and Do-17 Z-10 scale 1/72 - ICM model.At the beginning of World War II, the German military leadership did not prioritize specialized fighter aircraft for air defense. They believed that anti-aircraft artillery would be the main defense against air attacks on the Reich. However, large-scale night raids conducted by the British Air Force revealed that large-caliber anti-aircraft guns could not effectively protect ground targets. This necessitated the development of specialized night hunting units and a well-defined tactical approach.Since there were no aircraft specifically designed for night combat at the time, the Luftwaffe initially used standard combat aircraft painted in dark colors, such as the Bf 109E-4 in service with Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (the 1st Night Fighter Wing). For long-range interception of British bombers over British territory, they employed a specially modified Do 17 bomber called the Do 17Z-10 Kauz II. This aircraft was equipped with an infrared searchlight to detect enemy aircraft in the night sky.There are also documented cases of Fw 189 A-1 aircraft being used as night fighters after special modifications, including the installation of FuG 212 radar and an additional MG 151 gun mounted for forward and upward firing.The Messerschmitt Bf-109 is a German single-engine, metal-framed fighter in a low-wing configuration with a classic tail. It proved to be the Luftwaffe's most basic and most produced fighter during World War II. The flight of the prototype took place on May 29, 1935, and mass production continued during the years 1936-1945. In total, an estimated 35,000 Messerschmitt Bf-109 fighters of all varieties were produced, many of which ended up in the Czech and Israeli air forces after the war. The roots of the Bf-109 go back to the competition held in 1933 by the Luftwaffe for a new fighter plane. Competing with the He-112, the Bf-109 project initially lost, but thanks to the intrigues of Willie Messerschmitt, the project was allowed to continue and eventually was the winner of the competition, becoming the Luftwaffe's main fighter. Several major variants of the Bf-109 were developed over the course of production. The first pre-production series was the Bf-109B (Berta) with different versions of the Junkers Jumo 210 engine (A or Da). They were tested in Spain from 1937 during the Civil War. The next version was the Bf-109C (Caesar). They had a different engine than the B version and a large armament consisting of two 20-mm guns and two 7.92-mm HP guns. These machines also fought in the skies over Spain. The third version was the Bf-109D (Dora) with a Junkers Jumo 210 Da or Daimler-Benz DB 600 engine. It fought in the September campaign, but at the turn of 1939/1940 was replaced by the E version. The most famous model was the Bf-109E (Emil) with Daimler-Benz 601A or N. It was the first to use a three-bladed propeller, not a two-bladed one. Bf-109E fought in the French campaign, England, North Africa and the Eastern Front. The ace who began his career on the Bf-109E was the famous Adolf Galland. The next version was the Bf-109F (Friedrich), which, according to German pilots, was the most aerodynamically perfect. It seeded the modified shape of the fuselage, wings, and cabin fairings, but no new engine was used. It was put into service at the turn of 1940/1941. As part of the design development, additional Bf-109 specifications were developed, of which the G (Gustav) version was produced in the largest number of copies. The most important modification to increase the machine's performance was the installation of a new 12-cylinder Daimler-Benz DB605A engine with 1475 hp. The armament of the Bf-109G consisted of a pair of 13 mm machine guns located in the fuselage in front of the cockpit fairing and a 20 mm MG151 or heavier 30 mm MK108 cannon. The last mass-produced version was the Bf-109K (Kurfirst), production of which began in October 1944. A Daimler-Benz DB 605DB or DC unit was used as the engine. The Bf-109K was the fastest version produced during World War II, reaching up to 730 mph. Apart from that, two versions were created: H and Z, but they were rather experimental versions and their mass production did not begin. Subsequent improvements in propulsion and armament made the Messerschmitt Bf-109 one of the most dangerous fighters of World War II, and at the same time showed the great potential of the slightly angular airframe created by Willi Messerschmitt. Technical data (Bf-109 G-6 version): length: 8.95 m, wingspan: 9.92 m, height: 2.6 m, maximum speed: 640 km/h, rate of climb: 17 m/s, maximum range: 850 km, maximum ceiling 12000 m, armament: fixed - 2 MG131 13 mm machine guns and 1 MG151 20 mm cannon, suspended - 250 kg bombs or 2 Wfr. missile launchers. gr 21.The Focke Wulf Fw-189 is a German, twin-engine, reconnaissance and military cooperation aircraft with an all-metal twin-bar structure from World War II. The prototype flight took place in July 1938, and mass production began in 1940. The Fw-189 was to replace the Henschel He-126 as the Luftwaffe's main reconnaissance aircraft. Construction of the Focke Wulf proved to be a great success. Thanks to its glass cabin, it had excellent visibility in all directions, and its low minimum speed allowed precise observation of the battlefield. The plane also proved to be very durable and easy to operate. It was also capable of flying on a single engine, normally the machine was powered by two Argus As 410 A-1s of 465KM each. Several versions of the aircraft were created during the war until 1944. Marked with the letter "A," in several versions it served only as a reconnaissance aircraft. The Fw-189B, on the other hand, served as a training machine, but was built in a minimal quantity. A version of the Fw-189A-1/R was also developed, intended to serve as a night fighter equipped with the FuG-212 Lichtenstein C1 radar and a single 20-mm cannon that fired obliquely upward. A total of 831 aircraft of all versions were built. The Fw-189 was used mainly on the Eastern Front. Technical data (Fw-189A version): length: 12 m, wingspan: 18.4 m, height: 3.7 m, maximum speed: 357 km/h, rate of climb: 8.3 m/s, range: 670 km, maximum ceiling 8400 m armament: fixed- 4 machine guns cal.7.92mm, with capacity for up to 200 kg of bombs.The first Do-17C prototype was flown on November 23, 1934. Soon the prototype was assigned the Do-17 V1 type designation. In May and September 1935, the first flights of the next two Do-17 V2 / V3 prototypes took place. From the beginning, the Luftfahrtkommissariat showed great interest in the new design. The first Do-17 V1 prototype was built specifically for the needs of the air force, while the next two were used as passenger aircraft. The military version of the plane had two hull bomb chambers located on the right side of its central part, which could hold five 50 kg bombs suspended vertically. The crew of the Do-17 V1 consisted of three people: the pilot seated on the left side of the cabin, the navigator-bomber, and the radio-shooter operator seated behind him. There were four small windows on either side of the fuselage, providing the gunner with better visibility. As early as early 1936, mass production of Do-17E-1 and F-1 versions was being prepared. Both versions were soon produced. The Do-17F-1 aircraft lacked sights and bomb launchers, but were equipped with an additional fuel tank and three fixed-beam cameras. Do-17E-2 and E-3 versions were also created in 1937, then the Do-17F-2, which differed slightly from its predecessors in terms of equipment. A total of 536 Do-17 E and F aircraft were produced, 268 of them at the main plant and the rest under license at other plants. From the beginning of 1937, these machines began to be used by Luftwaffe units. The most produced version was the Do-17Z model, made in the number of 872 copies. The plane performed well during the Spanish Civil War and the September campaign. It also took part in the battles against France and the Battle of Britain in 1940. There it suffered relatively high losses, which meant that after 1940 it was later replaced in line units by Ju-88 and He-111 bombers. The retired Do-17 served mainly as glider tugs. Technical data (Do-17Z version): maximum speed: 410 km / h, maximum ceiling 8200 m, range: 1010 km, armament: fixed - 6 MG15 7.92 mm caliber machine guns, suspended - up to 1000 kg of bombs.
Sikorsky S-64 E Skycrane Helicopter Kit with Universal Pod in 1/35 scale - ICM Model.The Sikorsky CH-54 (another designation: S-64) was and still is an American twin-engine flying crane with a metal half-shell structure in a classic arrangement with a main rotor and a tail rotor on the beam. Drive is provided by two JFTD-12A engines with a power output of 4834 KM each. Flight of the first prototype took place in 1962, and mass production that began in 1969-in the case of the civilian version-continues to this day. An estimated 105 copies of the ego helicopter have been built.The Sikorsky CH-54 was created as a result of the U.S. Army's demand for a heavy transport helicopter capable of operating in harsh conditions. Only three development versions of this machine were created in the course of mass production. The first was a prototype series called the YCH-54A. The first production series were machines designated as CH-54A. Versions of the CH-54B were also created with a reinforced hull structure, increased lift capacity, and more powerful engines. Sikorsky CH-54s were used extensively during the Vietnam War (1964/1965-1975). After this conflict, many of them remained in service, but in 1991 all CH-54s were retired.
Kit Achtung! Sie fliegen! Sd.Kfz.3b with 2 cm Flak 38 and crew in 1/35 scale - ICM model.In the second half of 1940, the Wehrmacht began to employ the 2 cm Flak 38 anti-aircraft gun. Its reliable design and high rate of fire made it effective for short-range air defense. In addition to hitting aircraft, the cannon could also hit lightly armored vehicles.A full combat crew consisted of five soldiers, although four or even three could maneuver it effectively. To improve mobility, the 2-cm Flak 38 cannon was mounted on the bodies of various wheeled and half-tracked vehicles. One such vehicle was the half-tracked version of the widely used Wehrmacht V3000S truck designated Sd.Kfz.3b (also known as V3000S/SSM).The cannons could be mounted on special platforms or directly in the caisson. To enable firing, the side panels of the vehicle were folded down or removed completely. This configuration transformed the vehicles into self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which the German army used for both air defense and infantry fire support.Sd.Kfz. 3 (nim. Sonderkraftfahrzeug 3) or Maultier is the generic name for a series of German half-tracks (carriers) from the World War II period. The first prototypes of these cars were built in 1941, and mass production continued in 1941-1945. Drive was provided by various powertrains: in the case of the Opel Blitz conversion it was a single 6-cylinder engine with a capacity of 3.6 liters.Series of vehicles Sd.Kfz. 3 Maultier was created as a result of the German Army's disastrous experiences in the first months of operations on the Eastern Front in 1941. In the course of these struggles, it was discovered that the Wehrmacht's standard trucks could not cope with Soviet roads and, more importantly, were not suitable for use during the autumn thaw. This led to the modernization of standard trucks produced, for example, by Opel or Mercedes-Benz, which consisted of the addition, instead of rear axles, of track drive, most often based on solutions used in Panzer I and Panzer II tanks. Most of the modernized vehicles were based on the Opel Blitz car. In 1943, some of the Maultier vehicles were converted into semi-tracked armored troop carriers with the designation Sd.Kfz. 4.The Flak 38 is a German 20 mm automatic anti-aircraft gun of World War II. The first prototypes of the plot were created in 1938, and mass production began shortly thereafter. The maximum vertical range was 3,700 m and the initial projectile speed was 900 m / s. The theoretical rate of fire was up to 420 rounds per minute.The Flak 38 was developed by the Mauser company as a far-reaching modification of the Flak 30 cannon. First, the theoretical rate of fire was increased in the new cannon and the overall mechanical structure was improved. This improved the weapon's parameters, however, as the combat operations of 1940-1941 showed, the Flak 38 still had too little firepower, which it was decided to increase by creating a quadruple cannon: this is how the 2-cm Flakvierling 38 Both versions of the cannon were massively used by the Wehrmacht during World War II in 1940-1945. They were also used as armament for several vehicles, including: Flakpanzer 38(t), Mobelwagen and Wirbelwind.
Universal military pod and landing pad M8A1 US 1/35 scale - ICM model.The CH-54 Tarhe heavy cargo helicopter, created in 1962, was designed to transport large military cargo. To improve its transport capabilities, a special container was developed that served as a transport capsule, enabling the transport of infantry, wounded or equipment. The containers were equipped with windows, doors and a rear ramp, allowing the loading of military equipment, such as cannons or light all-terrain vehicles. They could also be used for parachute drops for soldiers. On the ground, if necessary, these universal containers could be towed on a trailer by military vehicles. A total of 22 containers were built, each with its own unique military license plate number