ICM 1/48 Cessna O-2A In USN Service - Inbox Review

[Dave Ward]

The Cessna O-2 is the military version of the Skymaster civilian plane that first flew in the early 60's. The configuration of pullme-pushyu propellers gave it a distinctive appearance. The USAF was the main user, being tasked as Forward Observation Aircraft in Vietnam. Te US Navy operated 5 as Range Control aircraft in live fire areas. They were phased out in the 80/90s by the Bronco.
In the distant past, Hawk made a 1/48 O-2, this being reboxed by Testors & Italeri. ICM produced a new tool in 2020 & has released USAF & USN versions - this has been reboxed by Revell ( see part 2 for more on this )


The usual ICM box-in-a-box.
Sprue shots.............

All the sprues are clean & well moulded, no flash - some of the ingates are rather large & parts will need careful removal.
Decals & transparencies

Instructions - A4 booklet, with clear assembly stages ( there is also a paper template for cutting masks ) -and a note for a 10g weight to be added in the nose - if ever there was a tail sitter, this is the one!

The only decal option is one of the High Visibility Range Control Aircraft

A real masking exercise!
Part 2 for detail shots & comments

[Dave Ward]

A few detail shots..........

surface detail is pretty good & the mouldings are crisp.
All the ICM O-2A variants share the same sprues so there are rocket pods etc that aren't used


This looks a nice model of a distinctive aircraft. Not too many parts, but the twin boom configuration may cause problems getting all square, if you haven't done this before. I have read of a problem that the main undercarrage is weak & if you overdo it with the noseweight, it can cause a collapse. ICM never provide seatbelts, either moulded in, or decals for them, for any of their aircraft ( I think ). They do provide templates for canopy masks - supply your own material. There are AM parts availble to solve these problems. The other ICM versions are of the Vietnam era, with their drab camouflage. This one will need some nifty masking for the yellow wing bands.
Not for the absolute beginner, due to the tailbooms & paint scheme, but doable.
Availability? Yes, prices vary around the £30 mark - BUT if you're fast on your feet, you may be able to get this

Reboxing, with an all black version & a high-viz US Forestry Fire Spotter - at the moment this is £5 cheaper than the ICM version - with exactly the same plastic - the Revell reboxings only seem to be on the market for a short period, so you have to keep your eyes open for them.
Incidentally ICM and Revell are two of the makers that allow you to download instructions from their websites - not just relying on Scalemates :thumb2:
Dave

[Steven000]

Looks like a very nice kit, have fun Dave :thumb2:

[adt70hk]

Dave,

Thanks for taking the time to post this up.

Very much appreciated.

All the best.

Andrew

[Andy the Sheep]

Thank you Dave for the precious info.

Andrea

[Dave Ward]

I also have the following AM parts/aids for the O-2A

Top two obvious - but bottom left, cast brass undercarriage legs from Aerocraft Models & bottom right, Eduard Seat belts ( for the Osprey, but close enough to the O-2 ). Apart from the seat belts, none really essential,,,,,,,,,,,
Dave