Introduction

The Ford Model T was presented to the public in a large number of guises and also saw war service during WW1 in many forms. ICM has presented the Ford Model T to modellers in many forms and two main scales over the last few years, and for the most part ICM has not disappointed. ICM now presents the Model T 1917 LCP for the third time and has now combined it with an ANZAC crew that for me is the ultimate release for the modeller. So let’s take a look at how everything is holding up.

Review

The packaging is what has become the standard for ICM; A substantial cardboard tray and integrated lid plus an extra card lid with the artwork on it; this is I feel up to the rigours of the postal system and so something that ICM deserve praise for. Having had a good look at the sprues that are supplied with this product I have not noted any major issues at this moment. There are no short shots or flash that I can see present and as these are now older moulds it is good to see no obvious deterioration. I have noticed flow lines present on a number of the larger parts, but none of these look or feel to have created an issue that will need to be remedied. I particularly like that the parts have been placed with ease of access considered, I have not noted any part that will require the use of anything other than side cutters to remove them as none of the parts appear to be cramped, this may not be important to everyone but I get frustrated when removal of parts becomes more difficult that it needs to be.

ICM has included an engine with this model that has a nice level of detail for the scale. ICM does not as a general rule include photo etch in their kits and that is true of this release and so some aspects of the engine are over scale such as fan belts and blades, but I do think they have done a good job at getting them to a reasonable scale for plastic mouldings. Also present is a very nicely detailed radiator and fuel tank that I believe were both brass assemblies. The fuel lines and wires in the engine bay will need to be added to lift the area to a very high level.

The exhaust has been provided in two parts joined at the muffler and a small amount of filler may be beneficial here. The end of the exhaust will need to be drilled to provide the most realistic presentation. The radiator is moulded in one piece with the front axle and so my pet hate of wheels being locked in a straight line is present; on the plus side the steering mechanism is well detailed. The underside of the vehicle has been well tackled by ICM with the chassis being moulded as a single piece for the most part ensuring good alignment, but there are some ejector pin marks that will need to be addressed. The rear axle and drive shaft are fairly simplistic as they should be and the bracing provided separately. The wheels and tyres are moulded in a single piece and so will please those that are not keen on vinyl rubber tyres.

With the oily parts dealt with we move to the upper body. Firstly a complaint in that the tread plate is missing the checker pattern that should be there and is included in the instruction drawings. The cargo bed is well detailed and at the same time a simple affair. The seat for the two crew members would be made of leather and while it has good detail it will ideally be shaped to show the figures are sat on it rather than floating. The crew compartment has all of the needed detail that I can see and should meet the requirements of most. The bonnet of the model is not moulded in a way that allows it to easily be shown open, but in this release that does not bother me due to the crew included. I will say that due to ICM having released this model in many guises it does mean there are part that are listed as not used and a clever modeller could use these parts to provide a model with for example a shade for the crew.

The lights on the vehicle have been well catered for by ICM. On the running boards we find a fuel holder with cans and a tool box on one side and the other provides a spare tyre. The Lewis gun is mounted through a simple loop and held in place by the deployed bipod, I like the detail provided but you will need to perform a significant drilling job on this one as it is a Lewis gun with a shroud. I would also have liked to see a number of spare drum magazines provided in the kit. ICM has provided decals for two vehicles that served in Palestine at the end of the war.

The figures are nicely moulded and have very little in the way of seam lines present. The proportions of the figures look good and that is despite the tight fit in the cab of the model. The uniform all looks correct to me and I was particularly pleased with the details provided on the socks, gaiters and hats. Looking at the shorts and shirts detail seems good and has well presented crease detail that will help with the realism. The detail provided on the hands and faces is very good for injection moulded plastic and should please he figure painters to a high degree; one thing to remember is that troops in the desert very quickly took on a dark tan and so the pinks we are use to using will only be suitable for fresh troops.

Conclusion

This combination offering has been well executed and should meet the expectations of most modellers, for me personally I feel this is the best combination set released by ICM of this model. On the negative side the checker pattern is missing from the running boards and will ideally be sought from the after market providers. In all other respects this is very complete model that just needs a small diorama or vignette to complete it. The images of the completed model and partil figure build is done by Kevin Brant.