introduction

ICM Holding have recently released a new, 1/35th scale four-figure set. The new set is 35541 - May 1945 and comes on a single sprue. The four figures are two Soviet infantrymen, a male Medic and a female nursing officer. The first impression comes from the box-art, which is amongst the best-executed I can remember seeing. On the reverse of the box, is a colour-chart which is coded for Model Master paints. Also included is a double sided instruction sheet.

In Detail

With this section, I'll be looking at specific areas of the figures - moulding, anatomical details etc.

Faces: It's not over-exaggerating to say that these are amongst the best (plastic) heads I have ever seen in this scale. Apart from some minor mould lines and a small amount of flash, the crispness in detail is first-class

Legs/Boots: Nice, subtle creasing on the trousers and good detail on footwear (clear definition between instep and heel for example)

Torsos: All the tunics are moulded with medals and crossbelts moulded on. The sharpness of detail is really first-class - see detailed images for some good examples of this.

Hands: The rating for these is adequate - not bad but a little on the 'soft' side.

Additional Details: There are two nice additions to the normal items one would expect in a figure set of this type. The first is a rather ornate wooden chair (obviously liberated from a nearby building) and the second, to complement the sitting figure, is a nicely sculpted accordion which is being played by the sitting figure. Also included are such (not normally included) items as medical packs (with the red cross engraved into them) and the more usual items such as the Soviet 'sack-type' haversack.

Figure construction

I chose to build one of the more interesting figures - the female nurse (see images). It wasn't difficult but the fit of some of the parts was not exactly brilliant. Some filler is going to have to be used in several areas - particularly on the join of the overcoat at the front, there is a noticeable gap in the sleeves of the overcoat and between the bottom of the tunic and the skirt. What is also noticeable, is the 'softness' of the plastic. This is not a bad thing as it facilitates cleaning up considerably. There is a reasonable amount of cleaning-up necessary, particularly with some seam lines and some largish attachment points for the sprues. The female figure is a very original piece indeed, with a greatcoat hanging over her shoulders. This is done in six pieces - the back of the coat, two front sections, the two arms which hang quite convincingly and the collar which really adds a correct 'sit' to the figure. This is a superb piece of sculpting and, although, some care (and filling) is needed, it should cause few problems as long as the parts are aligned with care.

in Conclusion

A superbly useful set which, although requiring care in its construction, will create a superb figure component in a late-war diorama. Some really interesting ideas have been tried (with success) in this set and ICM deserve to have real success with this set. Not all however, is good news. Items such as weapon straps should be replaced as the plastic items are inadequate. Fit of parts should be a high-priority also. Those debits aside, clearly ICM are on the right-track. This and future releases, will certainly deserve serious consideration from modellers.