Italeri 1/72 North American B-25B/C Mitchell

ITALERI 1:72 NORTH AMERICAN B-25B/C MITCHELL
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Myself (rec.models.scale)

Kit Details: Italeri Kit No 123; 1:72 B-25B/C Mitchell

Kit Parts: As often the case with Italeri all the kit components are loose in the box - the decal sheet does have protective wax paper but I noticed some minor scratches on the clear parts. Two main sprues contain light grey parts which are crisply molded and have pretty nice raised surface detail. There are just under 70 parts in the kit, which includes about 19 clear parts on a separate sprue which are clear and well molded.

Instructions: A bit larger than A5 per page folding out into a strip-booklett. The usual [very] brief history and technical description in several different languages, model tips and sprue diagram are contained on the first few page faces. Model Master paint range is quoted for the painting directions throughout the kit, with names of colour and FS numbers also provided where possible. The painting directions are by way of letter labels eg: C is Flat Black etc. The construction sequence then follows and this is typically Italeri's straight forward style, with 8 steps in total, inset diagrams for opposite construction sequences (eg: left engine and right engine) and pointers for which version a particular construction sequence relates to. However, it talks about certain sub assemblies applying only to Version A but nowhere on the instruction sheet does it say what Version A is. I checked reference sources for a bit of a match and can conclude that Version A is the first colour and markings version covered, which is the B-25C. Makes it easy to remember therefore what is B. At the back of the instruction sheet are the two colour options provided for in the kit [see below], one of which is replicated on the bottom of the box, as shown in the following image.

A A bit difficult to see the colours but 1711 Model Master Olive Drab [FS 34087]; 1749 Model Master Flat Black [FS 37038] and 1740 Model Master Dark Gull Grey [FS 36321] are quoted

Colour Options: Two Mitchells can be produced by the kit, not surprisingly a B-25B and a B-25C! The first is featured above on the bottom of the box and is B-25B flown by Lt Col J. Doolittle in the infamous Doolittle Raids over Tokyo on 18th April 1942. The C version is a RAF example from 226 Sqn based in Holland in 1944 and this wears FS 34079 Dark Green and FS 30118 'Field Drab' over FS 34227 Pale Green undersides, with invasion stripes and is featured on the boxart above.

Decals: Printed by Zanchetti and contain a wax protective sheet. Colour register is very good, although the red is scarlett, so not sure if this is absolutely 100% accurate for the RAF roundels. The decal sheet also contains a instrument panel and dotted lines separate the USAF from the RAF decals. Only roundels and the likes of serials and fuselage codes are provided, there is no stencilling. Carrier film is minimal and the finish is semi gloss, they look quite impressive and would assume they will go on to the model surface without any problems whatsover.

Optional components: These parts are mainly the differences between the two versions. However, there are pilot figures provided and a small clear stand to place under the rear fuselage. The rear gun emplacement can be replaced by glazing only and while there is no interior bomb bay, the doors are marked clearly on the plastic and could be cut out, a bomb bay could be inserted or scratchbuilt by those inclined to do so. Likewise the control surfaces are not moveable but are clearly defined, so could provide the more experienced modeller with an option.

On the Sprue Impressions: The kit looks superb on the sprue and seems to convey Italeri at their peak, ignoring the raised panel lines! Surface detail is generally very good and the kit clearly tells you where to make adjustments depending on the version you are building - for instance you will need to cut out a fuselage window for the B version, and the area is clearly marked on the interior fuselage so you know where to cut, that should be no problem for even novices to handle (so long as they can use a sharp hobby knife!).

There is obviously a high likelihood that this kit is a tailsitter because the instructions tell you to put 10g of weight in each of the engine cowlings. The engines themselves feature two cylinder blocks placed inside the cowling. These are placed over the main wheel bays/engine covers affixed to the underside of the wing in a traditional format. The wings themselves are the standard upper and lower pieces, and being a mainstream kit, all parts have locating pins and alignment tabs to aid the construction process.

Cockpit detail consists of a floor, with a main centreline instrument panel console placed ahead of the two pilots. Two rounded bucket seats are attached to small 'blocks' molded onto the floor upon which two basic but acceptable pilot figures sit. Control wheels are provided for both pilot positions and are in two parts. A rear cabin wall, with padding detail molded onto it, is also provided blanking off the interior behind the cockpit. There is no cabin interior detail at all, not even a boxed in bomb bay if you wanted to open up the doors. Fuselage windows are a minimum on this aircraft, but some may feel it necessary to spice up the cabin interior nonetheless. The nose glazing does have a floor and there is a front bulkhead separating it from the cockpit. Other than a gun, there is no other detail here.

The clear parts are commendably clear, and total 19 in all, although a couple are not required in this kit and this count also includes the small rear tail stand, which as I write this I have worked out is obviously to prop up the tail to prevent tail sitting - neat idea really. All the fuselage windows, glazing, wing landing lights and turrets are the main parts featured on the clear sprue which will be used in the kit.

The surface detail overall is raised with etched control surfaces and is probably best described as typically reasonable Italeri quality. It wouldn't be the absolute definitively detailed kit I have ever seen, even of Italeri, but quite acceptable in this scale. Overall pretty impressed with what is inside the box and it should build into a fine B-25 with little if any real fit problems - according to the information I have received from others.

Accuracy: From all reports I have heard on this kit, it is one of the more accurate B-25's in this scale. Usually when you ask an experienced group of modellers which is the best B-25 Mitchell in this scale, invariably they will answer Italeri, so with that in mind, I am happy with that!

Conclusion: I didn't test fit any parts but on the basis of the comments heard about this kit from other modellers I can highly recommend it.

Related INBOX Reviews:-

Italeri 1/72 B-25H/J Mitchell "Gunship"

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