icm (155)

The Sikorsky S-64E is a premier heavy-lift helicopter adapted for large-scale aerial firefighting. Outfitted with a specialized 10,000-liter aluminum tank (typically loaded to 9,000–9,500 liters for optimal flight dynamics), the aircraft drops water, foam, or fire retardant directly onto major fires. Internal vertical baffles stabilize the liquid payload in transit to maintain helicopter control. Operated by a geared door mechanism, the tank can be refilled in flight using two intake options: Pond Snorkel: A 12-meter flexible hose with an end pump that drafts water from sources as shallow as 45–50 cm while hovering. Sea Snorkel: A surface-skimming intake that fills the tank while taxing across open water at 35–45 knots. With a surge capacity of up to 30,000 gallons (114,000 liters) per hour, the system can execute a full load release in 2.5 seconds or perform up to four precise, partial drops per mission. Specification Model size (length x width): 155 x 66 mm Box size: 247 x 183 x 33 mm Number of details: 73

The first B-26 bomber took flight on November 25, 1940, and entered service with the US Air Force in February 1941. The B-26 Marauder was a high-wing aircraft with a spacious fuselage and a five-person crew (later expanded to seven). Throughout its operational life, the design was continuously refined to improve flight and combat performance. In 1943, the wing area and tail were enlarged—these modifications remained standard through the end of production. Demand from the US Air Force far exceeded the capacity of Martin’s Middle River plant in Baltimore, Maryland. In March 1941, production expanded to a second facility in Omaha, Nebraska. All aircraft built there were designated B-26C—structurally identical to the B-26B with minor variations. The B-26C-45 became the most produced version, with 359 units manufactured. Specification Model size (length x width): 387 x 454 mm Box size: 410 x 260 x 55 mm Number of details: 362

The Do 217K-2 was developed as a version of the Do 217K-1 bomber designed to carry the Ruhrstahl SD 1400 X guided bomb, also known as Fritz-X. The key modification was an extended wingspan of nearly 25 meters – necessary to handle the significantly increased combat load, as a single guided bomb weighed 1570 kg. To preserve flight range, an additional 1160-liter fuel tank was installed in the forward bomb bay. Two special racks for the Fritz-X bombs were mounted under the wings between the fuselage and engines. The German company Ruhrstahl A.G. developed the bomb, designed by engineer Max Kramer. It was an armor-piercing glide bomb for attacking armored naval targets, with flight control from the aircraft via radio waves. The carrier bomber had to fly at an altitude of at least 4 km. The Fritz-X carried 360 kg of explosives and could penetrate 130–150 mm of armor—sufficient to destroy even battleships. The most famous use of the Do 217K-2 bomber (crew commander Major Bernhard Jope) and the Fritz-X bomb was the sinking of the Italian battleship Roma on September 9, 1943. Markings Do 217K-2, III./KG100, Marseilles-Istres, Summer 1943 Do 217K-2, III./KG100, Marseilles-Istres, Autumn 1943 Do 217K-2, Major Bernhard Jope’s aircraft, III./KG100, Marseilles-Istres, Autumn 1943 Specifications Model size (length x width): 366 х 524 mm Box size: 410 x 260 x 55 mm Number of details: 233

A British Purchasing Commission arrived in the United States in April 1938 seeking maritime patrol aircraft for the RAF. In response, Lockheed offered a modified Model 14 Super Electra airliner, which legendary designer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson redesigned overnight – notably adding a glazed nose for a navigator and bomb aimer. A contract for 200 aircraft was signed in late June 1938, making the newly named Lockheed Hudson the first American aircraft to enter RAF service in World War II. Though adapted from a civilian design, the Hudson became a vital warhorse. It executed diverse roles – including anti-submarine patrols, convoy escorts, bombing strikes, and covert insertion missions for resistance fighters in occupied Europe – before shifting to transport and training duties later in the war. Among its variants was the 1940 Hudson Mk III, powered by twin 1,200 hp Wright Cyclone radial engines and fitted with a retractable ventral gun for lower-rear defense. Specification Model size (length x width): 283 х 420 mm Box size: 410 x 260 x 55 mm Number of details: 180 Markings: Lockheed Hudson Mk.III T9465 «Spirit of Lockheed-Vega Employees», No. 269 Squadron. Kaldadarnes, May 1941 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III Т9390, No. 269 Squadron. Kaldadarnes, late 1941 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III V9232, No. 53 Squadron, Guantanamo Bay, August 1942 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III NZ2014, No. 2 (GR) Squadron (RNZAF), Nelson, 1942

The first Soviet intercontinental jet passenger aircraft has become Il-62, developed in S.V. Ilyushin Design Bureau. The prototype took off January 2, 1963. Series production began in 1966. Since 1973 advanced aircraft Il-62M with new engines and a maximum range of over 11,000 km was adopted in operation. Just before 2004 there were produced 190 Il-62M. Il-62 served as the flagship of Aeroflot for several decades. They are actively supplied to many countries of the socialist camp. A small number of Il-62M are in operation today. Specification Markings Il-62M, 1980 Il-62M, 1978 Il-62M, 1993 Model size (length x width): 369 x 300 mm Box size: 410 x 260 x 55 mm Number of details: 64

The unregulated growth and oversaturation of the United States market led to the Great Depression, beginning with the October 1929 stock market crash. This economic crisis fueled a rise in banditry, with bank robberies becoming particularly notorious. These crimes were made more effective by gangsters’ use of automobiles. As one analyst observed in the 1920s: “Cars and good roads have dramatically increased certain types of crime. We now see a new kind of automobile bandit who relies entirely on a car—whether robbing banks, breaking into homes, or mugging pedestrians.” The criminals’ success was further enhanced by Thompson submachine guns, which boasted rapid-fire capability and earned the nickname “Tommy gun.” Notably, these weapons cost around 200 dollars—about half the price of a Ford Model A automobile. Specifications Model size (length x height): 160 x 75 mm Box size: 295 x 225 x 40 mm Number of details: 203+16

In 1933, at the initiative of the German Reich Ministry of Aviation, development began on a specialized dive bomber. In the spring of 1935, the prototype developed by Henschel Flugzeug-Werke A.G. made its first flight. This prototype was designated Hs-123 V1. The aircraft received positive evaluations, and in September 1936, serial production of the Hs 123A-1 modification commenced. The new attack aircraft was equipped with a BMW 132 engine, delivering 880 horsepower at takeoff. As its built-in armament, it carried two synchronized machine guns mounted behind the instrument panel, firing through special ducts in the engine cowling. The lower wing, fitted with flaps, had four hardpoints for 50-kg bombs, and a single 250-kg bomb could be mounted under the fuselage. The Hs 123s were deployed with units assigned to direct infantry support, and they were also widely used in training units. At the start of World War II, these aircraft were used during the invasion of Poland, and shortly after in France and the Balkans, where they demonstrated high survivability against anti-aircraft fire, even withstanding direct hits. Later, the Hs 123 saw action in Luftwaffe units during operations against the Soviet Union. Despite its outdated design, the aircraft remained in service with the German Air Force until as late as 1944. Markings Hs 123A-1, II.(Sch)/LG 2, 2nd (assault) Group of the 2nd Training Squadron, France, Spring 1940 Hs 123A-1, Flugzeugführerschule A/B 71, Pilot School A/B 71, Prossnitz, Summer 1941 Hs 123A-1, Erg.St.(Sch.)/LG 2, Auxiliary (Assault) Squadron of the 2nd Training Squadron, Eastern Front, Winter 1942 Hs 123A-1, II./SG 2, 2nd Group, 2nd Assault Squadron, Eastern Front, Spring 1944 Specifications Model size (length x width): 330 x 272 mm Box size: 410 x 260 x 55 mm Number of details: 201

In the summer of 1936, a civil war broke out in Spain. During this conflict, Germany supported the Nationalists by secretly supplying them with weapons. Between the autumn of 1936 and the spring of 1937, five Hs 123A aircraft were sent to Spain for combat trials and were assigned to the experimental unit VJ/88. This unit was part of the German Condor Legion, which operated several types of aircraft. Although officially classified as fighters, the Hs 123A aircraft were primarily used in the ground-attack role. Their first combat operation was during the battles for Málaga. As close air support aircraft, the Hs 123s performed excellently, demonstrating high survivability and the ability to operate from short, unprepared airstrips. They also showed an outstanding balance of speed and maneuverability—when damaged, the Hs 123 could escape enemy fighters by diving steeply. Out of the five aircraft deployed, three were lost in action, while the remaining two were later transferred to the Nationalist air force. In 1939, Spain ordered an additional twelve Hs 123 aircraft, which remained in service until 1949. Specification Model size (length x width): 272 х 330 mm Box size: 410 x 260 x 55 mm Number of details: 197 Markings: Hs 123A 24●3, VJ/88, Legion Condor, Spain, 1937 Hs 123A 24●4, VJ/88, Legion Condor, Spain, 1937 Hs 123A 24●5, VJ/88, Legion Condor, Spain, 1937 ICM 32016 1/32 Henschel HS 123A-1 Legion Condor