Bücker Bü 131D with German Cadets (1939-45)

Inside the box you get one clear and three medium grey-coloured plastic sprues for the Bü 131D and annother separately bagged grey-coloured sprue for the figures. Surface detail for the Bü 131 is via engraved lines combined with raised areas for those details best depicted in this manner; the fabric-covered control surfaces use raised ribs that are softly defined. All colour call-outs are via Revell and Tamiya paint ranges, so you will be able to substitute your preferred range if you so choose. Construction is straightforward and details includes a complete engine that will just require a bit of extra pipework adding plus you also have a nice multi-part cockpit interior with the internal structure as separate 'tubes' and the floor built into the inside of the lower wing. You get a decal for each instrument panel and the access doors for both cockpit are also separate, there are no seat belts as decals, etched or moulded detail, which in this big scale is kind of obvious. All the other details are well done, just remember to fit the undercarriage legs (stage 45), then skip straight to Stage 48 and fix part #B48 to ensure everything is aligned properly before going back to Stage 46.
The german Cadet set comprises three figures in the poses seen on the box top. Each is made up of a torso with separate arms, legs and head, whilst the pilot also has his parachute back as a separate element. Depiction of the fabric and facial expressions are very good, so these will look nice after careful painting.

Markings
The kit offers four decal options: 
• KG+GB, 2./JG54, Russia, March 1942
• KG+GB, 2./JG54, Russia, summer 1942
• SA+ZV, Stab III./NJG 1, Germany, 1943
• TA+AH, 'Red 102', Bad Aibling, Germany, 1944 
The first option is in winter white distemper over the base camouflage, whilst the second shows it in full camouflage and the last two are RLM 02 overall. The decals are beautifully printed, with perfect register and colour and they are very glossy. The sheet includes all national markings except swastikas, plus a few airframe stencils and the decal for the instrument panel dials.

Conclusion
The basic kit itself was good, the inclusion of the figures just allows those of you who like to populate your models to add some 'life' to them. It is highly recommended to all Luftwaffe modellers and don't forget that it is a limited edition, so get one while you can.

Our thanks to ICM for the review sample (www.icm.com.ua), UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants here.