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Rafi Ben-Shahar
377 articles

ICM 1/32 Stearman PT-13 Kaydet

March 2, 2024 · in Aviation · · 32 · 425

ICM's Stearman is a very nice kit. Texture surface and details are excellent. The build is free of hassles and the join of wings to struts is fair. Most of the location holes for the cables are marked. Yet, being a biplane the build is challenging since it involves rigging. I added ignition wires, control cables, fuel lines and mid wing bracing rods.

Ironically, 's atrocious Stearman has the fuel lines and bracing rods molded. In particular, I missed the rods since the wing cables go right through them. Special tools are required scratch make such an essential part that helps to align the cables. Yet, the visual differences are subtle, so I made a simple rod.

's Steraman could have been a great kit. Given the absence of prominent components and the high retail price, I pass.

Reader reactions:
12  Awesome 6 

16 additional images. Click to enlarge.


32 responses

  1. It's very good work - double flying wires are always tricky in any scale.

  2. I like the colour scheme very much, Rafi, very nicely applied.

  3. Another great looking build, Rafi . Thanks for sharing.

  4. Beautiful plumage! That's a very colorful bird. Good looking model.

  5. Excellent job as always, Rafi, this time on an otherwise good but lacking prominent components kit. amazing yellow rendition!

  6. Wonderful model, as usual, Rafi @blackmopane! ๐Ÿคฉ I love that yellow finish, great stuff, my friend! ๐Ÿ‘
    You will enjoy this photo, I'm sure:

  7. I have to say, as someone who spent a lot of time around Stearmans back in the 70s-80s (80 hours in N747JR), you have achieved a very realistic result here. This looks exactly like my late friend's Stearman, the last one I got to fly, back in 1984.

    Surprise surprise, the Revell 1/48 Stearman is a very nice kit - a lot better than the fershlugginah Roden kit.

  8. Wow - my favorite flying machine! Nice job. I've done a bunch of them, Lindberg and Revell in 1:48, and the Roden and ICM in 1:32. All needed some extra work, but it's a lot easier to accomplish in 1;32. I thought yours looked kind of familiar!

    1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

  9. A great looking Stearman Rafi, excellent result with the rigging, the bracing rods finish it off. did a double take when I first saw your photo as my grandson just went for a joy flight in a one.

    1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

  10. Absolutely stunning result on this Stearman, Rafi @blackmopane
    As said by others, the yellow scheme is really wonderful.
    Despite some challenges, it turned out very well.

  11. Nice work, Rafi. The rigging is very well done.

  12. Sounds like this kit was a bit of a bear. The end result turned out well.

  13. Impressive work once again Rafi, especially that rigging.

  14. Looks great - especially the rigging (my nemesis)!

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