With the M8 progressing, my next project is ICM's new B-26C glass nose variant of the Invader.

About a year ago I did a review when the first kit was release and comparing it to the Monogram kit as well. And no not to beat up the old kit, as they do build up very well despite the shape issue if ya look for it. I built one a long time ago as a B-26K Counter Invader using the Paragon set. Long before there was any reviews about the fuselage shape is a bit off. Honestly it still looks very much like a B-26 Invader as a display model.
When you lift the cover lid, is a nice sturdy white box with a pop in lid holding the parts.

Pop the lid and the instruction booklet is right on top. In Russian (Ukranian?) and English print.

Color call outs list Tamiya and Revell paint products which is nice, the break down of assembly is similar to Airfix new style of directions. As i go along will see if I run into misindentified parts or awkward parts location.

3 Schemes are available for this kit, a black and 2 bare metal finish. I have a set of decals coming for a black bird. When they arrive I will post them up during the build.

The grey styrene parts are again in one big easy to open bag. Same as before. The clear parts do come in a separate bag with in the bag. They are not loosely moving around as the box is sturdy and movement with in the box is minimal. Still there are some loose parts that have come off the sprues within.

The first sprue (A) contains the fuselage halves, with good interior details and stringers.

The flight deck floor and rear lower turret insert.

Sprue B, is one of 2 sets, upper lower wings, engine nacelles and bomb bay doors.

The engine nacelles show fine detail, engraved panel lines. The wing has the roof of the main gear bays which is nice when the nacelles are assembled which also has some details within. The bay doors have also some nice details.

The next sprue is unique to this kit which contains the clear nose section. The kit still retains the gun nose parts within the base kit.

The forward bulkhead, side consoles, the lower front section of the nose which also includes the clear glazing.

The next sprue contains the engines and cowlings. Propeller, bombs, bomb racks, gun packs, And turrets.

Engine crankcase and cylinders, engine cowling, pushrods and ring, with a bit more that goes with the engine, lots involved when building each engine.

The next 3 sprues, the bay doors, landing gear parts, the extra gun nose, then wings, interior bulkheads and finally rockets and the blank insert used if configure no rear lower turret.
next Lots of pre painting to do, starting with the Interior Green.

More to follow.

3 additional images. Click to enlarge.

Thanks for the inbox detailed preview, Chuck!
Looks a great kit!
Waiting for your progress!

Wow Chuck !
This is not only a build journal, but a mini kit review too... and it looks great.

I have to get busy on finishing up my ICM Heinkel 111. It's a great kit, and the problems I had with mine were self induced. It didn't help things at all when I accidentally spilled liquid glue on it...

Sign me up too as watching this one.

Hi Chuck
This is a great kit and fitting is very good.
Plastic material is soft that s good for sanding etc but the same material on critical parts like landing legs etc may cause problems. On my example, landing legs were not rigid as on Monogram s kit. Especially the front landing gear leg is susceptible to warping due to the weight in the nose .
Good luck

Tolga @tolgaul brought on a good poiont indeed!

The biggest issue at such cases is the "bent-in" of the single arm nose wheel gear at the point where the arm starts, resulting in an awkward front wheel angle. In such cases, I try to "invisibly" glue the upper part of the wheel to the inner part of the arm. It IS a compromise, but I prefer it to the wrong front wheel angle. At times, I glue the front wheel at an opposite angle, only to rest at "correct" angle with the model weight. Understandably, the above procedures are NOT "by the book", their success varying form OK to hopeless...

I also consider to apply a coat of cyano once, to see if it will help stiffen the weak leg...

Well, just thoughts...

Onto your Invader, Chuck @uscusn!

Excellent tips guys, I believe SAC already has a set of metal gear for the B-26. They are exact reproductions of the kits gear but in metal instead of plastic, so they are direct replacements. I also have an extra set from a previous Monogram B-26 will check if it's possible to use them, as they do have good details. Either way in the end will have model that will withstand the time of sitting on the shelf without the gear sagging or a wheel snapping off the spindle. That occurs more often with a resin wheel.

George, that would be in the late 60' or so. I also have the 2 Monogram kits as well, I am contemplating in building the "B" along with this ICM kit. I figure might as well. I have the set of Korean war decals for it and some other mods to help it out a bit.

Hello Rick, welcome, so far it looks good. The clear parts in the kit are close if not just as nice that you would get in a Tamiya kit. No warpage. Once I get to the point I attach the nose to forward section of the fuselage I will then test fit all the clear parts. i am looking forward to when you get started.