Loving this series about how the various kit manufacturers could improve. On the whole ICM aren't doing much wrong and seem to only to need tweaks rather than a complete overhaul. Btw, I also enjoy the graphics to emphasise your points and your narration. 👍
I had a less than satisfying experience with my first ICM kit, "Ghost of Kiev." I learned that it was an early kit, so I don't hold that against them. For me, the thing that has held me back has simply been kit selection. That's highly subjective, but they haven't released anything that screamed "must have" to me.
I have bought a coupe of ICM kits and find them very, very good. I agree about their paints and do give them a break since they are new to that part of the modeling market. It would be a shame if they don't heed you advice and improve their color line and suggestions. I also think the branding idea would be great to make their kits stand out in a crowded marketplace.
I think that's a fair assessment. I would like their kits to be just a tad more refined. For example I'd like to see styrene tyres with sidewall detail instead of vinyl tyres with no detail. I'd also like to see them utilise slide moulding.
To me and I could be wrong, but if ICM and Minart would just upgrade the quality of their plastic that they use, I believe it would make a huge difference. Like tamiya plastic.
ICM did a great job with having video instructions. It seems they are listening to the community. I feel Tamiya could be doing better, I am thankful that they ended up doing all 3 F-35 variants though.
Agreed - place any text & Scale to the left, the title in the centre and ICM brand to the right, even if it means reducing the size of the printed art to fit.
ICM might think about growing the number of model hobbists by creating a snap together kits to compete with Zveda and the Chinese snap-together models. I am thinking that their 1/72 BTR models might be good subjects to explore the market.
Paint - single bottles, and less padding (varnishes, blacks, whites, silvers) in their sets … to be fair other manufacturers pad their sets with generic colours, but the varnishes are a step too far. Definitely need single bottles though if I am to invest in their paints. 1:72 please - this is a selfish request because I build in 1:72 and am jealous of the 1:48 releases. I’m after a Hampden at the moment, the Airfix is too old, the Valom has badly fitting transparencies, so I am waiting on the AZ. If ICM were to do a 1:72 they could definitely have my money.
I have no problem with ICM not producing "Russian' models. Nor am I in any dilemma about buying Zveda. I just won't. Ethics shouldn't be compromised for the sake of commerce.
Im surprised they do the amount of russian subjects considering the situation they are in.....and just to be clear im not talking about "soviet" but actual "Russian"
IMO this hatred towards Zvezda is a bit overblown. When China inevitably invades Taiwan, I’m sure these same folks won’t be protesting Border Model, Temu, and Gaahleri, and our many other products made in china, which would probably kill the hobby overnight.
