ICM Operation Gardening- 1:48 Scale Model Kit

Recreate a fascinating chapter of Royal Air Force history with the ICM Operation Gardening HP.52 Hampden Mine Layer and 5 Figures model kit.

The Handley Page HP.52 Hampden entered RAF service in 1938 and became one of the RAF's important twin-engined bombers during the early years of the Second World War. Its unusually narrow fuselage gave the aircraft excellent aerodynamic performance, but made conditions extremely cramped for its four-man crew, earning it the nickname Flying Suitcase.

The Hampden initially operated on daytime missions but was increasingly used at night due to its limited defensive armament. A particularly interesting role was its involvement in Operation Gardening, the RAF campaign to lay magnetic mines in German coastal waters, estuaries and harbours.

During the winter of 1939 to 1940, Hampdens were modified to carry mines in their bomb bays. The first mines were laid off the Norwegian coast on 14 April 1940, and by the end of 1940 Hampdens had laid 703 mines.

This detailed ICM kit allows you to recreate a Hampden prepared for a mine-laying mission, complete with pilot figures, ground crew and a magnetic mine mounted on a trolley.

Model Details

• Brand: ICM
• Product Code: ICM48355
• Scale: 1:48
• Model Type: Aircraft
• Aircraft Type: Bomber
• Nationality: British
• Era: 1939 to 1945, World War II
• Kit Type: Assembly Kit
• 499 parts in total
• Finished model length: 341 mm
• Finished model width: 442 mm
• Supplied unpainted
• Assembly required
• Recommended for ages 14+

What's Included

• HP.52 Hampden mine layer model
• 3 pilot figures
• 2 ground crew figures
• Magnetic mine
• Mine trolley
• Decals and markings
• Assembly instructions

Key Features

• Detailed 1:48 scale HP.52 Hampden
• Represents the specialised mine-laying configuration
• Includes figures to create a complete maintenance and mission preparation scene
• Magnetic mine and trolley included
• Detailed aircraft rivets and surface features
• Highly detailed pilot and ground crew uniforms and equipment
• Based on the historic Operation Gardening missions

Assembly & Painting

• Plastic scale model kit
• Supplied unpainted
• Assembly required
• Paints, glue and modelling tools sold separately

The ICM Operation Gardening HP.52 Hampden Mine Layer is ideal for modellers looking for a 1:48 scale WWII aircraft model kit, Handley Page Hampden, RAF bomber, British bomber model or Operation Gardening mine-laying aircraft kit.

The Handley Page Hampden played an important role during the early years of the Second World War, including the RAF's Operation Gardening mine-laying campaign. This ICM kit combines the distinctive Hampden aircraft with pilots, ground crew and a magnetic mine to create a detailed historical modelling project.

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