Left Side Rear

Batman Stock Car

Subassemblies

Renault FT-17 Tank

In Progress

Type 95 Light Tank "Ha-Go" Early Production

Top

The Flintstone’s Flintmobile

Finished 1

Beechcraft Bonanza F-33

Completed overhead view

SP-2H Neptune "New Patrol Scheme" Limited Edition

Left rear

Avro Vulcan B.2

Finished Model - Cockpit Closeup 1

F-101A/C Voodoo

Staff cars cut off of their resin pour blocks.

German Staff Car

Finished

F4F-4 Wildcat – Expert Set

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Welcome to IPMS/USA Reviews

Introduction: The primary organization of the IPMS/USA Review website is by IPMS/USA National Contest Class. Within each Class there are sub-menus by kits, decals, books, etc. The Miscellaneous Class is for items that are not class specific or that cross two or more classes.

IPMS/USA Members: We encourage you to submit reviews, both here and to the Journal. To volunteer for membership in the IPMS/USA "Reviewers Corps" and submit your own reviews, please read the Guidelines For Submitting Product Reviews.

Manufacturers, publishers, and other industry members: IPMS/USA is pleased to offer your company the opportunity for product reviews. All product reviews are performed by IPMS/USA members, and are posted in the publicly-accessible section of our website. With very few exceptions, we perform full build reviews of new kit releases, aftermarket products, and supplies. If you would care to provide product samples for review, please contact John Noack, IPMS/USA 1st VP.

To learn more about IPMS/USA, please see our About Us page.

Package

Metal Landing Gear for Tamiya 1/48 F35C
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$24.95

Once again IPMS/USA provides our thanks to Ross at SAC for providing us one of his gear sets to use and review!

This set provides the usual flexibility of softer metal that can be work-hardened if needed for a strong, reliable (and repairable) option for the kit plastic gear.

Consisting of 11 white metal parts, this gear provides strength where it is needed in holding up the model over time. Additional benefit: the builder can (carefully) bend the gear into position if there are issues with installation, (such as alignment of wheel axles for toe-in/camber), and repair (more on this later.

Packaging

A/S32A-31A "Mule" Tow Tractor Short Version (exclusive paint option with decal set for USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) South China Sea (Sep 6, 2004))
Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Reskit
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$95.90

Recently received from the folks at ResKit is this US Navy A/S32A-31A “Mule” tow tractor, short version, with exclusive markings in 1/32 scale. These tow tractors are used aboard ships as well as land bases to move aircraft as needed. Suggested aircraft to pair this vehicle with include the following: AV-8B, F-14B/D, F/A-18 C/D/E/F/G, C-2, E-2C, EA-6B, S-3B, UH-1, UH-60, CH-47, CH-53, and SH-3. Modelers with some experience with 3D printed resin kits should have no issues with adding this tow tractor to their collection.

Packaging

Female Driver for A/S32A-31A "Mule" Tow Tractor (Scene 2)
Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Reskit
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.70

New from the folks at ResKit is this female driver for the US Navy A/S32A-31A tow tractor, known as the “mule”. The tow tractors are used aboard ships as well as land bases to move aircraft as needed. Having a female driver modernizes your options to current standards where those serving aboard the ships are not all men as they were back during my years of service. The figure is 3D resin printed with incredible detail and has the option of two heads. Any modeler with experience with 3D printed parts should have no issue adding this figure to a 1/48 scale tow tractor.

ResKit does a wonderful job of creating various parts and figures for an array of models. I have never been disappointed with any of the products that I have purchased, and the level of detail is always top-notch. The figure in this kit is printed as a single piece with two heads included to select from. I chose the head with the tinted goggles while the other head would show clear goggles.

Package

CH-54A (S-64E) Tarhe Pilots Seats
Review Author
David Horn
Published on
Company
Reskit
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$15.40

Founded a little more than 10 years ago by modelers, Reskit has set the standard for aftermarket accessories. Reskit’s product line keep expanding exponentially and no end in sight for what they keep offering. The CH-54A (S-64E) Tarhe pilot seats are no exception. The ICM kit seats are extremely basic and almost look more like a lawn chair than an aircraft seat. The real Tarhe seats are not as complex as other helicopters but they do have notable details that need to be represented in a model.

Packaged in a sturdy box, the contents include one 3D printed set of 3 seats (pilots and rear seat) and instructions. The resin print includes a protective structure or cage around the printed parts. There are plenty of print supports and the print detail is extremely fine with build layers barely noticeable.

Upcoming Show & Swap Meet Information

This video covers an upcoming swap meet and a show that have both been going on for numerous years and always well attended. The swap meet is held in Salisbury, North Carolina and has no contest. The vendors that come to this event have always had odd and rare models, mostly of the automotive kind. The ODO (Old Dominion Open) is an IPMS event that has been hosted by the Richmond IPMS for several years now and has always been a great kick off to model shows on the east coast. There are usually five or six hundred models in the contest as well as numerous great vendors.