Cargo Accessory Assembly

German Cargo Truck L1500S

Completed kit right side

Churchill Mk.IV AVRE

Completed kit 4

A-6E TRAM Intruder, plus Cockpit Detail Set

Sprues

B-26B Marauder

Decals

Leopard 2 A6/A6M

Engine block

Smokey and the Bandit '77 Pontiac Firebird

Finished model

North American B-25C/D Mitchell

Viper inner box

Battlestar Galactica Viper Mk VII

Left Side Closeup

U.S. Military Policeman w/Motorcycle

Sprue 2

B-17G First Impressions

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Welcome to the IPMS/USA Reviews site!

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.

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Box Art

F-35A Lightning II
Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
Company
Kitty Hawk
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$69.99

Background

The absolute latest in American manned fighter aircraft, Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II is slated to replace aging F-16, F-18, and AV-8B aircraft in the lightweight fighter attack role in the US Air Force and US Navy in the next several years. The land-based F-35A will replace the F-16, the vertical-takeoff F-35B will assume the Harrier's role, and the carrier variant F-35C will take over for the F/A-18. Several other nations, including the United Kingdom, are expected to purchase variants of the F-35 for their air arms. This fifth-generation fighter employs many advanced features, including low-observable (stealth) technology, to ensure its effectiveness in the 21st Century combat environment.

Mask Package

Seahawk Paint Masks
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.00

The package says this mask set is designed for the Trumpeter Seahawk Mk. 100/101. However, it also can be used for masking the canopy in the Trumpeter Seahawk FGA.Mk.6 kit (if you are unable to find Mask set EX220), since these kits share the same clear parts. With a little adjustment here and there, set EX 374 may also be usable for masking the canopies in Classic Airframes1/48 scale Seahawk kits.

Like other Eduard mask sets, this one is made of Kabuki tape (similar to Tamiya’s masking tape) and contains precut masks for the kit’s windscreen, canopy, gunsight, and wheels. The masks will adhere well to any flat or curved surface, so masking is easily accomplished, and the masks can be removed after paining is completed. A simple instruction sheet is included to guide the masking process.

Box Art

French Village Street
Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
Company
MiniArt
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$34.00

MiniArt is a Ukraine company that was established in 2001 and released their first kit in 2003. They have released many of these diorama series kits over the years.

Upon opening the box, you will find several vacuum formed sheets that make up the base and the structures, with a couple sprues of injection molded parts and sheet of posters. This has been the norm for MiniArt in their “Diorama Series” kits.

This was the first vacuum formed kit that I have ever worked on, so there was a learning curve for me. If you have never worked with a vacuum formed kit, this is a great starter kit for you to practice on. MiniArt also provides step by step instructions on how to assemble their kits at https://miniart-models.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/36050_instr.pdf

Detail Parts

B-25 Fuselage Interior PE Set
Review Author
Rick Bellanger
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$35.00

The set consists of three photo etch sheets. Two of these are unpainted brass color the other is pre- colored for you. You get parts to replace and also detail the upper turret and the rear gun position. Also included are parts to replace the front and rear entry hatches and ladders. Additionally, there are new shelves for the waist gunners’ ammo boxes and new ammo boxes to sit on them. The final parts are new gun barrels for the many machine guns (13 in all).

The instructions are quite adequate in explaining the bending and placement of the details. They also tell you what you have to remove on the existing parts so they will fit.

Detail Parts

B-25 Exterior PE Set
Review Author
Rick Bellanger
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$35.00

The set consists of two photo etch sheets, both unpainted brass. You get parts to add details to the main gear areas of the engine nacelles. These consist of new ribs and frames. Also included are details to enhance the already very detailed engines. There are parts to detail the inside of the engine cowling access doors and engine cooling doors. You also get framing detail for these access hatches.

The instructions are quite adequate in explaining bending and placing the details. They also tell you what you have to remove on the existing parts so they will fit.

The down side of these beautiful detail sets is that once the plane is completed, it is hard to see all the work you have done. But I know they are there and if you look real real close you can see them.

HIGHLY recommended. One should have experience working with photo etch and using ACC glues or epoxy.