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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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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.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
January 4, 2022
Company
Ultracast
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$17.95

Ultracast has added a 1/32 scale RAF Battle of Britain pilot to their growing line of resin figures. With the recent releases (and rereleases) of numerous 1/32 scale Spitfire kits, it’s not surprising that this manufacturer has chosen this time to offer a kit that builds into an appropriate figure for this aircraft.

Five light cream-colored resin parts make up this kit and, as with all other offerings from Ultracast, the parts are beautifully cast and bubble free. As the photo below shows, the kit provides the main torso, head (with flying helmet and goggles), left and right arm and legs that are attached to pour blocks by thin connecting sprue that are very easy to remove and clean up. Overall, the details are crisp and the proportions are believable. The flight uniform, boots, helmet and goggles are well sculpted and face is exceptionally well rendered.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
June 1, 2022
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$26.95

I can’t thank Eduard enough for their support of IPMS USA. We have ample opportunities to review their excellent products, and we reviewers certainly appreciate Eduard’s providing us with the finest photoetch on the planet! (An opinion of this reviewer, but I believe it’s true!)

This is a simple conversion to the Tamiya 1/48 Betty kit interior parts. When you hold the basic kit items up with the Eduard upgrade you notice the difference.

This set is intended to provide a better instrument panel and engine control cluster in the center console stand, and appropriate seat belts to better define the cockpit interior under Tamiya’s huge clear canopy. There are also several instrument panels for the side walls. As you can see the instrument panel is the star of this set.

Review Author
Dan Mackay
Published on
March 9, 2011
Company
Aviaeology
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$11.89

Are you wondering what to do with all your Hasegawa/Airfix Hurricane Mk I’s? Well wonder no longer, because Aviaeology's new sheet on the subject solves that problem for you. Vital Storm part 2 is a follow-up to the previously reviewed Vital Storm part 1. Aviaeology provides well researched decals on eight subjects including three alone for Ian Gleed's mounts. Each subject is complete with narratives on time period and painting suggestions. The instructions and diagrams are provided on three photo copied sheets, but an email request to Aviaelogy will get you a promptly sent color PDF of the instructions which will prove helpful. I especially appreciate the listing of books and accessories that could further aid the modeler in his quest to build the perfect Hurricane. Listed below is a breakdown of the subjects.

Book Author(s)
A.S. Evans
Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
March 7, 2011
Company
Pen and Sword Books Ltd
MSRP
$39.95

This new Pen & Sword book from Casemate Publishing is about all of the British submarine losses from 1904 – 1971. Starting from the A1 (1904) to the Artemis (1971). Having been a submarine sailor myself for 14 years, I’m always looking for new and informative books on the subject. When I saw that there was a new Casemate book coming out I knew that I had to have it because I have very little on the British side and because of the high quality of Casemates books. Their books are very well bound and have high quality glossy pictures.

The book is divided up into 5 parts and 2 appendices. They are:

Review Author
Steve Zajac
Published on
March 7, 2011
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$23.95

Revell has come out with an all new tool kit of this iconic late 1960’s funny car *, with the offset engine, hood, and chassis all faithfully reproduced in the kit. Based on the reproduction of the actual car, the kit consists of 90 parts, with chrome, body, and clear parts bagged separately from the others. The new mold is impressive: the fiberglass body is a spot on reproduction of the ‘Mini- Charger’, and the chassis frame is delicately molded in one piece with a fully detailed offset cockpit and roll cage. Details are crisp, fit is Tamiya-like, and the model looks great when completed. Rated a “3” in terms of difficulty, experience with small parts is a must. I built the major sub-assemblies: body, engine, chassis frame, suspensions, and cockpit following the 9 page instructions. Here are my notes and comments: