Right side detail

ISU-152-2 155mm BL-10 Cannon 2 in 1

interior weights

P-39Q Airacobra

Parts 9

J2M3 Raiden ‘Jack’ (with Concept Notes)

Image 7

Jagdpanzer SU-85 (R) w/CREW

Finished 2

Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. E/F

Photoetch

A-6E Intruder

Factory detail 5

Ruined Factory with Base

Left Rear

1977 AMC Pacer Wagon

5

FAUN L900/D667 Hard Top Cab

Cockpit detail

F/A-18E Super Hornet

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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.

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.

Cover

P-51 Mustang Part 2: XP-51B through P-51C
Book Author(s)
Bert Kenzey and Haagen Klaus
Review Author
David Horn
Published on
Company
Detail & Scale, Inc.
MSRP
$21.99

Detail & Scale Aviation publications have set the standard for aircraft reference books since 1978. This Paperback publication is 102 pages with B&W and full color, close up detail and “in action” images. Some of these books are also offered in Apple and Kindle digital versions.

The book starts out with the developmental & operational history of the Packard-Merlin powered Mustangs. This section has plenty of photos along with five-view drawings indicating features of the B & C model Mustangs and detailed aircraft measurements. This section is followed by Mustang variants to include P-51B, C, F-6C and Mustang III.

The next sections start off with a gallery of early Merlin mustangs with a mix of B&W and color photos.

Decal Examples

Rafale Export Versions, Part 1 Egypt, Qatar, India Airforces, Part 2 Hellenic Air Force
Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
Company
Syhart Decal
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$17.50

Frenchman Sylvain Hautier founded Syhart Decals (SY (Sylvain) HA (Hautier) , ART (design)) in 2006 with the aim of recreating in model form the special aircraft paint schemes that have been developed to celebrate anniversaries, participate in Tiger Meets, and for last flights. He also issues decals for regular schemes for lesser-known and unusual air forces for kits that offer limited decal options.

An example is the 1/48 Rafale C, with the kit issued by Revell offering limited choices. Sylvain’s answer was to release several decal sheets for various air forces, and these two sheets give the modeler four choices between them.

ICM Confession Before the Flight

Confession Before the Flight
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1:35
MSRP
$105.99

ICM has released this kit, which uses the older release American Made truck G7117, now with the addition of the Mobile Field Chapel, figures and accessories. Such chapels were used by British Army Chaplains to perform their duties in all theaters of war. The kit contains:

  • Nine grey Sprues
  • Two clear sprues
  • One Decal sheet
  • One instruction guide

The detail quality is excellent in every way with this kit -- crisp and detailed molding has become the norm for the latest ICM kits.

The assembly is quick and easy as we have come to expect from these kits. It was seamless in every way, so I will not spend time writing about each stage. Instead, here are just a few points and comments.

Curtis Kittyhawks in Soviet Far North Vol 1

Curtiss Kittyhawks in the Soviet Far North 1941-45: Volume 1 - Origins and Early Combat Operations, 1942–May 1944
Book Author(s)
Andrey Latkin
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

Author Andrey Latkin writes,

Introduced through the Allied Lend-Lease program, the Kittyhawk entered Soviet service in the Artic in 1942. This volume explores the logistical hurdles of maintaining and operating these American-built aircraft in extreme northern conditions, and details their early missions supporting convoy protection, intercepting German bombers, and later, transitioning into reconnaissance and fighter-bomber roles.

This 76-page book is a part of Helion & Company’s @War Series. Curtiss Kittyhawks in the Soviet Far North 1941-45: Volume 1 -Origins and Early Combat Operations, 1942–May 1944 (Helion No. HEL2004) is outlined in the familiar @War format and is a little light in black and white photographs (not surprising given how little is known, or covered, in this theater of operations), color profiles, supporting text, detailed captions, and, perhaps most importantly, maps. The book is composed of the following sections:

Box Cover

Monty's Office Caravan
Review Author
Tomasz Menert
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$142.99

When General Montgomery commanded the 8th British Army in North Africa, he was provided with a specially designed staff vehicle. This original vehicle was created based on the standard British army vehicle, the Leyland Retriever. A non-standard structure was installed on the base chassis, which served as a mobile field office. The interior of the vehicle was divided into two rooms. The small front room was equipped with a bathroom, while the larger room contained wardrobes for personal belongings and clothes, a writing desk with desk lamps, and a large sofa.

Previously, this office belonged to the Italian General Bergonzoli and was mounted on a Lancia 3RO truck. After the vehicle was captured by a unit of the 7th British Armoured Division, the structure was transferred to the chassis of the British Leyland Retriever. After the end of the combat operations in North Africa, the mobile station was moved to Europe.