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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.

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Decal Package

Early Dutch Insignia and Serials Decals
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
Company
Dutch Decal
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$16.50

This 1/72 set from Dutch Decals comprises 2 sheets of silkscreen decals and a folded instruction sheet covering aircraft using the early Dutch insignia.

Each decal sheet measures a little less than 6”x8 1/2”. The first sheet has letters, numbers (in a unique font) in both black and white, as well as serial numbers, data plates, and some rooster decals for use on both camouflaged and silver-doped aircraft. The second is entirely covered with the orange ‘meatball’ insignia of the early Dutch Air Force. Different sized roundels are provided, both with and without a white surround.

Box Art

Supermarine Seafire Mk.III
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Sword Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$32.99

History

The Seafire was essentially a navalized Spitfire designed for carrier operations with the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier fleet. At the beginning of World War II, although the Royal Air Force was operating some first class equipment (including Spitfires and Hurricanes), the Royal Navy was equipped mainly with types that were decidedly inferior in performance to what the Luftwaffe had. These types, including the Blackburn Skua and Roc, Gloster Gladiator, and later the Fairey Fulmar, were not in a class with the Messerschmitt Bf-109 or the Focke Wulf FW-190, the planes that would become their adversaries. Although the earlier aircraft were used successfully in some operations, it was clear to the naval commanders that more suitable aircraft were required.

Box Art

Supermarine Seafire Mk XVII
Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Sword Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$32.99

I really like the Spitfire. I’ve built almost as many of them as I have F-4 Phantom IIs. So, when the opportunity came to build a Seafire for a review, I volunteered. Does begging and pleading count as volunteering? Anyway, I got the new Sword Seafire Mk XVII, and Brian Baker got the Seafire III.

The Aircraft

The Seafire was a much desired aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm dearly wanted a high-performance fighter for their carriers. Because production of RAF Spitfires was a much higher priority, they got Blackburn Rocs (which were insufficient), Wildcats (Martlets), and Hellcats. The first Seafires were modified Spitfire Mk Vs. As Spitfires evolved, the Seafires changed, too.

Box Art

Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf. N Deutsches Afrikakorps
Review Author
Howie Belkin
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$21.95

The Panzer III design was awarded to Daimler-Benz with production beginning in 1937. Several German companies would be engaged for full production. The Ausf N was the last variant, with many converted from previous variants. Armed with the short-barrel 7.5cm KwK 37 L/24 cannon and armored with the extra armor on the Ausf J, L, and M variants, the Ausf N performed well in Europe and North Africa, especially as infantry support. The Panzer III chassis lived on as the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun, which became Germany’s most-produced armored vehicle. The Panzer IV took over the role as Germany’s main battle tank.

Part Packaging

Hawker Hunter Pitot Tube
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$6.29

Master Model now has covered all the basses when it comes to turned aluminum pitot tubes for Hawker Hunter models by adding one for 1/32 scale kits (currently, that means Revell or Revell of Germany F.6 or FG.9 kits). In this larger scale, the addition of a more accurately proportioned metal pitot tube is almost a must if the builder is striving for accuracy. The photo below of the metal part compared to the injection molded kit part tells the story. Placing it next to the kit part clearly shows show how nicely the tapered Master Model metal looks by comparison.

The Master Model pitot tube can be attached with super glue or epoxy cement. Then, a little filler may be needed to blend the hole in the wing’s leading edge after anchoring the smaller diameter metal tube. The thin metal tube will likely survive an occasional bump or two but, because it is aluminum, it may bend if it is bumped too hard.