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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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Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$15.95

I must admit that I had not carefully examined any 1/72 Lifelike decals before I received two sets to review. When they arrived, I realized I’ve been missing something…something rather impressive. If Lifelike set # 72-020 is typical of other sets (and the other set I received indicates it is)…they will almost make you want to peal the stretch wrapping off a new kit box and start clipping parts.

Lifelike decals appear to come from people who know something about the subjects they cover, are focused on delivering high quality…and, who have figured out how to do it right! The sets include careful research, the original artwork looks accurate, the print registration is excellent, the colors are vivid, the film is very thin and the subjects covered are most appealing.

Review Author
Jack Kennedy
Published on
Company
Cyber-Hobby
Scale
1/200
MSRP
$24.99

Back in 1986 I was in Great Britain to attend the British Grand Prix. I wasn’t aware of the fact that between the support races they staged an air show. I was very impressed with the vintage British aircraft which included a Lancaster, a Spitfire, a Hurricane among a vast number of classics. The one aircraft that impressed me the most was the Avro Vulcan. When this big bomber passed over, it blocked out the sun and deafened all around. It made several passes both at low speed and also at high and also dirty with everything opened. Since that time, I have always wanted to build a model of this unique big bird.

Review Author
Andrew Birkbeck
Published on
Company
Zvezda
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$49.95

I will start this review by stating that I have little knowledge of the workings of modern main battle tanks, but I do find them “really cool looking” and so jumped at the chance to build this new offering from Zvezda of Russia. With the turret and main hull festooned with blocks of ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor), carrying a massive 125mm smooth bore main gun, and the turret looking like something from a Star Wars movie, these beasts are very menacing looking!!

Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/200
MSRP
$24.99

The Kit

This is another of Hasegawa’s 1/200 series. This is their third 777-300, the other ones being done in ANA markings and a different JAL scheme. There are also two 777-200s in the series, both JAL. This is my first 1/200 scale kit.

The fuselage comes in white plastic, while the wings, horizontal stabilizers, landing gear, wheels, and doors all come in gray. There is no cockpit interior, but there is a clear windscreen.

Early on in the instructions, Hasegawa provides a wonderful feature, a nose weight. It’s a large screw, about 3/8 diameter, and about 1 inch long. It goes through a bulkhead which is glued into the fuselage. It’s plenty heavy, and there’s no danger of this model becoming a tail sitter.

I took a photo of this feature, but I’ve had some computer trouble, and the “in process” photos for this build are gone to the great bit-bucket in the sky.

Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/12
MSRP
$29.95

Moebius has been making a name for itself with repops of some old Aurora figure kits mixed in with new kits in the same style. Green Lantern is one of the latter. This 18 piece kit represents him in flying mode, holding down a robot using the power of his ring. The pose is very dynamic. For those of you who don’t follow Green Lantern (got to admit I am one of these), this version represents Hal Jordan, a test pilot who gets selected by the Guardians of the Universe to be the first human Green Lantern. The rest of the data you can read on the instruction sheet or the internet.