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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
Mike Hoekstra
Published on
Company
Grex USA
MSRP
$299.00

I had the day off from work and had some time to spend with the Grex Tritium TG3 airbrush I recently purchased. The basic kit included the TG3 gravity-feed airbrush, three interchangeable paint cups - 2ml, 7ml, and 15ml, one needle and one crown cap. The caps are magnetized for easy on/off switch outs. The magnetic, spare needle crown cap sticks to the back of the rear handle cap - NICE feature. A tool/wrench is also included for switching out the caps and general disassembly. The total weight of the unit is 6.4oz.

The airbrush comes preset from Grex. To assist with consistent line widths, the Tritium has a Pre-set knob at the back of the airbrush. Turning it clock-wise limits the trigger and how much amount of paint sprayed. Completely turning it clock-wise will stop the trigger entirely and lock it shut. Turning it counter-clockwise, allows for more/unlimited paint and trigger extension. Turning in completely counter-clockwise allows unlimited trigger control.

Review Author
Mike Hoekstra
Published on
Company
Grex USA
MSRP
$149.00

Two more green machines added to the arsenal. The basic kit included the Genesis XG ( $149.98) airbrush with a 7ml cup capacity, .3mm nozzle, and weighs in at 4.2 OZ. To assist with consistent line widths, the Genesis has a Pre-set knob at the back of the airbrush rear handle cap. Turning is clock-wise limits the trigger and how much amount of paint sprayed. Turning it counter-clockwise, allows for more/unlimited paint and trigger extension. Just the feel of the airbrush lets you know it's solid. The balance is very nice as the rear handle cap is all metal. Not plastic like some other airbrushes in its price range of $120. Grex also makes the comfort grip set that can be purchased separately for a more ergonomic/comfortable feel.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$59.95

Although not as glamorous or well-known as some of its contemporaries during World War II, the Bell P-39 Airacobra was an innovative and effective weapon system -- when employed to take advantage of its strengths while minimizing vulnerability to its shortcomings. Originally commissioned in the mid-1930’s as a high-altitude interceptor, the Airacobra’s lack of a supercharger limited its effective operational altitude to 17,000 feet. By 1941, adversary aircraft – fighters and bombers – had effective operational ceilings considerably higher than the P-39. As a result, the Airacobra found it’s niche in ground strafing and close air support roles, namely in service with the Soviet Air Force, but did also see some success with U.S. and other Allied air forces in the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters of operation.

Book Author(s)
Braxton R Eisel and James A Schreiner
Review Author
William Seaman
Published on
Company
Pen and Sword Books Ltd
MSRP
$50.00

If you’re a military aviation geek like me, you can’t get enough of books like this. It chronicles the exploits of the authors as they deployed, fought, and returned home from Desert Shield / Desert Storm.

  • Chapter 1 covers the history of the Wild Weasel program, including the origin of the now infamous “YGBSM” unofficial motto. They also get into the specific threats faced and the basics of how they can bring down enemy aircraft.
  • Chapters 2, 3, and 4, detail the career paths of the authors and their training to become Wild Weasels.
  • In chapters 5-16 every imaginable detail of the their exploits during Desert Shield / Desert Storm are chronicled.

Occasionally, it does tend to get very technical but there’s an excellent appendix that spells out the more complex Iraqi systems. The color plates are excellently done and the B & W are very well placed in the context of the mission descriptions.

Review Author
Jim Stratton
Published on
Company
Monogram
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$22.95

This is a re-release of a real “Golden Oldie” show car. The original kit was released in 1970. As the box top art states, this is a Tom Daniels design. Tom Daniels designed 87 model cars for Monogram between 1967 and 1976. As I stated in the review of “Rommel’s Rod” most of his kits could be built in an evening or two.