Scooter built

U.S. Airborne Scooter with Machine Gun

Photoetch Parts

HMEE-1 (High Mobility Engineer Excavator)

Finished Top Left Front

English Electric Lightning F.2A

Closeup of the cockpit.

Saab A32A Lansen

On base with oil drum for scale

FT-17 French Light Tank

Launch tube package viewed from end

Battlestar Galactica Viper Mk II

7

German L4500A (with) 5cm Flak 411

Finished Model

Honest John Tactical Missile

Wall

European Farmyard

Finished model of FW-190

FW-190A-5

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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.

Box Art

F-8E/H Crusader Detail Set
Review Author
Andy Renshaw
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$109.99

The F-8 Crusader has always been one of my favorite aircraft. I personally tend to model in 1/48 scale, however when the opportunity came up to review Aires 1/32 detail set for the Trumpeter F-8E/H, I could not resist. The set showed up, and I found an F-8 kit with a few other goodies shortly after, so I was all set.

Aires has always been a leader in the realm of aftermarket resin sets. I am used to their 1/48 line and the level of detail found on those, but was blown away with their treatment in 1/32. First, the set is large, and comes in a sturdy cardboard box with lid and clear picture of the contents. Opening the box you are greeted with several bags of large resin parts, a small photo-etch fret, and instructions.

The main areas covered by this set are:

Box Art

Model Art Modeling Magazine, #802, August 2010
Review Author
Les Walden
Published on
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$12.98

This is a very nice slick covered magazine, but if you want to read it, you better know Japanese. It contains a lot of visual information for the modeler. All the pictures are clear and high resolution, even the multitude of advertisements. This issue deals mainly with aircraft with some auto, armor and ship articles.

This edition’s articles are:

Front and back cover art

The Modern Phantom Guide: The F-4 Phantom Exposed
Book Author(s)
Jake Melampy
Review Author
Unknown Modeller
Published on
Company
Reid Air Publications
MSRP
$41.95

Everything you ever wanted to see on an F-4 Phantom II. When the author tells you “exposed”, that’s exactly what he means. This, no doubt, will be the definitive publication when it comes to detail shots of the F-4. Included are descriptions and details for the following: RF-4C, F-4C, F-4D, F-4E, F-4EJ, F-4F, RF-4E, F-4G and the QF-4. The Hellenic DIAS Phantom is also included.

If you’re a Phantom buff, as am I, this book is truly the best collection of information (for super detailing purposes) I have seen to date. I thought his (the author's) “Viper Exposed” book was super, but I believe this one surpasses it.

Many thanks to Reid Air Publishing and Jake Melampy for the review sample.

Cover art

Lockheed – Vega PV-1, Ventura PV-2 Harpoon
Book Author(s)
Steve Ginter
Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
Company
Ginter Books
MSRP
$44.95

Soft cover, 192 pages of black and white detail drawings and photographs covering both of these aircraft and their varying roles in Naval as well as civil service.

This book starts by covering the aircraft’s beginnings with the predecessor Lockheed (Electra) 10s, (Electra Junior) 12s and (Super Electra) 14s, and segues on to its wartime role as a patrol bomber used not only in England, but in the U.S. Navy as well.

As with most Ginter books, the research touches on all serial numbers manufactured, and traces them to their assignments. This was a particular interesting read for yours truly, in that I hold a type rating in this venerable old bird. In the closing pages of this book, I was able to trace, by registration number, the two birds I had the pleasure to fly. I was surprised to see just how many of these post-war relics made their way to Cleveland, Ohio.

Product display

Black-It Out Washes
Review Author
Robert Folden
Published on
Company
The Detailer
MSRP
$2.99

As any modeler knows, a good wash can pick out details and set a model apart from the crowd. There have been a lot of tips, tricks, and formulas over the years for the perfect wash. But The Detailer may have finally done it. The Detailer has created a line of twelve pre-mixed washes in various colors.

The washes come in 1-oz. bottles and are available in colors ranging from black through grey and white to greens and even purple. There are several uses for the washes, whether you’re a car modeler or a military modeler. The liquid is slightly thicker than water, and can be used straight from the bottle or thinned with water. The Detailer website shows some of the automotive uses such as blacked out grills, chrome tinting, lens and glass tinting, and various anodized metal looks.