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

PLAAF J-8B Finback
Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
Trumpeter
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$56.95

History

The development of a Chinese all-weather interceptor began in 1964 and resulted in the first Chinese-designed and built jet fighter. The prototype took its maiden flight in 1969, but the J-8 was not produced until 1979 and entered service in 1980. Its basic configuration resembles an enlargement of the delta-wing of the J-7, with two turbojet engines and a maximum speed of Mach 2.2.

Cover

Phonix C.1
Book Author(s)
Paolo Varriale
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Albatros Productions, Ltd.
MSRP
$17.50

History

The Austro-Hungarian Phönix C.1 two-seat biplane was one of the lesser-known aircraft of World War I, primarily because it was so late in getting into unit service. Designed and produced by the Phönix organization, the prototype first flew in June, 1917, but production models didn’t enter service until March, 1918. The C.1 was a compact two-seater powered by a six cylinder Kiero 230 hp. water cooled engine, and was armed with two machine guns, one firing forward and one in a flexible mount in the rear cockpit. The airplane was fast, although a few of them were shot down by their main adversaries, the Italians. Fewer than 100 were delivered up to the Armistice in 1918. Postwar, the aircraft was ordered by the Swedes and, although 41 were ordered, only 26 were actually built and delivered. The plane served mainly as an advanced trainer throughout the twenties, some lasting until 1935. Later Swedish C.1s were powered by Hispano engines.

Cover

North American P-51D/K Mustang & Cavalier F-51D Conversion
Book Author(s)
Pawel Matysiak
Review Author
Steve Collins
Published on
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$26.95

When this book was announced and I looked at the contents, I knew I had to have it. You see, I have am working on a collection of aircraft from the 352nd Fighter Group, the Blue-Nosed, uh, Boys from Bodney. And this book has decals for one of the ones I’ve been unable to find. In fact, the book has decals in 1/32nd, 1/48th, and 1/72nd for four aircraft:

Box Art

Ed Roth's Outlaw
Review Author
Joe Staudt
Published on
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$22.95

Ed “Big Daddy” Roth was one of the greatest hot rodders of all time. Starting in the early1950s, his customs and show cars have become the stuff of legend. The Outlaw was his first use of fiberglass and, when it hit the car show circuit in 1960, it became an instant sensation. Thanks to Roth’s deal with Revell, the Outlaw lives on along with many of his other creations. Revell has seen fit to release it once again; let’s take a look at it.

Decal Packaging

PLAAF J-10 Dragon Decals
Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.00

Set 48-233. Colorful markings from the first air show of the 2009 season of the J-10 Chinese Demo Team. There are markings for both the single- and two-seat variants of the J-10. There are enough options on this sheet to build 1 each of any of the jets from the 2009 air show season.

Two sheets of decals are included in this set. Markings include national insignia, Demo Team logo, aircraft numbers, stunning tail markings, and various red and white scallops.

Decals are sized for both the Bronco and Trumpeter 1/48th scale kits.

Set 48-234. More colorful markings from the first air show of the 2010/2011 season of the J-10 Chinese Demo Team. There are markings for both the single- and two-seat variants of the J-10. There are enough options on this sheet to build 1 each of any of the jets from the 2010/2011 air show season.