IPMS/USA Reviews Website

MiG 21 MF Polish Air Force

Review Author

Tracy Palmer

Published on

July 31, 2011

Company

Academy Models

Scale

1/48

MSRP

$39.95

Bottom Line

A great MIG-21 build for any level modeler. Some challenges around the cockpit canopy fitting. Decals photo-etch, and resin add to the necessary level of modeling experience needed to complete the kit. If you add photo etch or resin, be prepared for a longer and more complicated build. This kit is highly recommended.

A5M2 Claude interior S.A. Photoetch Set

Review Author

Roger Rasor

Published on

July 29, 2011

Company

Eduard

Scale

1/32

MSRP

$19.95

Eduard offers two photo-etch detail sets for the Special Hobby 1/32 A5M2b kit. Zoom set #33 070 is the one to get if you just want to focus on enhancing the detail in the cockpit. The set includes a total of 42 pre-painted parts that replace some kit parts and/or add detail to ones that will be used. The kit’s plastic instrument panel is replaced with five very impressively detailed components that are sandwiched together to simulate the panel’s relief and then enhanced with brackets, machine gun supports and gun charging handles. Photo-etched rudder pedals are provided to replace the less-detailed ones in the kit and to detail the kit’s rudimentary rudder bar, pre-painted seat belts replace the un-painted ones in the kit, multi-part throttle quadrant and prop pitch levers replace kit parts and a radio panel face, control box fascias, levers, knobs and numerous small bits are included to perk up the sidewalls.

P-47N Thunderbolt

Review Author

John Lyons

Published on

July 24, 2011

Company

Revell, Inc.

Scale

1/48

MSRP

$21.95

Short History

The P-47N - the last variant produced - was initially developed to escort B-29 bombers during air raids over Japan. The most distinguishing feature of the "N" variant was its in-wing 50-gallon (190-liter) fuel tanks, which extended the aircraft's range by 2,000 miles (3,200 km).

What’s in the Box

This looks like a reissue kit, the copyright marks on the underside of the wing show a 1997 date. The parts are separately packaged, the spurs are molded in grey styrene.

Length: 9-1/8" Wingspan: 10-3/4" Parts: 105

Kit features recessed panel lines, a detailed radial engine, a detailed cockpit, weighted tires, complete under wing stores, a detailed pilot and markings to recreate P-47Ns flown by pilots Lt. Oscar Perdomo and Lt. Col. Ollie O. Simpson.

Building the Kit

Aircraft of the Aces #99 - Aces of the Legion Condor

Book Author(s)

Robert Forsyth, Illustrated by Jim Laurier

Review Author

Roger Rasor

Published on

July 24, 2011

Company

Osprey Publishing

MSRP

$22.95

From 1936 to 1939, nearly 19,000 German ‘volunteers’ (some of whom actually did volunteer) made up an aviation group known as the Legion Condor. Number 99 in Osprey’s ‘Aircraft of the Aces’ series provides an interesting and well-researched story of how Germany’s involvement in the Spanish Civil war came about, what the Luftwaffe volunteers experienced as member of the Legion Condor and how many of the pilots eventually achieved ace status. It is a fascinating story about a significant time in history.

CVN-65 USS Enterprise Hangar Deck Scale Drawings

Book Author(s)

Tom Pope

Review Author

Rod Lees

Published on

July 24, 2011

Company

Tom Pope

MSRP

$22.00

Editor: Contact Tom Pope for obtaining the drawings.

It’s not often I do a review on something before I have fully worked it, but this one deserves the time. How many of you have the Tamiya 1/350 USS Enterprise in your stash? And how many of you have thought of making a hangar deck for the model, but didn’t want the hassle of cut/fit/throw away, repeat? I just finished the Dragon Independence, and can categorically state a hangar deck makes a major impact on the final product… Why not the Enterprise? Although this is not provided in the kit, it doesn’t require too much work; that is, unless you don’t have dimensions and detail.