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.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1:72
MSRP
$32.99

From ICM’s website,

Since the summer of 2023, Leopard 2A6 tanks have been in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They actively participate in battles in the east and northeast of Ukraine. Some of them undergo specific modifications due to the nature of modern combat. Recent combat engagements have imposed new requirements, particularly improving protection against shaped charge munitions and attack drones. To address this, additional protective elements in the form of grids are added to the combat vehicles. Solid screens of various types are also used to protect the running gear. The Leopard 2A6 tanks of the Ukrainian army undergo such modifications, and several of these combat vehicles were seen in action in the fall of 2023.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$71.00

I like the P-39 series aircraft as they are unique and not flown in combat as they were designed. Like a lot of early war aircraft, they were used because newer models weren’t available. As such, the P-39s flew in combat in the Pacific, and the Russians particularly liked them for ground attack. Like the aircraft, my experience with this model looks good from afar, but far from good.

Reference the Arma Hobby website for this P-39Q.

Bell P-39Q Airacobra Fighter Aircraft Model in 1/48 Scale

New Arma Hobby 2024 molds

The model includes a code to download a 3D printer file with detailed cockpit accessories:

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Atlantis Model Company
Scale
1:32
MSRP
$24.99

This is a reissue of the Monogram original from the 1980s. Done in an odd 1/32 scale, this kit is a trip back in time for me because I didn’t build car models back then. The kit is very basic by today’s standards but there are a few areas where the detail is quite good. I found the interior had very good texture on the seats and especially the dash. Trans Ams had a brush rotary finish in metal and the texture molded on the kit part looks convincing once painted.

I did use some plastic card stock to fill the front seat backs since they come hollowed out. Chassis detail is acceptable for the scale, but the engine is too small for the engine bay. The “Shaker Hood” sits too low if installed per the directions, so I glued it to the bottom of the hood. The only other part I wrestled with was the glass.

Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
Company
Zoukei-Mura
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$130.00

References

I often enjoy providing several references to supplement my review notes. I initially pull out one of favorites: from the series of hard bound books, their Focke-Wulf Fw 190 by Robert Grinsell and illustrations by Rikyu Watanabe. This book among its other 1990 illustrations is a great series of cutaway drawings and a three-page drawing of Wurmheller’s Fw 190 with the color scheme and markings very close to the model and markings. I am unsure about the availability of these fine 48-page books, though I highly recommend them.

Additionally, there are many internet sources of background information about the Würger, including: