Arms up mechanic casting

WWII US Army Aircraft Mechanics

Completed Kit

Beobachtungspanzerwagen Sd.Kfz. 251/18 Ausf. A

Completed Cockpit

Westland Whirlwind

Cockpit

Spitfire IX: The Longest Day - Dual Combo Limited Edition

Cockpit assembly mounted in wing.

Battle of Britain – Ready for Battle Gift Set

Interior left

Roland C.IIa Late

Finished

Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot

Rear view

Jian Ji-2 and Ji-5

Image 2

Kfir C2/C7

Rotor mast brass tube replacement, fits inside brass tube in fuselage.

UH-34D Seahorse Operation Deep Freeze

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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.

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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

Hughes H-4 Hercules "Spruce Goose"
Review Author
John Ratzenberger
Published on
Company
Minicraft Model Kits
Scale
1/200
MSRP
$24.99

Background

I'll not spend much time here. Google for "Jane Russell", when you're done reading that, click any link to "Howard Hughes", and when done with that click the link to the "Hughes H-4 Hercules" to find out all you need to know about this aircraft.

I will add that SWMBO and I had a trip planned that would allow her to go to a big quilt show in Sisters, OR, and allow me to stop off in McMinnville and see the 'Spruce Goose' -- it didn't happen but is still in the back of our minds. Unfortunately, we'll never hear the sound of 8 R-4360's cranking over and running -- that's 224 cylinders generating 28,000 h.p. …. and 448 spark plugs to change ….

Book cover

P-40 Warhawk vs Bf 109 MTO 1942-44
Book Author(s)
Carl Molesworth, Illustrated by Jim Laurier and Gareth Hector
Review Author
Perry Downen
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$17.95

I would like to thank Osprey Publishing for submitting this book and thank IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it.

When we hear the name P-40 we almost invariably think of the shark mouth P-40s of The Flying Tigers doing battle with Japanese Nates and Zeroes over Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, the P-40s also spent considerable time in the air over North Africa and the Mediterranean area engaging the Luftwaffe’s Bf 109. It is the latter struggle that author Carl Molesworth captures in his book P-40 Warhawk vs Bf 109, MTO 1942-44.

Kitset Part

Pre-painted Marsden/PSP Base
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48

Eduard is planning to release a pre-painted injected plastic PSP base. The base has a copyright of 1999 in the back, so I think it is the “old” PSP base which now gets a pre-painted treatment.

What about the pre-painting? It is great. Deep browns and grey shades, with a touch of lighter spots and rusty shades. This is not just pre-painted, it is weathered, too!! Now, be aware that the sides of the base are left in bare plastic (white). You might want to consider painting the sides to match the colors of the top and maybe to apply a wash to the overall base to bring out detail.

What is the quality and detail of the plastic? It is outstanding as we became used from Eduard. No flash or molding flaws. Clean and crisp details. The dimensions are 164 mm x 234 mm. It will fit a P-51 just fine, but it might be a bit tight for a P-47, as it is shown in the pictures.

Kitset Part

NATO Refueling Probes
Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$4.95

Master Models continues its excellent string of releases in all scales with turned aluminum refueling probes in 1/32 and 1/48 scale. The parts are perfectly made and, like many Master Model parts, simple to use. You build the refueling probe, paint as required, and the cut the tip off. Drill a hole for the part and glue it on and it leaves you with a perfect part with a realistic metal finish because it is metal.

Items are:

  • 1/32 32030 $4.95
  • 1/48 48033 4.95

Highly recommended to add a perfect finishing touch to any kit using a NATO refueling probe. My thanks to Master Models and IPMS/USA for the chance to review these excellent parts.

Box Art

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/8
MSRP
$34.99

Moebius Models continues their run of hits with the brand-spanking new Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. For those of you not around for the last 20 years, Elvira is a character played by Cassandra Peterson who is a valley girl-talking, smart-mouthed movie host for those awful yet loveable horror movies. I love her style and panache and when the kit came out, who could not want to review it?

The kit was sculpted by Adam Dougherty. Actually, kit is an understatement, as it is a complete diorama. The kit consists of over 60 parts, including a carpet (with the carpet monster peaking out from underneath the corner), a full sofa, Elvira herself, and her dog Gonk, along with a rat, skull, and skeletal hand. I built the kit in parts and will cover the review the same way.