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
Rod Lees
Published on
April 12, 2011
Company
MiniArt
Scale
1/16
MSRP
$32.95

This was a “mom saw it, and I bought it” modeling effort. Here in OKC (the home of Hobby Lobby Corporate) they have a discount outlet for the wedding crowd; and that is where they drop the occasional “model samples”; the store is called the “Basket Mart”…. Depends on when you show up if you get cool stuff. 98% of the time, nothing… but in this case I walked in and instant birthday gift for the horse-loving mother of mine, who just turned 21 this week. (HA!)

Ya’ll know I am an aviation/naval/sometimes armor guy. And in this case, I had an opportunity to do something a bit different. Waaaay different. Having visited Waterloo, I was aware of the time period this model represents; Warfare was changing again, and the use of cavalry was still being finessed. This kit represents a time period unlike any other… Muskets, Swords, and Horsepower.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
April 12, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$34.98

The Lavochkin La-7 was in many ways a Lavochkin La-5, strengthened internally and modified externally to improve performance. It was introduced into operational testing in late 1944 and then served with numerous Soviet fighter units as they contributed to the push into Germany in 1945. The La-7 was considered by many to be one of the very best fighters built during WW II. It equipped the elite Guards fighter Air Regiments and Divisions and was the fighter flown by many Soviet aces who achieved that status by downing some of the Luftwaffe’s best late-war aircraft. These included Colonel Vasiliy A. Zaitsev, Ivan N. Kozhedob and Major Vladimir D. Lavrinyenkov.

Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
April 12, 2011
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.51

Another beautifully mastered set, nicely cast in light tan resin without warps or pinholes. These are exceptional in that they go a long way to enhance an already extremely nice model and require a minimum of surgery to install. For me, they earn the “most highly approved” designation. Many thanks to Quickboost and to IPMS/USA for the review sample.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
April 12, 2011
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$16.95

New from Squadron/Signal Books USA is the B-25 Mitchell in Action by David Doyle. Very possibly the most significant twin engine bomber of WWII is beautifully showcased in this new “in action” series book.

72 pages with artwork by Don Greer, this publication contains more than 200 photos (80 of them in full color), most of them original period photographs. This aircraft is covered in detail by taking it from the North American Aviation Prototype (NA 40) to the final production run of the B-25J, in use for some time after the close of the war. USN and USMC versions (PBJ series) are also well covered within, as are B-25’s in Foreign Service used by Allied Air Forces at that time. Also contained are several color profiles of the B-25.