Finished 2

Panzerfahre Gepanzerte Landwasserschlepper Prototype Nr. 1

Tail detail

Q-Men F-35B Lightning II

24

Conquerors of Europe's Sky

6

Panzerspähwagen (Funk) P204(f)

Exhaust piping

F4U-1 Corsair, Part 1 – Fuselage and Cockpit

Weapons sprue detail

German Elite Infantry

Left-front view, above

MIM-104F Patriot Surface to Air Missile System M901 Launching Station

Finished model

British Heavy Tank Mk.V Female

Rear view

IDF M60A1 Magach 6B

Right Rear

M1A2 Abrams SEP V2 TUSK II

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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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Product Picture

Kawasaki Ki-45 Kai Ko/Hei Toryu (Nick) - Fuselage and Cockpit - Part 2
Review Author
James Binder
Published on
Company
Zoukei-Mura
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$140.00

Part two begins the major work on the cockpit and fuselage interior.

As with all ZM kits you are building the entire interior of the aircraft. Full cockpit, center section, and rear gunner position.

The build in this part starts with the center section using the cockpit and center floor and adding in the fuel tank assembly. Forward and rear bulkheads are added along with the wing spar. This spar is not just a short piece either it’s the entire spar assembly for both wings and acts as a fuel tank cover for what turns out to be a lower tank. Lower fuel tank side supports are added along with the alerion linkage rod then work on the cockpit begins. I chose to add to this kit the ZM Photo Etch so some of the cockpit pieces will be switched out for etch. It’s a small addition as there isn’t much PE but it really adds to an already amazing kit.

Box Front

P-47 Razorback

Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Platz
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$17.50

The Aircraft

The Republic P-47 was one of two very successful fighters flown by USAAF pilots and were built at Farmingdale, Long Island in New York State. Until the P-51 came along, there wasn’t a more successful American escort aircraft and tactical bomber than the P-47.

I’ve been a fan of the P-47 ever since I found a copy of Robert S. Johnson’s “Thunderbolt!” in my high school library. This kit contains markings for 4 aircraft, and I decided to do Walker “Bud” Mahurin’s razorback. Bud was the first American pilot to become a double ace in Europe (10 victories) and wound up with 19.75 victories. He was shot down over France in May of 1944, rescued by the Resistance, and returned to Britain. Because of his knowledge of the French Resistance, he was transferred to the Philippines, where he shot down a Japanese bomber. Later he flew fighters in Korea, where he got 3.5 MiG-15s, making him the only fighter ace with victories in Europe, the Pacific, and Korea.

Box Art

M109A7 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer
Review Author
Dan Brown
Published on
Company
Panda Hobby
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$69.95

The M109A7 is the latest version of the Army’s long serving 155mm self-propelled howitzer. First debuted in the 1960s to replace the M44. This newest version of the M109 sets out to upgrade many of the systems that allow a faster fire rate even with the increase in armor. There are also a number of parts that this vehicle now shares with the Bradley fighting vehicle allowing for cost savings in production and supply logistics. This new kit from Panda Hobby is the first kit of the newest member of the M109 family in 1/35 scale.

Package

MiG-17F Zoom
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.95

The Hobby Boss 1/48th scale kit of the MiG-17 series are THE kits of this fighter plane. The kit does have good detail but like anything, it can be improved upon. Included in this photo etch set are some major upgrades.

Packaged in the typical Eduard resealable package with card stock support. This pre-painted single nickel-plated photo etch fret features some prominent upgrades.

Most of the parts are designed for use in the cockpit. The biggest being the instrument panel. The instrument panel is a two-part affair with the instrument faces having glass like faces and over that is the visible panel with its various switches and buttons. On top of that there is a HUD for the gunsight. It is a single piece of photo etch that replaces the kit clear plastic part. Sidewall details are also provided.

Package

MiG-17F Seatbelts STEEL
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$7.95

The ejection seat in the Hobby Boss kit is a little sparse. It needs ‘help’. That help comes from Eduard.

Packaged in their typical self-sealing package. The pre-painted nickel coated fret contains nine pieces that make up the seatbelts. They are steel so they are easy to bend and don’t lose their color coating unless you are excessive with the bends. The instructions are easy to understand. They do have you cut the kit seat and add part C6 in place of C3. Then it is just a matter of adding the belts. Simple, easy and effective.

The ejection sheet is the most visible item in the cockpit. This little fret will add dramatically to the interior of your MiG-17. This set, along with FE1000, will make your cockpit ‘pop’.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Eduard and IPMS/USA for the review copy. You can obtain your copy by contacting Eduard at www.eduard.com or your local hobby shop or online retailer.