Decals

P-47 Razorback

5 Hull Details

AFV Stryker Dragoon

Parts

MaxxPro Dash with SPARK II Mine Roller

Payload Options

Vostok Orbital Launch Vehicle

Decal 2

Sea Vampire F.20 with Scale Aircraft Conversions Metal Gear

4

Salvenmaschinenkanone SMK 18 TYP 2

Competed Model - Left Side

Jack Reacher 1970 Chevelle SS

Left Side

'48 Ford Police Coupe 2'n1

Nose

F-14A Tomcat

Finished

A-24 Banshee

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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

RG-31 Mk 3 Mine-Protected APC
Review Author
Chris Graeter
Published on
Company
Kinetic Model Kits
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$69.95

History

The RG-31 is a 4x4 mine-protected, all-terrain armored personnel carrier(APC) first manufactured in South Africa. It is able to withstand mine blasts and small arms fire due to the V-shaped, all-steel welded armor monologue hull and high suspension. As a multi-purpose vehicle, the RG-31 assumes a wide range of roles, such as APC, ambulance, and surveillance vehicle, but is mostly used during peacekeeping missions for its non-aggressive appearance. The RG-31 has served in Iraq & Afghanistan.

Kit

Inside the box, there are 5 tan plastic sprues, 1 clear sprue, 1 black rubber sprue, 5 black hard rubber tires, a PE fret, a decal sheet, and a 24-page instruction booklet. Also included in the kit box is a bonus "Check Point" set. The set consist of four figures and barricades (both water & concrete). I did not build this set for this review, but after looking it over, I think this set would build into a very nice diorama featuring the RG-31.

Cover

Model Art Modeling Magazine, #872, July 2013
Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$11.65

Model Art Modeling Magazine is a Japanese publication that is released monthly. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. One benefit of these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used.

This month’s issue is geared toward the Formula 1 fans, but the issue starts off with a report from the 2013 Shizuoka Hobby Show. This is covered in four pages packed with color photographs. Some models of note – Tamiya’s 1/32nd F4U-1 and Minicraft’s 1/72nd PBM-5/5A are just a few of the examples.

The Formula 1 article is covered in over fifty one pages. The largest focus of the article is on the John Player Special cars. They use models of these cars along with tips on building them, captured in black and white and color photos. Along with models, there are photos of the actual cars in color and black and white photographs.

Detail Parts

Merlin HC-3 Landing Gear
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.99

Yet one more “You really should buy this or have your plastic gear fail in a year” set for a heavy model. Thanks as usual to our friend Ross at SAC for providing IPMS USA this set, and IPMS for sending it to me for review!

Box Art

German Tank Crew, Normandy, 1944
Review Author
Franklyn Cook
Published on
Company
MiniArt
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$19.00

MiniArt’s German Tank Crew Normandy 1944 contains five figures wearing their German uniforms under bad weather leathers. The commander figure is posed as if he’s standing in a vehicle hatch, scanning the terrain. The other four are depicted during moments of relaxation and revelry. An accordion player appears to tap his toe in time with the music. An NCO stands with his jacket open and an amused look on his face. Perhaps he’s listening to the music or a joke. His jacket has a nice undercut behind him. A crewman wearing a scarf is posed sitting somewhere on the tank (turret, hull) or a stack of boxes, perhaps listening to the music or posing for a photograph. A smiling crewman is posed to lean on the main gun, the hull, or stacked supplies/equipment.

Parts Packages

Sea Harrier Outrigger Wheels and Weapon Pylons
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$8.50
  • Product/Stock # QB 72 390 Sea Harrier FRS.1 Pylons for Airfix kit, $8.50
  • Product/Stock # QB 72 385 Sea Harrier Outrigger Wheels for Airfix kit, $6.50

We continue to express sincere appreciation to our friends at Quickboost for providing us more of the prolific output of their company; I buy a lot of their items and hope others do as well. Without their expertise, we would be the poorer!

Not much I can say for these additions...the new Airfix kits are a boon to the modeling community, addressing the need for simple yet detailed kits for the newcomers and also us old guys. But sometimes the details cry out for more. As usual, Quickboost steps up to the plate!