Finished front view

MA-1A Start Cart

Ready for decals

Avia B.534 Quattro Combo

Parts 1

JASDF T-1B Trainer

Photoetch

T-38A Talon 'Holloman AFB' (Premium Edition)

Instrument and side panel detail

Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik

Fuselage Antennas

USMC F/A 18D

Right side

F-5E/N Tiger II

Left side

2015 Corvette C7.R

Pic 11

SH-60B SeaHawk

Starboard Aft

Sunderland Mk. III

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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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Package Front

AH-1 / UH-1 External Aux Tank
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Werners Wings
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.00

The latest from Werner’s Wings provides an external auxiliary fuel tank for any 1/48 USMC AH-1W, AH-1Z, UH-1N, or UH-1Y kit. Floyd Werner provides great instructions showing exactly how to assemble the three parts along with color photos of various options for installation. A re-sealable zip lock bag holds the parts and the instructions.

Werner’s Wings has molded the external auxiliary fuel tank in grey resin with only a few minor bubbles. According to his website, the external auxiliary fuel tank is designed to be supplied on a resin sprue, but the kit as received has had the sprue already removed from the tank. The two other parts are supplied on a short resin sprue and will need to be detached with a photo-etch razor saw. I used a #73 drill bit to open up the mounting holes a bit and secured the parts with superglue. The connecting hoses are not supplied and will need to be scratch-built.

Package

Hellcat Fuel Tank
Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$6.25

This little accessory is an add-on for the older 1/144 Hellcat kits. It contains two resin fuel tanks, plus a PE fret with the extra mounting hardware you don’t find on kits from the 20th Century.

I started out the project with the Platz 1/144 Hellcat. But after I assembled the Platz fuel tank, I decided that it was pretty close in appearance to the Brengun, so I went to a less detailed kit. In this case, I had a choice between the Revell F6F5 and the AHM F6F5. I chose the AHM kit for no other reason than it was the easiest to find in my stash.

I built the kit, painted it and applied decals before installing the fuel tank. I also painted the tank as I built the kit. I left the prop and landing gear off the plane until the tank was installed.

Package

Fw 190A Control Surfaces

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.50

Aires has come out with a nice upgrade for the Eduard Fw 190A series of kits with their horizontal control surfaces set. The Aires parts allow you to alter the position of the elevators and provide improved stabilizer to elevator detail. There are no supplied instructions; you simply swap out the kit provided plastic parts with the new Aires replacements. I’ve included photos of both the Eduard and the Aires horizontal surfaces inserted in the Eduard fuselage. The gap on the bottom view is artificial as both the Eduard and the Aires parts are leaning up.

Aires has molded the stabilizer and elevator perfectly in light grey resin with no apparent bubbles. The Aires stabilizer and elevator are supplied on a single resin sprue with thin resin attachments to the parts that should minimize any cleanup.

Box Top

British FRS 1 Sea Harrier
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$33.00

First: Sincere thanks to Lucky Model for sending us this most excellent kit, and thanks also to IPMS USA leadership for once again believing in my ability to deliver within a deadline….

OK so almost to the year I have the FRS 1 kit in hand; it really is great to have a new, accurate and easy to build Sea Harrier (SHAR) on hand. Let’s begin…

The basic kit is the same as the FR 2; in the box, there are more external stores, and a decal sheet to be savored. If you really want to build every SHAR you have the decals to do it. Check out the scan… Cartograf manufactured, CROSSDELTA designed. VERY WELL DONE!

Like last year, it was pleasant to have minimal aftermarket to deal with and have a great result. This time, instead of metal gear, I found a Martin Baker Mk 10 seat appropriate for the SHAR, and did the slight modifications to fit. The basic cockpit is more than sufficient for a closed canopy, but the resin seat sealed the deal.

Package

A-4B Skyhawk Control Stick
Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$5.00

Like many Aires/Quickboost sets, this set is a drop in replacement for the kit supplied control stick for the Airfix A-4B/P Skyhawk. The set actually includes 3 sticks, so you will have enough for three single-seat Skyhawks or a single-seater and a TA-4 two-seater.

The stick is nicely detailed and paints up very well. While the resin is not flimsy, be careful in handling the stick once it is removed from the pour stub as I managed to snap one of mine in two and had to repair it with superglue.