Completed

DG-1000S Glider AKVY

Sprue

Heinkel He111 P-2

Complete 1

8.8cm PaK-43 Waffentrager

FCM36 07

FCM 36 WWII French Light Tank

Landing gear

FM-1 & FM-2 Wildcat Dual Combo Expert Set

Clear part clarity - note the clear framing

The Super Wing Series He-219 Uhu, First Impressions

Closeup of interior compartment

15cm s.IG.33/2 (Sf) auf Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer

Front wheel

Catwoman and Bat Pod

15

Luftwaffe Airfield Equipment

Left

Porsche Boxster

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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.

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.

Cover

China's Fighter for the World Volume 1, The F-7/FT-7 Family: Origins, Evolution and Variants
Book Author(s)
Holger Müller
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

I thought the Chinese Chengdu J-7 was a copy of the Soviet MiG-21 (even the NATO names are similar with Fishcan and Fishbed, respectively). This was but the first of many misconceptions put to rest by author Holger Müller. As stated in the Introduction,

The development of the Chinese MiG-21 derivatives is not only an interesting technological history in itself, but also reflects the changes in the politics of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on a smaller scale: from its alliance with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) to rapprochement with the West and the PRC’s own path of state capitalism.

Box top

Ford A Gangster Car
Review Author
Phillip Cavender
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$74.99

The following excerpt is taken from ICM’s product website.

The unregulated growth and oversaturation of the United States [stock] market led to the Great Depression, beginning with the October 1929 stock market crash. This economic crisis fueled a rise in banditry, with bank robberies becoming particularly notorious. These crimes were made more effective by gangsters’ use of automobiles. As one analyst observed in the 1920s: “Cars and good roads have dramatically increased certain types of crime. We now see a new kind of automobile bandit who relies entirely on a car—whether robbing banks, breaking into homes, or mugging pedestrians.” The criminals’ success was further enhanced by Thompson submachine guns, which boasted rapid-fire capability, and earned the nickname “Tommy gun.” Notably, these weapons cost around 200 dollars – “about half the price of a Ford Model A automobile.”

Yamato 3D Drawings

The Japanese Battleship Yamato – Super Drawings in 3D
Book Author(s)
Carlo Cestra
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$49.00

This is part of a series of books by Kagero on warships and I have a few of these and are truly indispensable when building a model of the subject matter. I was glad I got to review this book now as I am in the middle of building the Very Fire 1/350 Deluxe Edition and it was invaluable in helping with the Photo Etch and finals details on the build.

This book goings into great detail via illustrations of the Imperial Japanese Navy Battleship Yamato as it was in 1945.

The book is lavishly illustrated and includes a few 3D drawings, many of which are stunning.

The illustrations give so much details as one could wish for as a modeler or history buff.

I cannot recommend this book enough as its gives as much details as available on Yamato. Thank you to IPMS USA and Kagero for allowing me to review this great book.

ICM Wehrmacht Vehicles

Wehrmacht Self-propelled AA Vehicles
Review Author
Jason Boggans
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$179.99

Box Art / Packaging

The ICM Wehrmacht self-propelled AA vehicles is delivered in the usual rigid box and all 3 kits are tightly packed. No loose parts were present and all kits were presented with no flash and insignificant sink marks, I did notice though that some of the parts were especially fragile, this caused me some build issues later on. The clear parts were well formed and fit nicely and no PE is present for this kit. Decals were supplied for each kit though understandably there were very few.

The Kits

Upon opening and examination there is some confusion as to exactly what is what within. This is a re-boxing of sorts with all 3 of these kits being individually available under separate SKU numbers. It is not especially difficult to identify which is which kit-wise, however the bagged kits do not match in all cases the SKU numbers called out on the instructions.

Box Image

SKYMECHMAN TRENT 900 LED Turbofan Engine Model Building Kit Aircraft Engine for Kids
Review Author
Jarrod Booth
Published on
Company
Stirlingkit
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$49.99

StirlingKit is a manufacturer/supplier of high-quality scale model kits, ranging from propellor, jet and automotive engine types. They cater to modelers ranging from beginners and kids, to advanced builders.This model was based off the Rolls-Royce Trent-900, high bypass turbofan engine currently used on the Airbus A380 and A350. The model was primarily designed for kids (under supervision) with an interest in jet engines and aviation. It was motorized and contained a rechargeable battery embedded within the stand. A USB cord was included to charge the battery.

This is the first IPMS/USA review of a StirlingKit model. Included below are links to the product, Turbofan engine kits, the official website and a 12% discount code for all of their products:

Product link: https://bit.ly/47Cmb94