I-15 Stern

Imperial Japanese Navy Submarine I-15/I-46

Shark Mouth

Boulton Paul Defiant

Top surface detail and 1-piece molded wing.

Mosquito B Mk.IV - Planning, Prep, and Anticipation

Finished model

Avia B.534 Late Model

Figures posed

WWII German Mortar s.Gr.W.34 with Crew

Sprue 2

Tornado IDS 60th Anniversary 311 GV RSV Special Colors

Sprues B, D, E and F plus Fuselage Halves

B-52D/F Stratofortress

Wheel and wheel pants

Junkers Ju87R-2/B-2 Stuka

Misc vacuform 3

European Farmyard

Wheels & tires

Husky Mk. III

Previous Next

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

Ilyushin Il-2 Schturmovik Two Seat Version
Book Author(s)
Victor Povinsky
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Casemate UK
MSRP
$11.99

The Book

This is a short publication that provides very accurate 4-view drawings of the Soviet two seat IL-2 Shturmovik armored attack bomber of World War II fame. The drawings are done in 1/72 and 1/48 scale, and provide information on several modifications of the aircraft, mainly armament upgrades, but there is no color or interior information. There is an excellent photograph of a pristine IL-2 on the cover, and the book would be ideal for you if you were going to super-detail an IL-2 in either of those scales. There are enough kits available of the aircraft to make getting the book worthwhile if you are working with kits of this aircraft.

Recommendation

This book contains excellent drawings of the aircraft in two scales. Recommended.

Packaging

French Zouaves
Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$25.99

Zouaves were a branch of light infantry serving in the French Army from 1830 to 1962. Their flamboyant costumes were patterned after indigenous Algerian Berber troops, and were so popular that variations on this costume were adopted by countries worldwide, several zouave units serving with distinction in the American Civil War. The French units served in these outfits for a brief time at the beginning of World War One, changing out to a khaki uniform in 1915.

ICM continues with its distinctive line of World War One infantry units with this new package of four zouaves, including three zouaves and an officer. All come in the distinctive Berber-style uniform. The kit also includes the comprehensive French equipment set released some time ago, so you’ll have a LOT of spare parts to play with.

Box Art

Extra 300L / 330CL Plus Photoetch Accessories Set
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Hauler Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$22.00

Brengun brings a very welcome addition to the model aircraft market with this Extra 300L / 330 CL aerobatic plane. I have always wanted to build one and this release is most welcome.

In the box is:

  • 2 x light grey sprues
  • 1 clear canopy
  • 1 decal sheet
  • 1 instruction booklet

The sprue is well molded with very little flash and very good detail. The only issue is the plastic is very soft.

Construction

First is the construction stages A & B assemble parts of the cockpit. In Stage A where the seats and instrument panel are built, the PE set adds improved instrument panel and also seat belts. These are welcome additions to this very simple layout.

In stage B builds parts to the cockpit floor. The part numbers are missing from two parts which are in fact parts 21 and 23. At this stage the PE set replaces the pedals.

Box Top

FWD Type B WWI US Army Truck
Review Author
Michael Reeves
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$33.50

I had heard that ICM vehicle kits were a bit of trouble and that care was needed in building them. I can honestly say though that they did pretty well with this kit, which went together smoothly with very little fuss. It makes an interesting looking addition to my WWI model collection.

The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company (FWD) was one of the first American companies to develop and produce all-wheel drive vehicles. The U.S. Army ordered 15,000 FWD Model B three ton trucks, known as Truck, 3 Ton, Model 1917, during WWI with over 14,000 delivered. Additional orders came from the United Kingdom and Russia.

What’s Inside the Box

The kit comes as the standard ICM kit does - with a colorful box top that slides off of an enclosed brown cardboard box. Parts were packaged well and details were crisp with no flash to speak of.

Book Cover

Hungarian Armored Fighting Vehicles in the Second World War
Book Author(s)
Eduardo Manuel Gil Martínez
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$22.95

The coverage of WWII in print has been profound covering many aspects or the Untied States, Britain and Germany in the European theater. What hasn’t been covered as well is the remainder of the Axis powers and their contributions and participation in the conflict. Writer Eduardo Manuel Gil Martínez aims to correct part of that with this book covering Hungarian Armor in WWII. The book covers from prewar to the end of WWII with superb period black and white photos and an explanation of the people, battles, and equipment involved.

The table of contents looks like this: