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.
This video covers several upcoming model contests and swap meets. The video will cover dates, locations and contact information for the shows.
Occasionally, you need to get out of your comfort zone and see what else is out there. I was intrigued to read about the Royal Air Force’s reconnaissance and support projects as I didn’t know much about them. When the 336-page, hardcover book arrived, I questioned why I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and figured I could skim the pages. Wow, I was wrong and ended up reading every single word and devoured the book. Author Chris Gibson is an amazing writer, who writes from a position of knowledge born of passion and engages the writer with his great story telling ability.
Initially I had an issue with the title of the book, as it lends itself to self-pity and relegation to a subordinate role. As I mentioned above, the author didn’t have this problem and explained the title right away,
Historical and Reference Notes
As you delve into this project, you should really become familiar with the basic U-2 story from its origins in 1953 all the way to its usage in 2025 – that’s over 72 years.
I recommend Wikipedia’s history, which I warn you, is extensive: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_U-2
US Air Force: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104560/u-2stu-2s/
Several terrific YouTube videos (each of contain U-2S a/c):
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps a set of 1/48th scale metal landing gear for Arma Hobby’s P-39 Airacobra kits. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties.
In The Package
The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. There are no instructions.
Review Process
The metal landing gear set is used as a drop-in replacement for parts A13, A20, A21, and B66. You will need to use plastic kit parts A33 (nose strut) and B48 (oleo torsion arms) to complete the landing gear assembly.
The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending that may be needed since there is some slight deformation when coming out of the molds. Also, seam lines will need to be cleaned up before painting, just like the plastic kit parts.