Side By Side view of both

Panzerwaffe Steel Cats - Panther and King Tiger Ausf B

Stabilizers

B26B-50 Invader Korean War

Clear Parts

Hasegawa J2M2 Raiden (Jack) Prototype

Ready for paint

Bf-109T-2

Frame Sides Raw and Cleaned

Part 1 - Waco CG-4A Glider

Engine

Chevy Nova Yenko

Left-front

Gloster Gladiator, Limited Edition

Left rear

Petlyakov Pe-2

26

M1 IP Abrams MBT

Sprue 2

DeHavilland DH-82A Tiger Moth

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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

Soviet 122mm Ammunition
Review Author
Tom Moon
Published on
Company
MiniArt
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$21.95

This kit consists of a set of 122mm ammunition and their transportation crates. Included in the kit are 6 identical sprues with one set of decals for the markings on both the ammo and the crates. You can make either a BR-471 APHE shell and its corresponding crate or OF-471 High Explosive fragmentation shell and its crate. You can make all of one type or a mixture of both. I built 3 of each type.

The construction of the crates is fairly straightforward. There are two sequences to follow according to which type of shell you want to build. I followed the instructions exactly on the first crate and found it was not as easy as I had expected. So I changed the sequence as follows:

Two packages

P-40 Wheels & Paint Masks
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.95

Aires now offers two types of resin wheels for detailing P-40 models built from 1/72 Academy kits (as well as those marketed by other kit manufacturers). By producing these two sets, Aires actually provides something for detailing all versions of the P-40 (and P-36) in 1/72 scale. Both sets also include pre-cut vinyl paint masks and painting instructions. The resin castings feature crisp details and are accurate representations of the real thing.

Set #7257 provides a pair of wheels with straight tread tires on the later style eight-spoke hubs that Curtiss introduced with the N model P-40. They are more accurately detailed than the kit wheels provided in the Academy kit…that have a diamond tread pattern. These wheels, in reality, were actually smaller than the ones equipped on all previous P-40 versions, but in 1/72 it is difficult to tell that the Aires wheels are the same size as the wheels in set #7258.

Packaging

German WW I machine gun Parabellum LMG14/17 (1pcs)
Review Author
Michael Scott
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$9.95

Although suitable for other 1:32 scale kits, this Master barrel set is aimed at the new Wingnut Wings WWI two-seater aircraft such as the Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 or the LVG kits. Meant as a turned brass barrel replacement, along with a carry handle, side bracket and sights in PE brass, the parts are finely made and, other than the two barrel parts, very tiny.

Installation is simple. Cut off the plastic barrel assembly, drill out an appropriately sized hole, assemble the brass barrel and cooling jacket and CA them into the hole. The rest is not so simple.

Working with the tiny photoetched parts for the carry handle, sights and side bracket is frustratingly difficult. The handle has little contact area to glue to the cooling jacket, once you get it bent into proper shape. Some reviewers have said these are meant to be soldered; I think that would be an easy path to madness,

Box Art

Spitfire Mk. VIII Interior S.A
Review Author
David Goudie
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$24.95

Editors note: This Eduard photoetch set is also contained in the recently reviewed Eduard Cat. #32679, also self adhesive. It is Fret Part 1 in the larger set.

Eduard Model Accessories has produced another fine set of photoetch parts to help complete your Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VIII. The set is for up-detailing the cockpit to a highly detailed replica of a Spitfire Mk. VIII cockpit. As an added bonus the parts on the fret are prepainted and have an adhesive backing.

Box Art

I.J.A. Type 97 Medium Tank [CHI-HA] Early production hull
Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
Company
Fine Molds
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$82.95

History Brief

The type 97 medium tank Chi-Ha, designed in 1936, was the most widely produced Japanese medium tank of WW II. Its turret was fashioned with 26-mm thick armor sides and 33-mm on its gun shield. Its 57-mm main gun had already been proven in the early model Type 89 medium tank. It also sported a pair of 7.7-mm machine guns. Powered by a 170-hp Mitsubishi diesel it had a top speed of about 23-24 mph. Weighing in at 17.4 tons [US], it was the most effective medium tank the Japanese had.