Nose closeup

'Desert Storm' OV-10A and OV-10D+

Upper surface

SBD-5 Dauntless Limited Edition

Exhaust

XF10F-1 Jaguar

Interior

Lancaster Mk.1B - Part 1 of 3

Right front

Chrysler 300

Front Quarter

Sd.Kfz 251D

Misc Image 8

Leyland Retriever General Service

Left Front

AFT-9 Anti-Tank Missile Launcher

100_6327

Clarcat Typ B Royal Navy deck Tractor

Parts and Pieces for Internals

Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu (Nick) Part 2 - Cockpit and Fuselage

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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

Soviet Pilot with Life Jacket - the Cold War Period
Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$9.39

I love figures, and as a fan of aircraft models, I naturally like figures to go with my aircraft. Figures help provide scale and a “human factor” to any build.

Aires is working hard to provide a range of figures for aircraft modelers, and the Soviet Pilot with life jacket is a good example. Looking over the raw figure, it includes a torso with relatively simple outfit, two arms, two different heads with different helmets, and a very nice oxygen mask with attached hose.

Package

RS-82 Rockets
Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
Res-Im
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.95

Russian aerial rockets have a fascinating history, and this little creature is very much a part of that history. Design work on this range of weapons began in the 1930s, and they were first deployed operationally during the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, part of the early war animosity between the Soviet Union and the expanding Japanese empire. During this engagement, RS-82 rockets were fired against Japanese aircraft from I-16 fighters, bringing down 16 fighters and 3 bombers – certainly one of the earliest instances of successful air-to-air missile attacks. Later, these same weapons were used in Air-to-ground attacks against hardened targets, such as armor. Investigating further, I’ve found pictorial instances of these being mounted on the I-16 Polikarpov, the Il-2 Sturmovik, as well as Lend-Lease aircraft such as the P-40 Warhawk and Hawker Hurricane. In fact, these little stingers were mounted on virtually every Russian aircraft used during the Great Patriotic War.

Package

Ju87G Stuka Exhaust
Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$4.99

My, but I do love a good Stuka. I’ve been playing with 1/32nd scale Stukas ever since Revell first released their kit back in the 1970’s. I’ve built theirs dozens of times, then the 21st Century version, and now finally Trumpeter’s kits, which have filled in important gaps in the history of this fascinating aircraft.

One slight problem with the Trumpeter kit, however is the exhausts, which are molded as a solid piece. The exhaust outlets are tiny indeed, and having frustrated myself with trying to ream these out with miniature drill bits, I must admit I was quite pleased to receive the Quickboost replacement parts.

As simple, drop-in resin replacements, these really can’t be beat. They feature the relatively miniscule exhausts and are beautifully molded with excellent resolution and no molding flaws which I could detect. No modifications to the kit parts need to be made – just slap them in place when you’re ready for them.

Kit Sprue

WWII RAF Driver for Bedford MWD
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.99

Aerobonus has provided a great figure accessory for the Airfix Bedford MWD, although I think it could be used with other 1/48 RAF vehicles.

The detail quality is extremely high; there was no flash or other imperfection. The parts once removed from the mold base are ready to assembly.

The Assembly is quick and easy. They will look great as an addition to the Airfix Bedford MWD.

Thanks go to Aires for providing this kit to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them

Package

TS-11 Iskra Pitot Tubes, Undercarriage Indicators, 23 mm Gun Barrel
Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$3.50

The TS-11 Iskra (“Spark”) is a single engine two-seat primary jet trainer designed and constructed in Poland for the Polish Air Force. It was also used by the Indian Air Force. As the aircraft was not used by many countries, it was mostly overlooked by model manufacturers until recently. I am aware of two kits in 1/72 scale, the recent Arma Models kit and an older kit by Master Craft models. I picked up the Master Craft kit last spring at a model show as I like odd looking aircraft, so of course shortly thereafter Arma released its new kit of the Iskra. As I have not yet acquired the Arma kit, the comparison photos are to the Master Craft kit.