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.

Package

Handley Page Victor Pitot Tubes and Refueling Probe Boom
Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$4.13

Here’s another of those useful little accessories from Master Model of Poland. These are finely done turned brass parts to replace those fragile and easily bent, broken, or lost parts from your lovely Victor.

In this case, it’s the pitots and the refueling probe. There’s a pitot at the end of both wings, and they’re right out there where the least bit of careless handling will either bend or break the pitots. The refueling boom is right out there in front, just inviting some disaster. More about my Airfix VC-10 tanker later.*

Installation

I did the refueling probe first. The instructions are VERY clear and easy to follow.

Parts set

AMX Landing Gear

Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$18.95

I must confess that I have been somewhat intrigued by the idea of using metal landing gear on my aircraft models for sometime now, but have just never followed through with a purchase. I initially felt the only time metal gear would be truly advantageous with a model that has spindly legs (like the F-105 Thunderchief) or if a particular model is quite heavy with the addition of resin parts or a good deal of nose weight. I am convinced those are the best reasons. However, I am open-minded on the issue.

When I had the opportunity to review a set of the SAC landing gear for the 1/48th scale Kinetic AMX I had to give it a go.

Contents Description

The parts are packaged in a clear blister pack and have no instructions. Many of the parts are cast as part of a metal sprue and will require cutting with side cutters or a fine saw to remove the metal parts.

Product packaging

Sea Harrier FRS.1
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.95

This is a great Photo Etch set for the Kinetic Sea Harrier FRS.1Kit cockpit. This set adds a lot of extra detail to the cockpit of the kit and makes a great kit even better.

The photo etch parts are for the:

  • Cockpit side panels
  • Instrument panel and various control details
  • Seat belts
  • HUD parts

In the packet is:

  • 1 colored photoetch sheet
  • 1 instruction sheet

Summary

This is yet another great Photo etch set. Is a must for the Kinetic Kit as it makes it into a great model with all additional interior details for this aircraft. I would suggest that if would be worth consider the large interior set product number 49769 as you get a lot more detail parts for a small premium in cost but well worth it.

Thanks go to Eduard for providing this set to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them.

Cover

TankArt 1: German Armor, 3rd Edition
Book Author(s)
Mike Rinaldi
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Rinaldi Studio Press
MSRP
$49.00

This is the third edition of Michael Rinaldi’s first book on modeling techniques. It has been expanded from 208 pages in the first edition and 224 pages in the second edition to a whopping 288 pages of glossy, high grade paper. This 64 page increase over the second edition includes three additional chapters, two by Michael Rinaldi, and one by Lester Plaskitt. The chapter on figure painting by Marijn van Gils is no longer included, but figure modeling by Lester Plaskitt to go along with his Sd.Kfz 251/22 Drilling is included. This edition is touting a “Lay-Flat binding” that works quite well, allowing you to open to a particular section and have the book stay open, ‘flat’ as it were.

Package

Sea Harrier FRS.1 Mask Set

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.95

This is a mask set for the Kinetic Sea Harrier FRS.1Kit. This set helps you save time masking the canopy by providing all you need pre-cut masks.

In the packet is:

  • 1 precut masking sheet
  • 1 instruction sheet

The masks are for the front windscreen, main canopy and the wheel hubs.

Summary

This is very good and time saving when it comes to masking which is perfect for this kit and really helps.

Thanks go to Eduard for providing this set to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them.