Completed 2

Buffalo 6x6 MPCV, 2004-2006 Production

Resin Lower Hull

Knox Class Frigate Detail-up Version

Cable Reel

IJMNS Yamato, Part 2

Fuselage halves

"Pave Hawk" HH-60G, Part 1 Interior

Moebius' Iron Men

Iron Man Mk. III

Completed Model

De Havilland Sea Venom FAW.21

Assembled Model - Top

Bussing-NAG 2 cm KwK 38

Engine block

Fiat 806 Grand Prix, Part 1

Completed kit

Haunebu II

Front-right view showing the placement of the photoetch pieces.

VCL Light Amphibious Tank

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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.

Product packaging

Ju-88A-4 Seatbelt Steel Set
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.95

This is a photoetch steel seatbelt set for the ICM Ju88A-4 which has no seatbelts and really needs them. This set is colored and also made of steel which means they are better for forming. They are very realistic and accurate and really make the cockpit stand out.

In the packet is:

  • 1 colored photoetch steel sheet
  • 1 instruction sheet

Summary

This is a fantastic set for the set for a kit that needs them.

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

Book cover

Shep Paine’s Armor Modelers Guide
Book Author(s)
Shep Paine with Contributing Editor Jim DeRogatis
Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
Company
Kalmbach Publishing Company
MSRP
$24.99

The Introduction is appropriately named ‘The Legacy of Shep Paine’ written by Jim DeRogatis. These four pages offer a wonderful view into the late Sheperd Paine’s life’s work and modeling history. Many of us older modelers first became aware of Sheperd’s work through his tip sheets that came with select Monogram kits of the 1970's then later with Tamiya kits during the 1980's. Shep was also an avid military historian and collector of military artifacts.

The book's contents are divided into two sections, 'The ‘Basics’ by Sheperd Paine and ‘Projects’ featuring eight projects by different modelers. The ‘Basics’ covers all the bases from the fundamentals in chapter one of ‘Assembling Armor Kits’ including a helpful ‘Parts of a Tank’ tutorial.

Researching the subject, its uses, its environments are explained by Shep in ‘Doing Research’ chapter two. Shep also addresses working with scale drawings and evaluating conflicting references.

Box art

Hawker Siddeley AV-8A Harrier
Review Author
Mike Lamm
Published on
Company
Airfix
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$19.99

Following its successful introduction into service with the Royal Airforce, the Harrier generated considerable interest for export orders to other countries. The largest demand for the vertical take-off and landing aircraft came from the United States Marine Corps, who saw the excellent potential to provide close air support while operating from the decks of the smaller amphibious landing ships supporting the Marines. Starting in the early 1970s, the Harrier entered service with the USMC. The AV-8A Harrier was used by the Marines until 1979, when it was replaced by the AV-8C, and today the USMC flies the AV-8B Harrier II.

Canopy masks

Halifax B Mk. III canopy masks

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.95

Thanks to Eduard for providing more of their excellent aftermarket parts for IPMS USA to review, and to IPMS leadership for sending it to me!

This set is simple to use; Kabuki tape masks for all the clear bits! Included are masks for all the windows, canopy parts, and gun turrets, and wheels. One benefit of these sets is the ability to mask off VERY tiny windows; in this case, all the 1/8” round porthole windows, and some of the intersecting canopy window bits. These can be less than 1/16” across, and are VERY difficult to mask; same with the turret frames, because of the complex curves. Eduard utilizes multiple small tape masks to make sure you cover all the areas without wrinkling, which leads to paint creep under the tape.

Box Art

B-17E, F, and Early G: Part II - The Finished Model
Review Author
Mike Kellner
Published on
Company
HK Models Co.
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$300.00

Beginning with the rest of the fuselage assembly (from Part I of my review), the fit of the two fuselage halves was good, but my alignment of the bomb bay catwalk and structure must have been a little off, since it’s slightly closer to one side. I installed most of the glass except for the radio hatch and nose; the waist and nose glass had to be sanded to fit. I used Micro Mask to mask the windows since I couldn’t find an aftermarket mask set for the E model. Some spots must have not been covered, because it was a lot of work to clean off overspray.