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.

Product picture

AIM-9J Sidewinder
Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.95

I am bringing you guys the AIM-9J Sidewinder in 1/48th scale from the Eduard Brassin line. I have not worked with Eduard’s resin line ever up to this point, and I can honestly say I'm impressed! The Sidewinder Missile does not need an introduction from me, seeing as they have been around for 60 long productive years, with the J model being used in the early 70’s as an Air Force production model.

These missiles come in a clear plastic package with multiple foam inserts to protect the product and keep them still.

There are a total of 28 resin pieces consisting of: 4 missile bodies, 1 resin block with the clear seeker heads, 4 blocks containing a set of fins per missile, and 1 block containing seeker head covers. There is one photo-etched fret and one decal sheet.

Front cover

Model Art Vessel Model Special No. 59, 2016 Spring

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$29.99

Model Art Issue 59 is typical of other Model Art magazines in that it is written entirely in Japanese, with occasional English words, usually in article titles or in captions. The Vessel Model Special is a quarterly issue that focuses on naval subjects. Advertising comprises the inside covers (and back cover) along with another four pages showing what is available and new, always useful for building up that wish list. I counted 596 photos (mostly in color) along with 17 side view or top view drawings. Additionally there are a lot of color scrap drawings highlighting details in the Ship Construction series.

Front Cover

Cross & Cockade International Spring 2016 Volume 47/1
Book Author(s)
Managing Editor: Mick Davis
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Cross & Cockade International
MSRP
$39.10

Annual Subscription (4 issues): £ 27.00 ($39.10) plus shipping

The latest journal of Cross & Cockade International - Spring 2016, features a water-color painting of two Short Admiralty Type 166 Seaplanes on the cover. The rear cover shows a photograph of Captain Eric John Stephens and his 41 Squadron SE5a along with a photo of Captain Frank Ormond Soden and his captured Fokker D VII of Ltn Adolph Auer (Jasta 40). If you check out the web site link above, you can get additional sample pics of the current issue.

Cross & Cockade International is a non-profit UK based group known as the First World War Aviation Historical Society that publishes their journal four times a year. They also provide a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front.

Front Cover

US Army Green Beret in Afghanistan 2001-02

Book Author(s)
Leigh Neville
Review Author
Phillip Cavender
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$19.00

Osprey Publications have given us another excellent book in the Warrior Series. Osprey's "US Army Green Beret in Afghanistan 2001-02" book delves into the making of a Green Beret from recruitment to the daily lives during the Afghanistan conflict. This publication is divided into 11 sections:

Box top

Bv P178 Tank Hunter w/ 'fliegerfaust' B Rocket System
Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Bronco Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$38.99

Whether you are interested in German paper projects of World War 2, a fan of Luftwaffe ’46 planes, or just a builder of unique aircraft, allow me to direct your attention to this recent release from Bronco Models. The relatively low parts count (57 in all) allows for a quick build for modelers with only limited experience. The only challenge may be a few small items, but these are not too daunting with a good pair of tweezers. The beauty of a kit like this is that you cannot go wrong with any paint scheme or markings that you choose, as no one will ever have a photo of the real thing to prove you wrong.