Decals

Su-22M4

Left Front

Pz. Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. G "Last Production"

Stern

HMS Illustrious

Finished

Tempest Mk. V

Interior under construction

Kenworth K-100

Cockpit closeup

F-14A Tomcat “Iranian Air Force” Limited Edition

Exhaust

Magirus-Deutz 360M19 Canvas Truck

Top view

Sea Vixen FAW 2

Nacelle Panels 4

Mosquito B Mk.IV - Part 2

Right rear view

Sd.Kfz.167 Stug. IV ‘LAST PRODUCTION’

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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

OS2U Kingfisher Interior Set
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$32.95

This is a great photo etch set for the Kitty Hawk OS2U Kingfisher Kit. This set adds a lot of extra detail to the interior of the kit and makes it really stand out.

The phot etch parts are for the:

  • Bulkhead details
  • Instrument panel and various control details
  • Bomb fins
  • Machine gun and ammo box details
  • Seat details
  • Main cabin floor details
  • Radio rack details

In the packet is:

  • 1 Photo etch sheet
  • 1 Colored photo etch sheet
  • 1 Instruction sheet

Summary

This is a one of the best Photo etch sets I have used and is a must for the Kitty Hawk Kit, as it makes it into a great model with lot of additional interior details for this aircraft. I really think the machine gun and instrument details alone are worth getting this set for.

Package

SG-38 Schulgleiter
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.75

The SK-38 is a small glider produced in Germany before and during the war. It was also produced by the Czechoslovakian government after the war. With the release of the Special Hobbies two kits the modeler can now do this historically significant aircraft.

Brengun has produced a small nickel plated photo etch fret that is designed to enhance the kit. There are limitations that plastic pieces can’t do. That is where the PE comes in. This little fret adds the intricate details throughout the kit. The photo etch replicates the metal parts on the real thing, while the kit plastic does the same for the wooden pieces.

The SK-38 is a simple little glider and kit and with this photo etch set you can replicate the intricate details.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Brengun and IPMS/USA for the review item. You can obtain yours by contacting them directly at www.brengun.cz or your local hobby shop or online retailer.

Package

F8F Bearcat Control Surfaces
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.50

The Bearcat was just too late to join the fight in WWII but was used by the French in Indochina to great effect. It is a sexy and compact naval fighter.

An easy way to add some life to your static model is to reposition the flight control surfaces. I’ve never been able to do this effectively. Well Aires has come to the rescue. The latest release is molded in light grey resin with no flaws anywhere. Two horizontal surfaces and two elevators are included.

Removal of the parts from the pour block is quite easy. The horizontal surfaces are slotted so are drop in replacements for the kit parts. The elevators can then be added and deflected as you see fit with superglue. You may want to pin it to get a more solid join. Don’t forget to move the stick in the appropriate direction. It is really that easy and simple.

Another winner from Aires. This set is an easy addition to make your model come alive. I’m looking forward to other releases such as this from Aires.

Box Art

1961 Pontiac Ventura
Review Author
Jim Stepanek
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$32.49

Moebius hits another grand slam with their 1961 Pontiac Ventura kit. Little to no flash, excellent fit, and terrific engraving make this a kit worth building. If there’s a downside to the kit, it’s the poor instruction sheet. While printed on glossy paper, I found the instructions incomplete, incorrect, and lacking in detail. More later.

Engine

The engine comes with only a tri-power setup. This is an option for air filter(s) although not covered in the instructions. There’s the large air filter (#79 & 80) or the individual air filters (#93) that are not mentioned in the instructions. I chose to use the #93s. There are 2 heater hoses shown but placement on the engine is not clear at all.

Interior

Moebius did an interior platform with separate side panels and seats that feature wonderful engraving. Detailed painting instructions make for correct color interior.

Box art

British 7ton Armored Car Mk.IV
Review Author
Andrew Birkbeck
Published on
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$22.50

The latest in Tamiya’s range of 1/48th scale military vehicles is what the firm lists as a “British 7ton Armored Car Mk.IV”, while the correct designation is in fact “Armoured Car, Humber Mk.IV”, so I presume the lawyers found that “Humber” was a protected trademark and Tamiya didn’t want to pay for the privilege of using it! These vehicles were to be found all over Italy and NW Europe in British, Canadian, Polish, etc. units, as well as training units in the UK, from 1943 onwards.

Gone are the days when Tamiya incorporated a cast metal hull piece or lumps of metal to attach to the hull interior of their 48th scale military vehicle range. This kit includes only injection molded plastic parts of a dark green color, plus a small decal sheet. No cast metal, no photo etched, no clear injection plastic parts. Detail is good for this scale and there are no visible ejection pin marks that need removing, nor any flash on the parts.