Image 7

F6F-5D/K Hellcat "Target Drone"

Finished model

1966 Chevy Fleetside Pickup

Finished Hurricane model

Hurricane Mk. I Tropical

Misc Image 2

Tu-2T

Finished Model

Phantom P-51D Mustang

In Process

FIAT G.50 bis/AS "Freccia"

Horse and pigeons

Livestock Set, Vol. 2

Left rear

VW New Beetle

Right rear

A6M2b Zero Type 21 "Junyo Fighter Group"

Image 11

Northrop Delta Mk. I/II/III

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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.

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

Defiant Mk. I De Havilland Prop w/Tool
Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.00

Aires-Quick boost has solved a few issues with the base kit in this set. The De Havilland prop is the one included in the Airfix kit. A comparison of the kit part to this one shows several advantages going to Aires. First, the spinner is cast as a single part with very fine lines representing the breaks in the real aircraft’s spinner. Next, there is a hole cast in the front that’s not on the kit part. The tool (jig) allows accurate placement of the blade angle. It also provides a hole that centers the spinner hole (you have to drill out) when you set it into the round recess provided. Be very careful to cut the blades off the casting block in a way to leave the maximum length to inset into the spinner. If you cut them short, you will have difficulty maintaining the 120 degree spread between the blades. Another plus for this set is the spinner on the version I built had a white front and black rear portion. Luckily there is a fine joint line right where the masking has to go.

Box Art

Bachem 349 Natter 22/23
Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$15.00

During the latter years of World War II, the Luftwaffe was scrambling to finds ways to combat the ever increasing aerial onslaught of the Allied bombing campaign. Many solutions were proposed, some very successful, such as the Me 262, while others never left the drawing board. Some very odd proposals actually made it off the drawing board. The Bachem 349 Natter was one of these odd ideas that were actually in the test phase when the war ended.

Box Art

Avia B. 534 IV. Serie
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$24.95

History

The Avia B.534 was one of the classic biplane fighters of the 1930’s, and was used by several European air forces almost until the end of World War II. I did a review of Eduard’s kit of this aircraft in May, 2015, so for a detailed account of its service, I refer you to the IPMS review site. The aircraft appeared in four basic versions, differing in cockpit arrangement, armament, wheel covers, and propeller. There are many references available on this aircraft, including the old Profile #152, and most sources are available on line.

Package

Defiant Mk. I Rotol Prop w/Tool
Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.00

This prop is not included in the Airfix kit. The Rotol prop sports a different blade shape with a wider chord. The spinner is the same as provided in the Aires replacement for the kit part QB72 491 reviewed elsewhere on this site. The spinner puts the joints lines in the right place and in the right scale. Be sure to cut the blades off the casting block to allow the maximum shaft length. The spinner holes go through the part and the long blade shafts help with the alignment of the blades. Check the blades carefully because the leading and trailing edges are slightly different shapes and I managed to put one in backwards. The tool also has a hole to center your drill so you can drill out the spinner for a prop shaft. This part is a welcome addition to an already cool little kit.

Thank you Aires Quick Boost for jazzing up the Defiant.

Front Cover

M48 Patton - A Visual History of the U.S. Army's Mid 20th Century Battle Tank
Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Phillip Cavender
Published on
Company
Ampersand Publishing
MSRP
$22.95

This latest addition to the Ampersand Group's Visual History Series contains a wealth of information not only for the historical buff but, to the serious modeler whose dedication for detail will provide immense resource. David Doyle and Ampersand Group, Inc. have provided the serious modeler a welcomed addition to his library.

At first glance one sees a clear, detailed, color cover page depicting the crew of a M48A3 at Fire Base Bastogne in Viet Nam on 16 April 1968. The back cover shows an image of a damaged M48A3 at the 218th Collection, Classification, and Salvage Company at Long Binh 14 June 1967. The book is broken down into various sections including;

The Introduction consisting of the first 13 pages giving a brief history of the M48 Patton series of medium tanks from the inception and development, to upgrades and modifications.