Completed model

US Coast Guard Cape-Class Patrol Boat

Finished

M119/L118 105mm Light Howitzer

Finished Model - Stern Closeup

HMS Roberts

Interior

M1917 6-Ton Light Tank or FTS

Finished Model - Right Front

Panzerbeobachtungswagen III Ausf.F Sd.Kfz.143

left rear

Pz.Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. A

Top Left

CH-47A Chinook

Decals

Bristol Beaufort Mk. I, Bombing Raid, (Part 2)

Engine bank

Mickey Thompson’s Challenger 1

Finished

British Tank Destroyer FV4005 Stage II

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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.

Part 2 Cover

P-51 Mustang, Parts 1 & 2
Review Author
Rob Benson
Published on
Company
SAM Publications
MSRP
$39.00

Thank you very much to the generous folks at SAM Publications for providing these titles for review. Thanks are also due to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me the opportunity to research and learn more about the iconic P-51 Mustang, a pivotal aircraft from World War II forward. These books are outstanding in quality and value. I highly recommend them, not just for the model builder, but anyone with an interest in aviation history.

Photoetch fret

Spitfire Mk.VIII Photoetch
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.95

If you bought the Overtree or the Weekend Edition of the Spitfire Mk.VIII and want to add a little extra detail but not break the bank Eduard offers you this little set.

This single fret of pre-painted parts is just what you’ll need. This fret offers some new radiator faces and radiator doors. The tail wheel doors are provided as well, which will give you a more accurate and scale door. There are some items for the cockpit as well.

This set is a nice little upgrade for your Spitfire Mk.VIII. If you got the Brassin Cockpit set the interior parts will not be useable, however the doors and the radiators are nice additions. If you have never worked with photo etch before this is a nice way to get your feet wet. The only difficult part is the spanner/doubler on the bulkhead, everything else is quite easy.

Highly recommended

Photoetch Fret

Spitfire Mk.VIII Surface Panels
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$19.95

There seems to be a different philosophy between Europe and the US. In Europe, the modeling community seems to want to have every little detail and everything opened up. In the US we tend to add detail but not in every single little access panel.

This set is designed to allow you to open EVERY single access panel on the Spitfire. The instructions show you how. It is up to the modeler to decide which ones to open. There is no panel that is left undone.

There are templates to help remove the plastic panels on the kit. There is a new cockpit access hatch and a radio access panel. Some, but not all, access panels have detail on the inside so when the panel is posed open whatever is inside can be seen.

Eduard also provides teardrop templates so you can use heated plastic and make new light bulbs. They are in various scales.

Package

C-45 Propellers w/Tool
Review Author
Rob Benson
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.55

Thank you to Aires-Quickboost and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for the privilege of reviewing this excellent aftermarket resin detail set. The ICM C-45 kit is very nice in its own right, but replacement propellers add sharp detail in a highly visible part of the kit.

Product image

Spitfire Mk.IXe/XVIe Early version (Conical Fairings) & Late version (Rounded Fairings)
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$7.00

This is a combined review of Master Model’s two optional turned brass barrels (20mm Hispano), and Browning tips and fairings for the Eduard Spitfire Mk.IXe and Mk.XVIe:

  • AM-48-102 - Spitfire Mk.IXe/XVIe early version (conical fairings).
  • AM-48-103 - Spitfire Mk.IXe/XVIe late version (rounded fairings).

I love, love, love the Eduard Spitfire series of kits. The kit has impressive detail to say the least. Sure there are some things that could be improved with aftermarket. One of those things is the armament.

Master has been producing some of the best turned metal barrels and pitot tubes in the world. These sets are in keeping with that reputation.