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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.

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Review Author
Steve Jahnke
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$27.99

This kit is presented in a throw-back to 1971 complete with period packaging.

Molded in white, it can be built with a detailed motor or with a promo-style motor plate option, features include wild psychedelic decals, a few custom pieces and a miniature display kit box. Skill Level 2. The manufacturer claims that the kit is supposed to include pad printed slicks, however my review kit sample did not include those items.

The Kit

This kit was originally offered as an annual kit and as a “dealer promo” style kit back in the day. Due to this design parameter the front and rear fascia’s are pretty well detailed, however the body engraving is soft in spots, the engine, interior and chassis is somewhat simplified therefore parts count is lower than our modern and newly engineered kits . For instance the front lower portion of the grille and rear splash pan is molded to the chassis.

Book Author(s)
Robert Jackson, Illustrator: Adam Tooby
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$18.95

Osprey Publishing continues to expand its fledging line of “Air Vanguard” titles, with the installment of Messerschmitt Bf 109E-F series.

Like most books of this series, it starts with a brief introduction to the aircraft in question and it quickly delves into the details of the first model, the –E series. It covers the topic in good detail, explaining different subvariants (E-1 to E-8, plus /B and /Z versions) and it also includes the production figures of each subtype.

The next section of the book covers the evolution of the –E into the –F (perhaps the nicest looking 109 of them all) explaining in good detail the wing, engine, cowling, propeller spinner and tail re-enforcements that made this series substantially better than its predecessor.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$15.00

Sincere appreciation to Eduard for providing yet another review item, and to the IPMS USA reviewer corps leaders for sending it to me!

This set continues Eduard’s effort to provide modelers with previously unavailable, well detailed resin sets. Consisting of 36 parts, you are presented with six forward bomb casings, six sets of low-drag standard fins, six fuse extenders, six fuses, and two different sets of six forward end caps for transportation or other situations where other fusing is used.

Decals round out the presentation, including yellow stripes for the bomb noses and two types of stencil, yellow and white.

Assembly requires careful sanding of the pour gates after you remove the parts, particularly if you don’t want “wonky” fins. You will have to ensure the fins are also correctly oriented to the mounting lugs on the forward bomb body, as this matters when used on a MER/TER situation. No fin interference!

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$15.00

As usual, I am eternally grateful to Eduard for providing yet another cool review item, and to the IPMS USA reviewer corps leaders for sending it to me.

This small set continues Eduard’s effort to provide modelers with previously unavailable, well detailed resin sets. Consisting of 14 parts, you are presented with two resin pods, three sets of end caps (one for the front of the pod, and options for either a loaded or transport/storage pod cap)

Eight warheads are provided, and these appear to be the standard High-explosive variety. No double-ogive versions in this case. Decals round out the presentation, including yellow stripes for the warheads and stenciling for the pods.