Tiger left

Tiger I Mid-Production with Zimmerit & Kubelwagen

Image 5

Tornado GR.1/IDS

aft end

Sd. Kfz.7 8 Ton Type HL m11 1943 Production Half Track

Figure primed

The Game 'Triangle'

Island port side

USS Intrepid - Part 4

Fuselage assembly

Westland Wessex HC.2

Decals

1955 Chevy Stake Truck

Aft-deck

German Z-32 Destroyer

Left side

U.S. M113A1 ACAV

Tail Markings

USMC F/A 18D

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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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Box art

U.S.S. Florida SSGN-728

Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$44.95

History

The USS Florida is an Ohio class Submarine. The keel was laid down on July 4, 1976 and was launched on November 14, 1981. Originally the Florida was designated as SSBN-728 and was converted to SSGN-728. This conversion started in July 2003 and the Florida was re-commissioned in July 2006 as SSGN-728. The USS Florida is still serving proudly today.

The Kit

The kit is molded in light gray plastic. Construction on this model is pretty straightforward with only seven steps. Now this doesn't mean that this is a shake and bake kit. This kit was originally released in 2003 as a SSBN. To convert to a SSGN requires some minor surgery. This is all called out in the instructions and the parts are provided.

Product Picture

Sherman In The Pacific War 1943-1945
Book Author(s)
Raymond Giuliani, Illustrator: Christophe Camilotte
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Histoire and Collections
MSRP
$54.95

Raymond Giuliani covers a fairly rare subject, of the use of the Sherman tank in the Pacific. This book begins in 1943 as the Sherman began replacing the M3 Stuarts in the Pacific as the US island hopped towards Japan. The good news is that neither had to face any steel Tigers. Raymond Giuliani traces the trek across the Pacific island by island and also depicts the evolution of the flamethrower tank. The book includes over 350 photos, 25 color tank profiles, and 23 maps. There are spelling errors and interesting grammar choices due to the translation from French, but nothing that will hinder your understanding.

Product Picture

Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 37, Issue 5
Book Author(s)
Many
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Modelling
MSRP
$7.00

Scale Aircraft Modelling's July 2015 issue focuses on some of the classic British era with everything from new kits, scratchbuilds and older kits.

The articles start with a test shot build of Revell's 1/72 C-54/DC-4 by Andy McCabe. The over 300 parts are assembled into a gorgeous military transport and the kits looks to be a must have.

Rick Greenwood builds Kinetic's 1/48 AMX kit and reports the overall fit of the kit is good but he did sand down the slightly pronounced rivets on the rear of the plane. He also reported a slight color issue with some of the decals but the result is very good.

Valom's 1/72 Bristol Bombay Mk. I is built by Ernie Lee. This is a mixed media kit with limited run plastic, resin engines and photoetch frets. The finished kit is nice and I love seeing an unusual build.

Product Picture

Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Ultracast
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$19.25

For those unfamiliar, Ultracast from Canada does a series of aftermarket parts and pieces for planes but also, makes some beautiful figures and in this case, it is a 1/32 German Luftwaffe Fighter pilot in 1/32nd scale. The kit comes in six parts and is very well sculpted by Mike Good. The kit has two different heads - one with a flying helmet and one with an officers hat. The parts are cast in light tan resin with minimal to no seam line.

I chose to go with the officers hat and mounted the head on a paint stick to hold it. I then added the arms and puttied the seams and mounted that on a painting stick to hold it. The arms seams were filled with Squadron white putty and then smooth with a Q-tip wet with lacquer thinner. I left off the holster for later. Once dry, all the pieces was primed and set aside a day to dry.

Product Picture

McDonnel F3H Demon
Book Author(s)
Tony Butler
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Guideline Publications
MSRP
$23.00

If you have never have had the chance to review one of Guidelines Warpaint series, here’s a brief description. First they provide a complete and detailed history of the subject including a complete production list of air frames, Squadron which used the plane along with a list of serial numbers and codes and a comprehensive specification list covering the technical aspects of the plane. By this, they have the historians covered. Secondly, they have 1:72nd scale multiple view plans. Also included are detail pictures, pages of superb color camouflage drawings and photography in color and black and white. There is also a list of kits, decal and accessory list. Modelers are covered too.