Photoetch & decals

IJA Type 4 Light Tank “Ke-Nu”

Right side

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I

Separating Hatches

OV-10A Bronco US Navy

Ready for decals

Space Shuttle Discovery

Steering Wheel Closeup

Sd.Kfz.10 Ausf.A w/5cm PaK 38

General's adjutant

Where Are the Damned Roads?

Right

Roland C.IIa Late

I-365 Completed - Aft Deck - With Landing Craft

Submarine I-365

Decals

USS Missouri BB-63

Weapons Bay and Main Gear Closeup

F-35A Lightning 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.

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.

Front Cover

A-10 Thunderbolt II Units of Operation Enduring Freedom 2008-14
Book Author(s)
Gary Wetzel, Illustrated by Jim Laurier
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$22.95

This is Gary Wetzel’s second title for Osprey Publishing, a follow-up to his first, Combat Aircraft 98 - A-10 Thunderbolt II Units of Operation Enduring Freedom 2002-2007, published in 2013. Through first-hand accounts, Gary Wetzel brings the combat record of the A-10 Thunderbolt II to life. Gary Wetzel weaves in the development of the A-10A+ and A-10C through the viewpoint of the aircraft crews, units, and the ground forces they supported. In addition to the cover art and 24 color side-views by Jim Laurier, 72 color photos are included providing ample reference to Gary Wetzel’s tale.

Front Page

Intruders from the Beach - Marine A-6A units in Vietnam
Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
AOA Decals
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$21.00

About the Company

AOA is a new decal company and they are purpose driven. AOA’s goal was to fill the gap of a lack of decals for Marine aircraft on the aftermarket scene and boy what a way to make an entrance by going to the 1/32 Trumpeter A-6 model. For those of you looking for Marine markings in all 3 scales they should be added to your list.

What’s on the Sheet?

This particular sheet covers three Marine VMA’s from the Vietnam War covering the years of 1967-1973.

The aircraft covered are as followed:

  • A-6A VMA-225 (Vikings) – Da Nang 1969-71
  • A-6A VMA-242(Batmen) – Da Nang 1966-70
  • A-6A VMA-533(Hawks) – Chu Lai 1967-69 / Nam Phong 1972-73

The Decals are extremely bright and colorful with very little carrier film, AOA has used Cartograf to handle their printing needs and anyone who knows about cartograf know you are getting what you paid for with live colors , quality and accuracy.

Box Art

Halifax B III

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Airfix
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$29.99

Thanks to Airfix for providing an excellent “blast from the past” for IPMS USA to review, and to IPMS leadership for providing it to me to review.

This kit first saw the light of day back in 1961; I remember seeing the advertisements in “Flying Review International”… Yes, that pretty well dates me as a ‘60’s child. So, now that you know the heritage, what can you learn from this review?

This kit is old technology. OK… The fit is not exemplary; in particular, the nacelles for inboard engines do not fit up to the wing. Same for just about all the clear parts; there were plenty of issues with the fit of them. But it’s a 1/72 Halifax BIII.

The rivets are not huge, but they are all over the model. If you want to remove them, be prepared to spend a lot of time sanding, etc., etc. It’s how things used to be. Bring wet/dry and get busy.

Box Art

53 Foot Smooth Side Trailer with Reefer
Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$59.99

The Kit

This review covers the 53’ Smooth Side Trailer 1:25 Scale Moebius Model Kit #1303. A new release, this model should be readily available at most outlets. This is a complimentary version of the original corrugated side 1:25 scale trailer model with a reefer and roll-up rear door option. Moebius designates this as a Skill Level 3 kit for modelers 12 years and older. It is molded in white styrene with soft vinyl tires, chrome wheels, waterslide decals, and an extensive instruction manual. This kit features all the details of the real thing. There is a highly accurate undercarriage featuring cross-members with angle-braced landing gear and a tandem axle configuration. The instruction booklet is top notch with a centerfold for decal placement. The completed model is a whopping 26.5” long with the reefer option. Massive but simple, this detailed kit is the perfect compliment for your 1:25 scale tractor models.

Product Picture

US Army Driver
Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
L.Z. Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$15.95

This figure is part of L. Z. Models 1/35 D7 Bulldozer and Tractor Crew series. Other figures in the series include US Army Mechanic tuning engine, and US Army Mechanic cleaning track. L.Z. states that another civilian mechanic and a British driver figure will also be released. These figures are intended for use with the new dozers from L.Z. Models, Trumpeter, Commander Models, and the new series of MiniArt dozers. I recently built PlusModel’s US Grader, but he doesn’t fit without major surgery to his legs (see photo). The driver’s legs are too short for the Grader seat. I fit him into MiniArt’s dozer seat and he fits much better.