Completed front right

Super Etendard/Super Etendard Modernise

Motor

Fokker Dr1 Triplane

Construction

Texaco Doodlebug

Finished 5

I-16 Type 10 WWII China Guomindang AF Fighter

Exhaust Back Side

McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II, Part 1

Interior

Fairlady 240ZG Street-Custom

Cable drum

US Diamond T 969A Wrecker

Right rear

Fiat G.50bis Freccia “Regia Aeronautica”

Finished

Mercedes Benz Actros MP4 Giga Space

Decals

Milk Trike

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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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Cover Art

Sd.Kfz.165 Hummel-Wespe
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$76.00

Dragon Models has released a new boxing of their Hummel self-propelled artillery. This is the Hummel Wespe, with the 10.5 cm gun (instead of the typical 15 cm). The smaller gun meant extra rounds could be carried in the vehicle.

This kit is based on the excellent Dragon Hummel kit, with new sprues for the smaller gun, a modified fighting compartment, and new racks for the extra ammo.

The hull and running gear is based on the Panzer IV, with an excellent level of detail. The road wheels are of the rubber rim style. I was pleasantly surprised to see all the rivets, access panels, and overall surface detail of the hull and front armor pieces. It does look “like the part”. The tracks are of the DS kind and have good detail as well.

Package

Spitfire Mk.II Exhaust
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.50

Quickboost has added a set of exhaust stacks to their line aftermarket parts for the new 1/32 scale Revell Spitfire Mk.II. The Quickboost set provides a pair of exhausts that feature detail that closely matches the kit-supplied parts. These parts accurately depict the flattened shape of the openings in the first two exhausts in each stack and the circular opening of the last one.

The Revell kit provides exhausts with open ends, however, they are comprised of four parts, and the modeler must clean flash from the openings of each exhaust port prior to assembly.

Cover

Panzer Colours of the III Reich
Book Author(s)
Thierry Vallet
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$29.00

Mushroom Model Publications has published another it its “Spotlight On” series, this book featuring German armor color schemes from 1918 to 1944. Written and illustrated by Thierry Vallet this offering traces the evolution of panzer colors and camouflage from pre-war through the end of WWII. Each page features a large profile illustration of a piece of armor, in full color with a “color square” identifying the color, or colors, along with an RAL color number.

The publication will provide a very quick and excellent reference for the colors involved, while the profile illustrations depict the camouflage patterns or painting patterns very nicely.

This is a publication of high quality and is recommended for those interested in German WWII armor. Whether you be an armor newbie or a more experienced builder you’ll find this book helpful and entertaining. Thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for this excellent review sample.

Box art

Tiger I – Ver. MID – 70th Anniversary Normandy
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$64.00

Academy is re-releasing their 1/35 Tiger I, this one being the “Mid” version and in a special boxing for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.

Upon opening a large box you are greeted by 10 sprues –many of which are part of the “early” boxing- plus two small photo-etch frets (engine grille covers/zimmerit tool) and plastic tracks, representing the “combat” (wide) tracks.

The part count is considerable (over 250 parts) however several pieces won’t be needed. I estimate a bit over 200 parts are required to complete this model. All the parts are crisp, perfectly molded and have no flash.

This boxing does not include the full interior –as other boxings- but it has a new tooled turret. I will be honest, it looks very similar to the original one (still included in the box) however it is possible to see a slightly asymmetry when looking at it from the top. It is very subtle, but it is there.

Product

US Navy Wheel Chocks - Modern
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.00

Brengun has produced a detail set of modern US Navy Wheel Chocks. With all the plethora of 1/48 scale kit out there, these make a great display item. The set consists of twelve nicely cast resin pieces. Four of these are the blocks, two are the rails, four are the ends to the block and the last two are two tiny locks for the rails. The tread patterns and lines on the blocks is very well defined. The ends are separate in this scale to allow a good channel for the rails. The rails include the toothed pattern used to lock the chocks in place just like the real item. The lock are very small so caution will be needed.