Cockpit

Messerschmitt Bf109E Sept. 1940

18 Hull

USS Midway Pt 3: Flight Deck & Island

Hull Interior A

T-54-1 Model 1947 Soviet Medium Tank

KI-61 painted model

Kawasaki Ki61-1 & Ki100-1 & Metal Figure Limited Edition

Quarter view

P-8A POSEIDON 'VP-45 PELICANS'

Left Front Quarter

Soviet S-51 Tank w/Self Propelled Gun

Transmission gap fit

M36/M36B2 'Battle of the Bulge'

Painted parts

1/16 German Tank Bits #3

Finished model

Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV

17

Nebelwerfer 41 Towed German Rocket Launcher

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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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Package

TRN1 Pistol Grip Airbrush
Review Author
Jim Coatney
Published on
Company
Iwata Medea
MSRP
$114.95

The NEO line is Iwata’s entry-level airbrush and is advertised as ideal for first-time airbrush users. Per Iwata, “Think you want to give airbrushing a try? Not sure you want to spend much to get started? The NEO is perfect for you…. AND you’ll have a great first experience! Iwata-Medea designed the NEO for the first time user.”

The Basics

The TRN1 is a gravity-feed, dual-action, internal-mix, pistol-grip brush. The paint cup is removable, and two sizes (10cc and 2cc) are included. The needle is .35mm. No air hose is included.

Impressions

This is the first-pistol grip airbrush I’ve used, and I was surprised by how immediately it felt ‘right’ in my hand. It’s heavy enough to feel solid, but no too heavy to feel cumbersome. It is nicely balanced, so I was able to get comfortable with it in short order.

Package

F-89D/J Resin Cockpit
Review Author
John King
Published on
Company
Pavla Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$29.99

Revell’s 1/72nd F-89D/J came out in the early 90’s and is a great kit. There are really only two shortfalls of the kit; the first being the lackluster cockpit and the second being the multi-part exhaust. Pavla has recently released resin detail parts for the cockpit and the exhaust.

The resin cockpit comes with twelve resin parts and two vac-formed parts. The vac-formed parts include the windscreen, canopy, and the rear blast screen. The blast screen is something that the Revell kit did not include. Overall, the resin parts are far superior to the kit parts. There was quite a bit of flash on the seats, which requires some careful trimming with a hobby knife. The cockpit set includes two rear instrument panels, one for the F-89D and one for the F-89J. The instructions call the F-89J instrument panel an “F-89C” instrument panel. Don’t let that fool you, as it is indeed an F-89J instrument panel.

Box Top

Imperial Japanese Navy Submarine I-15/I-46

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Fujimi
Scale
1/700
MSRP
$16.99

If you are looking for something to build quickly, which I find relaxing after a particularly challenging build, you may want to consider this recent release from Fujimi.

Late last year, Fujimi re-released this combination kit of the I-15 and I-46 submarines, so I jumped on the opportunity to build these two boats once again, but with roughly twenty years of advancement in my modeling skills. The fits are good overall, making this a fun kit for both beginners and more experienced modelers with an interest in 1/700 scale WWII subjects.

Product package

Messerschmitt Bf 110 Flaps
Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.49

Eduard’s series of Bf 110s have some great detail but if you want to drop the flaps this new set by Aires will make the task much easier. The Aires set supplies new flaps and radiator flaps which are a direct replacement for the kit parts.

You get six pieces of perfectly cast resin. The side bits of the radiator flaps are very thin and fragile so be careful removing them from the casting block. The instructions indicate which parts of the kit need to be removed for the replacement parts. The detail is very good with an extra part that adds to the inside of the wheel well.

This set works just as well for flaps that are deployed or in the up position.

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review kit.

Product package

F-101B Voodoo Cockpit
Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Pavla Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$18.99

If you are like me you were excited when Revell decided to re-release their 1/72nd scale F-101B Voodoo.

Pavla has released this full replacement cockpit in resin. The set has a new cockpit tub, two ejection seats with molded belt details, new instrument panels, a control stick, rudder pedals and a new cover for over the front instrument panel. Also included is a three piece replacement strut to display the canopy opened. Thirteen parts in all.

The instructions indicate which parts of the kit cockpit need to be removed from the fuselage for the new cockpit to fit. There is also some painting information but it isn’t very detailed and you will want some additional references.

The Revell kit comes with decals for the instruments and I may try to use them to add to the resin parts. The new ejection seats look fantastic and much easier than fitting the multiple piece kit parts and adding details.