Fender assembly

British Nuffield Assault Tank A.T.3

3

Peanuts Snoopy and Woodstock Bird Bath Ice Hockey Game

Finished model

Nieuport Ni-11 Weekend Edition

Sprue 1

Mitsubishi A6M5c/A6M7 Zero Fighter Type 52 Hei/Type 62 'FUYO Unit'

Waterline - starboard view

USS Chicago CG-11

Finished kit, left

BAE Sea Harrier FRS.1

Sprues from Blenheim kit

Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV

Rear view, above

Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.1

Parts 7

Spitfire Mk. VII/VIII

Track

Beobachtungspanzerwagen Sd.Kfz. 251/18 Ausf. A

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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. Motor Grader - Part 1
Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
Plusmodel
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$169.70

This is a first look ‘In the Box’ review of PlusModel’s new U.S. Grader resin kit. A subsequent review will review the detailed assembly of the kit. The kit appears to be a very complete, nicely detailed, high quality kit of a unique vehicle from WWII. The U.S. Grader follows PlusModel’s excellent dozer models.

The kit comes in a sturdy 10.5 x 7.5 x 2.5" deep corrugated cardboard box. First out of the box are a photo CD, 6” x 8.25" stapled instruction booklet with 28 pages, a small bag with decals, photoetch fret, and a length of copper wire.

Next are six sealed bags of 231 gray resin parts. The parts have crisp detail and no air bubbles are apparent. The large grader blade appears straight with no visible defects. The radiator is nicely detailed with raised letters for the words Caterpillar along the sides and top front of the radiator. One of the bags his two clear parts for the headlamps.

Box Art

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

Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$70.00

I began building Dragon Model kits when they first became available back in the 1970’s. Even back then they were a breath of fresh air on the modeling scene. They offered fascinating subjects never seen before and although sometimes a bit simplified, I liked them a great and built numerous models from their catalog, enjoying them all. My, how they have evolved over time.

Box art

E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post Limited Edition
Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/200
MSRP
$45.00

The Aircraft

The E-4B is obviously a modified Boeing 747, or VC-25. It started out as a 747-200, but has had equipment added to make it an airborne command post. There was an E-4A, but these have been modified to B standard. The big visual difference between an A and a B is the fairly large hump on the top near the front. This houses the SHF SATCOM antenna.

The E-4B has a crew of 48 to 112, depending on mission needs. It can stay aloft for a week if necessary, the limiting factor being engine lubricants. In case of national emergency, the President, the cabinet, and whoever else is deemed necessary would be aboard.

The E-4B has not been upgraded to a glass cockpit, as the analog instruments are less susceptible to EMP (electromagnetic pulse) damage from a nuclear event.

Packaging Cover Art

JASDF F-4EJ Kai 301st SQ 40th Anniversary
Review Author
Tim Hortman
Published on
Company
DXM Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$20.00

DXM, or Double Excellent Model, is from Taiwan and is offering a growing line of decals for the aircraft modeler. Take a few minutes and check out their website as they offer a wide range of modern aircraft schemes and different markings, including many other JASDF schemes.

Today’s review is on their excellent 1/48 scale JASDF F-4EJ Kai 301st SQ 40th Anniversary decal set.

The decal sheet comes in a sealed plastic sleeve and includes a single large decal sheet and full-color direction flyer.

Markings are included for a single aircraft: 77-8398, F-4EJ Kai Super Phantom II, JASDF 301st Squadron’s 40th Anniversary Scheme.

A bit of internet searching tells me that this airframe was painted in this scheme in October 2013. The 301st Squadron has been flying the F-4EJ Phantom since its inception in 1973 and has been flying the upgraded F-4EJ Kai since 1991.