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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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Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Zoukei-Mura
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$152.00

Diving back in, we'll build the cockpit. It is similar to the frame itself. This starts with the two side walls which are detailed with extra levers and gauges and the throttles. These are painted RLM 66 so it stands out from the RLM 2 frame. The rudder pedals are painted and they are sandwiched between the two side frames and attached to the fuselage. Fit is perfect. The instrument panel is next and there are two choices. One is clear and there is a decal that can be added to the back. The second is solid and you can add the decals to the front. I built the clear version with Elmer's in the glass parts and then painting and adding the decal to the back. Once dry, I sprayed the back of the panel black as it is visible in the plane. To finish off the cockpit, the instrument panels is added to the frame and then added to the cockpit with its bracing. The linkage rods and control stick are added and the cockpit is done.

Book Author(s)
Steven J. Zaloga
Review Author
Marc K. Blackburn
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$17.95

The New Vanguard series from Osprey Publishing is not so new anymore, but they continue to produce one quality publication after another. It seems that at one point they will run out of topics, but thankfully, they have not. The series’ most prolific author, armor expert Steven Zaloga has turned his attention to the T-26. As the subtitle of this book suggests, it was one of the most prolific tanks in the Soviet Army in the late inter-war era.

Review Author
Tim Wilding
Published on
Company
Master Box Ltd
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$21.00

This kit contains two grey sprues with 63 overall parts to build 5 full figures of SS infantry troops on the Eastern Front. Three of the soldiers are carrying food, so it seems that they just raided a farm and are happily on their way to make dinner. One soldier is carrying two chickens, while another has eggs or potatoes in his helmet. A third is carrying a watermelon on the box top, but it really is a cabbage. Most are smiling and have happy expressions on their faces.

There also is a sprue with 112 parts of German weapons and personal equipment included. Only five weapons are needed, so lots for the spares box. Each figure is divided into a head, torso, two arms and two legs. The overall detail is very good, but some of the seam marks will need cleaning up. There is a lot of flash on the middle of this sprue.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.00

Thanks again to Aires/Quickboost for providing these excellent review items to review; and to IPMS leadership for shipping the item to me…

Once again, a simple upgrade with serious improvement.

Look at the Kit supplied prop and spinner; if used, they will look OK, but you will have a fillet on the back side of the props that doesn’t exist on the actual aircraft.

Look at the difference on the QB prop and spinners when installed. These took all of ½ hour to do.

First, Cut off the back of the spinner pour stub. I used a razor saw to cut around the circumference, then final cut to the center. Easy to do, and WEAR A GLOVE to prevent personal injury.

Next, use the prop and spinner shaft jig supplied with the QB set. Appropriate drill bits were used to finish the shallow shaft hole, then you put the spinner in the jig, and carefully drill out the shaft hole in the spinner from behind. Blow out the fluff from the prop holes, and….

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

Thanks go to Aires/Quickboost for providing IPMS USA this review set and IPMS leadership for passing it my way!

Not much to this one; replace the kit items with the Quickboost exhausts and save yourself the serious pain of clearing out the kit exhausts… it’s a no-brainer! I took the QB set, painted them with Testor’s Burned iron metalizer (I used a brush) and cut them off the pour stub… installed with superglue, Fantastic!

This set rates 10 of 10; Worth every penny! Thanks again to Aires/Quickboost for another great review opportunity, and IPMS for allowing me to do the job!