Lower Hull Detail

Star Trek U.S.S. Reliant NCC-1864

Overall photo of finished model

L-19/0-1 "Bird Dog"

Completed model underside

Bf 109E-7 trop Weekend

Decals provided with the kit

Hitachi Zaxis 135US Excavator

Bauleo Review Academy (4)

Bf-109G JG 27

Completed 2

M4A1 Sherman with U.S. Infantry

Parts 2

JASDF T-1B Trainer

Finished model

Panzerbeobachtungswagen IV Ausf J w/Zimmerit Fahrgestell; Nr 92200

Sprue B

British Army 6 Pounder Anti-Tank Gun (w/crew)

Santa Maria Finished 2

Ships of Columbus

Previous Next

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.

Subject aircraft

F-16 Aggressor Blizzard Paint Masks
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Gator Masks
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.00

The Aggressor schemes as applied to Air Force F-16s are some of the ‘coolest’ paint schemes applied to the light weight fighter. Whether it is the Artic, Desert Flanker, Lizard, Blue Flanker or the Blizzard scheme they add lots of color to the drab F-16. The most unique of the Aggressor schemes is the Blizzard one. This set is based off of the USAF F-16C Block 30 (or Block 32) #86-0269 from the 64th AS in 2012. The markings are available through Afterburner Decals Aggressor sheet (48-085). This aircraft is the sole aircraft painted in this scheme, however, it is the best of the bunch. It features squiggly lines of color in FS35109 (dark blue), FS36628 (light grey), FS36270 (dark grey) and FS36251 (mid grey).

Package

Soviet Air Force Pilot - Winter Suit
Review Author
Franklyn Cook
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$8.00

A wonderfully detailed 1/72 Soviet air force pilot! He stands in a blue flight suit, leather jacket, leather boots, sidearm, and white flight helmet. His arms are crossed behind him. One imagines him attending a pre-flight briefing or a post-flight discussion, or posing proudly beside his aircraft while someone snaps a photo. Be sure to add some snow at the edge of the tarmac!

The figure arrived in a clear package with insert. It is a single piece on its resin casting block. All you have to do is carefully remove it from the casting block and perform some light cleanup. There was some flash around his hands and under his nose, but the mold seam was easily cleaned up.

On the insert you’ll find a simple color illustration with paint suggestions. No specific paint manufacturer is suggested. Refer to references for correct colors.

Package

USAF Fighter Pilot - Vietnam War 1960-1975
Review Author
Franklyn Cook
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$8.00

A nicely detailed 1/72 USAF Fighter Pilot! He stands in a USAF flight suit, harness, helmet in his right hand, and wears a USAF flight cap. Missing is a g-suit and the distinctive “bulletproof” mustache worn by USAF fighter pilots during the Vietnam War. However, with some careful painting, you can suggest these things at this scale.

The figure arrived in a clear package with insert. On the insert you’ll find a simple color illustration with paint suggestions. No specific paint manufacturer is suggested. Refer to references for correct colors.

The figure consists of separate pieces attached to a resin casting block: main body, left arm, right arm, and helmet. All you have to do is carefully remove them from the casting block and perform some light cleanup. Use superglue to assemble the figure.

A problem area encountered is the left arm, specifically the unnatural bulkiness of the left shoulder. Remove some material and it should look right.

Packaging

Riveting Set - P-47D Thunderbolt Razorback

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
HGW Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$20.46

UMM-USA is distributing a very neat model detailing item produced by HGW Models: riveting decals. To be completely honest, I don’t know if this set should be called a decal; it is more like a “wet” transfer than a traditional decal, but more on that later.

This set, for the 1/48 Tamiya P-47D Razorback, provides an easy way to add raised rivet details to the surface of your model. Arriving in a simple bag package, you get two sheets of continuously printed decals for a single Razorback. Note that I mention that they are continuously printed, as you will have to cut and trim each section before application.

Box Art

'70 Ford Torino GT 2 'n 1
Review Author
Jim Stepanek
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$23.95

The Revell 1/25 scale ’70 Ford Torino GT is a wonderful kit with very little flash to be cleaned. The engine fits together very well, and the kit gives you two sets of valve covers and two different air filters. I chose the Lynx-type filter for its lower profile. The very nice chassis has separate suspension components and exhaust pipes. I replaced the kit exhaust extensions with aluminum tubing. The kit even comes with a set of slapper bars.

The interior has separate side panels, seats, and console. This is way all kits should be made! Each component features excellent engraving that just screams for extra detailing.