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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
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Master Box Ltd
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$21.00

Thanks first to Dragon models USA for providing IPMS USA this interesting set of figures; your support is greatly appreciated…. And thanks also to IPMS USA’s leadership for the stream of things for me to work on!

This set contains six figures; two U.S. GI’s in a semi-crouch, two Werhmact Fallschrimjaegers in a similar crouch, and two standing females who are the object of the military figures’ attention between the opposing forces; these are posed so one is pouring water over the other in a shower mode. A fanciful encounter, but interesting in that it could have occurred, and with what final outcome is yet to be known.

The figures are all well molded, and sculpture is excellent; the facial features, in particular, are extremely well done. Each body is proportioned and matches what is on the box art.

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$28.99

The F-14A fighter was designed because of the failure of the F-111B and the lack of its fighter capabilities, weight, and rear visibility. It was a fourth generation, supersonic, two seat, twin engine, variable- sweep wing aircraft. It was designed using the lessons learned about fighting Migs during the Vietnam War. They took the TF30 engines, AWG-9 radar and the AIM-54 missile system from the F-111B and designed a more capable fighter aircraft. It first flew in 1970 aboard the USS Enterprise.

This kit is put out by Round 2 which is re-releasing older kits from Polar Lights, MPC and, AMT. It makes me really happy to know that I’ll be able to find some of the older kits from my childhood at more reasonable prices than the originals that are found on Ebay. Thanks for all your efforts Round 2, they are appreciated. One thing to remember about these older kits is that the molds are older and there can be a lot of flash to scrape off of the parts.

Review Author
Joe Porche
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$18.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions has released a set of white metal front and rear main gear for the Hobby boss A-6E 1/48 scale. The set includes 12 parts, a front gear strut with actuators and scissors, two main rear struts also with actuators and scissors. These twelve parts are replacements for kit parts front gear parts # F58, F18, F33, F32, F52, F29, F45, F46, F49, left main gear parts F23, F27, F22, F15, F47 and right main gear parts F28, F56, F57, F55, F3 and there accompanying metal inserts.

The Hobby Boss A-6E landing gear is rather complicated. It includes a metal strut that is encapsulated within plastic half’s to add strength to the undercarriage. It would be hoped that the SAC gear would simplify the process of building the landing gear. For better an understanding see the photos of the kit instructions.

Book Author(s)
Dave Forster and Chris Gibson
Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Hikoki Publications
MSRP
$49.95

Since I spent a lot of time in Air Force radio, some time in AF intelligence, and being generally interested in communications (I have an extra-class Amateur Radio license) this book was right down my alley. Additionally, being interested in post WW2 British aircraft is also a plus with this book.

The theme here is airborne ELINT, electronic intelligence. You can learn a lot by listening to what the other guy is saying on the radio when the fighters are up and practicing interceptions or tactical support. And that’s where the British started after World War 2. When you’re flying at 20,000 feet you can hear a lot more UHF and VHF signals because these frequencies are line-of-sight communications. The higher you are, the further you can see and hear.

Up until about 1949, RAF ELINT consisted of listening to the radio communications. Everything else was considered as “noise”.

Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
Scale Modeling Quarterly
MSRP
$7.99

Scale Modeling Quarterly is an interesting new magazine that nice variety of subjects of interest to many modelers. This is the second edition of the relatively new modeling magazine by Hobbyscale Press. The magazine is described is a journal for and by scale modelers. The magazine is published quarterly and costs $7.99 per issue.

The magazine is 8.5” x 11”, printed on a gloss paper and is 52 pages including covers. The typeface is large, easy to read, and colors are used to accentuate paragraph headings and titles. The photographs are sharp and are all printed in color.

The magazine includes a nice mix of editorial articles, modeler profiles, build articles, and modeling techniques.

Contents of this issue include: