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.

Review Author
Chris Gibson
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/12
MSRP
$69.95

Overview

The ’69 Camaro was the second design change in the first generation series of Camaros; the ’67 and ’68 were basically the same except for cosmetic differences. The Z/28 was the top-of-the-line version with a vast amount of options, including the dual 4-barrel 302 with the Cross-Ram intake. Chevrolet designed and built the Camaro to compete against the very popular Mustang and did very well selling over 872,000 of the first generation models. The Z/28 Camaro also raced against the Mustang in the Trans Am race circuit.

Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.95

Back in 2008 I built a Dragon Su-24, with the Zvezda nose to review Olimp’s Fencer decal sheet. In the ensuing years, the landing gear was broken on the kit. The Fencer was otherwise OK, but the nose gear was trashed. So when they offered Scale Aircraft Conversions’ new Su-24 metal landing gear for review, I jumped at the chance.

What you get is a new nose gear leg, and two main landing gear legs. They’re nicely cast in white metal, and very easy to work with. I include a comparison photo of the Zvezda gear and the SAC gear. They’re identical, except the SAC gear will last a LOT longer.

Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.41

History

The MiG-15 was one of the early Soviet fighters which, using German technology and originally a British engine, achieved equality in the Cold War race for a modern jet fighter. Most modelers and historians are familiar with the history of the type, so I’ll spare the specifics and keep the historical section short. The prototype was powered by a Rolls Royce Nene engine, and early production models were powered by imported British engines. Competing with the similar Lavochkin 174 prototype, the MiG-15 won out, and entered production in 1948. Numerous variants were produced between 1948 and the mid-fifties, when the type was replaced by the similar MiG-17. The MiG-15 was produced in numerous variants, including fighter, fighter-bomber, two seat all weather interceptor, reconnaissance, target tug, and dual control trainer. Nearly 18,000 are believed to have been built in the USSR, China, Poland, and Czechoslovakia.

Review Author
Joe Porche
Published on
Company
Squadron Products
Scale
1/35

Squadron has issued 1/35 resin sets for nuts and bolts to detail your armor and about any other kit needing nuts and bolts. The Three examples review here are:

  • 93505- 1.6mm Nuts and Bolts- $6.99
  • 93506- 2.0mm Nuts and Bolts- $9.99
  • 93507- 2.5mm Nuts and Bolts- $11.99

Each resin set contain 36 nuts with bolt tips and 36 bolt heads, 6 complete separate bolts and 6 separate nuts. There are 84 pieces per set all in blemish and pin hole free resin. Threads are so fine on the nut and bolt that they will actually thread together. Check pictures for proof!

The packaging draws reference to 1/35 scale but I am sure that these will look well in whatever scale you chose to use them. Just remember to scale your sizes.

Review Author
Joe Porche
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$13.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions has released a set of white metal front and main gear for the Minicraft USAF KC-135E in 1/144th scale. This set includes a one part front gear strut and two 4 part main rear struts. These nine parts are direct replacements for kit parts # 12, 16, 17, 28, 29 and 36 times 4.

During my parts inspection I did discover that on the SAC main landing gear assemblies where the tires are mounted, two tire mounting pins are a rather short (see photo). Modelers of average experience should be able to overcome this deficiency by extending the mounting points with pins.