Finished Model

Bf109E-1

6 - complete 5

B-52H Stratofortress

Image 4

Audi R8 LMS GT3 Spa 24 Hours ’15 with Detail Up Set

Right quarter front

Cessna O-2A Skymaster

Sally left side

In The Skies Of China, Composite Kit: Ki-21 and Ki-27

Left front view

Sd.Kfz.167 Stug. IV ‘LAST PRODUCTION’

model 6

Spitfire Mk.1 (Early)

closeup

Ryan STM-2 / PT-20

small parts

U.S. Motor Grader - Part 1

Top right unpainted

Pz.Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. A

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.

Packaging

Jas-39A/C Gripen Speed Brakes
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.50

Kitty Hawk’s 1/48 scale Jas-39 Gripen is a detailed, well-executed kit. It does require skill to assemble, and many of the details are simplified for various reasons. This is where Aires Hobby Models has stepped in to provide some added detail.

This particular Aries resin set provides an upgrade to the Gripen’s speed brakes. Aires provides two fully-detailed brake wells and two speed brakes with fine, accurate rivet and internal bracing detail. The bays have no actuators or tubing to install, but have better detail featuring light riveting and embossed bits. They brakes and wells are truly drop-fit replacement items for the kit parts; the fit was excellent!

Thanks to Aires for providing this set for review. Your continued support is more than valued, and we appreciate it. Thanks once again to the IPMS/USA leadership for allowing me to review such a cool accessory!

Packaging

Jas-39A/C Cockpit Set

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$26.50

Kitty Hawk’s 1/48 scale Jas-39 Gripen is a detailed, well-executed kit. It does require skill to assemble, and many of the details are simplified for various reasons. This is where Aires Hobby Models has stepped in to provide some added detail.

In this case, Aires has created a very nice resin replacement cockpit. Opening the package reveals fine details that would take endless patience and hours of skillful work to deliver. The cockpit set provides sidewalls, a control column, a full lower cockpit tub, the forward instrument-panel coaming, and a world-class ejection seat. Etched details are provided for the seat harness, a few extra cockpit details, and an instrument panel.

With practice and a steady hand, this cockpit will look fantastic in the finished model and will raise the kit’s overall look from good to great.

Packaging

R4D/Arctic C-47 Conversion Set
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Lone Star Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$32.00

To start, I’d like to thank Mike West at Lone Star Models. I told him I was reviewing a C-47 kit for the IPMS/USA and wanted to use one of his Arctic ski sets on the model. He had it to me in two weeks, which is a really great delivery time for someone who makes his products “to order.” I also must say thanks to the IPMS/USA leadership for allowing me to present a review of this item.

This R4D/Arctic C-47 Conversion from Lone Star Models was used on my review of the Revell reissue of the Monogram 1/48 scale C-47. I have long wanted to build an Arctic C-47, and when I received the box I was pleasantly surprised to note a USAF version in the kit.

Product package

Seahawk Mk.100 Pitot Tube, Antenna
Review Author
Steve Collins
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$4.99

Quickboost is known for replacement parts that are pretty much just drop-in, without modifying the kit very much. Such is the case with these parts. This set includes two pitot tubes (you’ll only need one for the kit) and two antennas. Depending on antenna fit on the aircraft you’re modeling, you’ll need both for the upper spine. The resin parts are more finely cast and the antennas have a better shape than the kit parts do. They should be easily removed from the pour plug and will fit into the holes in the kit for the kit parts. Plus, you don’t have to clean up the blade of the antenna, as you would with the kit parts, where the sprue attachment is on the side of the antenna. Recommended for having sharper detail and easier cleanup.

Thanks go to Aires / Quickboost for providing the parts and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review them.

Cover

Forces of the Hanseatic League 13th–15th Centuries
Book Author(s)
David Nicolle
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$17.95

Osprey's Forces of the Hanseatic League is book 494 in their Men-at-Arms series. This book deals with the history of the Hanseatic League from the 13th to the 15th centuries. The Hanseatic League was a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and their market towns that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe. It stretched from the Baltic to the North Sea and inland during the Late Middle Ages.

Chapters include:

  • Historical Background
  • Chronology
  • Land Warfare
  • Maritime Warfare
  • Siege Warfare and Firearms
  • The 15th Century: The Cost of Competition

Addendums include a section of further reading recommendations and commentaries on the color plates.