RGBenson ZM F-4S pt 2 control surfaces

F-4S Phantom II: Part 2, Completion

RIO sidewalls

F-4B Phantom, Part 1 - Wow!

Left front

SR-71A Blackbird, “Gravestone” Limited Edition

Decals

B-52 D/F

Road and idler wheels molded on the lower hull

Stuart M3/M3A1/M3A3 Light Tank

Top View Right

Albatros D.V

Completed model

McDonnell Douglass F-4C Phantom II

Chassis Assembly

Standard B "Liberty" with WWI US Infantry

Finished 5

Junkers J.1

6 Bolt Removal Started

AFV Stryker Dragoon

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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.

Package

North American RA-5C Vigilante Pitot Tube and AOA Probe
Review Author
Matthew Cottrell
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$4.99

Master Model, maker of fantastic turned-metal details, has released a new set of 1/72 probes for the RA-5C Vigilante. The Vietnam-era RA-5C, a supersonic nuclear bomber turned capable reconnaissance aircraft, features a prominent pitot tube with multiple diameter changes along its length. Master’s set includes both the complicated pitot tube and an AOA (angle of attack) probe. The set can be used on any 1/72 RA-5C kit, and should be an outstanding upgrade. In this review, I’ve compared the parts to the Trumpeter kit.

Boxart

Foose ‘65 Impala

Review Author
Ken Hart
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$24.99

Revell’s ‘65 Chevy Impala hardtop kit first hit the market in the late 1990s as a factory-stock-only offering. It was later released a lowrider, and its tooling was later used as the basis for a ‘65 convertible kit (which was recently reissued as part of Revell’s “California Wheels” series) and a ‘66 hardtop. It’s a good kit and always has been and it does an excellent job of capturing the character of the 1:1 vehicle.

This newest issue of the ‘65 hardtop is the latest addition to Revell’s Chip Foose Series, a kit line based on cars designed by the popular automotive artist and designer and built on the popular cable TV series “Overhaulin’.” All of the kits in the Foose Series have been created by adding new decals, box art and smatterings of newly tooled parts to existing kits, and this one is no exception.

Package

N1K2-J Shiden-Kai Gun Barrels for Hasegawa Kits
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

Aires is constantly adding to the Quickboost line, and here is one of the latest.

QB 48-602 are gun barrels designed to be used with Hasegawa’s 1/48 N1K2-J. As with other Quickboost products, these are meant to be drop-fit replacements for kit parts. The molding on this resin set was extremely crisp.

In comparing these to the kit items they are designed to replace, I found a few key differences. First, and probably the main reason one would want this set, the tips of the QB set are open. Hasegawa’s barrels are sadly molded flush across, with no opening. While in general I am fine to create an opening with the tip of my Xacto and a small drill on ‘standard’ gun barrels, the flared muzzle on these makes that a bit more challenging of an undertaking. So I will happily be using the QB ones instead. Second, the QB barrels just have a much less ‘clunky’ look to them. A quick glance at the photos should help demonstrate that.

Box Art

Harley Davidson FLSTFB Fat Boy Lo - Part 1
Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/6
MSRP
$375.00

Review Part 1 – Background and Kit Contents

Background

The Harley Davidson Fat Boy is the latest in Tamiya’s series of 1/6 scale motorcycle kits. This is a large, multimedia kit with plastic, metal, rubber, diecast, and photoetch parts.

From Tamiya’s website:

The Harley Davidson FLFSTB Fat Boy Lo belongs to the Softail series. It uses a 1548cc Twin Cam 96B V-Twin engine, and power is transferred via a drive belt. The Fat Boy Lo's classic form features numerous parts, which lend the bike a heavy feel, and it runs extremely low to the ground. Its fusion of classic looks and state-of-the art design has won the heart of the public around the globe. Tamiya's model replica comes in 1/6 scale! Every detail has been faithfully captured due to extensive research from Tamiya's designers and the cooperation of Harley Davidson.

Kit features:

Packaging

SB2C Undercarriage Doors
Review Author
Steve Collins
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.50

This Quickboost set is a direct replacement for the undercarriage doors for the Academy SB2C kit. They are almost identical to the kit parts, but have the push pin marks that are present on the kit parts taken care of. Due to the framework on the inside of the doors, the pin marks can be difficult to eradicate. Quickboost has done this delicate work for you. Basically, it comes down to the question: is the time and effort it would take you to fill and sand away the push pin marks without damaging the framework worth $6.50? If it is, this set is certainly recommended!

Thanks go to Aires Hobby Models for supplying the parts and to IPMS/USA for allowing me to review them.