Missing Axles

Su-27C Flanker, Part 1

Sprues 6

Do335 A-0 Pfeil - First Look and Cockpit Build, Part 1

Landing gear

P-47D-25RE Thunderbolt - Advanced Kit

Right side

Hurricane Mk I.

Cockpit complete 1

F4U-1 Corsair, Part 1 – Fuselage and Cockpit

Completed top view

Yak-28P "Firebar"

Left Side

T-54-1 Model 1947 Soviet Medium Tank

Right front

IDF Sho't Kal Gimel Type II

Tutone

1972 Sport Custom Pickup Truck

Cockpit exterior

Westland Wessex HC.2

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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.

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Box Art

Submarine I-365
Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Aoshima
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$54.50

After building the Aoshima rendering of the Imperial Japanese Navy Cruiser Submarine I-16 a couple of years ago, I was interested in reviewing this release of the I-365 Transport Submarine. I took one photo for this review showing the two submarines side by side to show a size comparison of the two. Like the I-16 kit, the I-365 went together well, for the most part, and should not present too many challenges for modelers with some experience in dealing with small parts. The level of detail on the deck is good, but if I were building this for a competition, I would likely invest in a wood laminate deck and possibly photoetched rails.

Box Top

English Electric Lightning F.2A
Review Author
Keith Gervasi
Published on
Company
Airfix
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$17.99

History

Entering RAF squadron service in 1960, the Lightning represented a quantum leap in capability and performance over the RAF’s previous interceptor jets, offering Mach 2+ performance as well as a phenomenal rate of climb. Until its retirement in the 1980s, the Lightning had few rivals for outright speed and climbing ability, however it did have some shortcomings, most notably its lack of range as well as its limited armament of just two air to air missiles. The F3 Lightning introduced an enlarged ventral tank with later versions being equipped with over wing tanks, improving the range of the lightning further. These versions deleted the nose guns of the earlier variants, thus reducing the ability of the Lightning pilots to get in close with their opponents. They also did nothing to overcome its missile deficiency, with the Lightning still having to rely on just two missiles.

Cover

The Men Inside The Metal: The British AFV Crewman in WW2, Vol. 1
Book Author(s)
Dick Taylor
Review Author
Andrew Birkbeck
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$42.35

Thousands of books have been published over the years covering the various armored fighting vehicles utilized by British and Commonwealth forces in the Second World War, and many of them are sitting on my bookshelves, and I am sure yours. There are also numerous books on the various battles that took place involving these vehicles and the generals, officers, and enlisted men who took part. But it is rare that you get a book as detailed as this one on the individual crewmen who accompanied these machines into battle.

This book does not cover the training these men received prior to going into battle, nor does it cover their backgrounds prior to joining the armed forces. Nor does it cover the makeup of the units involved in the fighting. What it does cover, and covers it very well indeed, are the uniforms and other personal gear the AFV crews wore into battle, the badges and insignia adorning their uniforms, and their crew equipment and personal weapons.

Boxart

HMS Belfast
Review Author
Christopher Martens
Published on
Company
Trumpeter
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$111.95

Many ship modelers have been puzzled as to precisely why this World War 2 era heavy cruiser has never seen plastic. Belfast currently resides in London, permanently berthed as a museum and memorial. Her status as intact leaves a few decisions Trumpeter made with this kit rather puzzling.

This kit comes packaged as many Trumpeter kits these days, with foam protecting styrene particularly vulnerable to damage. I saw no flash and injection points are all well hidden. Molding is extremely crisp, and many details will not need photo etch replacements. The hatches are WWII era British, which is a nice detail. Both her AA and pom poms are good, especially for plastic. The PE set that covers some fine details is also nice, though I wish a manufacturer would include some railings.

Product Package

Jaguar A Avionics Air Scoop and Antennas
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

The usual “Thanks very much” goes out to our friends and suppliers at Quickboost for an excellent detail set, for use on the new Jaguar kits out there.

Face it, trying to drill out intakes on air scoops, and fabricating delicate antennas is out of the realm of most of our abilities. Let the experts in resin at Quickboost take care of your needs! This set addresses both areas for your Jaguar A…

The avionics air scoop is delicate yet strong; same for the antennas. These are simple cut/fit items, replacing the chunky kit items. And no having to clean up the inner seam on the air scoop!

Full marks for detail, appearance, and simplicity of use! Thanks again to Quickboost, Aires and IPMS USA for providing these items…