FM-1 Lower wing modifications

FM-1 & FM-2 Wildcat Dual Combo Expert Set

Completed model - cabin detail

Stinson Reliant SR-9

Left Side - Note Tight DS Tracks

Panzer Kpfw. IV Ausf. D

Bow view

USS Olympia

10

British Policemen

Weapons & Tank

USMC F-4B/N VMFA-531 "Gray Ghosts"

Body

Chevy Nova Yenko

Ready for paint

Arado E-377

Finished model

German Heavy Tank VK 30.01(h)

Sprue

British Airborne Universal Carrier and Welbike

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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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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.

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Box art

Russian Maxim Machine Gun (1910)
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$16.00

The Parts

The parts are secured in a small plastic bag with two stickers applied. The first of those stickers matches the product number “35674”. The second sticker might represent the number of part sprues, “2”, or it might be an “inspector” number. Sprue “A” has 14 parts and Sprue “B” has 19 parts, with a total of 33 parts making up the machine gun and wheeled carriage. All parts are clearly marked with an I.D. number that is an alphanumeric combination. For example, the gunner’s seat is on sprue B and is part #16 on that sprue. On the kit instructions the gunner’s seat is identified as “B16”. This makes part identification very simple, very easy, and very clear.

Product Picture

PBY Catalina In Action
Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$18.95

As quoted from Squadron/Signal Publications, "In Action books, despite the title of the genre, are books that trace the development of a single type of aircraft, armored vehicle, or ship from the prototype to the final production variant. Experimental or "one-off" variants can also be included. Our first In Action book was printed in 1971.”

Author David Doyle has come through with another wonderfully written book. This time he takes on the Consolidated PBY "Catalina." This aircraft was not always known as the "Catalina," in fact it started off as Consolidated Model 28 in 1932. It wasn't until 1940 when the British received the PBY-5 that the name “Catalina” came about.

Box Art

USAF KC-135E
Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Minicraft Model Kits
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$44.99

The Aircraft

The KC-135 was the US Air Force’s first jet refueling aircraft, replacing the KC-97. The 135 was developed from the same prototype as the 707, but has much more in common with the Model 720. The 135 entered service with the USAF in 1957. The last KC-135 was delivered in 1965.

The KC-135E was an interim between the KC-135A and R. The E model came about when it became apparent that the A model just didn’t have the power and range needed to support the global mission of the US Air Force. The fix is the same one used on the Boeing 707 and 720, updating the engines from P&W J-57s to TF-33s. The re-engining continued with the KC-135R, which has GE/SNECMA CFM-56 engines. The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve flew the E model.

Box Art

'68 Volkswagen Beetle - California Wheels Edition
Review Author
Ned Ricks
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$24.00

The Volkswagen Beetle, officially called the Volkswagen Type 1 (or informally, the Volkswagen Bug), is an economy car produced by the German automaker Volkswagen (VW) from 1938 until 2003. The need for this kind of car, and its functional objectives, were formulated by Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, wishing for a cheap, simple car to be mass-produced for the new road network of his country. He contracted Porsche in 1934 to design and build it to his exacting standards. Ferdinand Porsche and his team took until 1938 to finalize the design; one of the first rear-engine cars. With over 21 million manufactured (21,529,464 exactly) in an air-cooled, rear-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration, the Beetle is the longest-running and most-manufactured car of a single design platform, worldwide.

Box Art

’53 Chevy Panel Truck
Review Author
Jim Stepanek
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$23.95

Engine

The kits Chevy 409 can be built with either dual quads or blown. There is flash on the engine parts and after it has been removed, the engine fits together fairly well. Detail of the engine parts is defiantly showing its age.

Chassis

The chassis frame rails are separate from the chassis, which can make for further detailing easier. The exhaust system, front & rear suspension are also separate pieces. With a little grinding and relocation of the spindles, the front end can be brought down. The kit also provides a straight tube axle with leaf springs for building a gasser.

Interior

The interior is a bit on the sparse side so I opted to swap out the kit seats with a pair of resin aftermarket parts. The door panels are fairly well engraved.