Kit contents

Tupolev G-5 Mod. XIII Torpedo Boat

Decals

Hermes A1 US Test Rocket

Image 3

Kfir C2/C7

Finished model

IDF F-CK-1C Ching-Kuo

4

Humvee M1097A2 Cargo Carrier

Decals front

F-15E Strike Eagle

Assembly

F-4F-4 Wildcat – Operation Torch

Completed model

USN JM-1

Sprue C

D.H. 98 Mosquito NF Mk. XXX "Night Predator"

Cockpit

Vampire FB Mk.9

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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

Hurricane Mk.I "Fabric Wings"
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Airfix
MSRP
$9.49

Airfix keeps expanding their 1/72 scale airplane line up and their latest release is the Hawker Hurricane “Fabric Wings” model. It is nicely molded, with no signs of flash and clean recessed lines together with raised detail to simulating the fabric wings ribs.

Construction starts with the wheel bay. At that point make sure you have parts A05 and A06 properly lined up, or you will struggle when installing the landing gear later. From there it moves to the cockpit which goes together very well. There are no issues to report there. The fit is positive all around and make a credible rendition of a front office for the scale.

Book Cover

RAF Middle & Near East 1945 - 1979
Book Author(s)
Steve Webster & Illustrated by Peter Scott
Review Author
Phil Pignataro
Published on
Company
AIRfile Publications
MSRP
$29.00

This book is the latest release from AIRfile Publications and covers Royal Air Force operations in the Middle and Near East from right after WW II up to 1979. I had forgotten how involved the British have been in the Middle East in times past. They have had a long history there and played a significant part in the development of several nations. The turmoil and hostility in this region we read about every day is not new. The British have dealt with the violence in this part of the world almost since their arrival.

In the first couple of pages, the authors give a brief history of the area and trace the presence of the RAF from WW II to the late ‘70s. Then the book is divided into four chapters, broken down by the years of British involvement:

Box art

'49 Mercury Wagon
Review Author
Jim Stepanek
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$24.95

I have to start out with saying that this is a beautiful kit to work with. There was very little if any flash on the parts.

Engine

The Cadillac engine from previous releases of Revell’s ’49 Merc kits is here again. It lends itself to easy detailing.

Chassis

The chassis features nice detail and crisp engraving. The exhaust pipe, front & rear differentials, and springs are separate assemblies, as well as the frame rails, leading to some extra paint detailing.

Interior

The interior features a floor, and separate side panels that are fairly well engraved. I decided that all the glass shows the interior pretty well so I went ahead and installed bucket seats front and back with a console between the front seats. I also added a chrome strip along the door panels to break up the monotony. I added flocking to my build.

Boxart

City House
Review Author
Bart Cusumano
Published on
Company
MiniArt
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$59.00

Being fresh off of the review of the 1:72 scale MiniArt “Building w/Garage”, kit #72031, we now have the “City House” kit, #72030. This is a model of a typical European multi-family dwelling. Like the previous kit, this kit represents a complete, undamaged building and not a ruin. It is also all injection molded styrene with none of the vacuum-formed parts found in some of their 1:35 scale releases in the same genre.

The Box

The 13.5’” by 10.5” by 2.25” box is the preferred top and bottom (lid) type. There is a nice artist’s rendition of the building on the box top which can serve as a helpful painting guide, although colors can ultimately be left to the imagination of the individual modeler. However, considering the weight and quantity of the box contents, and like the last kit, I felt that the box top was a bit flimsy, although this one has managed to stay together thus far.

Image from web site

Harrier FRS 1 Exhaust Nozzles
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.50

We continue to express sincere appreciation to our friends at Aires for providing us more of the prolific output of their company; In this case, Harrier FRS-1 nozzles.

Nothing really to state about this upgrade other than “Buy it”. If you have a 1/72 Harrier of the FRS-1 Sea Harrier series, these are “must have” items. I show these items next to the kit items for clarity. Great external detail, and NO SEAM TO FILL!

A drop-fit incorporation of the first order, 10 of 10, well done to Aires and thanks again to IPMS for the review items!