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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.

To learn more about IPMS/USA, please see our About Us page.

Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$18.17

Model Art has done it again. Back in April 2013 they released Air War over Vietnam, U.S. Navy Aircraft Part 1. This Model Art Modeling Magazine special edition, Air War Over Vietnam 2, U.S. Air Force Aircraft Part 1, is the follow up and they have made some changes to the layout from the excellent first issue. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. One excellent feature of these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used.

The issue starts off with a “New Kit Selection” article. It features the Hasegawa 1/16 Sopwith Camel F.1 and the Tamiya 1/72 Mitsubishi A6M3 "Zero Fighter".

The main feature is next. This consists of eighty seven pages packed full of models, period photos (color and black and white), maps, charts, marking references and color plate drawings.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
SAM Publications
MSRP
$32.00

This offering is a revised and re-printed version of the previously released Modellers Datafile #1. The initial Modellers Datafile #1 contained excellent historical and scale modelling content, and that content is included in this new edition. The new release has been expanded to 176 pages and “included the additional model builds and in-box previews covering the significant new toolings that have appeared in the fifteen years since to series began, along with an updated list of currently available kits, accessories and decals”.

“When the first Datafile was published back in 1998 it was quite rightly regarded as the definitive book on modelling one of the most enduring and iconic aircraft of WWII.” This publication is the perfect companion and reference for a modeller wishing to build a Mosquito kit, regardless of scale.

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$7.99

Quickboost has added the anti collision lights for the F-102A to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in blue, red and clear resin. It’s smooth, seamless and bubble free.

There is no comparison between the Quickboost parts and the Meng parts. The Meng kit has the lights molded on and you are supposed to paint them the appropriate colors. Quickboost has the right idea, just drill out the area where the light is supposed to go and add the proper colored piece with a drop of glue. The best part is that they actually look like a colored light and you don’t have to paint them. I only wish that they had included a small instruction sheet like they did for the antenna and detail set (QB 72-415).

I very highly recommend this product if you want a nice and detailed F-102A. I would like to thank Quickboost and IPMS USA for the chance to do this review.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$20.00

With the release of the MiG-21 PFM, Eduard has reestablished them as the industry leader. Even with the best plastic kits there is always room for improvement. The Brassin range is designed by Eduard using the same CAD work as the kit which ensures that they will fit the kit they are designed for.

The exhaust nozzle is a work of art. Six pieces of flawlessly cast grey resin along with a burner ring made out of nickel plated brass. It sounds so simple when you break it down like that but what you get is some exquisite work.

The parts are perfectly cast and seem to be easily removed from the pour blocks. They will just take some careful painting. Assembly is easy enough. The MiG-21 has such a large exhaust nozzle that it is important to have it properly detailed. The kit nozzle is nice but this set is a step above.

I’ll be using this set in my build. We’ll see how it fits.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$34.95

The Eduard MiG-21 family displays some of the best engineering in modeling. The kit cockpit is nice but there are limitations with plastic molding. Luckily for us modelers, Eduard has an answer for that in their Brassin range.

Typical of the Brassin range this set is a mixed media offering with resin and photo etch. The instructions are typical colored pictograph which is quite nice and helpful. There are five pages of actual assembly diagrams.

Also typical of the Brassin range, the resin is cast in light grey resin is perfectly cast with no bubbles or blemishes anywhere. There is one piece of clear resin. The detail is absolutely exquisite. The parts are packaged in a sturdy cardboard box with foam protecting the parts then to further safeguard them the resin parts are held in three bags to keep them safe. There are 29 resin pieces to make this cockpit.