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.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.38

The P-47 just begs for nose art with that big cowling out front. That is exactly what ground crews did and Lifelike has captured in this latest release.

Designed for the Tamiya, Hasegawa, Academy or Revell/Germany kits, the decals and instructions are packaged in a 6”x 9” inch ziplock baggie. The instructions themselves are printed on two A4 pages with full color profiles and plan views. They also include a reference section so if you want to see the real aircraft all you have to do is find the book or website. There is another half sheet that has the stencil locations on one side. I love the instructions. A little history of each aircraft and the markings are included for each aircraft.

Lifelike has no problem letting the modeler know what is known and what is conjecture. That is a very unique approach to decals. I personally like that. They are not afraid to make an educated assumption for the sake of including a peculiarly unique aircraft.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$16.30

The third 1/72nd B-24 sheet from Lifelike contains more colorful nose art. If you are a fan of pinups and nose art these sheets are really impressive.

The decals are contained in a 6”x9” ziplock bag along with two A4 full color instructions. The decals themselves are printed by Cartograf and Microscale. Between those two decal printers you know you have some of the best printed decals in the world. But what about the research? Lifelike is well known for their research. Even Lifelike can make errors as they acknowledge. Lifelike basis their findings on the latest information available and when the information is lacking they base their finding on educated guesses. Some would find this a weakness in the decals but I think it is an asset. They let you know what is known and what is conjecture.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
Company
Bronco Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$27.00

Designed to accompany the British 25-pdr field gun, the Type 27 ammunition limber carried 32 rounds of ammunition in 16 trays and was towed between the prime mover and the 25-pdr.

Bronco’s rendition of the Type 27 and associated ammo types is an excellent example of the limber in 1/35 scale. Finely molded in tan styrene with an ample fret of PE, the kit parts pack the modest box and seem overwhelming in number at first glance. Detail is crisp and seems accurate compared to limited online resources and other kit offerings of the Type 27.

Review Author
Mike Kellner
Published on
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$17.95

When I was first assigned this review I started four P-51D kits thinking I’d get a jump on things, but when the decals arrived I discovered they were meant for two P-51Bs and two Ds. So much for planning ahead.

The decals were on register and looked great in the package. The four aircraft represented are:

  • Aircraft #1: Malcolm Hood P-51B “Salem Representative” flown by Lt. Ralph K. Hofer of the 334FS/4th FG.
  • Aircraft #2: P-51D “Sky Czar” flown by Capt. Fred Munder, Jr. of the 381FS/363rd FG
  • Aircraft #3: Malcolm Hood P-51B “Big Mac Jr.” flown by Capt. John Brown, Jr. of the 382FS/363rd FG.
  • Aircraft #4: P-51D “Nancy Lee” flown by Lt. Richard Baggett of the 402FS/370 FG.

Although there are markings specific for four aircraft, there are common decals for only one. To use the other three nose art markings I used the individual kit decals for the stars and bars, prop markings, walkway stripes, etc..

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$27.00

This is the final stretch reviewing Eduard PE parts for the HK B-17 kit. Even more thanks to Eduard for providing us these sets!

The landing gear set addresses an area frequently neglected by many modelers; the landing gear and wheel wells. Intended for the kit plastic gear, there are numerous straps, tow eyelets, and panels to apply to bring the struts to life. I Purchased and am using a set of SAC gear for strength. The review copy of this gear is to be reviewed by another IPMS member, so I’ll refrain from comment on these other than to say it is a drop fit for strength. In the interim, the kit gear will benefit greatly from Eduard’s efforts.

The tail wheel well gets full treatment, adding brace, side and top panel and rivet detail where none existed on the kit. The same treatment is applied in the main wheel well area; duct braces, additional detail sheets, some boxes, and air flow straighteners. The detail added makes quite a difference.