Finished Bottom

Kawasaki KI45KAI Nick Limited Edition

Tiny PE Antenna & Gun

Ju-87G Dual Combo

Overhead view

Snap-Tite 2018 Mustang GT

Bow and bridge closeup

German Z-39 Destroyer

Starboard Approaching

Battlestar Galactica (35th Anniversary Edition)

Walkaround 3

Fw-190A-5/U12 with Gun Pack

Photoetch, masking material, and clear sprue

Gloster Gladiator, Limited Edition

Finished aircraft, right-rear

Avia B.534 III.serie

6

Luftwaffe Airfield Equipment

Hot Section Detail

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

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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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Decal Package

S2F-1 Tracker Decals
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Caracal Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.99

Caracal Models started to release decals in 2011 and has released some of the neatest and best markings to come out in the last couple years. Kinetic’s S2 Tracker is a neat kit and everyone I have seen build is exactly the same color – gull gray over white. While that's an attractive scheme, Caracal Models dug deep and gave modelers another option.

The Trackers on these sheets have decals for two S2F-1’s with the large radar above the cockpit but in overall gloss sea blue. There are two separate markings:

  • BuNo 133320, VS-21 from the USS Princeton in 1956
  • BuNo 133258, VS-20 from the USS Princeton in 1956

Both planes are overall blue with black anti-glare panel and deicer boots. The radome is also tan. The decals come in a single sheet and are colorful, well printed, and awesome.

Box Art

VW New Beetle
Review Author
Dave Koukol
Camden Koukol
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$16.99

Timeless and unmistakable in form, the VW Beetle became a symbol of the 1960s and early ‘70s in the United States. After roughly two decades of absence in new car showrooms, the “New Beetle” re-emerged as a concept car in 1994, followed shortly by production versions.

Although originally released in 1999, Revell’s rendition of the modern “Bug” is a beauty – both in form and engineering – and serves as a great subject for young or novice modelers.

Molded in yellow and black, with chrome-plated trim parts, clear windows, and a sheet of peel-and-stick markings, the model can be readily built into a reasonable and convincing facsimile of the real thing in under an hour. Body, chassis, and interior detail is crisply and accurately defined and well-molded. Part fit is virtually flawless, with only a minor amount of parental support being required to help Camden (age 8) squeeze and press some of the parts together.

Cover

Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 35, Issue 9
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Modelling
MSRP
$7.25

The November issue of Scale Aircraft Modelling is another excellent piece of scale art. There are the usual two Feature Articles, an Aviation in Profile piece, industry news, and a series of Compact Build Reviews.

The two feature articles for this issue are a 1/32nd scale build of the HobbyBoss P-61 Black Widow and a 1/72nd scale build of Airfix's Lancaster B.III Dambuster. The HobbyBoss P-61 build by James Ashton goes into some detail of the build and adds True Details Wheels and Kits-World Decals. Where this article really shines is in the description of weathering and painting. The articles details paint chipping using the AK interactive chipping system, and also the post-shading and using the oils to weather. The effects are superb and the article is lavishly illustrated.

Detail Parts

B-17G Navigator and Bombardier Compartment Detail Set
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$33.00

This is part 3 of the continuing review of Eduard’s interior parts for the HK B-17 kit. The usual thanks to Eduard for providing us these sets is again stated!

This installment covers the very visible nose interior section of the aircraft. I have noted several reviewers take Eduard to task for daring to try to include details that are (1) actually there on the aircraft and (2) are considered redundant since you “can’t see them.” Not so; they will be tough to see, but the Eduard updates certainly add a lot of visual interest to the kit. Having built more than my share of Monogram B-17G’s over the years, that kit has better basic interior detail in many ways than the HK kit, and Eduard is addressing those points.

Box Art

A3D-2 Skywarrior and Landing Gear Set
Review Author
William Carrell
Published on
Company
Trumpeter
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$99.99

The A3D-2 Skywarrior strategic bomber, commonly referred to as “The Whale,” was the heaviest operational aircraft to be operated from an aircraft carrier. It’s service as a bomber was sort-lived and it became a successful refueling and electronic warfare/ reconnaissance platform serving the US Navy and its defense contractors for many years after most aircraft of its age had already been retired. There is little info actually available in print or online for this aircraft, but from what I could see the kit carries the lines well and appears to be, for the most part, an accurate representation.