Finished model

Magach 6B Gal Batash, Israeli Main Battle Tank

Left rear 2

Marder II Mid-Production ’39 – ’45 Series

Base

Encore USS Olympia Review - Part 1

KI-100 finished model

Kawasaki Ki61-1 & Ki100-1 & Metal Figure Limited Edition

Top Decals

R.A.F. Victor K.2 Tanker

Cockpit framed

Rumpler C.IV Early

Completed truck

U.S. 2-1/2 Ton 6x6 Airfield Fuel Truck

Wheel detail

Nagmachon Early Heavy APC Israel Defense Forces

Finished

I.A.R. 81 BoPi "Dive Bomber"

Finished model aft

DeHavilland DH-82A Tiger Moth

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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.

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.

Box Art

Russian Armored High Mobility Vehicle Tiger, GAZ 233014 STS
Review Author
Marc K. Blackburn
Published on
Company
Meng Model
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$29.98

While Meng does not have many kits on the market, they have quickly gained the respect of many modelers for the exquisite detail of their kits. They continue their trend of releasing very interesting, modern subjects. The High Mobility Vehicle, manufactured by the GAZ group of Russia, is a multi-purpose, diesel-powered patrol vehicle. It first premiered in 2001 and pilot production started in 2004. It serves in the Russian Army and paramilitary police units and has some customers around the world. The Tiger kit has seven sprues molded in green plastic, one decal sheet, clear parts, five tires, and the hull and chassis of the vehicle. Some customers have reported some problems with the rear door frame of the body being smashed in shipping. No problems here. The quality of the molding is outstanding with very little in the way of flash.

Parts Package

Bf-109E Seat with Safety Belts
Review Author
Keith Pruitt
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$8.50

Quickboost is known for producing drop-in replacement parts for many model kits. The seat in the Airfix 1/72 Bf-109E is very basic, with a hint of the harness molded on the surface. While it is acceptable for a fun and simple build, it does leave something to be desired in the level of detail. The Quickboost replacement seat is well-molded and incredibly detailed. The seat is slightly thinner than the kit part (perhaps more to scale), the seatback has a raised cushioned area, and the harnesses are intricate (including the buckles and hardware) and are draped realistically in the seat. Once the pour stub is removed, the seat fits neatly into the attachment on the cockpit floor. For an easy upgrade to the kit, and almost a must for the super-detailers, the Quickboost Bf-109E Seat would be considered highly recommended.

Thank you to Aires and Quickboost for supplying this review sample, and IPMS USA for supplying the review opportunity.

Parts Package

Bf-109E Gun Barrels
Review Author
Keith Pruitt
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$5.00

The limitations inherent in the injection molding process for model kits always tends to create some scale details that are soft and less than realistic. The gun barrels in the Airfix 1/72 Bf-109E kit have some issues in that the cowl guns are molded as part of the cowling surface, and the wing guns have sprue attachments points that will make removal and cleanup difficult. Quickboost provides an alternative with its resin gun barrels. The barrels are molded with the attachment at the base of the unit, which provide clean sides and only a bit of cleanup when removed from the pour stub. Installing the wing guns would be simple, as they will be a drop-in replacement, but the cowling guns would have to be filed off and holes drilled for those barrels to be attached. This would be an easy project for experienced modelers, and might be a good first resin project for beginner modelers. Highly Recommended!

Parts Package

Bf-109E Exhausts
Review Author
Keith Pruitt
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$5.00

Exhaust manifolds on small-scale aircraft rarely look very realistic. The moldings are representative of the exhaust, but are usually finished with solid ends where they should be tubular, like the ones on the full size aircraft. While some styles can be drilled out, the process is time-consuming and tedious to perform. If the exhaust is anything other than round, this process does not work, especially if the exhaust opening is a flattened oval shape or square shape. The Airfix Bf-109E has the latter style, a square shaped exhaust opening for each of the 12 engine cylinders. Quickboost has been well known for some time for producing high quality molded resin replacement parts for models, solving many of the issues with inaccurate or limited details. The kit exhausts are molded separately, which makes painting easier, but they are also solid with no openings. The Quickboost Bf-109E exhausts are an easy replacement, and are molded in scale thickness with the proper open ends.

Part Packages

WWII Luftwaffe Aircrew Parachutes (3 types)
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
True Details
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$9.99
  • Parachute # 1 – Stock # 32511, $9.99
  • Parachute # 2 – Stock # 32512, $9.99
  • Parachute # 3 – Stock # 32513, $9.99

MMD-Squadron continues to release unique parachutes in their True Details 1/32 scale resin aftermarket parts line. The latest are three WWII Luftwaffe aircrew parachutes, sculpted to represent how aircrew chutes would appear in pre- or post-mission repose with integral pack, cushion, harness, and hardware seen in something of a heap. These parachutes would be a perfect diorama accent for any WWII Luftwaffe aircraft model, posed in the way parachutes were typically placed strategically on the wings or stabilizers of aircraft prior to a mission so pilots could quickly suit-up for a takeoff…or the way they would appear casually left on the wing. They are molded in gray resin on a very thin amount of molding scrap. These parachutes are well sculpted with an amazing amount of detail that makes for a very realistic replica.