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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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Book Author(s)
Eric Brown
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Specialty Press
MSRP
$56.95

Eric Brown has flown more aircraft types and performed more carrier landings than any other person, dead or alive. That alone makes him a unique individual. In addition to that, he is actually a good writer. I’ve read several other of his books and I have found them very interesting, easy to read, and almost in the category of “page-turners.” This book is no exception.

This version is an extended edition of the original book, which was focused mainly in carrier-borne World War II airplanes. He added several carrier-based jet airplanes that he got to fly in his extended career, either in the post-war years or during his time at the US Naval Air Test Center.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.50

Quickboost now offers a 1/48 scale early-style conversion seat to replace the two-part injection molded seat parts found in the Zvezda Bf-109F-2 kit. The seat provided on the sprues in Zvezda’s kit builds into a replica of what was fitted into the late-model Bf-109F-2 and, to add to the matter, it has a conspicuous ejection pin depression in the center of the pan that must be filled and smoothed out. The Quickboost resin seat represents the earlier style seat that includes an integrated seat back. Quickboost’s seat also offers superior detail than what’s provided in the kit, a thinner profile, a separate armor back plate...and there is no ejection pin cavity that needs filling. Note that the model builder must add seat belts to either seat.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$24.95

In 1977, the Pontiac Firebird became the rage of pop culture in its strong supporting role in Smokey and The Bandit, and ensuing sales of the Trans Am variant skyrocketed overnight.

Revell does a magnificent job capturing the essence of The Bandit's ride in this re-release of their 2004 tooling of an American muscle car legend.

Molded in white, clear, and chrome-plated styrene with steel axles and vinyl tires, the kit consists of 89 parts and a sheet of decals. Mold quality is very good, with little flash and very manageable mold parting lines. Detail, raised and recessed, is crisp and in-scale, and tracks well to reference photos. The tires are beautifully seamless, and just need to be pressed over their hubs to be display-ready.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Camden Koukol
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$15.95

Well-received by many a soccer mom (and dads looking for a “man van”), the Ford Expedition has also gained significant acceptance and popularity among some American law-enforcement agencies looking for a reliable and rugged vehicle with increased towing, passenger, and cargo capacity.

Revell’s Ford Expedition Police SSV (Special Service Vehicle) provides a fantastic opportunity for young modelers to build an imposing replica of this popular vehicle. Molded in black, clear, and chrome-plated plastic, accompanied by vinyl tires and steel axles, its 46 pieces are well-detailed with crisp raised and recessed features. A sheet of stickers provide marking options for 2 vehicles.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Camden Koukol
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$15.95

Introduced into active service in 1980, the M1 Abrams has served as the United States’ main battle tank for over 30 years, and will continue in that role for the foreseeable future. In production between 1986 and 1992, the M1A1 is an upgunned and upgraded version of the original M1, and has seen service in worldwide, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Revell introduces young modelers to this mainstay of modern American armored warfare in the form of a 1/35 scale SnapTite kit – and a fabulous introduction it is! Molded in tan plastic, its 56 pieces are well-detailed with crisp raised and recessed features, and are accompanied by 2 pre-joined black vinyl tracks – also nicely detailed. A sheet of stickers provides the vehicle’s markings.