Left Rear

MiG-21 SMT ProfiPack

Finished Model

F7U-3M Cutlass, Part 2

Finished 9

Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. E/F

Intakes and Engines

McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II, Fuselage and Wing Assembly, Part 2

Prepainted Headlights and Pony Badge Closeup

2015 Ford Mustang GT SnapTite

Clamping all around fuselage to assure a good fit

F/A-18F Super Hornet

Tail

USAF B-52H 20th BS "Buccaneers"

Quarter view

U.S. M-107 Self-Propelled Gun

Completed kit

USS Oriskany

Sample sprue 3

Soviet T-64 Mod 1972

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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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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.

Cover

USS Alabama, Squadron at Sea
Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$24.95

The Squadron at Sea titles cover specific ships by using photos of the vessel and its equipment from the very beginning of its life all the way through the end of its career. These titles are written about both civilian and military vessels, while the On Deck series is devoted solely to warships.

The USS Alabama is a South Dakota-class battleship, and construction was begun in February, 1940. The build took over two years until commissioning. Even though the Alabama took part in some of the most famous battles of the Pacific during the war, she only lost five crewman and none to enemy action. After the war, Alabama was mothballed until 1964 when she was moved to her present home in Mobile Bay as a museum.

Cover

Soviet Naval Aviation 1946-1991
Book Author(s)
Yefim Gordon & Dmitriy Komissarov
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
Company
Hikoki Publications
MSRP
$56.95

This is a massive tome that covers Soviet Naval Aviation from immediately post-WWII through the breakup of the USSR. The book is profusely illustrated with hundreds of color and black and white photos, many of which may be new to Western readers. In addition, there are dozens of color profiles throughout the pages.

The book begins with a discussion of Soviet naval aviation in the years following WWII. At first, they were still using leftover indigenous designs as well as US lend/lease aircraft that survived combat. Realizing the need for a long-range navy, they began to modernize and prepare for the struggle with the US and other Western powers. This chapter discusses the organization of naval aviation forces and their work with other elements of the Soviet navy and other armed forces.

Parts Package

Me-410 Radio Rack
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

The usual “Thanks very much” goes out to our friends and suppliers at Quickboost for an excellent detail item, in this case an upgraded, simple radio rack drop-in for the Meng kit item.

Almost the same as the Aires radio rack, the difference is in the mounting. Check out the photos – on the side-by-side, the right is the Quickboost item, the left is the Meng item, and the manufacturer picture shows the Quickboost item. The QB item facilitates use with the already stellar Meng basic cockpit interior; this alone makes the upgrade worth the cash!

Again, a 10 for detail and appearance. Thanks again to Quickboost and IPMS USA for providing these items for review.

Parts Package

Me-410 50cm Cannon Barrel and MG Barrels
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

The usual “Thanks very much” goes out to our friends and suppliers at Quickboost for more superdetailed bits…in this case, the “big gun” for Meng’s Me-410 and barrels for the side turrets.

In this case, a simple side-by-side review of the gun barrels is in order. Notice that the Quickboost cannon is larger than the kit item, and the gun barrels are better defined. Paint and install…simple and detailed, far better than the kit item.

Again, a10 for detail and appearance; the muzzle brake alone makes this a “10” item! Thanks again to Quickboost and IPMS USA for providing these items.

Detail Part

A-4 Skyhawk Ejection Seat with Safety Belts
Review Author
Chad Richmond
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.50

The ejection seat provided in the Trumpeter 1/32nd A-4 kit is very nice, combining both injection plastic and photo etched parts, ten in all. It is certainly passable. It does not compare, however, to the Quickboost seat, which consists of six cast resin parts. The casting is some of the best I have ever seen. The belts are very detailed and the finished seat should paint up nicely. While attaching the separate oxygen hoses, one of them decided to break off and go airborne. The last I saw of it was passing over my left shoulder.

The seat fits perfectly in the Trumpeter cockpit. I did not have a Hasegawa kit to compare it with, so I don’t know how it would stand against that kit seat. I can’t wait to get it painted and installed in the Trumpeter cockpit.

My thanks to Aires for providing this excellent product, and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it.