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
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Iliad Design
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.00

1/72 scale builders should be happy to hear that Iliad Design has reduced their 1/48 ANG Mustang decal sheet to 1/72 scale...and added one more option! ANG Mustangs are interesting subjects that, in my opinion, have not been covered very well by domestic decal companies. There are five subjects on the sheet provided in this set. These options provide builders a choice of National Guard Mustangs in a somewhat dulled natural metal finish with Olive Drab anti-glare panels, colorful unit emblems, and prominent code numbers and serials. The aircraft served in units in five Midwestern and Western states in the four years following WWII. Some may have gone on to serve in the Korean War.

The five options are:

Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/4105
MSRP
$64.99

History Brief

The Pegasus is either a Mercury class Battlestar or a Pegasus class Battlestar, depending on where you source your information; she is newer, larger, and more powerful than Galactica. In the re-imagined series, the Beast, as she known by her crew, is a survivor unexpectedly found by Galactica in the 10th episode of the 2nd season. She’s almost twice the size of Galactica but only needs about half the support crew, relying on more advanced automation systems. Utilizing these automation systems, the Pegasus could manufacture her own Vipers and Raptors, plus replenish stocks for the Galactica.

Her Captain, Admiral Helena Cain, and her crew were battle-tested and wanted payback after escaping the Cylon invasion. They were entirely motivated by bloodthirsty revenge and didn’t want to be tied up aiding the Colonial survivors, and, yes, this made great television entertainment. Sadly, the Pegasus was destroyed a few episodes later… or was she?

Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$54.99

History Brief

From the re-imagined television series, the Mk II Viper was a space superiority fighter/attack craft of the Colonial Fleet during the first Cylon War. It was then called back into service 40 years later onboard the aging Battle Star “Galactica” to defend against the more advanced Cylon fighter during the exodus from the holocaust of the 12 colonies.

The Product

It’s a prebuilt and fully finished kit ready to display. It’s packaged in a custom box that’s representative of the launch/flight tube. The model is accurate, nicely done, and looks pretty decent for a pre-built. It has a very nice old-school 2-piece display stand that needs assembly. “Husker,” the pilot figure, looks great and seems to be comfortable…check six! According to Moebius, Apollo and Hot Dog will be also represented, which is good to know if you are a collector.

Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$44.99

History Brief

The Cylon Raider is a space superiority fighter. This modern Raider is the CGI version designed by Eric Chu used in the re-imagined television series. Called Sparrow by the Colonial pilots, these were first encountered 40 years after the first Cylon War. This thing is a living biomechanical being, spacecraft and pilot rolled into one; truly a strange nemesis.

The Product

It’s a prebuilt and fully finished kit ready to display. It’s packaged in a colorful box that’s representative of space flight. The model is accurate, nicely done, and looks pretty decent for a pre-built. It has a very nice old-school 2-piece display stand that needs assembly. However, I found this type of display stand to be unbalanced and wobbly for this application.

The Bottom Line

My wife, who is a huge BSG fan, loves this thing. Two thumbs up. Thanks to Moebius and IPMS/USA for the review opportunity.

Book Author(s)
Charles Kliment
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$28.95

The Panzer 38 was probably one of the best designs for light tanks at the outbreak of World War II. It was originally designed by a Czech team, and the Germans took over production after the occupation of Czechoslovakia and pressed the tank into German service. They also extensively modified the basic chassis into many other armored fighting vehicles.

The book is profusely illustrated with b&w photos, plus a few color profiles. It covers the light tank versions A to G, plus other variants like the PanzerJager series (tank-hunters – the Sd.Kfz 138/M, 139, Grille H/M, and Marder), the Flakpanzer Sd.Kfz.140, several reconnaissance versions, an ammunition carrier version, a recovery vehicle, and even late war tank hunters like the Hetzer. There are brief sections describing the camouflage and markings and combat service of the different variants.