Nose Gear & Cockpit Ladder

F-15C "Strike" Eagle "Gulf War" 25th Anniversary

Decals

Spitfire Mk. VI

Photo-Etch Fret

Fokker E.1 Early

Kit parts

Fiat Br. 20

Notched plastic track jig.

Soviet T-10M Heavy Tank

Left wing

F/A-18E Super Hornet 'VFA-27 Royal Maces 2013'

Finished M40 model

M40 U.S. Self-Propelled 155mm Gun (with Aftermarket Gun Barrel)

Finished model

KAB-1500Kr 1500 kg TV-guided Bombs

Finished

German Sd.Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther Ausf. G1

2 Opel Ambulance Box Back

Opel Kfz. 305 Ambulance

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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.

Box Art

B-17G Midsection Interior
Review Author
Rob Benson
Published on
Company
HK Models Co.
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$285.00

This second installment covers the midsection interior, which is from the aft bulkhead of the bombardier and navigator compartment through the bomb bay and to the ring mount around the ball turret. Instruction steps 1 through 15 are used to construct this mid-section subassembly. I continue to be impressed by the fit and detail of the moldings.

Please consider that the associated pictures illustrate in-progress shots. There will be much touch-up, and I was reluctant to get too carried away with painting until I had a better feel for what was visible or need dry-brushing, etc.

Box Art

USS Chicago CG-11
Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Cyber-Hobby
Scale
1/700
MSRP
$37.99

This is the second Cyber Hobby ship model that I have been privileged to build as a reviewer (the first being the USS Virginia), and I will say that this was just as enjoyable of a build, representing a cruiser that saw service over five decades. There were no real complications with the build itself, but know going in that there are several photo etch items to add, and there are many small parts in the kit. The most challenging part of building this kit for me was the decals that are applied on the deck. If you have a fondness for the USS Chicago, or want to build a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser, I would highly recommend this kit for you.

Detail Parts Fret

Jagdpanzer Elefant Exterior Detail Set
Review Author
Timothy Funnell
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$33.00

Since Tamiya released their version of the Elefant, it had been on my wish list. Upon obtaining the kit, I noticed that it needed some more details. Italeri and Dragon both make a 1/35th scale Elefant and with proper adjustments they can be make into nice models.

The Tamiya detail set from Eduard contains two frets and nice, readable instructions. The fenders are really well detailed compared to the kit parts. It is a shame to have to cover them up with zimmerit. Thinking about this, I plan on putting their fenders on a Ferdinand kit, since the Ferdies didn’t wear zimmerit. There are also a bunch of small PE tool clamps and clasps. When applied, they look so much better than the kit’s molded-on ones.

In my opinion, this is a well-detailed set on PE which will make it onto two of my kits. Just now I need to get a good etch-mate folding tool. I would like to thank Eduard and IPMS/USA for a chance to review it, and you for taking the time to read it.

Detail Part

Ta-152C Correct Cowling
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.50

The Hobby Boss Ta-152C is a really nice kit; however, they made one really big mistake. They made the forward cowling with the incorrect oil cooler. It should have an annular oil cooler design. This is difficult to make in plastic, but in resin it is easy. This set will change the whole look of your kit’s nose.

Molded in light grey resin that is perfectly formed and blemish-free on a moderate pour block, the cowling has the annular cooler molded perfectly inside the cowling. The cowl flaps are molded closed. This may be not to some builders’ likings. I think it is fine just the way it is.

If you want to make your Hobby Boss Ta-152C an exceptional kit, you will need this engine cowling. This will address the biggest issue with the Hobby Boss Ta-152C in a simple, effective, and inexpensive way – a replacement for their forward cowling.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Quickboost and IPMS/USA for the review copy.

Detail Parts

P-51B/C Mustang Shrouded and Unshrouded Exhausts
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Ultracast
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$4.85

Ultracast has been producing some of the best and easiest to use aftermarket items for years. Well, they haven’t changed their key for success.

The latest releases are designed to be added to the Accurate Miniatures P-51B/C Mustang kit. What can you say about these little gems? In both sets you get two banks of exhaust stacks molded in light cream-colored resin. The exhaust ends are hollowed out perfectly. They are beautifully cast and are easy, drop-in replacement for the kit parts. Just remove the parts from the pour block and paint – a simple and easy way to do a tedious job.