Diorama 3

Packard Twelve (Model 1936) with Soviet Leaders

Completed kit, left-front view

Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.1

Final Picture

Bf-109G-6 Late Series

Parts 2

British Nuffield Assault Tank A.T.2

Right wing root

XF10F-1 Jaguar

Right Oblique

Magach 7C "Gimel"

Finished

P-51D Mustang "Aces of the Eighth" Dual Combo

Left front

P-51B Mustang

Closeup of part showing high surface detail

Versuchsflakwagen Fuer 8.8cm Flak.37 Auf Sonderfahrgestell (Sd.Sfl.IVc)

Diorama view

HS-3/1 Krankenschlittens

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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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Decal Package

Kawasaki Ki-100 Decals Part 1
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.25

The recent release of the RS Model Ki-100 Otsu and Kou kits has prompted Lifelike to release a new sheet of decals for these aircraft.

The instructions are typical for Lifelike, with two A4 single-sided sheets printed in full color. The exterior sheet has three-view drawings and the references used to determine the color schemes. The interior sheet has the left side profiles and the references used to determine the markings. The history of the pilot is discussed in brief, adding a nice dimension to the markings.

The best thing about Lifelike is that they are not afraid to say that they don’t know something if it isn’t known. I like this approach. They also have made good on new information on their website and, where appropriate, they have printed new decals and provide them for free or a small fee. What other decal company does that? None.

Decal Package

Kawasaki Ki-84 Hayate Decals Part 2
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.25

The Ki-84 Hayate was the premier Japanese fighter of the war. It also sported some really colorful markings that are a natural for an airplane modeler.

The instructions are printed on two single-sided A4 sheets in full color. Five aircraft are included in the decals. The exterior sheet has the three-view drawings and the references used to design the decals.

The decals themselves are printed by Cartograf and are very colorful. They are in perfect register and thin. In my opinion, Cartograf is the best decal producer in the world. I’ve used all kinds of setting solutions on them and they perform flawlessly. The decals not only include the aircraft markings but also some stencils.

The first Hayate has never before been seen in print, let alone as a decal. The aircraft has a unique spackled look to it with a beautiful white tiger on the tail. This aircraft was flown by Lt. Shuho Yamana of Army Transportation Unit in the fall of 1944.

Detail Part

Hawker Typhoon Tail Wheel Well
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Ultracast
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$4.85

The latest item from Ultracast is designed for the Hasegawa Typhoon. The kit tail wheel well is an empty area, nothing like the real thing. This little resin item takes care of that. This piece is molded in a light cream-colored resin with no blemishes or bubbles anywhere. It is so nice there is no need to do anything but sand off a very small bit of resin flash, then simply insert it in the tail wheel recess. The well is suitably deep and provides an easy attachment point for the tail wheel.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Ultracast for the review copy and IPMS for the review opportunity.

Cover

Hawker Hurricane Mk I-V
Book Author(s)
Martyn Chorlton
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$18.95

This in the sixth volume in Osprey’s Air Vanguard series, but the first I have come across. The series seems geared to providing an overall view of the subject aircraft’s development, technical specifications, and operational history. One interesting angle on this series is that the books are also available in eReader formats such as Kindle or ePDF files. People have differing opinions on which format is better suited to a reference book, but in any case it is nice that this option is available.

The book is broken down into 4 basic sections: Design and Development, Technical Specifications, Mark by Mark, and Operational History. A brief Conclusion section wraps things up, and a small bibliography (6 titles) is included.

Decal Profiles

Fokker D.VII Decals Part 2
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$16.25

The latest release from Wingnut Wings is the family of Fokker D.VIIs. These late-war beauties are beautifully adorned with artwork and colors. So Lifelike has decided to offer some unique decal options for the modeler.

Lifelike’s website is always updated with things that may have changed since decals have been released. It is nice that they offer updated decals when the markings are found to be different than those included in the original release. Does this mean that Lifelike Decals is wrong? No, not at all. Lifelike is not afraid to make educated guesses based on the latest information. When new information becomes available, they let you know what has changed. This is unlike any other decal supplier in the world. That is just the level of professionalism that Lifelike embodies.

The instructions are printed on two A4 single-sided sheets in full color. You get four views to each aircraft. It is here that you see the unique colors applied to these aircraft.