16

A-10C Thunderbolt II

Interior

M1917 6-Ton Light Tank or FTS

Completed figure

USAF Crew Chief "Cold Weather"

Complete 2

B-17G Flying Fortress "Flak Eater"

4

Mirage III EZ

Finished- Side View

S. M. Unterseeboot U-9

Painbted 2

Yokosuka MXY7 OHKA Model 22

Finished 3

Sukhoi Su-30MKK Flanker G

Front

M2A4 Light Tank

Molding Error

Su-27C Flanker, Part 1

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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.

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.

Detail Parts

F-100C Super Sabre Early Cockpit Set
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$21.50

The Trumpeter F-100C is a nice kit, but the cockpit could definitely use some improvement. The ejection seat is basic at best.

Aires has a multimedia answer for the kit. Fourteen resin pieces are molded in light grey resin with no blemishes or bubbles anywhere. The resin pieces are impressive with the amount of detail included on them. The control stick is particularly nice. An ejection seat is included, which will include PE belts and buckles upon completion.

Speaking of PE, there is a fret of nickel photo etch. The fret includes canopy rails, as well as the belts and buckles. A film of the instrument panel dials and HUD is also included.

The instructions are printed on typical A4-sized light blue paper. The instructions are easy to understand. Since the ejection sheet takes up a large part of the cockpit, it is the focus of much of the resin and photo etch.

Detail Parts

F-16 Pitot Tube & AOA Probes
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.00

Master Model has released a nice detail set for the beautiful F-16. This pitot tube can be used on the 1/32nd scale Tamiya, Hasegawa, or Academy kits. Included in the ziplock bag is a separate bag that holds three pieces: a turned metal pitot tube and two Angle of Attack probes for the sides of the nose cone. Each item is easily attached by drilling a small hole and inserting the metal part.

The reason for using these parts is the susceptibility of the kit’s pitot tube to be broken off during handling. A more reasonable reason to use them is the scale thickness, as well as their strength. There are also no mold lines to clean up so they look much more realistic than plastic pieces.

Master Model continues to produce some of the world’s finest turned metal items. This set is no different.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Master Model and IPMS/USA for the review copy and review opportunity.

Figures

F-4 Phantom II Aircrew
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Aero Line
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.50

Plusmodel’s Aero Line continues to release excellent figures for the 1/48th scale modeler, and this one is no different. Their latest is not one, but two figures, packaged together in a sturdy plastic sleeve mounted on cardstock. The instructions are in two parts – the front shows the two figures in a small size with all the packaging information, while the back shows the same photo, only much larger and more useful for the modeler.

Inside the plastic holder you get two figures molded in light grey plastic. Each figure is molded as a single piece with minimal flash and no imperfections. The flash is easy to remove, as is the mold pour block. These two figures are perfect for either the first-time figure modeler or the experienced one. Each figure is unique in its pose and both are very natural-looking. The faces are sculpted perfectly, as are the flight suits and speed jeans.

Detail Parts

Hamilton Standard 11’7” dia. 3-Blade (6353A-18) Prop and Spinner
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Ultracast
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$16.50

Props and hubs have become a staple from Ultracast. Their latest one is designed for the B-17, B-24, C-47, or DC-3. Molded in light cream resin, my examples were perfectly rendered. These props are the narrower chord design used by these aircraft. If you want the wider chord prop, you’ll need set #48241. You get two hubs that are perfectly formed with the appropriate hub detail. The props are also perfectly formed and there are six blades. The parts have minimal resin blocks to remove, easily accomplished by even the novice.

One thing is, if you are going to use this on the B-17 or B-24, you will need two sets.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Ultracast for the review copy and IPMS/USA for the review space.

Detail Parts

Hamilton Standard 11’7” dia. 3-Blade (6477A-0) Prop and Spinner
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Ultracast
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$16.50

Molded in light cream-colored, blemish free resin, this set contains two prop hubs with exquisite molded-on detail. There are also six propeller blades, which are straight. These are slightly wider in chord and appear to be a paddle blade. These blades are used on the B-17F/G, B-24, C-47, and DC-3. If you are building a B-17 or B-24, you will need two sets. Clean-up is easy. The blades only need a quick swipe with a sanding stick to be ready to use. The hubs only need a quick cut with a knife blade to be ready to use.

Highly recommended

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