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
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.00

The package says this mask set is designed for the Trumpeter Seahawk Mk. 100/101. However, it also can be used for masking the canopy in the Trumpeter Seahawk FGA.Mk.6 kit (if you are unable to find Mask set EX220), since these kits share the same clear parts. With a little adjustment here and there, set EX 374 may also be usable for masking the canopies in Classic Airframes1/48 scale Seahawk kits.

Like other Eduard mask sets, this one is made of Kabuki tape (similar to Tamiya’s masking tape) and contains precut masks for the kit’s windscreen, canopy, gunsight, and wheels. The masks will adhere well to any flat or curved surface, so masking is easily accomplished, and the masks can be removed after paining is completed. A simple instruction sheet is included to guide the masking process.

Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
Company
MiniArt
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$34.00

MiniArt is a Ukraine company that was established in 2001 and released their first kit in 2003. They have released many of these diorama series kits over the years.

Upon opening the box, you will find several vacuum formed sheets that make up the base and the structures, with a couple sprues of injection molded parts and sheet of posters. This has been the norm for MiniArt in their “Diorama Series” kits.

This was the first vacuum formed kit that I have ever worked on, so there was a learning curve for me. If you have never worked with a vacuum formed kit, this is a great starter kit for you to practice on. MiniArt also provides step by step instructions on how to assemble their kits at https://miniart-models.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/36050_instr.pdf

Review Author
Rick Bellanger
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$35.00

The set consists of three photo etch sheets. Two of these are unpainted brass color the other is pre- colored for you. You get parts to replace and also detail the upper turret and the rear gun position. Also included are parts to replace the front and rear entry hatches and ladders. Additionally, there are new shelves for the waist gunners’ ammo boxes and new ammo boxes to sit on them. The final parts are new gun barrels for the many machine guns (13 in all).

The instructions are quite adequate in explaining the bending and placement of the details. They also tell you what you have to remove on the existing parts so they will fit.

Review Author
Rick Bellanger
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$35.00

The set consists of two photo etch sheets, both unpainted brass. You get parts to add details to the main gear areas of the engine nacelles. These consist of new ribs and frames. Also included are details to enhance the already very detailed engines. There are parts to detail the inside of the engine cowling access doors and engine cooling doors. You also get framing detail for these access hatches.

The instructions are quite adequate in explaining bending and placing the details. They also tell you what you have to remove on the existing parts so they will fit.

The down side of these beautiful detail sets is that once the plane is completed, it is hard to see all the work you have done. But I know they are there and if you look real real close you can see them.

HIGHLY recommended. One should have experience working with photo etch and using ACC glues or epoxy.

Review Author
Rick Bellanger
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$25.00

The set consists of one photo etch sheet in an unpainted brass color. You get parts to build complete new seats for the pilot and copilot. I thought the kit seats were nice, but these are really nice. Once completed and painted, they simply dropped in.

The instructions are quite adequate in explain the bending and placement of the photo etch parts. The seats really call out for the additional Eduard Seatbelt Set, 32746…which I would highly suggest getting.

The down side of these beautiful seats is that once the plane is completed, it is hard to see all the work you have done. If you do add the additional seat belts from Eduard, their placement and attachment are a little fuzzy and you will have to figure it out.

HIGHLY recommended. One should have experience working with photo etch and using ACC glues or epoxy.