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 Carrano
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$29.95

Eduard has once again followed suit and comes right behind manufactures when a new kit is developed and released for sale. This time Eduard has come up with the full interior for the F/A-18E from Trumpeter. This package comes with enhancements for the instrument panel and side consoles in full color which have been copied to the exact specifications that can be allowed. The details of these PE parts just cannot be possibly duplicated by hand and, because of the perfect colors, it makes for the best possible instrument panel that can be replicated. This is also followed through with the side panels, small switches, and tiny dials which are located on the panels. Since all panels are self adhesive, gluing is not necessary unless handled improperly. Even so, if that should happen, a little CA glue should suffice to hold it in place. There are two frets included in this package. One of them is for the instrument and side panels which are in full color.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$7.00

Master Models continues their excellent line of replacement pitot tubes with one designed for the Trumpeter/Hobbycraft F-105. The part is a single milled aluminum piece. The first picture shows how it compares to the Trumpeter kit part – no seam and much finer on the end. Also, it will be a lot harder to break off. I then compared to the Trumpeter kit nose and the old Cutting Edge replacement nose. Fit to the Cutting Edge pieces was superb and to the kit not bad, as I did have to open the hole a little.

For as many times as I have broken kit pitot tubes either prepping them for a build or after the build going to contests, dusting , etc., this is a great bargain at $7.00. It is a drop-in fit and is tough and better detailed. Highly recommended!

My thanks to Iwona and Piotr Czerkasow from Master Models for the review sample and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$5.50

Thanks very much to Iwona and Piotr at Master Model for providing us this review item. IPMS/USA is always excited to have high-quality products show up in our mailbox.

Look at the picture and tell me I can say anything that will add to what you see. This is just an amazing little item; one turned brass F-104 pitot tube. Next to the kit injected item, it looks less chunky, is far stronger than plastic, and adds more than a little to the final product. It makes the kit pitot look like a wooden 2 x 4! I have purchased a bunch of these things, for not only the F-104 but other century series birds as well. They are that good!

I rate this as higher than 10, as I can’t come close to this level of machine work. Thanks once again to Master Model for this item, keep them coming! And thanks to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to say so.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$21.95

Many modelers were excited with the release of the 1/48th scale Demon series from Hobbyboss, as the only kits available prior to this were limited run kits from Grand Phoenix, Collectaire, and a vacuform, too, I believe. For those desiring that extra shimmer to a nice kit, Aires has come to the rescue with five sets to add even more detail. The sets, prices and part numbers are listed below:

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Cyber-Hobby
Scale
1/200
MSRP
$24.95

Dragon has started producing kits in 1/200th scale of larger planes. This is a great idea for those who want a replica of a specific plane but don't have the shelf space for larger kits. This issue is the Avro Vulcan B.2 and comes with three grey plastic sprues and one small clear sprue. Molding is excellent and there are a little over 50 parts and half of it is landing gear and wheels. There is the option to build in-flight or on the ground. Two sets of markings are provided: