Welcome to IPMS/USA Reviews

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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Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$22.00

A standard S-64 helicopter crew consists of two or three members. The pilot-in-command (seated on the left) flies the helicopter and operates the water discharge system in fire-fighting operations. The copilot, seated on the right, assists the command pilot and can relieve the pilot if necessary. When required for lifting operations, a third crew member equipped with a complete set of flight controls occupies the rear station. The operator maintains direct visual contact of lifting operations through a rear-facing canopy.

This ICM kit includes three figures, pilot, copilot, and engineer or crane operator. Molded in light gray plastic, the parts have good detail, but it is a little soft. Each of the figures have different expressions on their faces. The figures are molded with separate legs, torso, arms, and head. There are mold seams and sprue nubs that will need to be cleaned up.

Book Author(s)
Tony Butler
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Crecy Publishing, Ltd.
MSRP
$45.00

Established in 1997, Crécy Publishing is one of Europe’s leading publishers of transport and military history titles. We have a strong emphasis on aviation titles and, since the acquisition of the Ian Allan Publishing list, we are also the world’s leading railway book publisher. Starting with the publication of a single book, our company has grown through a mixture of organic growth and the acquisition of quality publishing lists. Today, Crécy Publishing imprints include ABC guides, Classic, Goodall, Hikoki Publications, OPC (Oxford Publishing Company) Pilot’s Notes. Imprints we have absorbed into our list include Air Data, Flight Recorder, Ian Allan, Noodle Books and Nostalgia Road. Crécy Publishing Ltd. Books are distributed in North America by Casemate Publications. Check out their Facebook page for additional information.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Squadron Products
MSRP
$3.89

Originally founded in 1968, Squadron/Squadron Signal/MMD is back in business again after bankruptcy and are now based out of Ringgold, Georgia. Their web page was re-activated in January 2022 for plastic kits. A retail store was opened in 2025 at their Ringgold address and is open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday. They have invited The Chattanooga Scale Modelers Club to meet at their warehouse, which occurs on the third Monday of the month. If you can’t make it, be sure to check out their YouTube channel where Brandon and guests are live every Wednesday night. Brandon Lowe and his father, Russ Lowe, re-acquired the Squadron Tools Product Line and are now marketing them once again.

Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
Company
Dash Two Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$19.99

Dash Two Decals is a new company to me, but looking at their website, they are a one-person company based in the US that specializes in modern/recent US Navy subjects. The 1/48 scale sheet I was sent is for E/A-18G Growler line jets and features eight low-visibility Growler schemes on a full 8.5×11-inch sheet.

The included markings are:

  • VAQ-141 Shadowhawks - 507
  • VAQ-130 Zappers - 501, with mission markings, and 504 “Ladybird”
  • VAQ-144 Main Battery - 503 “The Intimidator,” with mission markings
  • VAQ-133 Wizards - 506 and 505 “Shadow Wizard”
  • VAQ-142 Grey Wolves - 500 CAG jet
  • VAQ-137 Rooks - 501

504 Ladybird commemorates Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay “Miley” Evans and Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman, two decorated Naval Aviators lost in a tragic fatal training accident in October 2024. RIP Ladybirds.

Review Author
Chris Surber
Published on
Company
MPC
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$37.99

Fans of the movie Home Alone have been waiting years for a model of the van used by the two hapless robbers, the Wet Bandits. Portrayed by Joe Pesci (Harry) and Daniel Stern (Marv), the robbers use the repair van as cover for their cat burglarizing at 8-year-old Kevin’s (Macaulay Culkin) home after he inadvertently gets left behind as his family leaves for overseas. Released in 1990 (has it really been that long ago?) the movie is a timeless classic and has become an icon of modern popular culture.

MPC have made additions to their Dodge Ram Van and decked it out with all the paraphernalia seen in the movie. The kit was originally released in 1978 as the Magic Van, several releases of the Bad Company Van from 1982 and 2015, and most recently in 2021 as the Turtle Wax Van.