On stand

Airwolf

KI-61 painted model

Kawasaki Ki61-1 & Ki100-1 & Metal Figure Limited Edition

Lower Nacelle- Plastic

De Havilland Mosquito B Mk.IX/Mk.XVI

Finished

DKM H Class Battleship

Top close-up

Sd.Kfz.179 Bergepanther Recovery Vehicle

Interior 5

sWS w/2cm Flakvierling 38 Halftrack

Completed

Masterpiece Models Mark 49 Hellcat

In Progress

P-61 Black Widow and True Details Wheels

Anchor Chain 1

IJMNS Yamato, Part 1

Figure Parts 1

Bundeswehr Tank Crew

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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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Package

P-51D Details, Flaps, and Photo Etch
Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$8.99

Brengun has released a detail set for the P-51D Mustang in 1/144th scale. Kit manufacturers recommend are Platz, Eduard, and Bego (all from the same mold).

In the Box

This detail set will provide enough material for two complete Mustangs and consist of parts for the cockpit, wheel wells, and wing flaps. To bond these parts during installation will require CA (Super Glue).

The resin parts will replace the flaps, cockpit yoke, and gunsight. The photo-etched parts will add detail to the cockpit floor, side panels, instrument panel, seat belts, and underwing interior of the wheel wells.

For flap installation, some surgery will be needed to remove the kit’s flaps so cutting tools like a razor saw or similar will be needed.

Package

Marston Mat, WWII US Landing Mat
Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$17.99

ICM has released a new 1/72nd scale WWII US Marston Mat (aka PSP, Perforated Steel Plate). The molded plastic has great recessed detail and all you need to do is apply the paint.

In the Box

The base is made from injected light gray styrene, and the molded detail quality is very fine for 1/72nd scale. Size is 2.5 X 5 inches (63.5 X 127 mm). Four plates of the mat are included. If glued side-by-side, a mat of 10 X 5 inches can be obtained.

The parts are wrapped in a single plastic bag and encased in a very sturdy cardboard box. A slipcover fits over the box and has a painted close-up of what the mat should look like. The instructions are for a 1/35th scale Marston Mat set but you get the general idea but at smaller scale. The painting instructions list only one color for the mat, Gun Metal (ICM 1027), and a clear coat if so desired.

front cover

DFS 230 Combat Glider
Book Author(s)
Neil page
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Tempest Books
MSRP
$25.99

Morton's Media Group was established in the 19th century and has been producing book-length publications since the early 2000s. The company established a dedicated book division in 2019, and Morton's Books has already earned a reputation for publishing high-quality titles by authors who are true experts in their field. For the best reads on rail, aviation, nostalgia and history, look no further. This book is part of their imprint: Tempest Books address all aspects of aviation history and are covered in authoritative detail. The aviators and aircraft of the Second World War are profiled by our titles alongside more modern fighters, bombers, reconnaissance, and transport aircraft. 'Secret projects' and experimental designs are also an important part of the Tempest Books portfolio. This English-language book, DFS 230 Combat Glider, is authored by Neil Page and was published in May 2025.

Cover image

USMC F-4J Phantom II "VMFA-333 Fighting Shamrocks", Part 2
Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$74.00

Review Process

This is a box stock build with no aftermarket products used during the assembly process. From Part 1, we move on to painting and final assembly.

Surface primer was applied using Mr. Surfacer 1500 White, which was heavily thinned with Mr. Surfacer Leveling Thinner. A 4:1 mixing ratio allowed for a lighter coat of primer while not filling in some of the shallow recessed details. After a day of drying, the underside was airbrushed with Tamiya XF-2 White with a little gray added to make it an off-white color. The upper surfaces were then painted Tamiya XF-80 Royal Light Gray, which, in my opinion, looks like Light Gull Gray (FS16440). The aft exhaust area was then masked and airbrushed with Alclad Steel. To add the vertical striations, I cut Tamiya tape into thin strips, masked, and airbrushed Alclad Aluminum. This is much easier to do if the exhaust is not installed per the instructions (See Part 1 for more clarification).

ICM Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

UH-60A Black Hawk, Defence intelligence of Ukraine
Review Author
Tom Pope
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$80.00

Introduction

In February 2023, photos and videos emerged showing a helicopter belonging to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence’s Intelligence Directorate, which featured an unusual blue-black livery and Ukrainian identification markings. It was later determined the aircraft was a ‘crowd-funded’ purchase from a private aviation company of a 43-year-old UH-60A Black Hawk. Since then, Ukraine seems to have acquired a second UH-60A (circa, early 2024) and given it a more military looking, olive-green color scheme. The two Black Hawks are used extensively in Ukrainian military service.