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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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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
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$25.99

ICM continues its dedication to the American Civil War with two additional sets, this review covering one of them. With these new sets, you can now model an actual direct clash between opposing forces, this kit being paired with #35023 American Civil War Union Infantry Set #2. As you can guess, these two sets would make for a very dramatic diorama.

Book Author(s)
Josef Mols
Review Author
Orlando Reyes
Published on
Company
Key Publishing Ltd
MSRP
$4.95

The book takes you from the humble beginning of The Ethiopian Airline to the present. The book is divided into 11 chapters with three appendices, as well as an introduction. The introduction provides the reader with a small history of the country from around 8 BC to the present. The first chapter deals with the early beginnings of the airline, and mainly focuses on the individuals that were instrumental for the creation of the Ethiopian Airlines. The airline starts in 1929 with France delivering several Potez 25 to the country. Not to be outdone the Germany brought 2 aircrafts at the same time. Yet, it was the Germans that were the first ones to organize mail delivery, as well as money and people throughout the country.

Book Author(s)
Andy Evans
Review Author
Chris Martin
Published on
Company
Phoenix Scale Publications
MSRP
$8.96

Background

Phoenix Publications is a partnership of four people whose combined experience equals over 100 years working in both the aviation and modelling press. After so many years working for others, we have come together as equal partners in this new venture, with each partner bringing their own unique talents.

This Modellers Airguide is the third issue in a current set of four. Airguide #1 covers the McDonnel F3H Demon, Airguide #2 is on the Dassault Rafale, while Airguide #4 covers the Dassault Super Etendard.

What You Get

This is a soft bound edition in European A4 size (8¼ by 11 5/8 or 210 x 296 mm) with a gloss front and rear cover. At only 38 pages this is far from an exhaustive treatise on the S-3. But it does have some interesting information. The book contains 9 chapters; Briefing, Modellers Walkaround, In Detail – Airframe, Viking Gallery, Colour Side Profiles, Model Guide #1, Model Guide #2, Model Guide #3, and Model Guide #4.

Review Author
Jarrod Booth
Published on
Company
UMM-USA
MSRP
$16.95

I was lucky enough to pick this tool up from Phil at the IPMS National Convention in Omaha during the Reviewer Corp get together.

The text below was taken directly from the UMM web page and explains the Micro Mitre Box details better than I could:

MICRO MITRE BOX - MN048 XL (45° 90° 60°) cutting slots.

High Quality - MMB box with adjustable stop 110MM x 20MM x 14MM

  • This aluminum micro mitre box is just 110mm long making it ideal for miniature work.
  • Each unit has one 45 ° degree, one 90 °degree and 60 °degree angle cutting slots.
  • For use with original JLC/CMK/HAULER razor saws (JLC001, JLC002 and JLC004 - thickness saw 0.12mm).
  • It is used to cut square ends, perfect splices and mitered corners.
  • The miter box has an adjustable stop.

We highly recommend this tool to all modelers who owns mini saw blades.

Review Author
Kurt Hollenbach
Published on
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$24.79

What is in the Box

  • 2 gray injection molded plastic sprues
  • 1 clear sprue
  • 1 photo etched brass fret
  • 1 set of pre-cut masks
  • 1 decal sheet with 6 markings options
  • 1 instruction book

Construction

Construction of this kit starts with the cockpit. The cockpit features a separate cockpit floor, rudder pedals, throttle, and two control sticks. The control sticks are inserted through the bottom of the cockpit floor. The seat is attached to a seat mount, which is then glued to the cockpit floor. Decals are provided for the instrument panel and for the photo etched brass seatbelts.