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.

Book Author(s)
Andre Zbiegniewski
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$17.58

Kagero continues to expand its line of Monographs, this installment being devoted to the F4U Corsair. It is the second volume covering the Corsair and this book in particular covers from the “-1D” to the “-7” marks. Earlier versions of the Corsair are covered in volume I.

The book is profusely illustrated with black and white pictures of all the above marks, mostly in US Navy service. There are a handful of pictures in French and Honduran service and references to its service in New Zealand, Salvadoran and Argentinean and Royal Navy Service.

Review Author
Marc K. Blackburn
Published on
Company
Atlantis Model Company
Scale
1/104 (box scale)
MSRP
$24.99

Atlantis has made a name for itself reboxing vintage kits. The Neptune is typical of these older molds. There is flash due to the age and mold features that were standards of this era. According to Scalemates.com, the model was originally manufactured in 1955. Atlantis has cleaned up the mold and, given its age, it is pretty good. The kit is molded in dark blue plastic and there are 57 parts, including one frame of clear parts. Thankfully, there are fresh decals along with vintage instructions.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Squadron
Scale
N/A
MSRP
$8.99

Originally founded in 1968, Squadron / Squadron Signal 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.

In this case, Brandon Lowe has brought back the Squadron Scribing Tool, available again in a retail crimped clear package.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
RPToolz
Scale
NA
MSRP
$28.90

UMM-USA is dedicated to fine scale modeling, encompassing model kits, accessories, and specialized tools. Owned by John Vojtech, a fine scale modeling veteran. UMM-USA is an on-line Store, importing and exporting kits, modeling tools and supplies, and seeks and offers solutions on technical issues. In addition, his services currently include design and production of master parts, casting of original masters, photo-etched masks, decals, and building made-to-order models for customers. You can see a sampling of John Vojtech's finished projects in the Our Gallery section of the Web site.

Review Author
Bill Kluge
Published on
Company
Be Izzi
Scale
NA
MSRP
$27.99

Be Izzi is a relatively new company from the Czech Republic specializing in hobby tools. This item, the Ultimate Razor Saw, is comprised of a standard handle with a straight attachment fixture and their Ultra Smooth, 0.1mm thick razor saw blade.

This tool is actually a system, with interchangeable straight, curved or Y-shaped attachment fixtures and blades of different cutting variations - basic rough-cut blades to “Ultra Smooth” very fine toothed blades. The blades can be mounted in a number of different positions and/or angles to facilitate a variety of cutting positions or angles. The tool includes it’s own small Allen wrench tucked away at the bottom of the handle (easy to miss if you don’t know its there) to loosen and tighten the small set screws that allow for changing or adjusting the blade or attachment arm. According to the Be Izzi web site, the tool is made to be able to use a variety of cutting blades, not just those manufactured by the company.