Bottom

Messerschmitt Bf-109F-2

Left front

P-47D Thunderbolt "Razorback"

Right front

Berge-Panther mit aufgesetztem Pz.Kpfw.IV turm als Befehlspanzer

p/e parts 2

DAF YPR-765 PRAT Royal Netherlands Army

Deck Detail Closeup

HMS Roberts

Fuselage detail

A-20G Havoc Test Shot

Viper left-rear

Se.5a Scout Royal Class: Dual Combo

Finished Kit 5

T-2 Buckeye "Anniversary Markings"

Interior

German Heavy Armored Car - Sd.Kfz.234/1 (w/2cm Gun)

Canopy top

A-26B-15 Invader

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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

Bf-109 G-10 (Mark I Kit)
Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$10.03

Brengun has issued another delightful photoetched accessory set for small scale aircraft modelers. This particular set is designed for use with Mark One's offering of the German Bf-109, specifically the Bf-109G-10 model. [ Note : There is a detail set for the K model of the 109, as well.]

Typically these small scale (1/144th) aircraft kits come with two complete models in the box and Mark One is no exception, nor are the offerings from either Armory or Sweet. Brengun provides detail bits for two kits. Those bits include photoetched pieces for the:

  • cockpit tub
  • two part seat
  • rudder footrests / stirrups
  • seat belts (four pieces)
  • instrument panel
  • trim wheel
  • control column
  • throttle controls
  • side console details
  • floor details
  • resin center console (alas, w/o cup holder :))

Additional items are provided for the:

Cover

Wings of Iraq-Volume 1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931-1970
Book Author(s)
Milos Sipos & Tom Cooper
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

This is my first exposure to the Middle East at War series. This paperback book contains the history of the Iraqi Air Force from its inception up to the Arab/Israeli Wars of the 1970s. It contains over 130 photos, maps, 21 color profiles, and various other illustrations.

The book starts out by providing the history of Iraq, even before the genesis of the air force. This historical background is appreciated since the history of the region has an effect on the formation of the military, especially the air force. The start of air power in the region was shown by the British during WWI And immediately afterwards. Training of Iraqi pilots began in 1930 by the British and with that the beginning of the Iraqi Air Force took hold.

Cover

Les Suisses au Service de la France 1715-1820

Book Author(s)
Jean-Marie Mongin
Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
Heimdal
MSRP
$37.26

I didn’t really know this, but the Swiss have a long and distinguished history of serving as mercenaries in other country’s armies, especially France, from as far back as the Late Middle Ages all the way through the Age of Napoleon and beyond. The last vestige of this type of Swiss service remains in the Swiss guards at the Vatican today. In some ways, these mercenaries were the harbingers of today’s professional soldiers – men dedicated to a life of arms rather than the temporary civilian levies standard up until that time.

Cover

Les Italiens de L’Emperur: Les Armées de la Péninsule Italienne 1800-1815
Book Author(s)
Jean-Marie Mongin
Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
Heimdal
MSRP
$40.00

I’ll be the first to admit it – I’m getting hooked on these Heimdal uniform books. Any dedicated figure modeler is well aware of the fact that the period roughly 1790 – 1815 constitutes the highlight of colorful uniforms worn by any belligerents in any war, before or since. The development of coal tar dyes led to the creation of a bewildering range of bright colors, almost immediately employed by all the major military powers of the time, as they regarded the quality of their military attire to be a direct reflection of the power and majesty of their particular countries.

Napoleanic uniforms in particular reflected this obsession, with an almost unbelievable range of military costumes. For figure modelers, the fact that almost all of them were based in large part on standard French military garb means that one can, if one chooses, create a incredible array of accurate toy soldiers with uniforms spanning the rainbow.

Product

Spitfire Mk.Ia Decals
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Eagle Editions Ltd.
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$19.50

Eagle Editions has produced some of the most accurate decals on the market. Normally known for their Luftwaffe subjects, they have quite a collection of other aircraft as well, including the Spitfire. With new 1/48th subjects from Airfix, Eduard, and Tamiya these decals are perfectly timed.

There are decals for three aircraft that represent the evolution of the Temperate Land Scheme and the under-surface colors. One aircraft has the black and white belly, the next has the sky color and the following one has the Sky-Blue belly. The first one is flown by P/O Al Deere with the Kiwi emblem in front of the cockpit. The next is flown by Sgt. Bernard Jennings from No.19 Squadron and is typical of the Battle of Britain period. The final option has an American flavor, with a red spinner, flown by an American, P/O Hugh Reilley, flying with No.66 Sqdn.in the Battle of Britain. He was shot down and killed by Werner Molders.