Build 1

F-4E/F Phantom II

Front right view

Letov S-16.1 Prague-Tokyo-Prague 1927

right side from front view

Bf-109G-6

Cockpit Details 4

Ki 27 Type 97 Fighter Nate '1st Flight Regiment'

Whirlwind belly

Westland Whirlwind FB Mk.1

Hayabusa sprues

Nakajima Ki43-II & Ki44-II with Fuel Truck (2 kits) Limited Edition

7

G7101 in German Service with Infantry

Left-rear quarter view

Sd.Kfz.181 Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Tiger I Mid Production w/Zimmerit s.Pz.Abt.506 Eastern Front 1944

Tracks

Churchill Mk. VII

34543 Right

Wehrmacht Maultiers

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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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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.

Box Front

P-39Q Airacobra
Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$13.05

The Aircraft

The P-39Q was an improved version of the earlier P-39s. Most of them were sent to the Soviet Union through Lend-Lease, but a few were used by American forces. The major difference between the earlier P-39s and the Q model was that the .30 caliber wing machine guns (2 in each wing) were replaced by a pod with a .50 caliber MG, with 300 rounds per gun, giving greater stopping power. The 37 mm cannon in the nose was retained.

About a year ago I built the Brengun kit of the P-39D/F/K. Nice kit. So, I volunteered to do this review.

Box Top

Yakolev YAK-1B
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.55

History

The Yakovlev Yak-1 series design work began in the late thirties, with the first flight taking place in 1939. Production started in the same year, and by 1941, these planes were beginning to be issued to Soviet Air Force fighter squadrons. The type went through a considerable amount of development, resulting in the Yak-7, Yak-9 and later the Yak-3. At first designated I-16, the Yak-1 was upgraded in several ways, including replacing the faired in canopy with a version allowing the pilot to see directly behind him. Some units modified their aircraft, using what was known as the Shinkarenkov Modification, which was later incorporated into all Yak production aircraft. These modified fighters were known unofficially as Yak-1b. Later, the Yak-1M was produced, differing from earlier models only in new exhaust stacks, reposition navigation lights, and a revised oil cooler intake under the nose.

Box Art

BTR-60 Soviet APC
Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$18.84

Brengun has an extensive line of 1/144th accessories (engine starter carts, boarding ladders, etc.) as well as resin construction kits (US/German staff cars, aircraft, V-1, etc.) in their catalog. Most if not all of these 1/144th scale construction kits come with photo etch details and appropriate decals. One of Brengun's newer offerings is a 1/144 scale resin BTR-60 Soviet Armored Personnel Carrier.

The kit is cast in light gray resin and is accompanied by a fret of photoetch (grab handles, rear view mirror brackets, etc.) and a decal sheet with markings for either a Czechoslovakian, Polish, East German, or Soviet vehicle. The decal sheet also has six complete numeral sets in two sizes.

Box Art

WWII German MG08 MG Team
Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$22.98

ICM has made something of a name for itself in recent years by releasing some of the nicest WW1 figure sets available on the market. Along with infantry figures, they have started releasing machine gun sets with crew, which is certainly an appropriate addendum to their WW1 line.

Their excellent MG08 is actually available with two separate crews – one appropriate to its World War I use and another for its later utilization during World War II. Although tasked with providing information on the WW2 version, I actually had both in my kit collection, so could make some comparisons.

Book Cover

III. Germanic SS Panzer-Korps
Book Author(s)
Lennart Westberg, Petter Kjellander, Geir Brenden
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$79.95

The book is big and looks great from the moment you hold it. The first of two volumes, the book delves into great detail of the development, service, and full history of the III (Germanic) SS Panzerkorps, from its formation to the Autumn of 1944.

This unit was made up of various nationalities of Germanic volunteers. It was an elite unit that fought in many engagements from Croatia to Leningrad and, as will be told in volume two, it was one of the final defending units of Berlin.

I found this book so informative and full of facts and details I was never aware of.

The book is full of amazing photos of the men, machines and battles of this unit through the history of WWII. These would be great as reference for any modeler or historian.

I was amazed at the amount of information and history found in the pages of this extremely enjoyable book. The pictures alone are worth the cost of the book. I will find this book indispensable in my library.