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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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Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$18.95

IPMS/USA again thanks Ross and his Team at SAC for supporting the IPMS USA reviewer corps with one more of many timely releases, with extremely useful and well-thought out landing gear additions for the modeling crowd out here in the modeling world. And thanks to John and Phil for sending it to me to be reviewed.

This is one of SAC’s more complex gear… That should be expected, because the B-52 gear is appropriately labeled in the “Steampunkt” realm. Working in the wheel well reminds one of movies on the Thames River in the UK where closeup of bridges and other ironwork would be right at home in the B-52 caves.

Book Author(s)
Tom Cockle
Review Author
Andrew Birkbeck
Published on
Company
Peko Publishing
MSRP
$41.95

If you are a student of WW2 German armored vehicles, or enjoy modeling subjects such as the German Panzer III and Panzer IV, then the name Tom Cockle should be very familiar to you. Mr. Cockle is a prolific author on such subjects, and has written or co-written books for Osprey Publishing, Concord Publications, Squadron Signal Publications as well as European publisher Peko Publishing. Mr. Cockle is also a frequent commentator on such matters on military vehicle model websites such as Missing-lynx.com. The book under discussion today is the 18thvolume in this wonderful series by Peko Publishing. I have 8 of the titles in the series so far, and plan on picking up others as my reference budget allows.

Review Author
Michael Reeves
Published on
Company
Master Box Ltd
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$17.99

I’ve always been a huge fan of Master Box figures-- using them in vignettes and dioramas whenever I can. So when I got the email offering up one in 1/24 scale, I jumped at the chance not knowing anything about this new line. I figured I could use it with a car or truck like some of their previous lines featured. So while I was waiting for the shipment to arrive, I started doing some research.

This particular figure is part of a new series called “At the Edge of the Universe” set in a world called Steamplanet. Being a huge Firefly fan where the sci-fi steampunk meets the old West, this looked right up my alley. The back of the box provides a bit of an idea of the setting. The whole thing has me wanting either a book series or movie based on the story ideas presented in this line of figures - with additional kits featuring space security forces, ruffians, ladies, and robots.

Book Author(s)
Mick Davis, Managing Editor
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
Cross & Cockade International
MSRP
$36.00

Cross & Cockade International is a non-profit UK based group known as the First World War Aviation Historical Society that publishes their journal four times a year. They also provide a free newsletter. Those interested in the newsletter can subscribe by visiting the C&CI website.

The "lead" article, "Miles Jeffrey Game Day 1896-1918?" by Ian Burns, traces the too-short life of Jeffrey Day. Day was a pilot known for his ability to handle aircraft which had rather skittish flight characteristics. Day was also a talented poet, and this article features some text penned by Day. Day was involved in a rather risky project involving a seaplane and a Bristol Scout, the Scout piggybacking on the upper wing of the Porte Baby. The article is supported with some stunning photographs of the aircraft, ships, and other personnel that played a part in Day’s experiences.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.50

Hauler-Brengun is well known as a supplier of high-quality aftermarket detail parts for aircraft, as well as other subjects. Many of these aftermarket items are resin, P.E., or a combination of the two mediums.

Marketed under the “Brengun” label, this review looks at the Brengun BR48107 Mark 24 Mine “Fido” Torpedo. The name is a little confusing. Is it a mine or a torpedo? A little history is appropriate at this point.

Googling Mk.24 Mine “Fido” Torpedo received a number of hits. I chose the Wikipedia site and the explanation for the name, as well as a description of the “Fido” and its operational history. The following paraphrases the introductory paragraph found on the Wiki site.