Finished model

Mittlerer Einheits PersonenKraftwagen (m.E.Pkw) K fz 12 (Early Version)

Exhaust and speed brakes

F-102A with Case X Wings

Finished- Nose On

A-26C Invader

Interior

MAD MAX 2 The Road Warrior Interceptor

Aircraft Finished 1

Iomax Archangel with Archangel Weapons Set

Weapons & Tank

USMC F-4B/N VMFA-531 "Gray Ghosts"

Interior 4

sWS 60cm Infrared Searchlight Carrier "Uhu"

Interior 2

Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka K1 KAI Model 43 "Two Seats"

Misc Image 8

EA-6B Prowler

Completed model

E-2C Hawkeye 2000, USS Ronald Reagan

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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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Box Art

AH-6M/MH-6M Little Bird Night Stalkers
Review Author
David Horn
Published on
Company
Kitty Hawk
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$104.00

Aircraft and History

The AH/MH-6M is the latest variant of the Army’s light observation helicopter with the original design dating back to 1963 as the Hughes OH-6A Cayuse (nicknamed “Loach”). The term “Little Bird” was given to the enhanced version of the OH-6 with the AH-6 versions armed and MH-6 versions for carrying three commandos per side developed in 1980 and used by the newly formed 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. This highly versatile airframe was used effectively in many conflicts with the most notable being “Operation Gothic Serpent” (better known as “Black Hawk Down” and “Battle of Mogadishu”).

Book Cover

The Japanese Destroyer Shimakaze
Book Author(s)
Mariusz Motyka
Review Author
Andrew Birkbeck
Published on
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$24.95

Kagero Publishing of Poland has two lines of books that include titles with a nautical bent and aimed at scale modelers: Super Drawings in 3D and Top Drawings. The former covers a ship in great detail via the use of color 3D renderings, while the latter covers a ship in great detail via black and white line drawings. The books are sized differently, with the 3D books numbering 80 to 90 A4 sized pages, while the Top Drawings books number 20 to 30 A4 sized pages. Prices reflect the size and content differences, with the 3D books priced $28.95 to $36.95, and the smaller Top Drawings books priced $19.95 to $24.95.

Parts

F-14 (A/B) "Tomcat" Resin Wheels
Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
Reskit
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.00

Reskit is a Ukranian manufacturer of resin accessories for 1/32nd, 1/35th, 1/48th, and 1/72nd scale modern aircraft. Products include wheels, weapons, electronics pods and exhausts for various modern aircraft from the United States, France, Great Britain, Japan, and Russia.

The web site is Ukrainian language but includes English translation. Select the scale and several product pages are shown.

Contents Description

This set includes five, individual castings: two main wheels with separate rear hubs and two nose gear wheels. The resin is a very dark, glossy grey color, and the detail is quite nice. All the tires have raised lettering on both sides. Each wheel must be removed from a small casting plug and the burr sanded smooth, while the main wheel rear hubs require a saw cutting on the hub rear side.

Book Cover

The Weathering Special - Trains
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
AMMO by Mig Jimenez
MSRP
$10.65

The “press release” on the Mig website states, “In this special issue of The Weathering Magazine, we present a collection of the best articles about weathering techniques for model trains available. Through each inspiring page of 14 excellent chapters, you will learn how to use weathering products with the guidance of some of the world’s best railway modelers. Create all kinds of wear and dirt effects on locomotives of all eras, as well as on freight cars, coaches, tank cars, and more.

Upon turning through the pages of this book, you will quickly realize how entertaining and easy transforming your stock train models into hyper-realistic wonders is. You can bring any rail subject to life by applying any type of weathering effect you choose including rust, chipping, streaking, dust, accumulated dirt, soot, fuel stains, and much more, you'll even learn how paint the most intricate graffiti!”

Box Top

Vickers Vildebeest Mk. III
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Special Hobby
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$29.25

HISTORY

The Vickers Vildebeeste design originated as a result of Air Ministry Specification 24/25 for a land based torpedo bomber to replace the Hawker Horsley, with the first prototype flying in April, 1928. The plane was of all metal construction with mainly fabric cover. Power was provided by a Bristol Jupiter VIII radial engine. Development continued, with the first production models flying in 1932. The design was upgraded over the years, with 9 Mk. I’s (Bristol Pegasus), 30 Mk. II’s (Bristol Pegasus IIM3), 150 Mk. III’s (A Mk. II with provision for a third crew member) and 18 Mk. IV’s, (825 hp. Bristol Perseus radial enclosed in a NACA cowling). In 1931, Vickers developed a modified Vildebeeste as a general purpose type to replace the Westland Wapiti, and this aircraft, which was essentially similar to the Vildebeeste Mk. II, emerged as the Vincent, with additional fuel replacing the torpedo equipment.