7

MQ-1C UAV

Lights

Italian Light Civilian Car (Open Top)

Parts 2

T-34 "Tyagach" Model 1944 Soviet Recovery Machine

Top view of munition vehicle

Das Werk Gepanzerter Munitionsschlepper VK3.02

Machine Gunner 2

If.5 Machinengewehrwagen 36

Photo 5

Douglas C-47 Skytrain

Complete

U.S. Scooter Sidecar

Finished top

T-6 Texan

Finished kit, left

BAE Sea Harrier FRS.1

Comparison with kit flooring

Normandy Street

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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.

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.

Product Picture

P-47D Malcolm Hood Stencils and Markings
Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
LPS Hobby
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.99

LPS Hobby is a Brazilian designer of waterslide decals for the plastic scale modeling hobby. Based on an internet search, their subjects include a variety of military aircraft from World War II and many small-scale airliners. 1/144 and 1/72 scales are well represented.

This particular sheet is designed for the Tamiya 1/72 P-47D model, and contains markings for three subjects and a complete set of maintenance stencils. The aircraft options on this decal sheet are “Zombie”, a P-4D-20-RE, s/n 42-76594, flown by Capt. Ronald J. Upp, 361st FS, 356th FG, Martlesham, England, November, 1944; “Turtle”, a P-47D-22-RE, s/n 42-26250 flown by Lt. Charles D. Dooney, 509thFS, 405th FG, St. Dizier, France, Winter, 1944; and P-47D-22-RE, s/n 42-26261, flown by Lt. Walter A Gabrowski, 511th FS, 405th FG, Zima, Italy, 1944/45.

LPS Hobby’s decals are printed by Microscale in perfect register. They will make for an interesting, not often seen aircraft subject on contest tables.

Product Picture

Hawk T.Mk I / Hawk 100 White Metal Landing Gear
Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$15.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions has produced replacement gear for the Airfix 1/48 scale BAE Hawk T.Mk.1/Hawk 100 kits. The white metal replacements are an exact-cast drop-in replacement for the kit plastic parts. I have reviewed several of these replacement gear packages, and purchased many more on my own. I have always found them to be at least equal, and usually superior to the kit parts in detailing, with the added benefit of superior strength.

The supplied items in this issue include the two main gear strut and actuator assemblies, and the nose gear strut and axle assembly. Some other SAC packages include replacement main gear wheels, as well, but not the case here. You will need to use the kit wheels or other replacements for your build.

Front Cover

The Japanese Destroyer Fubuki 16061. Super Drawings in 3D
Book Author(s)
Carlo Cestra
Review Author
Luke R. Bucci, PhD
Published on
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$34.95

Thanks to Casemate Books and IPMS USA for the review copy!

Kagero Publishing has produced a large number of WW2 single-warship books from their Super Drawings in 3D series. These are reference works of the highest quality, detail, and interest for modelers. Each book has roughly 82-92 pages (92 for Fubuki), beginning with a short biography of the ship followed by a wealth of CG (computer-generated), three-dimensional, full-color drawings of appearance and fittings from a myriad of perspectives. For the Fubuki, a large, separate foldout of 1:200 scale B&W line drawings of side/top views in her 1941 fit, and details of fittings and close-ups in various scales on the obverse side are also included.

Front Cover

British Destroyer vs German Destroyer Narvik 1940. Duel 88
Book Author(s)
David Greentree & David Campbell
Review Author
Luke R. Bucci, PhD
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$24.00

Thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copy and IPMSUSA for the opportunity to review!

This book is a revisit to the naval battles at Narvik, Norway, relatively early in WW2, after the “Phony War” during the winter of 1939-1940. Unlike other Osprey books, this issue is 80 pages (not counting the front/back covers) and packed with expert interpretation and technical facts. The two Battles of Narvik had greater strategic importance than first glance would suggest, but also was the largest scale of destroyer vs. destroyer action in the European theatre.

This book has eleven sections:

Front Cover

X Planes Dornier Do 335
Book Author(s)
Robert Forsyth
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$20.00

Ask any WWII aficionado what was one of the most interesting designs and you will undoubtedly get many that would answer the Do-335. This large push/pull configured fighter has long fueled the imagination.

Dornier had originally ceded further development of its unique design to Junkers due to their many production commitments, but Dornier reclaimed the work as the Junkers facility moved too slowly with the D0-335’s development.