One of the bug-a-boos of a lot of aircraft models for me is all that glass that needs to be masked in order to paint. I’ve read several tutorials and tried lots of methods, but it’s all tedious and with my skill level brings about at best mediocre results. Then along comes pre-cut masks and my life is changed.
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.
Veteran Models in Taiwan has been producing finely detailed multi-media aftermarket replacement parts for ship modelers for quite some time. Nicely crafted, their parts are a significant upgrade to model warships. They started in 1/350 Modern USN systems and have since branched into other Navies. Now they are offering modern Soviet/Russian systems.
If you have noticed Soviet and later Russian ships are busy, some would say crowded, with sensors and weapon systems. While functional, none of these are elegant in design, and the number of each provides redundancy to ensure survivability and reliability. Each one is hodge-podge of small detail not easily duplicated in the ejection molding process, no matter how sophisticated the molds. So Veteran Models move into this area is welcome by at least this modeler.
Two Bobs Aviation Graphics is one of leaders in aviation decals with an impressive variety in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 scale. This latest release covers a highly desired subject of Alaskan aggressor aircraft. This Alaskan part II increases the variety of markings including the current colors which two are single color with one all black and the other all gray which was used for ferry flights to Eielson.
The sheets are printed perfectly with the small markings are very fine and easy to read. All the markings are included from unit markings down to the stencils and walkways. There are three full (front and back) color instructions sheets that clearly show placement of markings for the six subjects. The instructions indicate the correct FS paint colors for each aircraft and easy to distinguish where each color is applied.
This photo album is packed with 120 photos and is part of MMP books Camera On series of photo books. Author Alan Ranger uses photos taken by regular German soldiers of vehicles both before and during the WW2. Ranger attempts to show a more personal view of the vehicles through the eyes of the soldiers that lived and worked with the Einheits Diesels. The photos are all in black and white and many have only recently become available. The photographs are in most cases clear, but many are low contrast, typical of personal photos of the time.
This is a photoetch set for Tamiya Centurion Mk III 1.35 Model kit.
The set contains the following sets;
- 2 x photoetch sheet
- 1 film
- 1 instruction sheet
This photoetch set replaces a lot of the simple molded on details and improve the kit immensely.
The parts are very easy to attach and form with only a few issues and points to be aware of being encountered during the complete build. The first one was you need to use Kit part A13 to form the photo etch replacement Item 28. I would also suggest that when attaching the item 109 handles that you pre-drill holes for them sit in. I added a pick axe head as one is not included to replace the one you remove during the build. Remember to fill the holes not required, most are indicated in the instructions but a few are missed. I also added a Sledge hammer to replace the one you remove during the build.