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.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Amigo Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.75

Amigo Models, and their separate product line of Advanced Modeling are producing some of the finest Russian accessories available.

The latest for this reviewer is the Twin Stores Carrier with BD3-USK for the Su-34 and Su-35 series of aircraft. The rack itself is designed to be used with either rocket launchers or bombs. This makes for a versatile underwing stores carrier.

The set comes in a resealable package with cardstock backing. The instructions are glued to that card stock. They are printed in black and white. Languages are in English and Russian, but the pictures are easy to understand and shows what needs to be done very clearly.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Amigo Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$7.90

A new company to me is Advanced Modeling/Amigo Models out of Russia. The first piece I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing is the UB-32A-73 Rocket Launcher. This rocket launcher is used on a variety of aircraft, including helicopters. I’m used to seeing these launchers on the Mi-24 Hind and Mi-8TB Hip, but it also is used on MiG-21, 23, 27 and the Su-7, 17/22 and 24.

A resealable acetate package with cardboard backing contains 16 pieces of light grey resin. Each piece is separately packaged in its own resealable clear acetate. It is perfectly cast with no flaws noted. The instructions are mounted to the cardboard backing that explains the assembly sequence and decal placement. Each rocket pod has eight pieces, some of them very small, but they are all perfectly cast. Also included is a decal sheet with red lettering with markings in various sizes.

Book Author(s)
Michael John Claringbould
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$20.00

This book details combat between the P-39/P-400 Airacobra and A6M2/3 Zero in New Guinea in 1942. This book follows the usual pattern/layout for this series with a history and specifications of aircraft, the training and operations of the servicemen of both nations, and then combat operations.

The book is broken down into 11 sections. The introduction discusses in brief the lead up to both designs and provides a chronology from inception until the end of the war.

Next the design and development of both types are covered. The P-39/P-400 is covered first then the A6m2/3 Zero.

Chapter Three has the technical specifications of each model. B-29 coverage begins with the P-39D and continues with the P-39F, P-39K and P-400.The same treatment is given to the A6M, covering the A6M1, A6m@ Model 11, A6M2 model 21 and ending with the A6M3 model 32.

Book Author(s)
Chris McNab
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$20.00

Chris McNab is an author and editor specializing in military history and military technology. To date he has published more than 40 books, including The Illustrated History of the Vietnam War (2000), Twentieth-Century Small Arms (2001), Twentieth-Century Small Arms (2001), The Encyclopedia of Combat Techniques (2002), The Personal Security Handbook (2003), Reformation, Exploration and Empire (2005), Mythical Monsters : The Scariest Creatures from Legends, Books, and Movies (2006), Tools of Violence (2008), Deadly Force (2009), A History of the World in 100 Weapons (2011), The Roman Army (2012), SAS and Special Forces Mental Toughness Training, and Abandoned Wrecks (2017). Chris has also written extensively for major encyclopedia series, magazines and newspapers. He is an experienced specialist in survival techniques and provides instruction on wilderness hunting techniques. He currently lives in Neath, Wales, UK.