Cockpit Closeup

Salmson 2-A2 USAS

Right Side

MV-22B Osprey

In Progress

P-61 Black Widow and True Details Wheels

Completed kit 4

A-6E TRAM Intruder, plus Cockpit Detail Set

Forward Belly

USAF B-52H 20th BS "Buccaneers"

Right

Spitfire Mk. XVI Dual Combo

Complete

GeeBee R2 Racer

Left rear

Henschel 33 D1 Kfz.72 WWII German Radio Communications Truck

Kit cockpit tub

T-33A Shooting Star and Cockpit Detail Set

Quarter view

U.S. M-107 Self-Propelled Gun

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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.

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Scooby-Doo Bi Plane
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/20
MSRP
$25.99

This is a brand new tooling of the Bi-Plane flown by Scooby-Doo and Shaggy in the cartoon. It is a snap together kit aimed at the young modeler. With that in mind I had my 7 year old son build it while I looked on.

In the box is;

  • 44 parts packed of the sprues
  • 1 decal sheet (stickers)
  • 1 instruction booklet

All the sprues are extremely well molded and no flash or sprue marks; the instruction booklet is easy to follow and well-illustrated.

Construction

Was very simple and my son had no trouble assembling the kit I about 20 minutes from start to finish. The only little issue he had was attaching the top wing assembly. In fact I did end up gluing this in place for him.

The final stages were the assembly of the three included figures which are Scooby-doo, Shaggy and Velma. These were a little tricky to push the arms on so I assisted.

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British Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Gun Archer
Review Author
Tim Wilding
Published on
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$66.00

History

As WWII progressed, British troops found that their 2-pounder and 6-pounder guns were being rendered obsolete by German armor, and planners decided to develop a vehicle using the powerful 17-pounder (76.2mm) gun. The vehicle chosen to mount the gun on was the Valentine with the turret removed and replaced with a fighting compartment. This new vehicle would be known as the Archer. Interestingly, as there was little time to re-organize the cramped layout, the 17-pounder had to be mounted pointing rearwards to fit it in. As a result, the Archer moved and fired in opposite directions. Designed and manufactured by Vickers’ Armstrong, 655 were produced by May 1945. It served with British and Commonwealth units from October 1944 until the end of WWII, and with the British using it until the early 1950s.

Product Picture

Messerschmitt Me 262B-1/U-1 Night Fighter

Review Author
Jarrod Booth
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$40.00

The Me 262 Schwalbe (Swallow) was the first operational jet fighter. Design and testing of the first German jet engine was well underway even before World War II started. Due to problems encountered with new materials needed, fatigue and German High Command intervention and delays, the aircraft did not see operational flying until April 1944. The Me 262 was highly maneuverable and faster than any other aircraft of the time, but continued to suffer from engine problems. Many aircraft were lost to engine problems or mishandling.

Me 262B-1/U-1 was a two seat trainer converted into a night fighter, with the addition of a FuG 218 Neptune radar. This was an eight-dipole antenna array mounted on the nose of the aircraft.

Product Picture

Photoetched Engraved Plates for AFV's
Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.50

Hauler has been busy of late with a pile of kits and accessory items. Among the accessory items are some 1/72nd scale engraved plates. The plates come in a variety of types that represent those used by the various combatants of WWII as well as some plates representative of those employed by more modern armies, notable the United States. Among the offerings are:

  • German WWII - Early type
  • German WWII - Late type
  • U.S. - Grill type
  • Modern - Lentil type
  • Modern - A type

Each plate measures 35mm x 65mm and you get one plate per package. As you can tell from the photos the various patterns are reproduced, in scale, and will go a long way toward giving your latest project the proper look.

Here's direct links to each plate reviewed:

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US M915 Army Truck with Container Trailer
Review Author
Dan Brown
Published on
Company
Trumpeter
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$147.99

The M915 is the basis for a series of heavy trucks built for the US Army. In the late 1970s the US army identified a need for a line of commercial trucks. AM General was selected in 1977 and the first vehicles were delivered in 1978. This new release from Trumpeter depicts the M915 Line Haul Tractor. This vehicle is limited to operating on hard surface roads and typically tows the M872 semi-trailer. This combination has a payload capacity of around 30 tons and this new release from Trumpeter contains the M915 tractor, M872 trailer and a 40ft container.