Misc image 11

48N6E of 5P85S TEL S-300PMU SA-10 Grumble

Box Art

AH-1G Cobra "US Marines/Navy"

Wheel Wells Forward 2

Hawker Typhoon Mk.IB, Part 2

Cockpit Interior 3

BF-110F Heavy Fighter

Finished

Su-27UB Flanker-C

Cockpit detail

Fiat CR 42 Falco

Back Suspension and Exhaust

Norton Commando PR 750cc Motorcycle

Finished

Prehistoric Scenes Saber Tooth Tiger

2

AH-1G Cobra (Early Production)

Left Side

F-4J Phantom - Base Kit Construction, Part 1

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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

Decal Solution Mark Fit and Mark Fit Strong

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Tamiya
MSRP
$3.90

In recent years Tamiya has expanded their model line to include finishing supplies like panel line accents, diorama materials, decal setting solutions, etc.

This particular review will cover the following decal setting solutions :

Like all decal solutions, and most modeling supplies, make sure you use them in a well ventilated area. While the Mark Fit solution is not that smelly, the Mark Fit Strong has a strong vinegar smell and both have a warning about fumes being dangerous.

Based on the instructions for both solutions they instruct you to apply the decal as always, and once you blotted the water off, to put some of the setting solution on top of the decal (you are even provided with a small brush in the cap), and to not touch the decal until fully dry.

Product picture

MiG-31 Pitot Tube
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.50

A feature that you can quickly notice on modern Russian aircraft is the complicated nose pitot tube. Although AMK made a valiant effort in molding the MiG-31 pitot tube with its four separate vanes, the limits of the injection molding process come into play.

Notable is the superb re-sealable packaging that Master Model uses that makes the parts easy to review and then stuff back into the package securely until final assembly. The resin vane section is secured in a high density foam block that is backed with some sort of adhesive tape to minimize the resin vanes from being moved around, or crushed for that matter. You will want to be careful handling the metal and resin parts as their small size makes them an easy sacrifice to the carpet monster. The resin part is especially easy to break one or more of the vanes in handling (as I had happen on a previous Master pitot set), so be sure to handle with care.

Package

F-14A Grilles - Tamiya
Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.95

Eduard has once again raised the bar for the detail industry with the addition of their steel photoetched parts. This particular set is to add or replace grills on the Tamiya F-14A kit, but the items should work on other 1/48 scale Tomcats as well. I would highly recommend this set to folks wanting to add additional grill detail to their Tomcat.

Package

F4F-4 Wildcat Exhaust
Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$5.50

Another quick upgrade for the Airfix Wildcat are these two exhausts. They are direct replacements for the kit parts and have very thin walls. While you can paint the insides black I think for the best effect you would still want to drill out the exhaust hole from the engine. Just be careful on how you hold them, the resin is that thin.

No instructions are provided as they are a direct replacement for the kit part.

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review kit.

Package

F4F-4 Wildcat Engine
Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$9.00

The engine on the Airfix 72nd Wildcat is very detailed with push rods and wiring visible on the front. Quickboost offers a replacement engine which does give better details on the front cover but you will have to add the push rods and wiring if you want to go that direction. One thing I noticed is the cylinders have a bit of resin connecting them to the rear. While these are not visible through the closed cowling they would be if you want to display an engine change or just have the cowling removed. They look a little awkward to remove but anyone with experience working with resin replacement parts should have no trouble. One nice addition is the rear of the engine is included with this set. That will add additional detail when looking in the landing gear well area.

I did a quick check and the engine fits inside the cowling with no modifications needed. >

Simple instructions are provided to help position the parts.