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
Ben Guenther
Published on
June 13, 2011
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.95

Quickboost has provided the modeler with replacement parts for the Academy P-38J kit. Cast in their standard gray resin the parts had no flash and are easily removed with a razor saw. The Quickboost parts are direct replacements for the Academy parts C10 and D4. The difference between the parts lies with the air scoops on top; on the Academy parts the scoops were molded solid, while the Quickboost scoops are cast hollowed out.

For modeler who is uncomfortable with drilling out these scoops the Quickboost.net parts are perfect and in that regard I can recommend their use. I want to thank IPMS/USA and Quickboost for the opportunity to do this review.

Book Author(s)
Malcolm Laird & Steve Mackenzie
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
June 12, 2011
Company
Ventura Publications
MSRP
$22.00

This book is a revised and expanded edition of an original book on ANZAC Spitfire pilots that is now out of print. This book gives accounts of the service of ten pilots, seven from New Zealand and three from Australia who served in the China-Burma-India theatre, Europe and the Middle East while flying Hurricanes and Spitfires.

The stories within are based on actual accounts of these pilots sourced through memoirs and/or personal interviews. The pilot’s opinions are frank and uncensored and make for a fascinating read. There is a good teaser from the authors about Squadron Leader Jeff West’s further knowledge of the loss of Douglas Bader. Sadly he passed away before the follow-up interview could be conducted.

Review Author
Scott T. Adams Sr.
Published on
June 12, 2011
Company
Bronco Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$44.95

This was one of my first Bronco Models kit and not a big armor fan I admit that and so I did not quite know what to expect. The box arrived and it was a pleasant surprise. The box was pretty sturdy and its contents were well packed. The contents consisted of nine individual wrapped grey sprues, one small reseal able bag containing one sheet of photo etch, two small springs (for the seat), ten springs for the suspension (8 needed and 2 to offer to the carpet monster if need be), and the sheet of decals. The instructions are in a twelve page booklet with exploded views and a short history on this vehicle on the cover page. The Instructions show four marking options, Option 1: Unknown Unit, Italian Front, 1942, German Grey. Option 2: SS Unknown Unit, Russian Front, 1942, Dark Yellow with Red Brown and Dark Green lines. Option 3: SS Unknown Unit, Gun Fire Exercise, Germany, 1942, German Grey.

Review Author
John Lyons
Published on
June 12, 2011
Company
Hobby Boss
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$48.99

Short History

Land Rover is synonymous to mobility in the British Army as Jeep and Humvee are to the US Army. Land Rover Defender was the main vehicle type for the British Army and the armies of the Commonwealth for many years, and in 1994, Land Rover created a new variant - the Defender XD (eXtra Duty) to replace the older vehicles in service. The XD is powered by a 300Tdi engine and was produced in 90 and 110 inch configurations.

These XD Defenders were called the 'Wolf' and these can be equipped with hard tops or soft tops and where needed, could be fitted with a Weapons Mount Installation Kit (WMIK). WMIK vehicles could carry a 12.7mm (.50 caliber) machine gun on a gun ring in the rear or the MILAN ATGM launcher. Gun mounts for squad weapons are provided for the driver and commander as well.

Review Author
Walt Fink
Published on
June 12, 2011
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$23.00

In the heyday of muscle cars, if the buyer knew what boxes to check on the order form, they could get a rocket right from the factory, in effect doing the much same thing as having Yenko or Baldwin-Motion “improve it” after driving it from the dealer’s lot. This dealer option was abbreviated COPO---Central Office Production Order.

Revell’s re-released their ’69 Nova SS kit in a less-glitzy COPO version, with additional parts for the 427-cubic-inch L-72 V8, and applicable chrome parts as well---the SS chrome parts are still included in the kit.