Humbrol Color Chart

North American P-51D Mustang

14

A-10C Thunderbolt II

Finished model

Shopping Cart

5

German Machine Gun Team Set – Mid WWII

Port Midships

HMS Colombo

Tail droop

Lancaster Mk.1B - Part 3 of 3

lower fuselage 3

USAF F-15E 333rd Fighter Squadron

Bottom

53 Foot Smooth Side Trailer with Reefer

Misc Image 12

Russian Six-Wheel Army Truck with Shelter

Right Side

V3000S/SSM Maultier "Einheitsfahrerhaus"

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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.

Box Art

B-17G Flying Fortress "Silver Fleet" Limited Edition
Review Author
Mike Kellner
Published on
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$50.00

The B-17 was designed in 1935 and had, by 1943, evolved into the B-17G model, which comprised a production total of 8680 – 4035 by Boeing, 2395 by Douglas and 2250 by Lockheed-Vega.

This issue by Hasegawa features a new set of decals, but the same basic moldings which this kit had 35 years ago: lightly raised panel lines, typical fit (good), and some sink marks which you might expect in an older kit. It has 97 parts and is advertised as a skill level 3. The box is of higher quality than usual, since it has a heavier hollow cardboard stock for the box bottom with glossy card stock for the lid.

Cover

Wing Leader: Top-scoring Allied Fighter Pilot of World War Two
Book Author(s)
Air Vice-Marshal ‘Johnnie’ Johnson
Review Author
Anthony Tvaryanas
Published on
Company
Crecy Publishing, Ltd.
MSRP
$12.95

For me at least, an important and particularly enjoyable aspect of every aircraft modeling project is the research into the details of both the machine and the man (or men) who flew it. Consequently, as a Spitfire aficionado, I was most pleased when I received ‘Johnnie’ Johnson’s autobiography, which recounts the personal story of the top scoring Allied fighter pilot of the Second World War. First published in 1956 (this edition was published in 2010), Johnson provides a gripping, first person account of his path through the war, distinctively told in terms of individual epochs rather than linear time. As such, it does not read like a chronological documentary, instead providing the modern reader a uniquely individual perspective of major historical events as they appeared to the eyes of a participant for whom the future outcome was anything but certain.

Decal Packaging

Instrument Dial Decals for Early Soviet Jets
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Airscale Model Aircraft Enhancements
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.49

Interested in adding an air of realism to your instrument panel? Well, the easiest way to do that is by using instrument faces. You know you can’t paint them as good as Airscale can print them. Well, at least I can’t.

The latest offering from Airscale is aimed at the latest release of Soviet aircraft. There are no fewer than 31 different instruments represented. Many of the instruments are duplicated so you can use this sheet on a number of models. The fidelity of these sheets is beautiful.

Besides the decals, you also are given a small clear acetate sheet to replicate the glass dial faces. This will require a punch and die set, but it is a nice touch.

How to use the Airscale decals is up to you. You can punch them out and add them as a typical decal on the instrument faces. You can add them behind a transparent instrument panel with Future or other setting solution. You can also add them behind a scratchbuilt instrument panel.

Detail Parts

F-14A Tomcat Exhaust Nozzle – Varied Positions
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$26.50

The F-14, now retired from Navy service, is one of my favorite airplanes. Blame “Top Gun” and “The Final Countdown”. Who can forget the immortal line, “Splash the Zeros!”? Anyhow, the Academy F-14 is a nice kit and much cheaper than the Hasegawa kit. There are a couple of options for those wanting to add more detail. Aires provides three separate options for the turkey feathers – closed, open and varied positioned. This review is for the varied positioned offering.

The F-14 exhaust section can be seen in any of the positions, which is why Aires offers the varied set. Normally, while sitting on the ground following the shutdown procedures, the nozzles are controlled hydraulically. During the shutdown, it is normal for the right nozzle to be closed and the left one opened. It makes for a unique look. Here is a good synopsis of what happens: http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-engine.htm

Parts Packaging

Bf-110E/F/G Main Undercarriage Wheels
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$7.95

The Eduard Brassin range of parts continues to grow from strength to strength. The latest set is no exception. Designed for the Eduard Bf-110 series of aircraft, this set includes four main resin parts and a set of masks.

The parts are molded in light grey resin that is perfectly cast. The resin pour blocks are easily removed. The level of detail is superb, including the raised portion of the rubber tires. The wheels are molded in two parts. The wheel where it mounts to the kit axle is perfectly sized for the kit strut. This will ensure that the wheel is properly aligned.

Painting is made easy by the inclusion of a set of Kabuki masks for the wheels. Only one mask per wheel is included, but that is because that is all you need. Since the back part of the wheel hub is separate, it can be painted as such.