10

Chevrolet G7107 WWII Army Truck

Front

2015 Corvette C7.R

Flaps

Bristol Blenheim Mk.1F

Completed Model

P-61 Black Widow and True Details Wheels

Finished - Bottom View

NASA Space Shuttle "Discovery" w/747-100 SCA

Aft Torpedo Tubes

U-Boat Type IX C (U-505 late)

Finished

LVTH6A1 Fire Support Vehicle Cannon Teal

7

German Type G4 Partisanenwagen

Cockpit

F-4J VF-84 JOLLY ROGERS

Grill Detail

Paddy Wagon with Figures

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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.

Package

U.S. Howitzer M8-Hedgerow Cutter

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
April 5, 2024
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.55

Hauler is well known for its detail sets to accompany new releases. The hedgerow cutter for Tamiya’s 1/48 M8 Howitzer Motor Carrier is no exception. This easy, five-piece PE set (the fret measures 1.25”x 1”) adds great detail with minimal effort (great for PE neophytes such as me). That is not to belay the extra detail that this accessory adds to your M8 to break through the Norman bocage.

The bends are easy 90o angles, one per piece. Assembly is simply cut the piece out, sand, bend, and glue (or solder), and can be complete in a few minutes. One of the best aspects of PE is that it can be “damaged” and/or have manufacturing deficiencies built into it; something that is much harder to do in other mediums.

This is an easy-to-use PE that adds another level of detail to an already impressive kit. It is also highly recommended for those wanting to learn PE skills.

Parts

U.S. Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 Photoetch Detail Set
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
April 5, 2024
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$26.31

This Hauler detail set will take the Tamiya 1/48 US Howitzer Motor Carrier (HMC) to the next level. The 3” x 5.55”x1” deep box is chock full of two PE frets (2.5”x2” with Parts Nos. 1-30, and 1.5” x 1.5” containing Parts Nos. 1-6 for grills, baskets, and tool clamps) and four resin plugs with Parts Nos. 1-25. The parts arrived safely, with the exception of the two M1 carbines (Part No. 24) that were either short shot or broken in transit.

While the base Tamiya kit is great out of the box, there is always room for more detail, and this Hauler kit does not disappoint, especially in the interior as this is an open top combat vehicle.

Package

U.S. Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 - Grills and Basket

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
April 5, 2024
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$10.45

Hauler continues to produce high detail PE sets for mainstream models. The U.S. Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 - Grills and Basket set complements the recent Tamiya 1/48 M8 HMC.

Tamiya kits are known for their ease of building and detail. There are some tradeoffs that come with that philosophy, particularly with engine screens and lightweight metal baskets. This PE set fills that void and takes the Tamiya kit to the next level. This PE set contains four engine screens, the rear turret basket and, not mentioned in the packaging or instructions, 24 tool straps (Part Nos. 6), all in a small 1.5” x 1.5” fret.

The only bends required are simple 90o angles for the basket (the tool clamps take a bit more effort but have the strap and buckle assembly that really is crisp). An advantage to PE for the screens and basket is the ability to add damage and imperfections to replicate armored vehicles operating in the field.

Cover

Pacific Profiles Volume 12- Allied Fighters: P-51 & F-6 Mustang series. New Guinea and the Philippines 1944-1945
Book Author(s)
Michael John Claringbould
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
April 5, 2024
Company
Avonmore Books
MSRP
$42.95

This is the latest addition to the ever-expanding list of volumes in the Pacific Profiles
series. Previous books in the series have covered both Japanese and American aircraft,
but this is the first one dedicated to the P-51.


In a similar format to other volumes in the series, this book has 108 pages in a nice, high-
quality semi-gloss finish and a stiff outer cover. Publishing quality is first-rate, as is the
content itself.


The book is made up of 14 chapters, as well as a table of abbreviation definitions and a
sources/acknowledgements section. The first chapters discuss general markings as well
as a history of the aircraft type’s introduction into the theater. Subsequent chapters are
broken down by individual squadrons, culminating in sections devoted to group/squadron
commanders’ aircraft and one on post-war markings.

Box Art

MQ-1C UAV
Review Author
David Horn
Published on
April 5, 2024
Company
Clear Prop
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$32.00

Aircraft and History

The MQ-1C, known as “Grey Eagle” is a medium-sized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Based on the MQ-1 “Predator”, the Grey Eagle is a slightly larger airframe and two additional hardpoints (total of 4) for weapons. The engine was upgraded to aheavy fuel piston engine capable of running jet A compared to aviation gasoline used in the Predator. The primary user for the Grey Eagle is the US Army where the Predator was primarily flown by the USAF and now the US Border protection and CIA operate the Predator..