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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.

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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
Andy Renshaw
Published on
June 14, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$21.50

Any of us who suffer from AMS (Advanced Modeler Syndrome) are never satisfied with the “stock” kit, even one as fine as Tamiya’s F-16 series! Luckily there is a cure for those who love that insane level of detail but don’t have the time to do it ourselves, and Aires has long delivered the goods. This cockpit set continues to provide the quality we expect from Aires, however there are a few issues with getting it into the advertised kit it was “designed” for.

Review Author
Andy Renshaw
Published on
June 14, 2011
Company
MiniArt
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$15.50

A figure always adds a nice “human” touch to a finished model, and usually modelers’ choices are limited to combat troops for AFVs and infantry. If you wanted a driving figure for your truck or lorry, you had to cope with the usually sub-par “sit and stare ahead” type figure in the kit. Not any longer! MiniArt has released a set of great driver figures in a variety of poses, including a traditional sitting/driving figure. Most of these are already in poses of interaction, so are perfect for dioramas or stand alone additions to a finished model.

Comprising of six full figures assembled from 48 parts, you get the following:

Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
June 14, 2011
Company
Air Modeller
MSRP
$14.95

As always, this excellent publication comes in full color, printed on high quality glossy stock with this issue containing 65 pages. There is an outstanding array of modeling subjects done by some of the finest craftsmen in the world. It is published by AFV Modeller Ltd. and this issue contains the following articles:

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.