| IPMS/USA Reviews

Ford GT40 Mk.II ’66, Part 1

Review Author

Bill O'Malley

Published on

September 10, 2021

Company

Meng Model

Scale

1:12

MSRP

$450.00

Ford GT40 Mk.II ‘66

Developed by the Ford Motor Company and Carroll Shelby to end the dominance of Ferrari in the preeminent 24 Hours of LeMans, the Ford GT40 Mk.II become an iconic American built race car. After failing to finish the race in 1965, the Ford GTs finished 1-2-3 in 1966 in a humiliating loss for Ferrari. As three GT40s took the lead in the final laps. Ford executives ordered race leading Ken Miles in the No. 1 car to slow down and let the other two GT40s catch up, for a photo of all three cars crossing the finish line together. When everyone thought Miles had won, the race officials announced that the No. 2 car driven by Bruce McLaren was the winner. Though the two cars crossed the finish line at the same time, the No. 2 car had driven a longer distance as it started about 20 meters behind the No. 1 car. The victory was Ford's first win in the Le Mans 24 Hour race, making Ford the first American manufacturer to win at Le Mans.

Mark IV Female British WW I Tank

Review Author

Ron Bell

Published on

September 10, 2021

Company

Brengun

Scale

1:144

MSRP

$21.69

The Kit

The kit consists of 14 nicely cast resin pieces, one fret of PE parts and a small decal sheet. I found no bubbles, voids or “mushy” casting, however, as can be seen in the photos, there is more resin contained in the casting blocks than in the kit parts. These are quite frankly huge and removing them is the single biggest chore in assembly. I used a Dremel tool saw to cut the largest parts off, then a Dremel sander to remove most of the rest and sandpaper and files to finish off the job. The PE parts are nicely done, but are tiny! A good Opti-visor or microscope is advisable when working with them. The model is solid, so there is no chance to “open it up” and add an interior.

Messerschmitt Bf-109 F-G Color Profiles and Decal

Book Author(s)

Arkadisuz Wrobel

Review Author

Dick Montgomery

Published on

September 10, 2021

Company

Kagero Publishing

MSRP

$27.95

Information from the Product Web Page

The Bf 109 F (Friedrich) is the successor of the E version with the same engine in the DB 601E version - produced from the turn of 1940/1941. However, the airframe changed the external appearance completely: a new propeller cap was used, the front part of the fuselage was completely changed using a more rounded engine cover and the shape of the wings was changed from rectangular to rounded. The maximum speed at a ceiling of 6,000 m was 635 km/h. It was armed with two MG 17s and one MG 151 cannon.

F/A-18E/F Engine Nozzles

Review Author

Rob Booth

Published on

September 10, 2021

Company

Brengun

Scale

1:72

MSRP

$9.50

Brengun Models is a scale model and detailing parts manufacturer located in the Czech Republic. Their lines include limited production run multi-media kits and exquisitely detailed photo-etched, turned brass and white metal replacement parts for aircraft in the most commonly produced scales.

Brengun has produced a set of engine nozzles for any 1/72 scale F/A-18E/F Super Hornet kit. The parts should fit the F/A-18G Growler kits as well. Any modeler familiar with resin parts will have no issues installing these exhausts in lieu of the kit parts. A close-up evaluation of the parts (see photos), indicates a simple cut and replace installation that provides realistic scale-detailed exhaust cans and afterburner rings with significantly improved appearance to molded plastic kit parts. The photo comparison is to the exhausts supplied in the 1/72 Hasegawa F/A-18E kit. The Brengun exhausts have superior component detail to those supplied in the Hasegawa kit.

Chernobyl #5: Evacuation

Review Author

Gino Dykstra

Published on

September 10, 2021

Company

ICM

Scale

1:35

MSRP

$30.99

ICM continues with its fascinating series of Chernobyl “instant dioramas” with the latest being a scene depicting the evacuation of civilians from the threatened region around the power plant disaster. In this case, five figures are provided, along with an apartment balcony, a small pot and a printed background to bring it all together.

The figures include one older gentleman, a young man and woman, and a somewhat matronly mother with young daughter. All are excellently sculpted and show lots of individual character along with natural poses. If there is any objection to the sculpting, it’s that none of the figures display the level of abject terror that I, personally, would be undergoing if such a thing were happening to me. In fact, all of the poses appear to be relatively relaxed. Maybe no one really knew what was happening.