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.

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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
Michael Reeves
Published on
November 10, 2023
Company
Value Gear
Scale
1/16
MSRP
$25.00

Value Gear resin products are well known to most modelers for the excellent quality resin stowage and gear for models and diorama scenes. Owner Steve Munsell is a quality guy who more often than not throws in some extra pieces to most of the packages and one package can often inhabit more than a couple builds if used wisely- or you can completely deck out one model if you wish. His 1/16 product lines are growing as more companies release more 1/16 scale kits.

What’s Inside the Box

This set is the perfect complement to the Andy’s Sherman kit or to any American tank in the scale you may have. As always, the quality is amazing on this scale and there are exactly 14 pieces as the label says. In the first photo, there are five identical packs that can be strapped to a turret or placed inside a vehicle, a wrapped-up tarp with rope and strap around it, and a large piece of stowage for the deck with a number of wooden crates covered by a tarp.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
November 10, 2023
Company
Doll and Hobby
Scale
1:8
MSRP
$39.95

Background

Doll and Hobby GA is a specialized hobby distributor focusing on science fiction, fantasy, and comic related model kits. They carry the latest releases from Moebius Models, Round 2 (AMT, Polar Lights, MPC, Lindberg) and more. They focus on subjects like Star Trek, 2001, Space 1999, classic monsters, and comic book heroes. Their warehouse is located in Lawrenceville, GA, just east of Atlanta. Owned by Steve Iverson who purchased the company from Frank and Joanne Winspur in 2018. Steve Iverson might also be familiar since he also owns CultTVman’s Sci-Fi Modeling.

Book Author(s)
Adam Jonca
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
November 10, 2023
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$27.00

Right up to the mid-1940s, armored trains played the role of self-propelled artillery, often in a highly mobile environment. They were equipped with infantry and light tanks, that could be deployed for reconnaissance and harassment of enemy units. They rarely operated alone, often there were supply trains and other support units making runs to keep the armored train unit ready for combat.

This review covers the 2nd Volume of the “Polish Armored Trains 1921-1939” by Adam Jonca. This volume is focused on the “1st Armored Train Group” as such, all their trains started with a number “1”.

The book has a chapter devoted to the peace-time bases and further split into chapters devoted to Train 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and a special Independent Draisine Platoon attached to the 1st Armored Group.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
November 10, 2023
Company
ICM
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$99.00

ICM from Ukraine has reboxed its Bristol Beaufort Mk.1, this time for service with the British Dominions. In the box you get their already known Beaufort, including a torpedo and torpedo cart. There are markings for Royal New Zealand, Royal Canadian and South African Air Forces. The New Zealand aircraft -one marking- was based in the UK, as well as one of the two from the Canadian forces. The other Canadian aircraft saw service in British Columbia. The South African options (two) saw service in Cape Town and, while not explicitly listed in the instructions, they also saw service in Operation “Ironclad” (the Madagascar invasion).

Being brand new molds (released in 2023) the overall fit and surface detail is excellent. Construction is relatively simple, but with the high part count, it takes time. Don’t get me wrong, each hour I spent building this model was highly enjoyable and I was glad to have so many hours of construction. But this kit is not a quick weekend build.

Book Author(s)
Author: Andy Evans, Illustrator: Sam Pearson
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
November 9, 2023
Company
Guideline Publications
MSRP
$32.50

Guideline Publications Guideline Publications is the UK's leading publisher of modelling and hobby-related magazines. With a world-class portfolio of titles and an international Social Media presence, Guideline Publications has a dedicated readership that is constantly expanding into new areas.