Front view

Focke-Wulf 190V-1

Italeri Opal Blitz Radio Truck (9)

Opel Blitz Radio Truck

Top Right Rear

USS Thresher (SSN-593)

Painting Complete Left Side

Flower Class Corvette Spiraea

12

German 2 cm Flak 38 with Crew

Aircraft painted

Sukhoi Su-9 (Fishpot)

8

Hurricane Mk II D

Photo-etch

Seafire FR Mk. 47 "The Last Royal Navy Propeller Fighter"

Misc Image 7

StuG.III Ausf.G, Part 2

Figures in the paint shop

Packard Twelve (Model 1936) with Soviet Leaders

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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

Lamborghini Countach LP500S
Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
Company
Revell Germany
Scale
1:24
MSRP
$52.99

Carrera-Revell has re-released its Lamborghini Countach LP500S Model Kit in 2024. It’s 1:24 scale in a European boxing as kit #07730.

Rare for the times, the Lamborghini Countach debuted in 1974 sporting a striking angular wedge shape, a huge rear wing and innovative scissor doors that made it an icon of the 80s supercar set. The LP500S version came with a 4.8-liter V-12 engine and a top speed 182 mph. It literally looked like a jet plane on wheels. Shod with Pirelli P7 tires and Campagnolo cast magnesium wheels, it looks awesome just standing still! There were 321 built from 1982 to 1985. If you can find one for sale these days, it will carry a price tag of around $600,000!

Cover

The Waffen-SS at Kharkov February — March 1943
Book Author(s)
Massimiliano Afiero
Review Author
James Kelley
Published on
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$28.95

The Waffen SS at Kharkov by Afiero offers a detailed and nuanced examination of the Waffen-SS’s role in the Battle of Kharkov, one of the key engagements on the Eastern Front during World War II. Through a combination of meticulously researched historical accounts and vivid battle descriptions, Afiero provides readers with an in-depth understanding of the SS units’ strategies, tactics, and actions, as well as the broader context of the conflict.

Kharkov, located in Ukraine, was the site of several significant battles during the war. The German forces, including the infamous Waffen-SS, faced off against the Soviet Red Army in a brutal struggle for control. Afiero’s book delves into the military operations, offering insight into the complexities of urban warfare, supply issues, and the harsh conditions the soldiers faced on both sides. It goes beyond just a tactical account, touching on the personal and psychological experiences of the soldiers who fought there.

yahu raiden cockpit

J2M3 Raiden Instrument Panel
Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
Company
Yahu Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.99

Yahu Models has provided the IPMS reviewer corps a 1/72nd scale instrument panel for the J2M3 Raiden that will fit the Hasegawa, A-Model, and Sword kits.

In the Package

The instrument panel detail set is enclosed in a plastic bag with one photoetched instrument panel already assembled and one PE etched sheet for cockpit side panels. The parts come packaged in an individual Ziploc bag and cardboard backing which also has instructions printed on it.

Conclusions

Overall, this is a nice detail set to upgrade your J2M3 Raiden instrument panel. The close-up picture shows off the very small detail printed on the PE parts and the fidelity at such a small size is amazing.

I want to thank Yahu Models for providing the J2M3 Raiden instrument panel set and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review.

Highly recommend!

Book Cover

Nightfighter Aces of the Luftwaffe 1940-43
Book Author(s)
Neil Page and Jean-Louis Roba
Review Author
James Kelley
Published on
Company
Casemate Publishers
MSRP
$28.95

From the Publisher:

On 10 May 1940, the Wehrmacht launched its assault on the West. One element of the West’s response was the dispatch of RAF Bomber Command ‘heavy’ bombers at night over German industrial centers. These raids had only limited effectiveness, but the inability of the Luftwaffe to chase down RAF bombers at night so annoyed Wolfgang Falck that it swiftly resulted in the creation of a credible night fighter force.

Initial trials had been flown with Bf 110s at dusk in Denmark on April 1. Nachtjagd Division was founded in the summer of 1940. Its first few months were chaotic, with constant reorganizations of units, and reassignment of aircraft, but soon enough the night fighter arm was achieving steady victories—and losing crews at a similarly steady rate.

Package

Acrylic Paint Set for WWII US Navy Vehicles
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
NA
MSRP
$12.99

ICM continues to be prolific with both kits and paint sets. The Acrylic Paint Set for WWII US Navy Vehicles is no exception and consists of six 12ml paint bottles, that are surprisingly not dropper top style, but rather are wide mouthed. The colors include:

  • Natural Steel (No. 1025)
  • Blue Grey (No. 1032)
  • Rubber Black (No. 1039)
  • Deck Tan (No. 1055)
  • Camouflage Green (No. 1071)
  • Varnish Satin (No. 2002)

Painting instructions are on the side of the packaging, stating