Finished Model Left Rear

Sd Kfz 171 Panther Ausf A Early Production

Right side stabilator and fin markings

F-15C Idaho Air National Guard

Right side

Audi R8 Build & Play

Top-Front

Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Ausf. G Late

Drive Sprocket Cover

M752 Tactical Ballistic Missile Launcher

Parts 12

J2M3 Raiden ‘Jack’ (with Concept Notes)

Dashboard

Smokey and the Bandit '77 Pontiac Firebird

Shown are holes that need to be drilled for retracted vs. extended flaps

Vought F4U-1A Corsair

View 3

Kurganets-25 IFV (Object 695)

Underside completed

MiG-25 PU

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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.

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Box Art

MiG 21 MF Polish Air Force
Review Author
Tracy Palmer
Published on
July 31, 2011
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$39.95

Bottom Line

A great MIG-21 build for any level modeler. Some challenges around the cockpit canopy fitting. Decals photo-etch, and resin add to the necessary level of modeling experience needed to complete the kit. If you add photo etch or resin, be prepared for a longer and more complicated build. This kit is highly recommended.

Kitset packaging

A5M2 Claude interior S.A. Photoetch Set
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
July 29, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$19.95

Eduard offers two photo-etch detail sets for the Special Hobby 1/32 A5M2b kit. Zoom set #33 070 is the one to get if you just want to focus on enhancing the detail in the cockpit. The set includes a total of 42 pre-painted parts that replace some kit parts and/or add detail to ones that will be used. The kit’s plastic instrument panel is replaced with five very impressively detailed components that are sandwiched together to simulate the panel’s relief and then enhanced with brackets, machine gun supports and gun charging handles. Photo-etched rudder pedals are provided to replace the less-detailed ones in the kit and to detail the kit’s rudimentary rudder bar, pre-painted seat belts replace the un-painted ones in the kit, multi-part throttle quadrant and prop pitch levers replace kit parts and a radio panel face, control box fascias, levers, knobs and numerous small bits are included to perk up the sidewalls.

Box Art

P-47N Thunderbolt
Review Author
John Lyons
Published on
July 24, 2011
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$21.95

Short History

The P-47N - the last variant produced - was initially developed to escort B-29 bombers during air raids over Japan. The most distinguishing feature of the "N" variant was its in-wing 50-gallon (190-liter) fuel tanks, which extended the aircraft's range by 2,000 miles (3,200 km).

What’s in the Box

This looks like a reissue kit, the copyright marks on the underside of the wing show a 1997 date. The parts are separately packaged, the spurs are molded in grey styrene.

Length: 9-1/8" Wingspan: 10-3/4" Parts: 105

Kit features recessed panel lines, a detailed radial engine, a detailed cockpit, weighted tires, complete under wing stores, a detailed pilot and markings to recreate P-47Ns flown by pilots Lt. Oscar Perdomo and Lt. Col. Ollie O. Simpson.

Building the Kit

Front cover

Aircraft of the Aces #99 - Aces of the Legion Condor
Book Author(s)
Robert Forsyth, Illustrated by Jim Laurier
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
July 24, 2011
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$22.95

From 1936 to 1939, nearly 19,000 German ‘volunteers’ (some of whom actually did volunteer) made up an aviation group known as the Legion Condor. Number 99 in Osprey’s ‘Aircraft of the Aces’ series provides an interesting and well-researched story of how Germany’s involvement in the Spanish Civil war came about, what the Luftwaffe volunteers experienced as member of the Legion Condor and how many of the pilots eventually achieved ace status. It is a fascinating story about a significant time in history.

Review Drwgs

CVN-65 USS Enterprise Hangar Deck Scale Drawings
Book Author(s)
Tom Pope
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
July 24, 2011
Company
Tom Pope
MSRP
$22.00

Editor: Contact Tom Pope for obtaining the drawings.

It’s not often I do a review on something before I have fully worked it, but this one deserves the time. How many of you have the Tamiya 1/350 USS Enterprise in your stash? And how many of you have thought of making a hangar deck for the model, but didn’t want the hassle of cut/fit/throw away, repeat? I just finished the Dragon Independence, and can categorically state a hangar deck makes a major impact on the final product… Why not the Enterprise? Although this is not provided in the kit, it doesn’t require too much work; that is, unless you don’t have dimensions and detail.