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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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Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
October 25, 2016
Company
The Ampersand Publishing Group
MSRP
$22.95

Ampersand’s latest book by David Doyle continues to expand on their Visual History format as this edition follows up on Doyle’s “Kübelwagen and Schwimmwagen: A Visual History of the German Army’s Multi-Purpose Vehicles”. Ampersand got their start in 1993 when Pat Stansell distributed a free issue of Military Miniatures in Review at the IPMS Nationals in Atlanta. Ampersand joined forces with HobbyLink Japan in 2008 and have continued to expand their military AFV publications ever since.

True to the Visual History Series name, the focus of this book in on the visual, detailing the development and service history of the German Army’s Motorcycles of WWII. This is slightly expanded from Ampersand’s standard 120 page version of their Visual History format and it runs 128 pages packed with large, clear photographs.

Book Author(s)
Gerry Balzer
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
October 25, 2016
Company
Ginter Books
MSRP
$24.95

Ginter Books’ latest book covering the Curtiss XP-55 “Ascender” is an in-depth look at one of the more oddball aircraft designed for the USAAF during the Second World War.

The book consists of 72 pages printed on glossy, good-quality stock, bound in a soft cover made of heavier stock. Front and back covers have beautiful color pictures, and almost every page inside has either multiple black and white photos or drawings.

The author has previously published a book on the 1940 fighter competition that took place in the US, and some of that research comprises the early section of this book. The XP-55 was a direct result of that competition, and several pages describe the process and innovations it generated.

Review Author
Rob Benson
Published on
October 24, 2016
Company
AOA Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$22.00

Thank you to AOA Decals for sending these excellent decals for review, and thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for letting me review them! I am very appreciative of the chance to contribute back to the scale-modeling community. AOA Decals is a new company providing thoroughly researched decals emphasizing USN and USMC subjects, particularly of the Vietnam era.

Book Author(s)
Martin Robson
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
October 24, 2016
Company
Bloomsbury Publishing
MSRP
$15.00

The Pocket Manual is a compilation of various Air Ministry pamphlets, publications and manuals on the De Havilland Mosquito.

The book starts with the design specifications and related documents. This is followed by the pilot notes in chapter 2 and the operations and tactical publications. This last section details aspects of operating the night bomber version, strategic bomber version, pathfinding and even the Sea Mosquito. The book concludes with 105SQ operations record books.

This is an interesting look at various period publications to aid in operating and maintaining the Mosquito. There is good information for the historian, pilot and some nice detailed period cockpit photos with instrumentation callouts. If the Mosquito interests you, you will find this book to your liking

Our thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copy and my thanks to IPMS/USA for the review opportunity

Book Author(s)
Martin Robson
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
October 24, 2016
Company
Bloomsbury Publishing
MSRP
$15.00

The Pocket Manual is a compilation of various Air Ministry pamphlets, publications, and manuals on the Hawker Hurricane.

The book starts with the design specifications and related documents. This is followed by the pilot notes in chapter 2, the tactical in chapter 3, and operations in chapter 4 publications. These last sections detail aspects of tactical trials as well as 111 SQ operations record book, Fighter Command Combat report for 12 Group and Sqdn. Leader Douglas Bader’s September 7-19, 1940 flight log.

This is an interesting look at various period publications to aid in operating and maintaining the Hurricane. There is good information for the historian, pilot and some nice detailed period cockpit photos with instrumentation callouts. If the Mosquito interests you, you will find this book to your liking

Our thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copy and my thanks to IPMS/USA for the review opportunity