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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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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
Pat Villarreal
Published on
Company
UMM-USA
Scale
N/A
MSRP
$6.95

UMM-USA has provided us with a Double Beveled 2.5 mm Gliding Scriber tool. The scriber is made from hardened steel and will be able to scribe plastic and resin. The double bevel feature will allow the modeler the ability to scribe into tight 90-degree corners that, through the molding process, may have left behind a small radius of material from styrene injection, resin molded parts, or loose printer tolerances of 3-D resin.

On sample parts from my spares box, the scriber cuts effortlessly into plastic. Using a spare wing’s interior side, I used a metal ruler as a guide to make some straight lines and freehanded some other lines.

Using a spare 1/48 scale missile and bomb with molded fins, I was able to create a nice sharp scribed edge where the fins meet the surface of the ordnance. The other fin I left as molded for a visual comparison of how a few swipes of this scriber adds great detail.

Book Author(s)
Darius Karnas and Artur Juszczak
Review Author
Michael Furry
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.00

The Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21 is probably one of the best known Soviet aircraft. Operated by nations all over the world, the Mig-21 holds the distinction of being the most produced warplane since WWII. The subject of MMP’s newest monograph is the reconnaissance variant Mig-21R.

The 24-page book is composed of line drawings, photographs, captions, and a color profile of a single aircraft. All of the aircraft featured are Polish Air Force. Close in-detail photos of the fuselage, wing, tail, undercarriage, armament, cockpit and canopy are provided.

Two pages are dedicated to the interior of the vertical fin providing details of the spars, ribs, hydraulic lines, fuel lines, and components not normally seen. Other photographs are of operational Polish Air Force aircraft.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
UMM-USA
Scale
NA
MSRP
$8.95

UMM-USA is dedicated to fine scale modeling, encompassing model kits, accessories, and specialized tools.Owned by John Vojtech, a fine scale modeling veteran. UMM-USA is an on-line Store, importing and exporting kits, modeling tools and supplies, and seeks and offers solutions on technical issues. In addition, his services currently include design and production of master parts, casting of original masters, photo-etched masks, decals, and building made-to-order models for customers. You can see a sampling of John Vojtech's finished projects in the Our Gallery section of the Web site.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
UMM-USA
Scale
NA
MSRP
$4.76

UMM-USA is dedicated to fine scale modeling, encompassing model kits, accessories, and specialized tools.Owned by John Vojtech, a fine scale modeling veteran. UMM-USA is an on-line Store, importing and exporting kits, modeling tools and supplies, and seeks and offers solutions on technical issues. In addition, his services currently include design and production of master parts, casting of original masters, photo-etched masks, decals, and building made-to-order models for customers. You can see a sampling of John Vojtech's finished projects in the Our Gallery section of the Web site.

Book Author(s)
Bartlomiej Belcarz
Franciszek Strzelezyk
Review Author
Brett W Scholten
Published on
Company
Stratus
MSRP
$25.00

This was a fun book for me (as a history nerd). The introduction was interesting as it explained why Poland had to choose a European built aircraft vs an American built aircraft (American aircraft needed a higher-octane fuel which was not available in Poland).

The first part of the book is a bit dry. I wish the authors had tied events in Poland (i.e. the German invasion and defeat of the Polish Military) into events listed in the book. We learn that the Polish Pilots operated from various French aerodromes, but no real discussion is made of how the French integrated the Polish Pilots/Units into their order of battle. The combat narratives are short, and I wish they had been expanded too.