Completed 3

Sd.Kfz.184 Elefant

Completed, Front View

Kenworth W-900 Conventional

Rear close-up

1941 Plymouth Four Passenger Coupe

Sprue closeup

U.S. 101st Airborne Division Normandy 1944

Removing the delicate parts with a saw

Redstone Launcher

Tail decals

F/A-18E Super Hornet 'VFA-27 Royal Maces 2013

Decaling

T-28D Trojan

Finished Model

German Main Battle Tank Leopard 2A7V + Detail Gun Barrel

Rear

M60A2 Early Type AF35238

Finished

Saab JA-37 Viggen

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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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Product Picture

PanzerFunkwagen Sd.Kfz. 233 8 Rad 7.5cm
Review Author
Eric Christianson
Published on
Company
AFV Club
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$54.00

AFV Club has released an updated version of their original (excellent) eight-wheeled Sd.Kfz. 232 – this time representing an open-topped, -233 version armed with the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 main gun. While this kit has been out for some time, the specific vehicle type has remained under-represented in the industry.

There is quite a lot of interior provided; including two driver’s compartments (one for each set of four wheels, fore and aft) and every hatch and view port on the vehicle can be modeled in the open or closed position. Still, with the large main weapon and the streamlined super-structure, precious little is visible on the completed model.

Flipping the hull over uncovers an abundance of detail offered in the gear, axles and other odds and ends underneath and around the eight positionable wheels.

Box Art

MIM-104B Patriot Surface To Air Missile PAC-1
Review Author
Eric Christianson
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$96.29

The Black Label collection from Dragon Models offers an interesting range of novel model kits. Their latest offering, a 1/35th scale MIM-104B Patriot Surface To Air Missile (PAC-1), is not the only kitted offering of this venerable anti-missile, missile system on the market; it is not even the first version of the kit produced. But, with its relatively low parts count and absence of photo etch, it is a kit clearly aimed at modelers with a focus on buildability. Dragon includes not only the complete launcher and four posable missile pods, but also the U.S. Army HEMTT prime mover – quite an undertaking in one box.

Package

Combat Scooters (2) USN/USMC A-4E/ A 4F Skyhawks in the Vietnam War and Skyhawk Airframe Stencils, A-4E, A-4F, & A-4M
Review Author
Chad Richmond
Published on
Company
AOA Decals
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$22.00

NOTE: 32-012 MSRP is $11.00

When I received these decals, I had the greatest of intentions to do a review of the decals actually applied to my finished Trumpeter A-4E. Best laid plans are often exactly that, and I have to apologize for this not being that type of review. My poor A-4E is still sitting on the side of my work area crying to be finished. Life and time often get in the way of our modeling dreams and goals.

These decals, printed by Cartograf, are some of the finest I have ever seen and you actually get a bonus in having AOA decals 32-012, Skyhawk Airframe stencils, included with the purchase.

Front Cover

Consolidated Vultee XB-46 Air Force Legends #221
Book Author(s)
Steve Ginter
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
Company
Ginter Books
MSRP
$21.95

This book comes in the now familiar red cover with type photo and follows the series normal format. The XB-46 was one of four entries into the competition for a jet-powered medium bomber. They were along with the XB-46; the North American XB-45, Boeing XB-47 and Martin XB-48. Boeing was allowed to use swept-wing research captured from the Germans on their design.

Of the other three straight winged designs the XB-45 was the winner and received a production order. That being said Convair’s XB-46 was one of the most beautiful and elegant straight wing jet designs ever conceived. The long thin 113 foot Davis wing and 105 foot cylindrical fuselage combination was most aesthetically pleasing.

The book begins with the development of the design and construction. Paying strict attention to the details, including a full range of cockpit detail photographs, other crew position area as well as aircraft systems from pneumatic to fuel to weapons to engines.

Product packaging

Modern Jet Components
Review Author
Damon Blair
Published on
Company
Airscale Model Aircraft Enhancements
MSRP
$13.50

If you build modern aircraft in 1/48 scale and are frustrated with some of the details that seem to be lacking on the instrument panels, this product will help you add more details to those instrument panels.

The package consists of one photo-etched (PE) brass sheet with a large number of instrument bezels, ejection seat handles, mirrors, switch panels, warning/caution light panels, and multi-function CRT interface bezels. Put these bezels over instrument decals, and a very realistic instrument results.

Besides just adding details to an aircraft instrument panel or modern fighter cockpit, these bezels and other components can be used to scratchbuild a completely new panel or panels. The ejection seat handles can be used to enhance either a kit ejection seat, or an aftermarket ejection seat.