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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.

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Review Author
Tom Moon
Published on
July 10, 2016
Company
Bronco Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$76.00

This kit is a representation of the British Army’s A13 Cruiser Tank that was captured by the Germans and placed in service for the Russian Campaign.

This is a multimedia kit but the use of the Photo-Etch is required, there are no optional plastic parts. Please be aware that some of the plastic parts are very, very small and will take a steady hand to get them off of the sprue without damage. And when they are off the sprue these minuscule parts do their very best to hide or get lost in the carpet or even on the work table.

Step 1 This step builds the chassis and includes the springs for the axels.

Step 2 This step builds the wheels drive sprocket and idler wheels, my particular sample had a short shot on some of the wheels. Bronco was very quick to replace those with a replacement sprue.

Step 3 This adds the front transmission housing along with some photo etched on the front of the tank.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
July 10, 2016
Company
Furball Aero-Design
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.99

New on the scene, at least to this modeler, is the availability of canopy frame decals for modern jet aircraft. Close examination of many modern jet canopies and windscreen reveals a thin line between the clear and the subjects primary paint color. Often times a model omits replicating that detail, and occasionally modelers will attempt to replicate with paint or colored decal strips.

Furball brings a simpler, yet more elegant solution: Purpose-fit decals to replicate those thin lines. Picking up where canopy masks leave off, the Furball canopy frame decals provide a precise, crisp, easy-to-use solution. Furball Aero-Design delivers well with its 1/48 set designed for AFV Club’s F-5E/F Tiger II kits.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
July 10, 2016
Company
Furball Aero-Design
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.99

Of the many modeling aids available today, one of the most welcome for aircraft modelers is a good set of canopy masks. Furball Aero-Design delivers well with its 1/48 set designed for AFV Club’s F-5E/F Tiger II kits.

The single sheet of black die-cut vinyl masks will handle a single F-5E or F-5F kit – masking the edges of all canopy sections and the entirety of all wheel hubs. The die cuts are sharp and the masks lift cleanly from the sheet and adhere well to the model surfaces. Only two minor concerns were noted: First, there are no placement diagrams, which leads to the second issue of the masks for the F-5F windscreen being a bit short, thus requiring augmentation from the F-5E windscreen masks to cover the masking perimeter. Masking tape was used to fill in the remainder of the canopy surfaces.

Review Author
Rob Benson
Published on
July 9, 2016
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/700
MSRP
$6.50

Thank you to Master Model and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for the privilege of reviewing this excellent replacement part set for 700-scale ship models in the Sea Master Series offered by Master Model. The replacement masts will add a crisp eye-catching detail in a highly visible part of any modern ship model. Master Model is continuing an excellent line of replacement brass parts for ship models.

Review Author
Jim Stepanek
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/12
MSRP
$24.95

I just love these chopper kits that Revell puts out. The kits provide a variety of different parts to help you build a fairly unique machine.

Engine

The engine looks to be the more modern Evo engine and has no extra parts. The cooling fins and cylinder heads are very nicely engraved. There are 2 different sets of exhaust pipes in the box.

Body

The kit provides a couple of different styled gas tanks, seats, fenders, handlebars, controls, and wheels. There’s only one set of tires. I used Pearl Ex Aztec gold mixed with some HOK SG100 intercoat clear on the tank & fenders with a final clearcoat. The chopper is fully wired and plumbed.