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.

IPMS/USA Members: We encourage you to submit reviews, both here and to the Journal. To volunteer for membership in the IPMS/USA "Reviewers Corps" and submit your own reviews, please read the Guidelines For Submitting Product Reviews.

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
Chad Richmond
Published on
February 3, 2012
Company
Albatros Productions, Ltd.
MSRP
$11.00

This copy of Windsock Worldwide is typical of every other issue I have had in my hand. I have read every word and learned something new and hated that there wasn’t any more. Including the covers, there’s 36 pages of high quality, heavy, glossy pages packed with information. Unlike most U.S. hobby publications, which are half advertisements and half articles, there are only two pages of ads in this magazine.

The main article is a build/review of Wingnut Wings’ new Pfalz D.XII in 1/32nd scale. There are thirty-one pictures of the model and its components during the construction process and an additional seven photos of an actual Pfalz D.XII. The rear cover includes photos of two pieces of original covering.

The article takes you step-by-step through the build with lots of suggestions. Since I am building this kit for an IPMS review, the magazine came in handy.

Also included is a complete build article of Special Hobby’s 1/48th scale Fokker D.V.

Review Author
Andy Renshaw
Published on
February 3, 2012
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$16.50

Aires has been on the scene for some time now, producing some amazing details in resin and photo etch metal. Among aftermarket aficionados, Aires is the top of the pack for the level of detail and quality of casting. This set for the Monogram Promodeler or Accurate Miniatures 1/48 SB2C Helldiver is no exception.

In the Box

The details for this set come in a small bag stapled to the instructions and card backing. Parts are very finely cast and consist of two resin main gear wells and a smaller tree of parts for gun barrels and actuation rods. The large, one-piece landing gear wells are perfectly cast, and feature more refined detail than what comes in the kit. Instructions are clear and easy to follow.

Installation

To start, you will need the following tools:

Review Author
Chad Richmond
Published on
February 3, 2012
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$18.00

This is the second Lifelike Decals release for Tamiya’s new 1/32nd scale P-51, and it also gives two markings for the Revell 1/32nd scale P-51B. Maybe Tamiya will give us a gift sometime soon of a new P-51B, too. The selections are:

Review Author
Chad Richmond
Published on
February 3, 2012
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$18.00

Tamiya’s new 1/32nd scale P-51 has created a surge of new decals for that subject, and Lifelike Decals have done their part, as well. This sheet provides markings for four colorful Mustangs, three from the European Theater and one from the Pacific Theater:

Book Author(s)
Marek J. Murawski & Marek Rys
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
February 3, 2012
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$19.99

History

The Messerschmitt Me-262 is probably one of the most popular modeling subjects because of its historic importance and the incredible tactical misuse of this aircraft during the closing stages of the war. While conceived as an air superiority fighter, Hitler decided that the plane would be most useful as a high speed bomber. It wasn’t until the late stages of the war that the aircraft was finally employed in its proper role at a time when there was no chance of it having any serious impact on the outcome of the war. Volume I covered the technical development of the aircraft, which involved the design problems and flight testing of the various prototypes.