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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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Review Author
Timothy Gidcumb
Published on
November 29, 2016
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$16.95

Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Scale Aircraft Conversions adaption of the T-33A landing gear in white metal for the 1/48 Great Wall kit. The set contains the two main gear legs with the accompanying struts, a nose gear that incorporates the landing lights and the retraction strut and oleo scissor. A very nice addition to the set is the 20 gram forward fuselage ballast nose weight reproduced in metal. These are direct replacements for the parts that come in the Great Wall T-33A. Comparing the kit landing gear and the SAC landing gear side by side you will notice similarities between the two, but a little better detail in the SAC offering including brake lines. Overall this is highly recommended for stronger landing gear and added detail and is a great addition to the Great Wall kit. I would like to thank Scale Aircraft Conversions for another great offering in metal landing gear and IPMS USA for the opportunity to review this item.

Review Author
Bill Kluge
Published on
November 29, 2016
Company
Aerobonus
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.00

Aerobonus continues its line of 1/48 Vietnam flight crew figures with this generic Army helicopter pilot in flight suit and gloves. He holds what must be cigarettes in his right hand (something no good 1960s era pilot would be without out on the flight line, right?), considering that one is minutely sticking up out of the pack. The arms are cast separately, as are the two different heads, one helmeted and one wearing a “cowboy” style hat (and both with a cigarette between their lips). This figure is noticeably shorter than other figures that I have - about half a head hight difference. The face (the same for both options) is also unlike others that I’ve seen.

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
November 29, 2016
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$3.80

One of Brengun’s more recent releases is a photo-etch fret of drop tank gas caps for 1/72 US Navy aircraft. The set includes 5 different types of gas caps, with 9 of each type, so you can detail quite a large number of drop tanks with this set. The set does not include any instructions or information as to which gas caps go on what types of drop tanks, but from what I can tell from looking at the photo of some sample tanks with the caps installed on Brengun’s website. It appears that the caps are intended for World War II US Navy aircraft.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$24.95

It’s hard to argue with success and Jimmie Johnson has proven his abilities since he burst onto the NASCAR scene. This kit represents a snap together kit aimed at drawing the youngsters into the hobby with a great looking, easy-to-build race car model.

This review covers the skill level 2 (ages 8 years and older) 2016 release of the Jimmie Johnson Lowe's NASCAR #48 Chevy SS Revell 1:24 Scale Model Kit #85-1475. Molded in color and featuring colorful stickers this kit is the perfect “first model” for young builders. You will need one tool – a small Phillips head screwdriver to affix the body to the chassis. There are 35 pieces molded in black, gray and clear with vinyl tires to go with the pre-painted body. This is a “curbside” kit with no real motor and the interior and suspension parts have minimal detail. Finished dimensions are: Length: 8-3/16″, Width: 3-1/8″, Height: 2-3/8″.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
November 28, 2016
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$115.00

Background

Introduced in the 1970's as the U.S.Navy's replacement for the F-4 Phantom in its fleet defense fighter role, the F-14 Tomcat quickly established itself as a state-of-the-art weapons system and as one of the world's leading air superiority fighters. The Tomcat saw significant combat duty, starting with the downing of a pair of hostile Libyan Su-22's in the early 1980's, and concluding during the Global War on Terror in 2006 when it was replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Throughout its distinguished service life, the F-14 expanded its role to include air-to-ground bombing, and fielded variants with designations of F-14A, F-14A Plus, F-14B, and F-14D – all derived from engine, avionics, and mission capability enhancements.

This kit portrays a mid-production F-14A of late 1970's/early 1980's vintage.