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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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Book Author(s)
Shep Paine with Contributing Editor Jim DeRogatis
Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
October 14, 2016
Company
Kalmbach Publishing Company
MSRP
$24.99

The Introduction is appropriately named ‘The Legacy of Shep Paine’ written by Jim DeRogatis. These four pages offer a wonderful view into the late Sheperd Paine’s life’s work and modeling history. Many of us older modelers first became aware of Sheperd’s work through his tip sheets that came with select Monogram kits of the 1970's then later with Tamiya kits during the 1980's. Shep was also an avid military historian and collector of military artifacts.

The book's contents are divided into two sections, 'The ‘Basics’ by Sheperd Paine and ‘Projects’ featuring eight projects by different modelers. The ‘Basics’ covers all the bases from the fundamentals in chapter one of ‘Assembling Armor Kits’ including a helpful ‘Parts of a Tank’ tutorial.

Researching the subject, its uses, its environments are explained by Shep in ‘Doing Research’ chapter two. Shep also addresses working with scale drawings and evaluating conflicting references.

Review Author
Mike Lamm
Published on
October 11, 2016
Company
Airfix
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$19.99

Following its successful introduction into service with the Royal Airforce, the Harrier generated considerable interest for export orders to other countries. The largest demand for the vertical take-off and landing aircraft came from the United States Marine Corps, who saw the excellent potential to provide close air support while operating from the decks of the smaller amphibious landing ships supporting the Marines. Starting in the early 1970s, the Harrier entered service with the USMC. The AV-8A Harrier was used by the Marines until 1979, when it was replaced by the AV-8C, and today the USMC flies the AV-8B Harrier II.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
October 11, 2016
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.95

Thanks to Eduard for providing more of their excellent aftermarket parts for IPMS USA to review, and to IPMS leadership for sending it to me!

This set is simple to use; Kabuki tape masks for all the clear bits! Included are masks for all the windows, canopy parts, and gun turrets, and wheels. One benefit of these sets is the ability to mask off VERY tiny windows; in this case, all the 1/8” round porthole windows, and some of the intersecting canopy window bits. These can be less than 1/16” across, and are VERY difficult to mask; same with the turret frames, because of the complex curves. Eduard utilizes multiple small tape masks to make sure you cover all the areas without wrinkling, which leads to paint creep under the tape.

Review Author
Mike Kellner
Published on
February 4, 2020
Company
HK Models Co.
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$300.00

Beginning with the rest of the fuselage assembly (from Part I of my review), the fit of the two fuselage halves was good, but my alignment of the bomb bay catwalk and structure must have been a little off, since it’s slightly closer to one side. I installed most of the glass except for the radio hatch and nose; the waist and nose glass had to be sanded to fit. I used Micro Mask to mask the windows since I couldn’t find an aftermarket mask set for the E model. Some spots must have not been covered, because it was a lot of work to clean off overspray.

Review Author
Perry Downen
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99

We thank Mushroom Model Publications for providing this book for review.

The De Havilland Mosquito was arguably the most versatile and successful twin-engine aircraft of World War II. It was originally designed as an unarmed bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. However, it excelled in other rolls that included day and night fighter, fighter-bomber, pathfinder, and high-speed military transport. It was constructed mainly of balsawood sandwiched between sheets of birch and covered with a fine woven cotton fabric and painted with a coat of silver dope. Its two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines gave it a maximum speed in the 380 mph range. Its beauty and war record has made it one of the most popular RAF aircraft of World War II.