Pat Villarreal
Reviews By Author
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N.A. Mustang Mk. III CollectionPublished:
Euro Decals has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the WWII North American P-51 Mustang Mk. III (P-51B/C variant) in service for the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Airforce. There is no specific mention of a preferred model company for this decal set. This 1/72nd scale decal sheet covers eleven (11) schemes:
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US M1240 M-ATV MRAPPublished:
MRC has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with Trumpeter’s new 2024 tooled 1/72nd scale US M1240 M-ATV MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected – All Terrain Vehicle). In the BoxThe kit is enclosed in a top open box with a photo of the completed kit on the cover. Inside are several bags of sprues and parts all individually wrapped for protection. Five (5) tires are bagged and made from black vinyl. Also, enclosed is a small decal sheet and die-cut masks for the clear parts. The instructions are well illustrated with 29 steps. Review ProcessTrumpeter has you starting with assembling the chassis. Steps 1-13 covers the entire chassis assembly and because of the independent suspension of each wheel, I ran into some alignment issues at the very end.… more |
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Acrylic Paint Set for Napoleonic WarsPublished:
ICM hobby company has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a six (6) bottle acrylic paint set based on the colors of the Napoleonic Wars. In the BoxThe paint set contains six 12ml bottles with nontoxic water based acrylic paints. The following colors are provided:
Straight out of the bottle the paint viscosity is thick and purposely prepared for brush painting. The instructions do recommend thinning 40-60% with water or thinner for airbrushing. All surfaces are recommended to be primed prior to painting. Volume wise, the paint takes up about 70% of the bottle and has “room” to add thinner if so desired.… more |
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Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIb CollectionPublished:
Euro Decals has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the WWII Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIb. Though there is no specific mention of a preferred model company, it coincides with Arma Hobby’s Hurricane Mk.IIb kit production. This 1/72 decal sheet covers eight (8) schemes:
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Vought Corsair Decal CollectionPublished:
Euro Decals has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the WWII Vought Corsair in 1/32nd scale. There is no specific mention of a preferred model kit, however, the decals are for the following variants: F4U-1, -1A, -A, Mk. II, and Brewster F3A. This 1/32nd scale decal sheet covers seven (7) aircraft schemes:
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P-38L Lightning Instrument PanelPublished:
Yahu Models has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a 1/48th scale P-38L Lightning instrument panel. The base kit for this upgrade is designated for the Tamiya P-38J Lightning kit (61123). Referencing warbirdsresourcegroup.org, the “L” variant was an improved “J” variant with new engines and new rocket pylons. Thus, no differences in the airframe external shape. Of the P-38L-LO variant, 3,810 were built. In the PackageThe instrument panel (IP) detail set is enclosed in a plastic bag with one (1) photoetched (PE) IP already assembled, one (1) clear acetate sheet with printed detail, two (2) PE etched sheets for other cockpit panels. My sample review was missing the PE sheet that would have added detail to part M24. I did note in the pictures which part was… more |
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P-39N AiracobraPublished:
Arma Hobby has released a new 1/48th scale P-39N Airacobra. It is the new tooled 2024 version following the P-39Q, released earlier, and they share the same sprues, but the wing sink marks noted in the “Q” boxing looks to be fixed. In The BoxThe kit is enclosed in a side open box with all the contents sitting in a sturdier cardboard tray. The sprues are enclosed in a single plastic bag and within are more bags that hold three (3) steel ball bearings (for nose weight), the clear sprue, and another for a small 3D printed nose air louvers. The injected plastic hardness is on the medium side. The recessed and raised molded details are good for this scale. Instructions are well illustrated and easy to follow. To obtain a P-39N variant, special… more |
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P-51D Mustang "Aces of the Eighth" Dual ComboPublished:
Eduard has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a 1/72nd scale Limited Edition P-51D Mustang “Aces of the Eighth” Dual Combo kit. In WWII, The Eighth Air Force (aka: Mighty Eighth) earned a reputation as a great warfighting organization. From May 1942 to July 1945, they flew over Nazi-occupied Europe and complied an impressive war record which included 566 Aces (261 fighter pilots with 31 having 15 or more victories and 305 enlisted gunners). This kit has markings for twelve (12) P-51D Mustang Aces for you to choose from. The hardest part may be choosing which two (2) you will want to build. In the BoxThere are two (2) complete kits in this boxing and it is encased in a beautifully illustrated top open box. The tooling is brand new for this scale and… more |
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Low-Viz Seahawk Family (1)Published:
AOA Decals has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for low-viz options (Part 1) for the US Navy H-60 Seahawk family that covers the SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H, and MH-60R variants, and includes MH-60R options for the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Danish Air Force. This 1/35th scale decal sheet of Low-Viz Seahawk Family, Part 1, covers the following squadrons: SH-60B:
SH-60F:
HH-60H:
MH-60R:
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Low-Viz Seahawk Family (3) DecalsPublished:
AOA Decals has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for low-viz options (Part 3) for the US Navy H-60 Seahawk family that covers MH-60R squadrons, including two additional Romeos from the Royal Australian Navy. This 1/35th scale decal sheet of Low-Viz Seahawk Family, Part 3, covers the following squadrons: MH-60R
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