Pat Villarreal

	F4U-1 Corsair Headrest Type B Published: September 21, 2026 Company: Quickboost Quickboost has provided the Reviewer Corps with a resin upgrade replacement detail for Tamiya’s F4U-1A or D Corsair Headrest Type B in 1/72nd scale. In The Package and Product Notes The sample review came in a plastic bag with cardboard backing. There are instructions for this set and it will show the removal of the headrest pad for parts B15 & B16. This will allow the new headrest to be installed on the forward side of the bulkhead. Note: this part cannot be used on F4U-1 “Birdcage” variant with the aft scalloped windows. There are two headrests provided and they are the traditional pour moldings (not 3D generated). The quality is excellent with very fine detail. Please note, since this is a resin part, Superglue (CA) or other bonding agent will be… more
	Kawasaki Ki-100-I Otsu Type 5 Fighter (Part 3, Completed Build) Published: September 15, 2026 Company: Zoukei-Mura Zoukei-Mura has graciously provided the IPMS Reviewer Corps with a first look at their brand new 1/32nd scale Kawasaki Ki-100-I Otsu Type 5 Fighter. Parts 1 and 2 of this review looked at the box contents and initial assembly, respectively. Part 1 can be viewed here: https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/kawasaki-ki-100-i-otsu-type-5-fighter-part-1-kit-inspection Part 2 can be viewed here: https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/kawasaki-ki-100-i-otsu-type-5-fighter-part-2-assembly Final Assembly Process This is a box stock build… more
	Kawasaki Ki-100-I Otsu Type 5 Fighter: Part 2, Assembly Published: August 30, 2026 Company: Zoukei-Mura Zoukei-Mura has graciously provided the IPMS Reviewer Corps with a first look at their brand new 1/32nd scale Kawasaki Ki-100-I Otsu Type 5 Fighter. Part 1 of this review looked at the box contents: Sprue-runners, decals, masks, and instructions. Assembly Process The instruction booklet is 75 pages of very well illustrated pictures and graphics of each step. One of the great things that impressed me about the instructions are the parts are properly named and this gives the functional operation use within the mechanical system of the airplane. Very informative and educational. The instructions are broken down into 5 sections of the assembly process: Engine Fuselage Wings Landing Gear Final Outfitting The sections… more
	Weathering/Rusted Painting Stencils (Type 1-4) Published: July 17, 2026 Company: DXM Decals Double Xcellent Model, DXM, from Tawain has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a set of painting stencils (weathering/rusted) to give a splotchy/mottle look to your kits. These are made from a soft silicone material and can conform over complex surfaces. These should be used in conjunction with an airbrush to get the best results. In the Package DXM provided four different stencils each individually packaged. Type 1 is a random jagged edge stencil. Type 2 is similar to Type 1 but with smaller holes. Type 3 has more rounded holes of varying sizes. Type 4 is a smaller version of Type 1 & 3 and on one sheet. Types 1, 2, & 3 are titled as “Dual Effects” since on side has a flush surface to allow for a more solid… more
	Kawasaki Ki-100-I Otsu Type 5 Fighter: Part 1, Kit Inspection Published: July 16, 2026 Company: Zoukei-Mura Zoukei-Mura has graciously provided the IPMS Reviewer Corps with a first look at their brand new 1/32nd scale Kawasaki Ki-100-I Otsu Type 5 Fighter. Full release and distribution will be later in August 2026. Prior to this release, the only way to get a 1/32nd scale Ki-100 was to purchase a Hasegawa Ki-61 and an Alley Cat conversion set. This new kit will fill a void for WWII Japanese fighters. First Impression: It Looks Fabulous! History (from Zoukei-Mura website) The Ki‑100 Type 5 Army Fighter was a Japanese Army aircraft of World War II, developed as a derivative of the Ki‑61 Hien. By installing the Ha‑112 radial air‑cooled engine and modifying the fuselage, the Ki‑100 arose as an emergency conversion aircraft. Despite its improvised origins, it… more
	Mitsubishi F-2A Viper Zero Published: July 7, 2026 Company: DXM Decals A new vendor, DXM Decals from Taiwan, has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful waterslide decal set commemorating the JASDF 8th Squadron 60th Anniversary Special Painting of an F-2A “Panther Spots” in 2020. The Anniversary markings are for the following aircraft: F-16C Block 50P, No. 13-8558 (SN 1058) – 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tsuiki Air Base, Japan. Contents There is one folded color sheet, printed on both sides (8 X 11.5 inches) that shows decal placement. There are three decal sheets which come with a complete set of stencils and the special camouflage scheme. Painting references are for five colors: FS35109, FS36320, Black, Radome Gray, and a Black+5% White mixture. The decals are made by Cartograf, who are known… more
	Rafale M Published: July 6, 2026 Company: Academy Models Academy/MRC has released a new boxing of the Rafale M in 1/144th scale. From Scalemates.com, the original molds were created by Revell-AG in 1999. In the Box The kit is enclosed in a top-opening box and comes with four gray sprues and one clear. Instructions are well illustrated and easy to follow, and contain 12 steps for assembly. There are four marking options for this kit for the Aeronavale (Naval Air Arm of the French Navy). The markings are as follows: Flottile 12F, Aeronavale, Celebrating 1000 hours of flight Flottile 12F, Aeronavale Flottile 11F, Aeronavale Flottile 17F, Aeronavale. Review Process This is a box-stock build except for the decals (which I will explain later). The only assembly deviation I… more
	Su-27 Landing Gear (48th scale) Published: July 2, 2026 Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a set of 1/48th scale metal landing gear for Great Wall Hobby’s Su-27. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties. In the Package The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided. Review Process The metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for the kit parts as noted: Nose Gear: E4, E13, E18, E19, E20, E23, E29, RHS Gear: E44, E54, E55, E60, E66, E68, E69, E77, E81, E79, LHS Gear: E45, E53, E56, E59, E65, E67, E70, E76, E78, E80, The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending if… more
	F-16C 60 Years of Weasels Published: June 20, 2026 Company: Two Bobs Aviation Graphics Two Bobs Aviation Graphics has provided the IPMS/USA Reviewer Corps with a wonderful waterslide decal set commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the very first Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) mission, which was flown during the Vietnam War in 1965. This project was code named “Wild Weasel.” This decal set captures the unique paint scheme applied to F-16C Fighting Falcons of the 20th Fighter Wing out of Shaw AFB in South Carolina. The two F-16C Fighting Falcons markings are for: F-16C Block 50P, SN 92-3920 – 20th FW, 60th Anniversary, Shaw AFB, South Carolina, December 2025 F-16C Block 50, SN 00-0220 – 20th FW, Ops Group Commander, Shaw AFB, South Carolina, December 2025. In the Package There is one… more
	HU-16A Albatross Landing Gear Published: May 23, 2026 Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a set of 1/48^th scale metal landing gear for Trumpeter’s HU-16A Albatross. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties. In the Package The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided. Review Process The metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for the kit parts as noted Nose Gear: G12, G19 and G16 (also Metal Nose Strut parts A & B) RHS Gear: J19, J26, and K11 (also Metal Right Strut) LHS Gear: J16, J21, and K27 (also Metal Left Strut) Note: The Trumpeter kit does provide some… more