Pat Villarreal
Reviews By Author
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Weathering/Rusted Painting Stencils (Type 1-4)Published:
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 PackageDXM provided four different stencils each individually packaged.
Types 1, 2, & 3 are titled as “Dual Effects” since on side has a flush surface to allow for a more solid… more |
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Kawasaki Ki-100-I Otsu Type 5 Fighter: Part 1, Kit InspectionPublished:
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 |
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Mitsubishi F-2A Viper ZeroPublished:
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:
ContentsThere 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 |
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Rafale MPublished:
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 BoxThe 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:
Review ProcessThis is a box-stock build except for the decals (which I will explain later). The only assembly deviation I… more |
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Su-27 Landing Gear (48th scale)Published:
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 PackageThe metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided. Review ProcessThe metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for the kit parts as noted:
The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending if… more |
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F-16C 60 Years of WeaselsPublished:
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:
In the PackageThere is one… more |
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HU-16A Albatross Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a set of 1/48th 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 PackageThe metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided. Review ProcessThe metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for the kit parts as noted
Note: The Trumpeter kit does provide some… more |
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AV-8B Harrier II Plus Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a set of 1/48th scale metal landing gear for UMa’s AV-8B Harrier II Plus. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties. In The PackageThe metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided. ReviewThe metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for the kit parts as noted:
The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending if needed. Also, seam lines will need to be cleaned up prior… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf109G-6 Late ProductionPublished:
The kit is enclosed in a top‑opening box (typical of Tamiya), with excellent artwork adorning the package. In addition to the regular plastic sprues, there are poly caps, metal washers, two magnets to allow the engine cowling to be displayed open or closed, and a printed masking sheet for the clear parts (note: the builder must cut these out). The instructions are well illustrated, easy to follow, and contain 40 steps for assembly. There are also two sheets of painting guides (printed in 1/48 scale) covering five marking options. For painting reference, Tamiya lists their own paint line, but it is easy to cross‑reference other paint brands online. The decals are in perfect registry with vibrant colors. Some builders may consider the clear film to be thick, but this is… more |
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Spooks from the Beach (1) - USMC F-4B/F-4J Phantoms in the Vietnam WarPublished:
AOA Decals has provided the IPMS/USA Review Corps with a wonderful decal set for Vietnam War-era markings for the US Marine Corps F-4B/F-4J Phantom. This is part one of a two-part set you can purchase from AOA Decals for the Phantom (72-014 & 72-015). This 1/72 decal sheet covers six USMC F-4 Phantom squadrons during the Vietnam War:
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