Adjustable Angle Gluing Jig

Published: August 13, 2015
Company: UMM-USA

Thank you to Unique Master Models (UMM) for generously providing an excellent tool for “field testing.” Thank you as well to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for letting me be an evaluator.

The jig is akin to an adjustable protractor with a range of 0 to 180 degrees. The base plate is metallic blue metal with white, etched tick marks and numbers marked in 1 degree increments. A polished bar is screwed to the base plate at the zero position and an adjustable or positionable bar with a set screw can be locked between 0 and 180 degrees. Both plates are 3/16 in thick and project up from the base plate about 7/16 in. I checked the indicated angles on the jig with other tools and the angles match the precision of the jig, in other words, the angles on the jig are pretty darn good! The… more

Interactive German Aircraft Instrument Panels, Volume 1, an iPad reference book

Published: August 12, 2015
Book Author(s): Dariusz Karnas
Company: Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books

Thank you to Mushroom Publications for bringing a tremendous digital resource for the modeler. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to test out this new and exciting method of researching model subjects. This digital publication is nearly identical in content to the paperback version [suggestion to editor: here is the link for the paperback review on the IPMS Review site.

Overview

I am very pleased with the increasing availability of research material in the tablet world. Interactive Panels allows an interesting reference experience for the WWII German aircraft modeler. Cockpit views of six different aircraft instrument panels are included, as listed:

• Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4
• Fieseler Fi 156 Storch… more

De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk VI - Part 1

Published: July 19, 2015
Company: Tamiya

Thank you to Tamiya, Inc. for providing this wonderful kit for review and to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to document my build experiences. Sharing this review with the scale modeling community would not be possible without the exceptional support of the IPMS Reviewer Corps. Thank you everyone!

The Mosquito is one of my favorite aircraft with its underdog success story and exceptional operational history. Tamiya’s representation of the fighter-bomber version of the Mosquito is also exceptional. The following review is a compilation of the planning, preparation, and subsequent anticipation of a very enjoyable build of a de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.IV aircraft. Please look for a complete build review soon, where I will report on how this elegantly packed kit progressed… more

Detail & Scale Colors and Markings Series Digital Volume 1

Published: June 28, 2015
Book Author(s): Bert Kinzey, art by Rock Roszak
Company: Detail & Scale, Inc.

Thank you to Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak for bringing back a tremendous resource for the modeler, this time in digital format. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to test out this new and exciting method of researching colors and markings of my favorite jet of all time, the F-14 Tomcat. A very significant plus of this updated version is that the entire history of the Atlantic F-14 squadrons through Tomcat Sunset is now available in a single publication.

Overview

This review of an exciting new format of a familiar product will be in two parts; 1) content coverage, and 2) how effective and useful the digital e-book format is from a modeler’s perspective. I certainly would expect the first question a reader would ask is, "Why do I want an e-book format… more

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Air Vanguard 20

Published: June 26, 2015
Book Author(s): Paul F. Crickmore, illustrated by Adam Tooby
Company: Osprey Publishing

Thank you very much to the wonderful folks at Osprey Publishing for providing this new publication for review. Thanks are also due to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me the opportunity to explore a fascinating historical documentation and description of the enigmatic SR-71. The book was particularly interesting to me, since the time I stood nose-to-nose with a Blackbird at Beal AFB during IPMS Nationals in Sacramento in the 80’s. This volume follows previous Osprey releases describing the SR-71 and the A-12.

In typical Osprey style, you will find a balance of detail, data, and photographs in a small package that gives a succinct and in-depth overview of a complex subject. The book is formatted in standard Osprey layout with 64 glossy pages filled with text, 35 color photos… more

Mosquito B Mk.IV - Planning, Prep, and Anticipation

Published: June 16, 2015
Company: HK Models Co.

Thank you to Hong Kong Models for providing an innovative and exceptional kit representing a legendary Royal Air Force aircraft, the first kit in a “Mossie, The Wooden Wonder” series. Thank you also to the IPMS Reviewer Corps staff members who do the hard work behind the scenes, getting us kits to review and publishing our work.

The following review is a compilation of the planning, preparation, and subsequent anticipation of a very enjoyable build of a de Havilland Mosquito B Mk.IV Series II aircraft. Please look for a build review soon, where I will report on how well the new molding techniques worked in a large scale kit project.

Presentation (how the kit looks in the box)

The kit is packaged in a stout 20.5 x 10.5 x 4.25 inch cardboard box, with a colorful… more

C-45 Expeditor Part 1

Published: May 13, 2015
Company: Caracal Models

Thanks to Caracal Models for sending these excellent decals for review. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for letting me review them! I am very appreciative of the chance to contribute back to the scale-modeling community.

This review covers the first of two C-45 decal sets from Caracal. The decal set includes 8 statement-sized glossy color illustration pages and two decal sheets for six different paint versions of the C-45 including U, R, or TC-45 types. The target kit is the ICM C-45. Four colorful schemes from NAS Miramar, Oakland, Iwakuni, and Cubi Point make up the USN contingent and the USAF is represented by a gray and white MATS aircraft. Rounding out the decal set is an olive-drab US Army Forces transport. The USN and USAF aircraft are the later long-nacelle… more

WWII US Army Aircraft Mechanics

Published: May 1, 2015
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Thanks to Aires Hobby Models for sending these excellent diorama figures for review. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for letting me review them! I am very appreciative of the chance to contribute back to the scale-modeling community.

This review covers four separate releases that complement each other very nicely. The four figures represent WWII U. S. Army aircraft mechanics in the Pacific Theater. One mechanic figure is pushing upward, perhaps against a fuel tank or engine part, another could be wiping down or polishing, and another figure is mopping up. The last figure is taking a rest on a footlocker sipping a bottled beverage. They are all cast in gray resin with protective pour plugs surrounding the figures. I found the resin to have a very nice balance of workability… more

Fire Drum and Buckets

Published: April 30, 2015
Company: Aerobonus

Thanks to Aires Hobby Models for sending these excellent diorama accessories and details for review. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for letting me review them! I am very appreciative of the chance to contribute back to the scale-modeling community.

This 5 piece set of fire suppression equipment is quite simple, consisting of a 55 gallon sand drum and 4 water buckets that appear to be about 5 gallons each. They are all cast in gray resin on solid pour plugs. Copper wire is provided to make bucket handles and a sheet of decal stencils is included. I found the resin to have a very nice balance of workability and strength. I had no troubles with brittle resin or needing to do excessive sanding, but the handle tabs on the bucket rims are very thin. I did bend one tab over by… more

AGM-88B HARM

Published: April 30, 2015
Company: Eduard

Thanks to Eduard Model Accessories for sending these excellent aftermarket missiles from the Brassin line for review. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for letting me review them! I am very appreciative of the chance to contribute back to the scale-modeling community.

This review covers a complete pair of AGM-88B HARM missiles, with both long and short pylon options. The missiles replace and supplement kit ordnance. They are cast in dark gray resin and all parts were easily removed from the pour plugs. I found the resin to have a very nice balance of workability and strength. I had no troubles with brittle parts or needing to do excessive sanding. Flash was minimal and easily removed when present. The missiles are cast from the tail forward, leaving very little… more