Waco CG-4A Glider

Published: May 18, 2020
Company: Masterpiece Models

IPMS/USA welcomes the proprietors of Masterpiece models back, and serious appreciation for supporting the IPMS USA reviewer corps with yet one more of their newest releases, in a scale never before attempted: 1/35^th! A perfect diorama subject, we certainly will see some of these in a D-Day or Market Garden setting. And my personal thanks to IPMS leadership for sending it to me to be reviewed.

Both wings are two-part and fit extremely well. Using the instructions, pre-drill holes to accept the pins from the struts. These are functional and required items, and do a great job on supporting the almost no-dihedral position they are installed in. There are engraved lines in the wings, chord-wise, that represent where the ribs go. On another build I will be filling those… more

Scale Aviation Modeller, December 2019

Published: April 30, 2020
Company: MA Publications, Ltd.

IPMS/USA appreciates the opportunity to review this periodical and report on the content!

OK, I am one of “those guys” who really enjoys reading periodicals/magazines. They provide a method to weed out the potential poorly manufactured models out there (a rare occurrence these days with modern molding techniques) and highlight the benefit of a given kit. A win for me as I therefore know of and don’t buy poorly executed plastic. And if I do, it’s because it saves me a lot of scratch building. Plus, I learn a lot of technique and history from modeling. What is not to like?

My first experience with hard-core modeling magazines was the few produced here in the United States in the late 1960’s. Royal Air Force Review, a predecessor to many of the magazines currently produced… more

F-117 Sixteen Marking Options

Published: April 13, 2020
Company: Caracal Models

IPMS/USA says “thanks kindly” to Caracal Decals for supporting the IPMS USA reviewer corps with yet one more of their growing number of releases, with useful additions for those who build. And thanks to IPMS leadership for sending it to me to be reviewed.

Kurst does a great job on his products… accurate, perfect resolution, and handling subjects which we have needed for many projects others won’t touch. Caracal crams as many various color schemes into one sheet as will fit, and offers a second, “stencil and detail only” sheet to allow one to model a squadron of 16 different F-117 markings if so inclined. (You get one in this sheet) .

He also offers the stencil and generic information sheet, so you could take one of these (of which, again, you get ONE in the F-117 sheet… more

AMC DH.2 Landing Gear

Published: April 13, 2020
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

Thanks once again for another great set from SAC, and thanks to Bill and Phil for sending it out for review.

Recommended Kits

• The Excellent Wingnut Wings Airco DH-2.

The review item is the typical high standard and normal from SAC; a direct replacement for the kit items except these are cast metal. Consisting of three parts; the two main gear “A” frame braces, and the cross brace/axle assembly.

WARNING: Make sure you look at the kit parts to determine how much of the casting frame to remove. On the camel I built a couple of years ago, I did not do so and ended up with a short, butt matched installation verses having two tabs adding strength inside the plastic… be forewarned to not remove too much metal off the struts!… more

Bristol Beaufighter TF.X Landing Gear

Published: April 13, 2020
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

Thanks once again for another great set from SAC, and thanks to Bill and Phil for sending it out for review.

Recommended Kits:

• The most recent Revell Germany releases of this iconic night fighter and shipping interdiction aircraft are great; on par with the Tamiya kit. The SAC gear adds strength as a direct replacement for the kit items.

The review item is the typical high standard and normal from SAC; a direct replacement for the kit items except these are cast metal. Consisting of 20 parts (!!!), providing two main gear and two tail gear (one extended, one compressed), there is not much to describe except to remove the parts from the pour runners with side nippers, use flat 220 wet/dry to prepare the cut stub, then install the gear on the model… more

Detail Set for DO-335A

Published: April 8, 2020
Company: Master Model

IPMS/USA sends warm regards once again to Piotr at Master Model for supporting the IPMS USA reviewer corps with yet one more of his masterful (!) Turned metal releases, which have become a gold-standard for many of us who do a lot of model building. And thanks to IPMS leadership for sending it to me to be reviewed.

I am constantly amazed at what comes out of Piotr’s shop… sure, some of us can cut brass tubing with the best.. but the machine work on the MG 151 cannon, the “Through the engine crankshaft centerline cannon, the pitot tube, and the very delicate IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) FuG 25 antenna always has me wondering how.

Then again we live in an age of metalworking (and other material) magic.

Certainly this set fits a niche that is difficult to… more

Detail Set for DO-335 B-2

Published: April 8, 2020
Company: Master Model

IPMS/USA yet again sends regards to Piotr at Master Model for supporting the IPMS USA reviewer corps with yet one more of his turned metal and resin accessory releases, which are the gold-standard for those who do a lot of model building. And thanks to IPMS leadership for sending it to me to be reviewed.

This set takes the ante up on the previously reviewed AM-32-107 set… included in the -108 version is the brass machine work on the two MG 151 cannon, the very delicate pitot tube and IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) FuG 25 antenna, and also the MG-103 cannon in brass, as well as a brass blast tube for the centerline “through the engine shaft” cannon; more jewels appear in the form of what appears to be CAD machine-printed resin muzzle brakes for the MG-103.

The detail… more

F-15E Maximum Effort Eagles

Published: April 8, 2020
Company: Twobobs Aviation Graphics

IPMS USA gratefully acknowledges the continued support from Bob at Two Bobs Aviation Graphics…

Recommended Kits

• Tamiya’s F-15E; the later release is recommended, due to minor changes in weapons load
• And to make sure your Mudhen is fully upgraded, I recommend the GT Resin range available from Sprue Brothers models for intakes, wheels, and exhausts.
• Two Mikes also produces an excellent set of 1/32 F-15 Engine featherless exhausts.
• If you are feeling particularly extravagant and must have the best, the HK range of 1/32 F-15 exhausts has been beautifully 3-D printed as well, and is heartily recommended. Order these directly or you can pay a distributor here in the States to do the leg work.

The review item is the typical… more

F-18C/D Wheels

Published: April 8, 2020
Company: Brengun

IPMS/USA says “thanks kindly” to Brengun for supporting the IPMS USA reviewer corps with yet one more of their growing number of releases, with useful additions for those who build. And thanks to IPMS leadership for sending it to me to be reviewed.

This set has four parts… two nose gear and two main gear wheels and tires. Cast in medium gray resin, they provide a professional final touch for those of us who frequent the Lilliputian scale of 1/144. There are no instructions, nor are any needed if you are using them.

Clean the resin with your own mold release agent remover, paint with flat black primer, then use a touch of flat white on a 00000 brush or a toothpick… followed by a gloss on the wheel, so a bit of weathering dark gray or black pin wash can be used to bring… more

AV-8B Wheels

Published: April 8, 2020
Company: Brengun

IPMS/USA says “thanks kindly” to Brengun for supporting the IPMS USA reviewer corps with yet one more of their growing number of releases, with useful additions for those who build. And thanks to IPMS leadership for sending it to me to be reviewed.

This set has 10 parts… One nose gear wheel and tire and nose gear fork, two main gear wheels and tires, and two outrigger wheels and tires all cast in resin. Also included is a small etch brass set with torque links for the outrigger gear. The resin is cast in medium gray color, and this is the ultimate provision including a professional final touch for those of us who frequent the Lilliputian scale of 1/144. There are instructions included to assist you in your task.

Clean the resin with your own mold release agent remover… more