Space and Sci-Fi Vehicles | IPMS/USA Reviews

X-Wing Fighter

Review Author

Floyd S. Werner Jr.

Published on

September 2, 2021

Company

Fine Molds

Scale

1/48

MSRP

$45.00

Is there anybody on earth that hasn't heard of Star Wars? Released in 1977, the George Lucas film changed the genre of Sci-Fi forever. One of the biggest stars of the show was the Incom Corporation T-65 X-Wing Space Superiority Fighter, or just X-Wing for short. When flown by the infamous Red Squadron, the X-Wing was able to fight its way to the Death Star and "then maneuver straight down this trench" and launch a proton torpedo and destroy the Death Star. This specific movie event solidified the X-Wing's place in history, or at least in the mind of this young 15 year old boy.

Star Wars Snow Speeder

Review Author

Dick Montgomery

Published on

January 1, 2009

Company

Fine Molds

Scale

1/48

MSRP

$30.00

In the Box

Eighty-three parts, including those for the two pilot figures and the display base, are located on the five part sprues. The glazing for the canopy consists of two clear parts. The canopy framing consists of two parts into which the glazing fits. The parts are, with only a few exceptions, without flash, and are held in place at small attachment points that will require very little clean up.

Kit Instructions

The instructions include both Japanese and English text but neither is required. The illustrations are clearly drawn and easy to interpret. Gunze is the paint of choice and all color references are for Gunze products.

Decals

The decal sheet contains markings for two different "squadrons". One set features "gray" markings while the second version features "orange" markings. An interesting feature is that the decals have small clear areas simulating chipped paint and weathering.

Star Wars Jedi Starfighter

Review Author

James Woody

Published on

January 1, 2009

Company

AMT

MSRP

$13.95

Well now, AMT finally gets the 'Star Wars Revenge of the Sith©' models to the store shelves just in time for Christmas and after the movie is on DVD for your reference. So what go you get with this new release? You get 56 parts nicely molded in light gray plastic, 2 clear parts, 2 metal bars, decals and instructions. The parts are bagged and the clear parts are double bagged in bubble wrap.

What you don't get is any painting or decal placement information in the instructions, even though the instructions do list 11 different paint color call outs. The other thing that you don't get is any information on this kit, for example, in two different places (one for the cockpit and the other for the moveable wing panels) you are given optional part selection without any information about which Eta-2 Jedi Starfighter had which options, so you had better take good notes when you are watching the movie.

Forbidden Planet Robbie the Robot

Review Author

Dave Morrissette

Published on

January 1, 2009

Company

Polar Lights

Scale

1/12

MSRP

$19.95

As a fan of 1950’s movies and SciFi in general, I consider Robbie to be the most famous robot of all time. I wanted one for the collection. I also wanted to do one from his 1st appearance, which was in the 1956 MGM picture "Forbidden Planet." When this kit was first issued by Polar Lights, I missed the boat. So I was on it when Round2 Models brought back this classic!

Inside the long Aurora-style box was approximately 50 parts including: a single part base, chrome sprue for the pieces and parts, clear parts for the voice area and head details, and several sprues of dark metallic gray parts. I started preparing to build by watching my copy of the movie and searching the Internet where I stumbled on this picture:

USS Enterprise NCC 1701 Refit

Review Author

Dick Montgomery

Published on

January 1, 2009

Company

Polar Lights

Scale

1/350

MSRP

$55.00

The first thing that you will notice, even before opening the box, is that this is a big model! The box measured at about 17 inches on each side and is five inches deep, weighing in about just less than five pounds. Opening the box one of the things that draws the eye is the saucer. The saucer, which is about 16.5 inches in diameter, weighs in at just less than 2 pounds. For the math challenged among us, that equates to a saucer circumference of just less than 52 inches. As a reference, a standard NBA basketball hoop has a diameter of 18 inches. Each engine pod is about 17 inches long. The model will take up an estimated vertical displacement of about 10 inches. Okay, it's big. It's heavy.