all 2014

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Polar Lights
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$28.00

Round 2 Models and Polar Lights have re-released The Jetsons Capsule Car with figures. This boxing only includes George Jetson and Astro. The figures are pre-painted and they look very nice. The clear capsule is very transparent and free of scratches due to careful packing. It does have a small “pimple” on the top, probably part of the molding process.

This kit is a snap-together model, and the overall fit and ease of assembly is excellent. If you go OOB, and don’t want to paint it, you could have it ready for display (or playing) in less than 15 minutes.

During assembly I found a few minor gaps in the capsule car ‘fins.’ It was a matter of 10 minutes with putty and sanding sticks to take care of them. I decided to paint the interior and exterior of the capsule car, as well as the moon base. The overall breakdown of the kit made painting very easy with minimal masking.

Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/200
MSRP
$39.99

The Kawasaki C-1 began development in 1966 to replace the JASDF C-46 fleet. It went into service in 1974, and is still serving today.

Before we start, I’ll let you know that this is not a motorcycle kit. It is an aircraft. I am sorry to disappoint, but just wanted to clear the air before I went any farther.

This kit includes two complete aircraft, consisting of four sprues per plane, for a total of eight sprues in the box. On the decal sheet there are enough markings that you can build any two out 25 airframes. You will need to check your references as the instructions call out one airframe in three different schemes. One of the decal options is for a 50th anniversary of the JASDF scheme.

Review Author
Tom Pope
Published on
Company
Hobby Boss
Scale
1/700
MSRP
$64.99

Introduction

The USS Boxer, LHD-4, is the fourth of the Wasp class amphibious assault ship line. She entered service in 1995 and spent several years deployed to the Western Pacific. After 9/11, the Boxer has deployed to the Persian Gulf several times and recently served as the flagship of Combined Task Force 151, fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia. She participated in the activities surrounding the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips of the container ship Maersk Alabama. After Capt. Phillips was rescued he was taken to the Boxer for medical treatment and rest.

In February 2013, HobbyBoss released a very precise rendition of the USS Boxer in a 1/700th scale kit. I would like to thank MMD/Squadron for providing this kit to IPMS USA for review.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
AK Interactive
MSRP
$10.85

Note on MSRP: Primer is $10.85, Thinner is $8.95.

AK Interactive is clearly one of the specialty brands in the world of modelling. From high quality finishing and weathering products to high quality primers, they are all about “the perfect finish” for your model.

The grey primer is an excellent all-round primer, which provides a smooth coverage to plastic parts and it airbrushes really well. Their thinner, to be used sparingly from my own experience as I had a few runs, improves airbrushing quality and it can be used to thin paints from other brands, like Tamiya, Vallejo or Lifecolor paints. I’ve personally tried with Tamiya and it thinned and improved the flow of the paint like a charm.

A killer paint job starts with a good surface and a good surface finish is prepared for painting by the use of a good primer. Give these products a try and you won’t be disappointed. I know I will be using them in a regular basis.

Book Author(s)
Steven J. Zaloga
Review Author
Mike Van Schoonhoven
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$17.95

The idea of flamethrower tanks came about towards the end of WWI. Even though the US Army was not really sure if this was a platform that they wanted to pursue they still had the Chemical Warfare Service (CWS) work on its development. For most of the interwar years there was not much development as this type of weapon was actually considered a failure. There was a renewed interest at the outbreak of World War II based on reports of German and Italian tank mounted flamethrowers. The real need for the flamethrower tank came from the Pacific campaign. There the usefulness of routing out the enemy from fortified positions on the islands become a backbone operation for the flamethrower tank. Thus also saving countless lives of soldiers. The US Army flamethrower tank was used sparingly in the ETO. Mainly due to the lack of platforms and fortified positions as encountered in the Pacific.