Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
TSDS
Scale
1/128
MSRP
$6.29

The IPMS Reviewer Corps was recently contacted by the folks from TSDS Incorporated, asking if we would be interested in reviewing some of their products. The company is producing interiors, decals, and lighting sets for the Jupiter 2, Space Pod, and Chariot from "Lost in Space" that are produced by Moebius, as well as decals for the "Land of the Giants" Spindrift kit. Decal/detail sheets are available for the Aurora/Monogram "Invaders UFO" kit and the Moebius "Invisible Man" and "Seaview" kits, and four different Flying Sub interior items are made for the Moebius 1/128 and 1/32 scale kits. If you are a fan of this particular genre, I would recommend checking out their web site to see what all is available, as well as their pricing.

Review Author
Don Matthys
Published on
Company
Cutting Edge
Scale
1/144
  • Masks - CEBM44002 - $9.99 USD
  • Decals - CED44002 - $18.99 USD

The Masks

Here is one good idea from a company called Cutting Edge, a part of Meteor Productions. These are pre-cut painting masks for painting the orbital stage of the NASA space shuttle. Cutting Edge has released two sets, in 1/144 and 1/72 scales, both good for the models made by Academy/Minicraft and Monogram.

These “Black Magic” masks consisted of slightly kiss cut black vinyl. They are very flexible and self adhesive. The mask patterns conform to the models color breaks, panel lines and over contours. Thus it saves the time and trouble of making your own masks and friskets.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
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.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
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.

Review Author
James Woody
Published on
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.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
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:

Review Author
John R. Lee
Published on
Company
Hasegawa
MSRP
$12.95

I was happy to see Hasegawa reissue these kits as I have several of the "Eggplanes" but not some of the re-releases. The kit comes in a sturdy top opening box - great for holding the parts as you work on the model. There are thirteen White, Eleven Black plastic parts and one crystal clear windshield and with a colorful decal sheet with the names of three different shuttles. The canopy is loose in the box allowing it to be scratched up a bit, but a little polishing and a dip in Future took care of that problem. Some of the parts were also scratched but nothing a little polishing and painting would take care of. One thing about these re-releases is that Hasegawa have eliminated the bases that were in the original issue. This kit no longer has the clear Blue half earth base and the wire to support the shuttle above it, see picture. Missing from the kit I received was the wire that goes from the shuttle bay load to the Astronaut that is shown in the instructions.

Review Author
Robert Merz
Published on
Company
Tameo
Scale
1/43
MSRP
$65.00

Introduction

Tameo Models is an Italian firm, and their kits are arguably the best 1/43 scale models in the world. From their earliest days these kits have featured fine, white metal castings, delicate photo-etched details, machined aluminum parts, rubber tires, vacuform windscreens, and superb decals. They have led the 1/43rd world, and have never looked back.

Tameo is best known for its extensive line of Formula One cars. Taken all together, by my count there are over 475 kits offered by this prolific firm in 1/43 scale… and this does not include their extensive line of detail parts! Best of all, ALL of their kits are kept in production at all times!

The Kit

This kit is from their World Championship line (their most detailed offerings, with some kits containing over 300 parts). The kit contains finely cast white metal components for the body, chassis, engine, some strut elements, engine, instrument panel and wheel hubs.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
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.

Review Author
Jack Kennedy
Published on
Company
Fujimi
Scale
1/20
MSRP
$49.95

When I wrote the first part of this review, I briefly outlined the story behind this unusual race car. In this part I'll actually build the kit.

Upon opening the box I found 144 parts. All molded very crisply with fine detail. I didn't follow the instructions step by step as I was anxious to build the engine. This consisted of 44 parts. Assembly went very quickly with a terrific fit on all parts. Basically no cleanup was needed. When completed I primed it with Duplicolor Automotive light grey primer and then airbrushed with Duplicolor Silver. When this was dry, I gave the engine dark washes and a light drybrushing with bright silver. This really popped out the detail.