IPMS/USA Reviews

Plusmodel is located in the Czech Republic and when you visit the company website you are given the option of an English language version. The links above go to that option.

To get some idea as to what products are offered by plusmodel, select the Catalogue option on the home page. The Catalogue lists hundreds of items that can be used as stand-alone models or items, such as the Ladder being reviewed, to enhance a model. My modeling experience with plusmodel products includes only a dozen or so of the aftermarket-type items, and I have been pleased with each of those items.

The ladder, in 48^th scale, is packaged in a sturdy cardstock box measuring 5 inches by 3.5 inches. The box top shows an F-106, with the canopy open, and with the ladder in place, awaiting the pilot. The backside of the box serves as the "instruction sheet". The illustration shows that there are 14 parts included in the box.

This set is designed for any 1/48 AH-64 kit. Included in a self-sealing package with a card stock backing. There are no instructions included in the kit. Five dark grey resin pieces are on four pour blocks. They are blemish free. The set includes two main wheels, one tail wheel and two small parts that look to be a additional wheel retention nuts.

The detail is exquisite throughout. There is a flat spot on the bottom to represent the weight of the aircraft. It is easy to overdo but Reskit has got it down perfect. Actually the tail wheel could even be flatter. The circumference tread is nicely deep and perfectly formed. The brake assemblies are beautifully rendered as well.

These wheels are significantly better than the kit offerings. They are perfectly formed and beautifully done.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Reskit and IPMS/USA for the review. You can obtain your copy from them at www.resikit.com.ua or at your local hobby shop or online retailer.

RB Productions makes an assortment of aftermarket seat belts, photoetch and other items to dress up a wide variety of models.

While building the 1/24 scale Airfix F6F-5 Hellcat these seat belts were offered for an IPMS review. The timing was perfect as I had completed the cockpit and kit supplied belts, and was about to close up the fuselage.

The small package was nicely presented with a cardboard cover folded and stapled over a plastic bag. Inside was a sheet of paper belts, a small paper sheet containing the lap pad and photo etch buckles, all protected by a black cardboard sheet. Behind this were the tiny fold out instructions.

The Airfix 1/24 scale F6F-5 Hellcat has been a welcome surprise to many large scale model builders, especially those interested in US carrier based aircraft.

This build will be in a two part "mini-series" due to the large size and length of time it may take to build. There are several good "in-box" parts reviews on the web, so I've skipped that to get straight into building this big Cat. However, I'll start with some poignant information.

A very large box arrived at my front door, and an equally large colorful box was extracted. It is the same size as the Airfix 1/24 Typhoon box. I couldn't wait to slice through the tape securing the box lid to examine the contents!

Ian White was born in the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1947 and educated at secondary schools in Rotherham and later in Ilford, Essex. He joined the Post Office Engineering Department in August 1963 as an apprentice and later served as a technician in the City of London. In 1973, on promotion to engineer, he was appointed to the Post Office's Air Defense Group in London to provide landline and ground to air communications for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the UK, Germany and Cyprus. In April 1984 he joined the Company's Defense Sales Organization as a Senior Systems Engineer and later as an engineering manager. The final three years were spent as a liaison officer within the defense and law enforcement community. Ian retired in May 2000, following which he attended Anglia Polytechnic University (now Anglia Ruskin University), Cambridge, as an undergraduate history student. In 2003 he was awarded an honours degree in Modern European History. Ian joined the Royal Aeronautic Society in 1977 as an Associate, before being appointed an Associate Member (AMRAeS) in 1984. He was awarded Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status by the Society in March 1999.