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IPMSUpdates

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  1. IPMSUpdates
    For a hobbyist like me, there’s nothing more exciting than opening the box from a new manufacturer. The anticipation of learning what they did differently, how the plastic cuts, what level of detail did they achieve and myriad others questions we all banter back and forth are answered when you open the box. The new Beacon Hobby multimedia ship kit of the Jack H. Lucas and their associated upgrade kit is the subject of these very questions. This appears to be Beacon Hobby’s first ship kit as far as I could see. They came out swinging with this release by not only launching the Arleigh Burke flight III ship, but an upgrade kit designed and produced by the manufacturer. This was really exciting for me because I expected everything to fit and be designed to mate up exactly. I can tell you that they did not disappoint me! View the full review
  2. IPMSUpdates
    This is volume 2 of this series, Vol. 1 of which focused on the process of how the current Royal Army has evolved since WW II. The subject of this volume is the current and possible future structure and equipment of this army. View the full review
  3. IPMSUpdates
    I make no claims to being an airbrushing expert. I own three brushes (an Iwata, an HP, and an inexpensive “no-name” unit) and while on some days, the airbrushing gods smile down upon me, there are other times that despite my best efforts, I’d be better off using a toothbrush and poster paints. I had heard a lot about this brand and jumped at the chance to do the review. My first impressions were highly favorable - a very nicely packaged product. Two things that jumped out at me were the exploded parts diagram on the bottom of the box (see below) and a nice bag of spare bushings and O-ring seals. I was a bit surprised to see how many discrete O-rings are used I the construction of the airbrush but time will tell if this means better performance, easier, or more complicated maintenance. View the full review
  4. IPMSUpdates
    This is a simple metal upgrade for Hasegawa’s early 1980’s/90’s release 1/32 radial-engine FW-190 kits, and their “Dora FW-190 kit." Out of the box, it’s a great and easy kit for almost anyone to make a decent Wulf… but this SAC gear adds the additional “peace of mind” when dealing with the long legs and (as on many plastic kits) “always waiting to be broken off” tail gear. It’s an easy one-for-one replacement to install this gear, and the cool part is it can all be installed at the end of the build if desired. I show the model with the gear in place before painting the project, as this gear lends itself to such shenanigans…. Just like an Armor kit! View the full review
  5. IPMSUpdates
    This set replaces part of the landing gear in the Trumpeter A-4 Skyhawk kit #02266). The kit already includes metal main gear legs so the main advantage of this set is the nose gear. The Trumpeter nose gear is cast as a single strut, fork and wheel. In 1/32 scale, this is not a good look, especially considering how prominent the Skyhawks nose gear is. This set separates the nose gear tire from the forks that hold it. You will still need to use the kit parts #F-1,5,51 to complete the nose gear. The soft metal SAC uses tends to get bent in the package but is easily straightened out. The fork assembly is cast separate from the main gear leg and requires drilling out to fit. The one advantage I’ve always liked about SAC gear is the ability to polish the metal to represent the strut oleos. View the full review
  6. IPMSUpdates
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    Rescheduled from April 11th in same venue.
  7. IPMSUpdates
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    Spring Fling Plastic Model and Slot Car Swap Meet April 26, 2026 9 AM to 3 PM Location: Kenosha Moose Lodge #286 3003 30th Ave. Kenosha, WI 53144
  8. IPMSUpdates
    The Gaahleri GT-918 is a nice, compact air compressor that operates quietly, yet has enough power for two airbrushes. Two airbrush connections are provided with separate pressure meters for each connection. Pressure adjustments are easy with a push/pull knob that locks in the set pressure. Gaahleri lists the noise level for the compressor at 47 DBA maximum, which compares to a quiet home space and is not objectionable at all when running. The 1/5 hp compressor operates between 43 and 57 psi. It automatically turns on at 43 psi and turns off when the pressure in the tank reaches 57 psi. An integral one-liter tank provides constant pressure without pulsations, but it will cycle on and off frequently. The compressor is so quiet that the on-off cycling is not objectionable. A 23 Liters Per Minute air flow is produced by the compressor. View the full review
  9. IPMSUpdates
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    Region 12 Local Model Contest
  10. IPMSUpdates
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    IPMS Niagara Frontier invites you to our 42nd annual Model Showand Contest in Cheektowaga, New York on April 4, 2027. BuffCon is a oneday show in a Buffalo, New York suburb with a long history of great models to see and great vendors to help increase your collection. The show is in two adjacent halls, one for the contest and a newly remodeled hall for vendors and refreshments. We typically see around 425 model entries and 50+ vendor tables so there's plenty to look at. We open at 9:00 with entry registration until 1:00 and awards starting at 4:00. The contest room is open during judging and we have an all day raffle going on. For our Canadian friends, Canadian $$ are accepted at par for admission, modelentries and raffle tickets. We hope to see you here in Cheektowaga NY on April 4, 2027.
  11. IPMSUpdates
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    Annual model contest hosted by the Fresno Scale Modelers in conjunction with Castle Air Museum Open Cockpit Day Memorial Day weekend.
  12. IPMSUpdates
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    As Astra 6th Annual Model Contest, Saturday, November 14, 2026 Fairlawn Plaza Concourse, Topeka, KS (corner of Fairlawn and 21st St) Special Theme: “Between the Wars: 1919-1938” Registration Advance Registration at website: adastramodelingclub.org/2026show At show: 9:00am to Noon Awards begin at 3:00pm Adult Entry Fees $10.00 for up to two entries $1.00 for each additional entry Juniors (17 and under): FREE
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    This is our yearly IPMS Las Vegas event and vendor show at the Orleans Hotel and Casino (4500 W Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103). 53 contest categories, IPMS judging criteria, and lots of vendors. Adult Models entry is $15 first 2 & $2 each additional, Junior models (17 and under) FREE unlimited entries. General admission (non-contest) Adults & Family is $5 each, Children 12 and under are free. Active Duty Military & First Responders are Free.
  14. IPMSUpdates
    Scale Aircraft Conversions has been around since 1990 supplying resin and white metal parts to model builders, and their product listing continues to expand. I have reviewed a few of the landing gear sets from SAC over the years, and once again, they have provided an excellent white metal option for kit-supplied landing gear. This set is intended for the 1/48 scale A-12 Avenger II released by Model Collect and I happen to have kit UA48001-RM47054 (Navy version) in my stash. The purpose of this replacement set is to provide stronger landing gear that is adjustable, if necessary, to obtain the proper angles. Even with no previous experience of using white metal parts, this set will provide an upgrade that most modelers will have no issue installing. View the full review
  15. IPMSUpdates
    Guideline Publications is the UK's leading publisher of modeling and hobby-related magazines. With a world-class portfolio of titles and an international Social Media presence, Guideline Publications has a dedicated readership that is constantly expanding into new areas. This English language book, Warpaint 151 Hawker Siddeley HS748 & Andover, is authored by Adrian Balch with scale drawings by Sam Pearson. The latest Guideline’s Warpaint series, 151, was published in 2025. A digital edition will soon be available. News on Guidelines’ publications can be found on Facebook. View the full review
  16. IPMSUpdates
    The first paragraph in the Introduction sums up the book well, “Barry Faulkner was an artist from New Hampshire whose best-known paintings are two prominent murals in Washington, DC, in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom in the National Archives. Few people have any idea that Faulkner was also a co-founder of the American Camouflage Corps, an alliance of artists and architects in World War I who served as camouflage experts (referred to then as camoufleurs) with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France. Years later he remembered that, during the war, French soldiers said that camouflage was the only French word that American soldiers could pronounce correctly.” View the full review
  17. IPMSUpdates
    ICM has reboxed its B-26 line of Marauders and now offers a B-26C variant. From the instruction’s history, the “B” variant was built in Middle River, MD (near Baltimore), and to expand production capacity during WWII, the “C” variant was built in Omaha, NE. Physically, they look virtually identical. The other ICM B-26 variants (B, G, & F) have been reviewed by fellow IPMS-USA reviewers and can be viewed at these links: https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/b-26b-marauder https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/b-26b-marauder-0 https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/b-26g-marauder View the full review
  18. IPMSUpdates
    B-26 Marauder US CrewView the full article
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    the Gateway IPMS club will be holding it's annual model invitational on 19 September 2026. At the Madison County Fairgournds 2025 Park Hill Dr., Highland, IL 62249.
  20. IPMSUpdates
    Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS Reviewer Corps with a set of 1/48 scale metal landing gear for Hobby Boss’s MiG-35 Fulcrum-F. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties. The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided by SAC. The metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for parts C8, A31, A29 (nose wheel), C28 (LHS MLG), and C27 (RHS MLG). Note that the oleo parts (D27 & D28) are molded into the main struts. The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending if needed. Seam lines will need to be cleaned up prior to painting, just like the plastic kit parts. View the full review
  21. IPMSUpdates
    In recent years ICM has been in the practice of producing figure kits as accessories to their model kit releases. This year ICM has released a set of figures to crew their new B-26 Marauder kits. This figure kit includes parts to build four figures: a pilot, a co-pilot, a bombardier, and a turret gunner. While a Marauder had a crew of six or seven, the other crewmen would be difficult to see in a finished model, so I understand why ICM includes only four figures. View the full review
  22. IPMSUpdates
    Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a set of 1/48th scale metal landing gear for Eduard’s MiG-21F-13. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties. In the PackageThe metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided. Review ProcessThe metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for parts F16, F17, F15 (Wing MLG), F18, F33, & F34 (nose wheel). Note, part F34 is molded in with F18 to reduce parts count and make assembly less complicated. The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending if needed. Also, seam lines will need to be cleaned up prior to painting just like the plastic kit parts. View the full review
  23. IPMSUpdates
    Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS Reviewer Corps with a set of 1/48 scale metal landing gear for Hobby Boss’s Su-17M4 Fitter-K, which will also fit on the Su-17UM3 Fitter-G. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties. The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing, and no instructions are provided. The metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for parts C2, D12, D13, D32 (nose wheel), E20 & E2 (LHS MLG), and E21 & E1 (RHS MLG) for the Hobby Boss kits. The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending if needed. Seam lines will need to be cleaned up prior to painting, just like the plastic kit parts. View the full review
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    We look forward to seeing everyone March 20, 2027 at Hope Presbyterian Church for OmaCon. The church is a beautiful venue with lots of light and plenty of room. We'll have over 30 categories, lots of vendors,and the best raffle in the Region! Make the trip to Omaha to see for yourself. Registration will be from 9 AM until Noon. We'll start judging at12:30. The Awards Presentation is at 3:00 and you'll on the road home before 4:00. OmaCon is on time and and on schedule. You can depend on it! Our $15 Entry Fee includes Unlimited Models and Juniors are free. Just want to look at great models and shop the vendors. General Admission is free! Just be sure to say hi. Visit www.fortcrookipms.com for: Contest Updates ♦ Contest Rules & Categories ♦ Registration & Model Entry Forms
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    The annual model contest and show held in historic downtown Leavenworth, the first city in Kansas. Hosted by the IPMS Prison City Modelers, the contest is held the first weekend in October, and this year's date is October 3, 2026. There will be a raffle, vendor room, and thevenue is within walking distance of museums and places to eat. The fort is the third oldest post in continuous operation in the US Army, and hoststhe Frontier Army Museum dedicated to the history of the US Army in the west. There are hotels within walking distance of the contest, and a variety of shops close by. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for registration which runs until noon. Judging begins at 12:00 p.m. and the awards ceremony is at 3:00 p.m. sharp. The special theme for the 2026 contest is 'Land of theRising Sun.' Any vehicle, person, or object from Japan is eligible forthis category. Vendor’s tables are $10 each. Set-up time begins at 8:00 a.m. on October 3, and you can pay at the registration desk when you arrive. However, you must reserve your tables in advance. Send an emailto the contest chairman with the number of tables to reserve as the spacedoes fill up. Looking forward to seeing you in Leavenworth in October.
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