International Plastic Modelers' Society / USA

International Plastic Modelers' Society / USA

IPMS/USA

IPMS/USA

VICTORIAN HELICOPTER in 1/48

Forums - Sat, 06/20/2026 - 04:58
HI ! Here another project I have done in the past , of course it's scratch , You can view the WIP on this GOOGLE page : https://photos.app.goo.gl/1aQYVACsXQoBYDGB8 Enjoy ! Jmarc

OTB 240: Rocky Mountain Expo

On the Bench Podcast - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 22:52

In this episode the boys sit down with Scott Gentry and Barry Biediger to talk about the highly successful Rocky Mountain Expo, a new twist on how we gather and display our models in an expo.

I for one really got a lot out of this chat and I hope that you will be as inspired as I was.

Don't forget to support the sponsor of our show Scott from the Scale Modellers Supply

https://www.scalemodeller.com.au/

Leave us a message, comment or even ask a question, we would love to hear from you! Write to Onthebench64@gmail.com.

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Categories: Podcast

MiniArt D-7 dozer build

Forums - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 10:01
I've just started a D-7 bulldozer build from a MiniArt kit. At 1/35 scale I am amazed at the number of parts in the kit, especially the 8 sprues of track components. Suffice it to say that the tracks have given me fits. Instructions say to glue the cleats to the underside of the track plates but the tabs and holes are impossibly small. Some are so small they are not there at all. So I put together all of the cleats and connecting pins and will then glue on the track plates afterwards. Anybody out there who has built this kit I would love to hear from and any suggestions other than what I have described for assembly of the completed tracks.

Preview: 1/35th scale German 4x4 Cargo Truck, 3.6-6700A Early Prod. from MiniArt

The Modelling News - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 06:11
We have CADs, info & art of MiniArt's latest "Blitz" – the early production 4x4 cargo truck, 3.6-6700A, in 1/35th scale – in our preview...Read on... »
Categories: News

The Duke Completes Five Vehicles in June

Forums - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 00:10
Thanks to a few days of productivity, I managed to get a few models done for my armor collection. Unfortunately, some of these pics didn't turn out the best: my new camera lost the auto-focus function so I have to make do the best I can in getting things into focus. First is the Vespid Models German KF-51 Panther, the newest tank in the German Army. And now one of my newest tanks as well: Next is the Italeri Italian Ab-40 Autoblinda modified for railroad use: Next up, my Meng M2A3 Bradley with the BUSK III upgrade: Next is an ICM Russian ZiL 131 truck with a DShK machine gun mounted in the bed: Again apologies for the bad pic. This was the best of the ten or so attempts I made, yet this shot is better for some reason: Another ten or so attempts later and this is the best one of the bunch: Finally there is the ICM trailer that was described as being used for a mobile office, ambulance trailer, portable workshop, command trailer etc: Yes it looks like the roof is loose. It is. This is why the roof is loose, so I could show off this. I chose to make this a portable workshop by adding some resin factory equipment inide: And now we can show the truck and trailer together, even though they weren't necessarily paired like this. Still, it looks good! ' That's all for now. Maybe I'll get some other armor done this month but we'll see. For now, my apologies again for the pic quality; comments are welcome! Thanks for looking in!

1/72 Wisconsin ANG KC-135R decals wanted

Forums - Thu, 06/18/2026 - 09:46
Hi, I want to build a display with a 1/72 Wisconsin ANG KC-135R refueling a Wisconsin ANG F-16C. I have the 1/72 decals for the F-16, and am looking for the Wisconsin decals from the Caracal 72030 sheet. My other option is to build this display in 1/144 scale as I have the 1/144 KC-135R decals, but then need the 1/144 F-16 decals, which don't seem to exist. I've tried scaling up and scaling down the decals I have, but can't get a good sheet of either with the tools I have. Any advice or assistance is appreciated. Thanks!

Preview: Italeri's 1/12th-scale Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16V Safari Rally 1991

The Modelling News - Thu, 06/18/2026 - 06:21
To complement their earlier release of the Lancia Delta Integrales, Italeri are set to release the Lancia Delta HF 16V "Safari Rally 1991" in 1/12 scale. Markings, kit features & CADs in our preview...Read on... »
Categories: News

The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning CTOL represents the “Conventional Takeoff & Landing” version of this versatile aircraft. “Beast Mode” hangs six pylons under the wings, transforming the aircraft into a devastating strike platform.Italeri promotes...

Landing Page Reviews - Thu, 06/18/2026 - 00:00

The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning CTOL represents the “Conventional Takeoff & Landing” version of this versatile aircraft. “Beast Mode” hangs six pylons under the wings, transforming the aircraft into a devastating strike platform.

Italeri promotes this as a new mold kit and compared to images of their previous F-35C released several years ago, it appears to have far better detail in certain areas like the bomb bays and wheel wells. Sprue “K” (Two included) remained the same with most of the weapons, pylons and bomb bay door hinges.

The model was presented in Italeri’s standard lid and tray box. Two dark grey sprues were bagged together in each of three bags, as was the decal sheet. The two clear sprues were separated within one bag which was thoughtful. An instruction manual, photo etch fret and painting/masking guide completed the box contents.

ICM has provided this beautiful new release from the Black Hawk Range for review, in this 1/48 scale model of the UH-60A which was released earlier but this one comes with a three-man crew set. The crew set is also available as a separate kit (kt...

Landing Page Reviews - Thu, 06/18/2026 - 00:00

ICM has provided this beautiful new release from the Black Hawk Range for review, in this 1/48 scale model of the UH-60A which was released earlier but this one comes with a three-man crew set. The crew set is also available as a separate kit (kt number 48130).

  • 15 x grey sprues
  • 1 clear sprue
  • One decal sheet
  • One instruction guide for the UN-60A
  • One instruction sheet for the crew

The detail quality is excellent in every way with this kit; crisp and detailed molding has become the norm for the ICM kits.

I repainted all the interior parts before commencing the build.

Special Report: World Miniature Hobby Show Malaysia 2026

On the Bench Podcast - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 23:32

G'day benchers, Over the weekend of June 13 & 14 I attended the World Miniature Hobby Show in Penang Malaysia.

Managed to talk to a few people and hope you enjoy the report.

Categories: Podcast

Episode 140: Mark Bradley Stops By + Workbenches & Output + Hobby Happenings

Plastic Posse Podcast - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 00:00

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Jensen is once again missing, as is TJ. JB, Grant and Scott are joined by Mark Bradley to talk about Workbenches and their impact on the quantity and quality of your work. We also talk about obstacles related to messy or crowded work areas. Scott gives an update on the Star Wars group build, and JB leads us in a new segment of events around the hobby and hobby adjacent space. 

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Categories: Podcast

Amodel's 1/72 Hawker Osprey

Forums - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 16:29
The Osprey was a navalized version of the Hawker Hart series. It was flown off of cruisers mainly. This is a detailed little kit but some of the parts, like the struts, are very fragile. It has a nice interior, which of course is hard to see. Everything fit pretty well if you were careful and did lots of dry fitting. The decals were very good except after dull coating there was some 'blush' on some so my bad on that. Amodel makes a float plane version of this a/c as well, which I have attempted, the but the directions for the float assembly are vague and the parts fragile and fiddly so it defeated me. This is my second attempt so I opted for wheels.

Preview: MiniArt's 35th-scale Kfz.2/40 German Repair Car 170VK

The Modelling News - Mon, 06/15/2026 - 05:25
We look at MiniArt's repair car version of the Kfz.2/40 Mercedes Type 170VK. We look at the art, CADs, features real thing in our preview today...Read on... »
Categories: News

New Tech And Better Shows For Modelers: Episode 164

Plastic Model Mojo - Sat, 06/13/2026 - 15:00

A hobby can feel timeless right up until the moment it changes under your hands. We start with the real-world catch up: Wonderfest, the sprint toward the IPMS Nationals in Fort Wayne, and the listener mail that reminds us why this community is so strong. Along the way we share show intel, a clever “Squadron Catalog Challenge” idea, and what one contest recap teaches about entry growth, online registration, and the tricky problem of judging without shutting viewers out of the model room.

Then the conversation turns into something bigger: the technology shift hitting scale modeling right now. AI and 3D printing are colliding in ways that were barely on the radar a year ago, and we wrestle with the messy middle ground of AI-generated images in hobby spaces, credit, and why clear labeling protects trust. From there we jump to the most jaw-dropping bench-adjacent find: a prototype Optivisor-style headset that snaps into focus wherever your fingertips are, instantly, at multiple working distances. If you build small, scribe fine lines, or just want your eyes to stop fighting you, this is the kind of tool that can change everything.

We also get practical with paint prep and process: mixing, note taking, storing formulas, and whether you should batch-mix custom colors or mix fresh for each session. Finally, we talk model show features we want to see more of, including keeping tables accessible during judging, bringing seminars back, and the promise of exhibition-style formats that make it easier to meet the builder and learn face to face. If you care about the future of plastic model kits, scale modeling tools, and better model shows, hit play, then subscribe, share the show with a modeling friend, and leave a review.

The self-focus eyewear mentioned by Kentucky Dave in this Episode...
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Categories: Podcast

HASEGAWA 1/72 HEINKEL HE-51

Forums - Sat, 06/13/2026 - 10:09
HI ! Here another project I have done in the past , but this time as a challenge from a friend , if you like to view more pics, I have set-up an GOOGLE page for it , Just follow this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/WT66f6uXkUP4kB8VA Enjoy ! Jmarc

1/48 Classic Airframes F-5A Freedom Fighter

Forums - Fri, 06/12/2026 - 15:19
After taking almost 4 months on my last build I thought I'd "whip one out" to get back in the groove. Since our current club build theme is any kit manufactured after 1990, I grabbed this 2006 issued Classic Airframes 1/48 F-5A Freedom Fighter from the stash and built it OOTB in 11 days. This is a good kit, but NOT a Tamigawavellogram shake-n-bake type of build. The model has a very nicely appointed resin interior, but is short on locating pins and the fit has to be tweaked to get the best results. Both of the tail planes and all of the pylons, drop tanks, ordnance, and even the tires had to be drilled and pinned for security. The very thin wing made drilling the holes in the underside a real adventure when trying to go as deep as possible without drilling all the way through! I used True Color lacquer/enamel paints for the Vietnam era SEA paint scheme, masking it off using Silly Putty ropes at the edges of the patterns and tape to fill in the rest. I found the colors to be good, but looking at it now I'd go back and either slightly lighten the Medium Green or add a little black to darken the Dark Green to get slightly more contrast. I did some (but not all) of the panel lines in pencil where they could be easily seen on the lighter camo colors. I used the kit decals which generally went on with very few problems. All in all this was a fun little build that went smoothly even if it required a bit more re-engineering than a lot of other kits. It's was also good to get one done and on the shelf so quickly. Critiques, comments, and questions welcome as always! Cheers! Gil

Preview: Eduard's new P-51B Mustang Royal Hybrid in 1/32nd scale is available for pre-order...

The Modelling News - Fri, 06/12/2026 - 09:14
Eduard's new exciting prospect of a modern, new-tool P-51B in 32nd scale packed with extras & 3D-printed parts is finally with us for pre-order. Kit contents, markings & CADs in our preview...Read on... »
Categories: News

The Duke's Shipyards Launch Ten Ships in June

Forums - Thu, 06/11/2026 - 17:23
After a few productive days, my Shipyards were able to launch ten new ships for my navies. The first four are from a box set of four ships in one kit from Airfix, all in 1/600 scale. These are crude by today's standards but I did the best I could with them. After all, the three British destroyers were the only ones of those type that were available back then. First up is the HMS Cossack, the largest of the three British destroyers. I had lost one of the anchors so I left them off until I can find some suitable replacements: The second ship is the HMS Hotspur, one I knew very little about until I looked it up, Yes, the B turret gun is broken here, I saw it too late, but fixed it afterward: The last British destroyer is the HMS Cambletown, one I had never expected to have in my Navy since no one had ever kitted one in either 1/700 or 1/600, but here it is. This is another 'Holy Grail" kit I've wanted for many years, even one as crude as this one: This last Airfix ship is the German Narvik-class destroyer. The instructions claim it is the Z-28, but based on the next four German destroyers I built; it is more of a hybrid with features from different makes of Z-class destroyers Here it is built anyway: Now for some actual versions of German Z-class destroyers, these are in 1/700 scale. Three are form Trumpeter, the fourth is Dragon. First is the German Z-7, one of the earlier makes of this ship: Next is the German Z-28; the actual Z-28: Followed by the German Z-31. This one is the Dragon kit: The last one is the German Z-43, one of the latest marks of this ship: Finally we get to the USS Springfield, a light missile cruiser by Revell in 1/500 scale: The final ship we launched is a Japanese assault carrier I got in a Distressed kit Auction. It had no box; everything was in ziplock bags so I decided to build it before major pieces got lost. This is the 1/700 scale JMSDF Assault carrier Shimokita: And that completes this news bulletin from the shipyards, thanks all for watching the parade of ships heading out to their shakedown cruises. Comments are always welcome. By the way, completing these ten ships allowed me to break another milestone: I now have reached the grand total number of 1905 completed models of all genres and categories. Not that anyone's counting that is.......

Preview: Panzerwrecks 28: British vehicles - from Panzerwrecks Publishing

The Modelling News - Thu, 06/11/2026 - 08:04
The best of British is the subject of the latest Panzerwrecks volumes. See what's inside no. 28 & how to get it at a discount for a short time in our preview...Read on... »
Categories: News

MiniArt's new 35th scale "German Infantry, ardennes Offensive"

The Modelling News - Thu, 06/11/2026 - 05:46
MiniArt's new 35th scale "German Infantry, Ardennes Offensive" features four figures & five sprues of weapons & equipment. See about the soldiers & the set in our preview...Read on... »
Categories: News