UMM-USA is dedicated to fine scale modeling, encompassing model kits, accessories, and specialized tools. Owned by John Vojtech, a fine scale modeling veteran. UMM-USA is an on-line Store, importing and exporting kits, modeling tools and supplies, and seeks and offers solutions on technical issues. In addition, his services currently include design and production of master parts, casting of original masters, photo-etched masks, decals, and building made-to-order models for customers. You can see a sample of John Vojtech's finished projects in the Our Gallery section of the Web site.

Just finished #13 for this year, the old 1/48 Monogram AV-8A Harrier, built OOTB except for some Quinta 3D cockpit decals. Did this one quick and dirty just to familiarize myself with the Harrier as I don't build many modern jets. The kit decals shattered on me so I had to substitute some "faux" Blacksheep markings that I won't be using when building the new UMA AV-8B. I also had to home vac a new windscreen as the kit part was cracked. It won't win any prizes, but it suited my purposes! Kit interior with the Quinta placards in place. I used my old Mattel vac machine to make a new windshield after sanding the cracked kit part smooth. And the rest of the pics! On to the next one! Gil

We are back with Episode 220.

Dave unboxes the Moosearoo cup build and is gutted to find out it is a car much to Ian's and Julian's amusement!

Life goes on.

The non-profit UK based group known as the Great War Aviation Society publishes A new magazine, Contact!, is now available in both print and digital download. The first two issues of Contact! Are available for a free digital download on their website. Their journal, Cross & Cockade International, is also published four times a year. Issues are available in English as printed [Softbound, A4 (8.27” x 11.69”), 72 pages [Including Covers] as well as digital copies (or both). The Society also provides a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front. The Great War Aviation Society also hosts a lecture series available through Zoom.

I have built several Gundam kits, but this figure is not typical of what you might envision. This kit features a character named Miorine Rembran, which is a deuteragonist (in literature the 2nd leading character), the mobile suit of the Witch from Mercury.

Before proceeding, a quick primer on Gundam. Gundam are mechanized mobile suits, popularized in Japanese Manga and Anime books and films. The Gundam universe contains a vast assortment of characters: this character, Miorine, is a 16-year-old schoolgirl at the Asticassia School of Technology.

The Bandai kit contains five color sprues and one clear sprue (the stand). Two sticker/decal sheets are provided. The colorful instruction guide is easy to follow.

Syhart Decal has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the F-16AM Falcon, tail number E-006, with acolor scheme for the Royal Danish Air Force in “Dannebrog 50 Years F-16” special paint scheme in 1/72nd scale. Looking online for E-006, this F-16 variant will be an F-16A Block 20 MLU.

In the Package

There are three decal sheets provided with all the colorful anniversary colors on the two larger sheets. The third sheet is smaller and has the stencils. Markings represent how the F-16AM Falcon flew in 2024 at air shows.

A bonus is the addition of 3-D printed parts for the forward wing probes and ventral antenna under the engine intake for increased accuracy in the build.

History

The Chukar target drone was developed and produced by Northrup Ventura in 1968. It can be launched from land based or ship based zero length launchers. JATO rockets were used to accelerate it to stable flight speed and a Williams J-400-WR-400 turbojet provided 121 pounds of thrust for propulsion. It could travel at speeds up to 400 knots and had a ceiling of 40,000 feet. It was ingeniously designed to include passive or active radar, wingtip infrared flares and a smoke system for visual tracking. It can be rigged with flotation equipment for recovery over water. After a training mission a parachute is deployed and telemetry information on defensive missile performance can be downloaded. The drone is named for the Chukar Partridge, a game bird that thrives from the Western Mediterranean, through the Middle East and into Asia.

Scale modeling contests are evolving beyond just competition, as demonstrated by two fascinating September shows highlighted in our latest episode. From Pennsylvania to Oregon, we explore how clubs are reimagining the traditional model contest format to build stronger communities and create more engaging experiences.

The Shenango Valley Area Scale Modelers in Pennsylvania will celebrate their 40th annual show on September 20th, continuing their successful implementation of the gold-silver-bronze judging format they adopted four years ago. This approach has streamlined their process, reduced category complexity, and better rewards modeler effort. Located in the northeast corner of IPMS Region 4, the show draws talent from throughout the Pittsburgh-Cleveland-Erie triangle, creating a high-quality display of modeling craftsmanship across all subjects.

Meanwhile, the Oregon Mid-Valley Modelers have completely reimagined their event as the "Oregon Modelers Jamboree," focusing on club participation and community building alongside traditional competition. Their innovative approach includes dedicated club tables for modeling groups throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, with special outreach to automotive modelers and Gunpla builders who are sometimes underrepresented at traditional shows. With eight clubs confirmed to participate, this event truly celebrates the community aspect of the hobby.

Both shows demonstrate different paths forward for scale modeling events – whether through more inclusive judging systems or by emphasizing club participation and community building. These innovations offer promising glimpses of how scale modeling contests might continue to evolve while maintaining the high standards and competitive elements that many modelers enjoy.

If you're anywhere near Albany, Oregon or Hermitage, Pennsylvania on September 20th, or our own Military Modelers Club of Louisville show in Shepherdsville, Kentucky on September 27th, consider attending one of these shows to experience the evolving model contest scene firsthand. The community connections made at these events often become the most rewarding aspect of this otherwise solitary hobby.

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Adding to the stash since 1968

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Mike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.

Five marking choices & small scale but great detail in the StuH 42 Ausf. G late version from Miniart. We look at the contents for you now...Read on... »

Syhart Decal has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the Belgian Air Force of their F-16AM Falcon for tail number FA-87 with color scheme from the 2011 & 2012 Tigermeet in 1/72nd scale. Looking online for FA-87, this F-16 variant will be an F-16A Block 20 MLU.

In the Package

There are three decal sheets provided with all the colorful tiger stripes on the two larger sheets. The third sheet is smaller and has all the stencils. However, the modeler will have to decide what year (2011 or 2012) to display since there are only enough decals for one jet and the only difference will be the tail markings.

A unique bonus to this decal set are the cockpit decals for the glare shield tiger striped scarf and false tiger skin covering over the ejection seat.

This was done as a challenge. A couple of friends of mine purchased this at the IPMS Nationals and more or less dared me to make it. So being the chump I am, I searched out the needed donor kit and had at it when I got home. The conversion kit consisted of six parts, two fuselage halves and four radiator parts, two tops and two bottoms. You had to cut into the donor kit's wing to inset the radiators. I've seen this conversion done a couple of times and done MUCH better than mine, but I think you can get the general idea of what a Tempest Mk I looked like anyway. I did personalize it in one way, I assumed that since it was a prototype that perhaps it was still being test flown by Hawkers, so I put my pilot in a white jump suit as I've seen on many newsreels of the era. Don't mind the color shift, he really isn't orange. In reality, there were two prototypes built, one of the car door variety and the other with the final bubble top. The shift away from the wing mounted radiators to the more recognizable chin one was due to a change in power plant as the original intended one had development problems.

Trumpeter's second two kits of September—a Whisky Cobra & a large-scale King Tiger with a big boomstick. Colours, decals, & built-up kits in our preview...Read on... »

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Scott, JB, TJ, and Jensen are joined by our good friend and long lost co-host, Doug Smith.

We catch up with TJ who returns, but Grant is missing due to a family pet emergency. We wish him the best.

We catch up with our friend John "Spud" Murphy and talk his 1/16 M113 APC build, along with SMC plans and logistics for the upcoming 2025 show.

We also discuss where our respective SMC builds are at with less than 60 days until the show. We also ponder a question - what makes a great local club meeting?  

We also discuss our new Group Build for the AK M1008 Chevy Trucks sponsored by AK Interactive and Micro-World Games. Lastly we talk about Modeling Rituals - a topic suggested by Jon Bryon from the UK.

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While Kagero has an established reputation for quality books that modelers appreciate and use on their reference shelves, Super Drawings in 3D focuses on ships beautifully rendered in 3D CAD. Number 16056 in the series focuses on the Schnellboot Type S-38 and S-100, the most common of the WWII German Kriegsmarine classes, with the Type S-38B serving from 1939 and the S-100 from 1943, with both variants serving until Germany’s surrender in May 1945.

The book is broken into the following sections

Kotare Models is set to get into the quarter-scale market with their first model in 1/48th scale. The Handley Page Halifax Mk.II is in development. We have information on how you can get involved & pre-order the kit in our preview...Read on... »

Need refuelling? We have the parts, decals, etch & three marking choices of MiniArt's new "Blitz" PmQ-type loaded with fuel & two "petrol attendants" in 1/35th scale in our preview...Read on... »

Please note: This is a multi-item review; handles and rollers can be purchased individually from Squadron as noted in the review itself. Pricing is for each individual component.

This is a benchmark tool and a game-changer for 1/35 armor modelers. It is a wonder it hasn’t been made before.

From the Squadron.com website:

Real tanks leave deep tracks on the ground wherever they go...and so should your model. Designed to imprint track marks into scale model terrain and bases without damaging the model or its tracks. Simply roll the imprint into your groundwork, and remember to wash any excess base material from the roller after use. This Track Roller Handle works with all the Squadron Track Rollers.

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, Dassault Mystère & Super Mystère, is authored by Andy Evans with scale drawings by Sam Pearson. The latest in Guideline’s Warpaint series, 148, was published in 2025. A digital edition will soon be available. The latest on Guideline’s publications can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/guidelinepub/

Trumpeter's first two kits of September—a dependable 35th-scale truck & a bit of English Oak in 350th. Colours, decals, & built-up kits in our preview...Read on... »

Was wondering if there was an RSS feed that we could follow when new IPMS/USA news and updates dropped?