Brian Acker
Mooresville, Indiana
To replicate a 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard aircraft deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, in 2008, Brian backdated a Tamiya 1/32 scale F-16CJ to a Block 25 airframe with early intakes and exhausts from KASL Hobby, lightweight gear and bay doors from a Tamiya F-16C Thunderbirds kit, and Block 25 wheels from Aires. Other additions include reinforcing scab plates from Flying Leathernecks, Quinta 3D-printed instrument panels, Kopecky Models FOD covers, Master Models pitots, a Litening targeting pod from Eduard, and ResKit GBU-12 and GBU-38 bombs. He painted the Fighting Falcon with MRP lacquers and used Speed Hunter decals for the Blacksnakes markings.
John Tinay
Grand Rapids, Michigan
John tackled a pair of SMTS 1/43 scale kits to produce these early race cars, a Napier Railton that set the Brooklands course record in 1933 (left) and a 1927 Miller 91 that competed for Boyne Valve at the Indy 500. He upgraded the former with 3D-printed tires and custom photo-etched metal for exhaust flares, hood straps, dashboard, suspension friction dampers, and radiator before airbrushing it with Alclad II Chrome and Aqua Clear. The Indy car was painted with Tamiya spray-can lacquers decanted for airbrushing.
Larry Cherniak
Ellettsville, Indiana
Larry described Special Hobby’s 1/48 scale Fairey Firefly AS Mk.V as a bit of a challenge, but the result belies that assessment. He added a few wires to the cockpit but otherwise built the naval attacker out of the box. After painting with Mr. Color lacquers and applying kit decals for the Royal Canadian Navy, he weathered with Flory Models washes and artist oils.
Jake Leatherman
Bryan, Ohio
Given that Volkswagen is a German company, Jake painted his AMT 1/25 scale Scirocco to resemble the German flag’s colors using Tamiya lacquers. He built the car out of the box using the kit’s optional racing parts.
Nate Sidwell
Mackinaw, Illinois
“This model depicts Crusty, the ’59 Volkswagen [pickup] single-cab “rustoration” on YouTube by Mustie1,” Nate says. He converted a Hasegawa 1/24 scale kit with a new cab rear to match the smaller window on the 1959 pickup. Nate painted the heavy patina with acrylic rust and body colors over enamel primer. “I made masks using a Cricut cutting printer for all the words throughout the model,” he added.
Terry VanParys
Granger, Indiana
In addition to aftermarket engine parts, a photo-etched metal grille, and a nut and bolt, Terry scratchbuilt a radiator support and braces, shocks, a roll bar, and transmission linkages as he turned an AMT 1/25 scale ’67 Camaro Z28 into Walt Siler’s B&R Performance C/SM drag car. He airbrushed the car with MCW Ermine White enamel under Acme 2K clear.
James Jurgensmeyer
Westfield, Indiana
In 1/72 scale, Airfix’s Hawker Hurricane Mk.I is a little more than 5 inches long, but James crammed it with scratchbuilt details, including in the cockpit, landing flaps, and landing gear bay. He fitted it with a Squadron vacuum-formed canopy and True Details wheels and painted the Royal Air Force camouflage with Testors Model Master enamels.
Mike Garrett
Garden City, Michigan
Mike’s Chevy Nova pro street resulted from his modeling club’s Overhaulin’ Challenge. “We got a random glue bomb and had to rebuild it,” he says. Going all in, he tubbed the chassis, scratchbuilt roll bars, and fitted it with a big-bock Chevy motor with many scratchbuilt details. The stunning yet unassuming finish is Dupli-Color black primer topped with Tamiya Gunmetal lacquer and Dupli-Color 1K clear.
David Wrinkle
Beavercreek, Ohio
Using aftermarket decals, David marked a Tamiya 1/48 scale T-55A for Croatian service. He fitted the Russian tank with a 3D-printed turret box and painted it with Tamiya acrylics, freehanding the camouflage with a Harder Steenbeck airbrush.
Mike Rajki
Noblesville, Indiana
To build a late-war 6th Armored Group tank, Mike detailed a Tamiya 1/35 scale M4A3E8 with Friulmodel metal tracks, brass machine gun barrels, Def.Model jerry cans, and Value Gear stowage. He painted it with Tamiya Olive Drab lacquer mixing four slightly different shades for color modulation, applied Star Decals markings, and weathered with pigments, enamel washes, and artist oils.
Jeff Groves
Yorktown, Pennsylvania
“This model combines features of the XB-38 prototype and Major Reeds B-17F Dreamboat,” Jeff says. “Everything flew on a B-17” to build what he calls the “B-38 Whiffer.” Jeff fitted an Academy 1/72 scale B-17 with Quickboost Allison engines and props designed for a P-38, Eduard B-24 turrets, and resin wheels.
Elliot Kacir
Mount Clemens, Michigan
Elliot dressed up an Eduard 1/48 scale P-39 with extra Eduard photo-etched metal and scratchbuilt the cockpit and wheel well details. He painted the model with AK Interactive Real Color lacquers and weathered it with washes, pigments, and artist oils to finish it as an Airacobra based on Canton Atoll.
Steve Bacon
New Whiteland, Indiana
Steve’s 1/35 scale E-60 Panzerjäger started life as a Modelcollect Fist of War kit to which he added too many things to list, including scratchbuilt details, Friulmodel metal tracks, and an Aber turned-metal Lowe 105mm gun barrel. He airbrushed on the camouflage freehand with Tamiya acrylics. Steve weathered the what-if tank destroyer with Winsor & Newton oil paint and AK Interactive and Ammo pigments and enamel washes.
Matt McCray
Whitestown, Indiana
As the Allies closed in on Berlin, the German military pressed everything they could find into the city’s defense, including pieced-together tanks like the Panther that Matt brought to the show. He fitted a Meng 1/35 scale model with photo-etched metal side skirts, fenders, and the addon air-defense armor. The tank, painted with Mission Models acrylics, sits on a resin base that Matt cast detailed with 3D-printed hedgehog antitank defenses.
Brian Duddy
Dayton, Ohio
Brian hand-painted most of this Life Miniatures’ 1/9 scale bust of Amelia Earhart with oils, using acrylics only on the pioneering aviator’s scarf.
Ian Bonner
Brownsburg, Indiana
An Imperial Russian soldier sits on the running board of a Copper State Models 1/35 scale Lanchester armored car strumming a balalaika for a cat in Ian’s peaceful vignette. “A black cat, possibly a bad omen,” he says. We can’t speak to the fate of the soldier bard, but any bad omens skipped Ian as he finished the vehicle out of the box with Tamiya and AK Interactive Real Color paints. It sits on an insulation-foam base with DAS modeling clay groundwork and static grass flora.
Paul Wheeler
Springfield, Illinois
Paul added brass-tube gun barrels to an AMT 1/144 scale Havoc Marauder before painting the spaceship from Star Wars: The Bad Batch with Tamiya acrylics.
Jim Casassa
Noblesville, Indiana
What inspired Jim to build his Snowman PT Cruiser? He says an ad in an early 1950s edition of Hot Rod magazine showing a roadster with skis tied to the front tires, the long hood, short deck look of early Continentals and Mustangs, “and some pain medication I was taking at the time.” The basis of the kit is a Revell 1/25 scale SnapTite 2000 PT Cruiser with the roof removed, the hood extended with styrene sheet, the bumpers left off, the grille filled in where the front bumper had been, the cowl, interior, and windshield from a Revell ’Vette AGIN, and exhaust pipes from AMT Black Force.
Dan Drake
Roanoke, Indiana
After fitting an AFV Club 1/35 scale Leichte Zugkraftwagen SdKfz 11 with Friulmodel metal tracks and filling the bed with Value Gear stowage, Dan painted the German halftrack with Vallejo acrylics.
Wes Salazar
Wentzville, Missouri
Wes says the ’58 is one of his favorite years of Chevy Impalas so it makes sense that he would use a Revell 1/25 scale kit as the basis for a low rider. He complimented the stylish body with a 3D-printed LS motor detailed with wiring, machined pulleys, and a fully scratchbuilt hydraulic setup. It rolls on JPS 13-inch wheels with photo-etched metal brakes and gleams with House of Kolor Passion Pearl on the body and Tropical Glitz Violet Rose on the roof.
Thomas Beck
Carmel, Indiana
Thomas’ shiny Monogram 1/24 scale 1934 Duesenberg SJ roadster features a wired and plumbed engine, aluminum radiator support, and chrome engine parts finished with a Mr. Hobby Gundam EX metallic marker. The finish is four airbrushed layers of Tamiya Gloss Maroon hand-polished.
Shana Dodson
Danville, Indiana
A fan of building older Model Ts, Shana tackled an AMT 1/25 scale 1925 Ford T Chopped out of the box and painted it with Tamiya spray cans.
Al Hoffman
Indianapolis, Indiana
To give AMT’s 1968 Pontiac GTO a restomod makeover, Al shaved the emblems and door handles and placed Texas 3D Customs tires, wheels, and brakes on the lowered suspension. The sharp blue pearl finish is Syndicate Custom Dark Side of the Moon lacquer.
Ron Hofwick
Monticello, Illinois
Besides fitting RPM aftermarket individual-link tracks, Ron built an RPM 1/35 scale Renault FT-17 out of the box and hand-painted it with the Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics as an American World War I tank. He modified a Tamiya WWII German figure for the crewman standing at attention and awaiting orders.
Kevin Foureman
Arcanum, Ohio
Working with a 1/9 scale bust called Ayaka representing a Japanese club goer, Kevin added hair spikes and finished with Scale 75 acrylics, Prismacolor pencils, and Pan Pastel pigments. Even the tattoo was done by hand.
J.R. Burggren
Muskegon, Michigan
To model the car driven in 1979 by National Dirt Racing Champion Leon Archer, J.R. tucked a scratchbuilt chassis and interior under a Ron Coon Resins body. Finished with Testors Mythical Maroon lacquer and Pledge Floor Gloss, the car rolls on wheels and tires from Plastic Performance Parts.
Chuck Poi
Indianapolis, Indiana
Replicating the 1964 Plymouth Sportsman driven to a second-place finish by Paul Goldsmith at the 1967 Daytona Permatex 300, Chuck added spark plug and alternator wires to a 1/25 scale Lindberg kit. The blue is custom-mixed enamel by CarQuest over Tamiya white primer.
Tony D. Martin
Mooresville, Indiana
Taking part in a Hoosier Model Car Association contest to build a GTO, Tony added seat belts to an AMT 1/25 scale Pontiac and finished it with automotive paint.
Mike Pulliam
Mooresville, Indiana
Mike details an AMT 1/25 scale ’60 Corvette convertible with a Morgan distributor and wires, a Parts by Parks air cleaner, Model Car Garage photo-etched metals details, and Pegasus disc brakes. The classic 1950s finish is Tamiya Coral Blue lacquer for the body and Tamiya white primer inside.
Jeff Bickel
Akron, Ohio
“This is a replica of the truck that my dad drove for Rochester Iron & Metal,” Jeff says. Starting with an AMT 1/24 scale Peterbilt 378, he raised the roof and cab back with a 3D-printed part, fitted a resin Peterbilt 379 hood, installed an aluminum bumper, corner sticks, and stacks, modified the kit battery box and fifth wheel, shortened the frame rails, and merged to single wheel fenders for each of the dual fenders.
Carl Anderson
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Carl’s only additions to Alpha Models’ 1/24 scale Audi RS6 Avant were Scale Motor Sports carbon fiber decals and photo-etched metal seat belt hardware. He painted the body with Gravity Mazda Soul Red under Zero 2K Diamond Clear.
Paul Gertsch
Roswell, Georgia
To model the arrival of Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO at Cloud City from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Paul added landing gear and opened the boarding ramp on a Bandai 1/350 scale Millennium Falcon. The landing pad and the façade were scratchbuilt from foam and everything was painted with Tamiya acrylics. The figures were repurposed 1/350 scale photo-etched metal sailors.
J.R. Pope
Champaign, Illinois
While many of the custom parts on J.R.’s 1950 Ford Convertible came in the AMT 1/25 scale kit, he fitted it with a modern Mustang motor and aftermarket wheels and tires. For paint, he turned to Tamiya lacquers, applying Beige, Dark Red, and Pearl Clear straight from the spray can.
Mike Dikos
Knox, Indiana
Improving ESCI’s more-than-40-year-old 1/48 scale S-3A Viking, Mike scratchbuilt seat belts, seat cushions, instrument panel screens, throttles, missile rails, and static wicks. He painted the U.S. Navy sub hunter with Tamiya acrylics and weathered it with Tamiya Panel Line Accent Colors and artist-oil fading.
Angel Garcia-Ablanque
Damascus, Maryland
To model a Spanish armored vehicle on maneuvers in northern Spain, Angel detailed a Trumpeter 1/35 scale B1 Centauro with an RB turned-metal gun barrel and Def.Model resin wheels. After camouflaging it with AK Interactive Real Color lacquers and weathering the Centauro with AK washes and pigments, he placed it on a resin cobblestone street base painted with acrylics.
Henri Fournier
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Henri added SuperTrees seafoam to camouflage the Dragon 1/35 scale FlaK 36 88mm gun he built out of the box. He base-coated with Testors enamel and airbrushed the red and green with Tamiya acrylics.
Kip Pelton
Crestwood, Kentucky
Going real with his fun, Kip painted a Border 1/35 scale Apocalypse Tank with Mr. Hobby acrylics using salt to produce chipping and AK Interactive dark brown wash for grime and to emphasize panel lines. The vehicle, from the video game Red Alert 2, sits on a foam base covered with broken cork roadway.
Russell Hopley
Cincinnati, Ohio
Russell built Trumpeter’s 1/35 scale BTR-50PK out of the box and painted it using AK Interactive Real Color lacquers with pre-shading, filters, washes, and pigments to model an Egyptian armored personnel carrier from the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Eric Hrymak
Shelby Township, Michigan
After dressing up a Tamiya 1/48 scale Ki-46 Dinah with Eduard photo-etched metal landing flaps, cockpit, and gunner’s station details, he painted the Japanese interceptor with Tamiya acrylics. Weathering included post-shading and powdered pastel chalks.
Matt Deck
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Matt first built a Tamiya 1/35 scale GMC Quad Gun Truck when he was 14, so he decided to see what he could do with the same kit 40 years later. His improvements on the second build include a scratchbuilt tarp for the roof, replacing the kit clear parts with clear styrene sheet for scale thickness, and adding Eduard photo-etched metal details. He primed the artillery hauler with dark brown, sprayed several shades of bronze green, masked with Silly Putty, and airbrushed the black camouflage.
Preston Stinger
Franklin, Indiana
As if the sharply masked and painted urban camo on this Border 1/35 scale Leopard 2A6 wasn’t enough, Preston placed it on a well-modeled base of sculpted insulation foam covered with Ammo Diorama Textures acrylic pastes to demonstrate the German main battle tank’s mobility. He added stowage to the otherwise out-of-the-box build and painted with Tamiya acrylics.
Oliver James
Ashton, Illinois
Making Tamiya’s 1/35 scale StuG IV his own, Oliver cut apart the side skirt, added bullet holes, and filled the engine deck with a Tamiya oil drum and jerry cans. After pre-shading the German assault gun with black and white, he airbrushed the camouflage with Tamiya and Ammo acrylics.
Johnny Novak
Western Springs, Illinois
Johnny hand-painted the camouflage to put a Masterbox 1/72 scale Austin Mk.IV armored car in Japanese service during the Siberian Intervention in support of White Russian forces in the Russian Civil War. The colors are the Ammo French camo acrylics and he drew on the black lines with a Mr. Hobby Gundam marker.
Mark Hiott
Indianapolis, Indiana
To model the car that won the first Indy 500, Mark built an Indycals 1/25 scale 1911 Marmon Wasp out of the box and painted it with Tamiya spray-can acrylics.
Scott Liggett
Cincinnati, Ohio
Scott used aluminum foil for the twisted and torn metal on the front fender of a 1967 Plymouth to replicate the results of an accident involving legendary NASCAR driver Richard Petty. He kitbashed the car with a Revell body on an MPC interior and chassis, painted with Tamiya French Blue, and applied Powerslide decals.
Tyler Baker
Pendleton, Indiana
Building a Revell 1/25 scale CART Indy Car box-stock, Tyler painted with Krylon spray cans to mark it as a car driven by Bryan Herta for Team Rahal in 1999.
Ron Hartlieb
Indianapolis, Indiana
Ron used hairspray between layers of Vallejo acrylics to produce the patina on a Revell 1/25 scale Foose ’56 Ford pickup.
Tony Stencel
Long Grove, Illinois
While Scale 75 tube acrylics provided most of the color on Tony’s Sabot Miniatures Medieval Soldier circa 1325, he used Scale 75 Inktense inks for washes and artist pastels for the 5-o’clock shadow.
Juan Benitez
Lafayette, Indiana
Juan replaced the kit barrels with Albion Alloy tubing and added photo-etched seat belts to the cockpit to improve an Eduard 1/72 scale Avia S-199. He painted the Czechoslovak fighter with AK Interactive Real Colors lacquers over pre-shading. “This kit is jewel-like,” he says. “Very precise and a joy to build!”
Randy Dosier
Walton, Kentucky
To build the only triplane to serve with Jasta 18, Randy added Microscale decals to an Eduard 1/48 scale Fokker Dr.I. He painted the otherwise out-of-the-box build with Testors colors using Frog tape for masking.
Ken Spriggs
Muncie, Indiana
Ken replaced gray plastic parts in the engines of a Revell 1/24 scale N-1 starfighter with clear resin to be able to light the Star Wars: The Mandalorian ship. He painted it with Vallejo acrylics and Alclad II lacquers, then posed it in flight over a rock formation made by placing oven-bake clay in molds and hot-gluing the results over a foam-core shape.
Edward Vinarcik
West Lafayette, Indiana
Edward brush painted this fantastic 1/35 scale Comet Skycycle with layers of acrylics, washes, and dry-brushing, His only addition to the kit was a scale Robotech comic book on the seat behind the rider.
Bill Grosso
Fishers, Indiana
After improving a Tamiya 1/48 scale F-4B with Quinta Studio 3D-printed decal instrument panels and consoles and CMK resin wheels, Bill painted it with Testors Model Master acrylics with pre- and post-shading. It depicts a VF-84 Phantom during the Vietnam War.
Bryan Gill
Lowell, Indiana
To model a Taurus driven by Matt Kenseth, Bryan finished a Revell 1/24 scale kit with MCW Yellow lacquer. He weathered the DeWalt car with Tamiya Flat Black and black Panel Line Accent Color for that post-race look.
Greg Mayton
Lafayette, Indiana
A fan of the 1980s TV show Airwolf, Greg built an Aoshima 1/48 scale kit of the titular helicopter, using a clear fuselage side to show some interior detail. He painted the aircraft with Mr. Color lacquers and Alclad II clear gloss.
Eugene Mardar
McCordsville, Indiana
Eugene built a Zvezda 1/144 scale Boeing 737-800 out of the box and painted it with Tamiya spray-can lacquers. A light wash emphasized the panel lines on the wings and tailplanes.
Mark Spalding
Indianapolis, Indiana
Mark made too many additions and modifications to Trumpeter’s 1/32 scale TBM-3 Avenger to list, but highlights include wiring and plumbing the engine and scratchbuilding air ducts, detailing the accessory bay, scratchbuilding the strike camera, adding Eduard photo-etched metal in the cockpit, bombardier’s position, and gun turret, replacing kit gun barrels with turned-brass from Master, and rocket ignition leads added. He finished the torpedo bomber as an aircraft from VT-12 aboard USS Randolph in May 1945.