FineScale Modeler attended the 2023 IPMS/USA National Convention in San Marcos, Texas, on Aug. 3-5, 2023. As always, the scale modeling skills on show astounded, and more than 3,000 models sated attendee hunger for artistic excellence. Modeling luminary Mig Jimenez attended the show, and Tamiya America returned in a big way as this year’s gold sponsor. As we do every year, FSM marked models we wanted to photograph and updated the gallery live for three days. We’ll provide a link for a separate video of the show in the near future!
Show Gallery
IPMS/USA National Convention 2023 scale model contest photo gallery
See images of scale models appearing at the contest in San Marcos, Texas
Plano, Texas
This Revell 1/96 scale CSS Alabama is anything but box-stock. Kendall used the hull and deck fittings from the 1060s kit, but installed a wooden deck, and scratchbuilt fittings, block and tackle, and cannons. He made the sails from physicians exam-table paper on a roll, lightly sprayed it with Krylon Flat White, crumpled and then stretched repeated until each piece was soft without wrinkles. He developed a method for using Testors Copper enamel with a Dull Earth overspray then tinted each plate with Scale Color washes. He masked every plate with blue painters tape and peels it off to lift layers of overspray for a realistic finish.