Michael J. Scharf
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Michael added Archer treadplate pattern decals to the stowage platforms on Takom’s 1/35 scale Whippet Mk.A and painted it with Tamiya acrylics to represent a captured British tank being tested by the German army during World War I. Ammo by Mig Jimenez washes and CMK pigment added weathering.
Michael J. Scharf
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
After building Bandai’s small-scale Karakrum-class from Starblazers 2202 out of the box, Michael painted it with Tamiya Black Green (No. XF-27) with Olive Green (No. XF-58) highlights Model Master Metalizer Burnt Iron (No. 1424) on the engine. “It was a good change-of-pace model,” he says.
Rob Teubert
Edgerton, Wisconsin
The fact that KV-5 Soviet heavy tank was planned but never built didn't stop Rob from throwing a kitchen sink of aftermarket details to make it more real. Among the details were BitsKrieg fuel and oil tanks, a Panzer Art KV-1 hatch, Voyager photo-etched metal, Eureka tow cables, Friulmodel metal tracks, and an Evolution figure in the commander’s hatch. He painted the behemoth with Ammo of Mig Jimenez acrylics and weathered with Vallejo products to model it as it might have looked during the Battle of Kursk.
Dave Mezera
Hobart, Indiana
There is something to see everywhere you look on Dave’s 1/350 scale HMS Ark Royal. He detailed Merit’s kit of the carrier as it appeared just before World War II with Tetra photo-etched metal and crowded the flight deck with extra Swordfish torpedo bombers from Trumpeter. He painted with Vallejo acrylics before floating the mighty carrier on a sea of Liqutiex Gel Medium and gesso on insulation foam.
Terry Hallquist
Elgin, Illinois
Terry painted AMT’s 1/25 scale 1950 Chevrolet service truck in Union 76 livery with spray-can lacquers and enamel clear coat.
Stan Kurcz
Naperville, Illinois
To model a U.S. Air Force Thunderchief headed for downtown Hanoi during the Vietnam War, Stan added a 3D-printed cockpit and burner cans and a turned-metal nose probe to Hasegawa’s 1/72 scale F-105D. After re-scribing panel lines, he painted the tactical camouflage with Tamiya acrylics, masking with Silly Putty between colors; acrylic washes, inks, and watercolor pencils added weathering. A cast-resin stand holds the fully loaded Thud over a map of the Hanoi region.
Omer Houston
Brookfield, Illinois
Describing AMT’s 1/25 scale Gypsy Wagon as “a great old-school kit,” Omer put everything he could into the build, including wiring the engine, adding a radiator and starter, drilling out the exhausts, and stripping the chrome from 50 parts. Tamiya acrylics finished the model, including post-shading and heat staining on the exhaust.
Carl Seils
Racine, Wisconsin
To turn Glencoe’s J2F-23 Duck into a decent replica of the biplane scout, Carl sanded of the raised rivets and scribed new surface detail, reshaped the rudder and elevators, fitted a more refined resin powerplant from Engines & Things insides a new cowl he turned on a lathe. He painted the floatplane with Model Master acrylics for a U.S. Marine unit in December 1941.
John Healy
Chicago, Illinois
John built Airfix’s 1/48 scale Tiger Moth as a Royal Australian Air Force trainer attached to No. 8 Squadron in Malaya in 1941 with Humbrol paint and EZ Line rigging.
Tim Shelton
Plano, Illinois
“I like to shop at antique stores for books that have a title suitable for a great diorama idea,” Tim says. Playing off The White Witch, he placed Tamiya 1/35 scale Marder III in a snowy Eastern Front scene populated with Tamiya figures; the groundwork and building are scratchbuilt. He painted everything with Ceramcoat craft acrylics and weathered with pastels.
John Wendt
Downers Grove, Illinois
After detailing Gallery’s 1/48 scale HH-34D with Eduard photo-etched metal, installing an M2 machine-gun on a post mount in a window, and adding Scale Aircraft Conversion metal landing gear, John painted with Vallejo acrylics over automotive primer. Light oil washes finished it as a U.S. Marine Corps gunship from HMM-363 in Vietnam.
Randy Dieck
West Bend, Wisconsin
Randy’s build of Trumpeter’s 1/32 scale MiG-21 features an aftermarket resin seat and missiles, but it’s the natural-metal finish that makes it stand out. He says the paint is his own recipe, and he used both masking and freehand airbrushing to differentiate panels on the North Vietnamese fighter.
John Fluck
Wheatfield, Indiana
Yep, we’re not sure what it is, and neither is John, except that is a 1/144 scale Bandai kit. But it’s fun and that’s exactly why he built it; the paint is Tamiya acrylics with Molotow Liquid Chrome for the guns.
Rick Shanner
Chatham, Illinois
The French air force deployed F8Fs to Indochina in their fight against the Viet Minh. Rick converted Hobbycraft’s 1/48 scale Bearcat into a reconnaissance aircraft by adding cameras to the drop tank. Using Testors enamels, he base-coated the model with silver, then airbrushed sea blue and chipped it for a weathered combat veteran.
Mike Kellner
Marengo, Illinois
Mike built Das Werk’s 1/72 scale U-9, a World War I German submarine out of the box and painted it with Tamiya acrylics.
Geoff Docherty
Morton Grove, Illinois
Believe it or not, the purple on Geoff’s ’71 Plymouth Duster 340 is a craft-store acrylic. He wired and plumbed the engine compartment on the 1/25 scale AMT kit and flowed a black wash over the engine and wheels to pop details.
Ron Kanaverskis
Willowbrook, Illinois
Ron added moon-disc hubcaps to AMT’s 1/25 scale ’53 Studebaker and painted it with lacquers to model a salt-flat racer.
Jonnathan Moriarty
Plainfield, Illinois
“It’s a Star Wars AT-ST painted like a World War II American tank,” says Jonnathan. He also added WWII equipment and stowage to the 1/47 scale kit from Fantasy Flight Games and painted it with olive drab spray paint over gray primer. After weathering it with pigments and oil washes, he placed it on a base decorated with scenic materials and sticks and rocks from his backyard.
John Wendt
Downers Grove, Illinois
Taking Meng’s Panther Toon Tank seriously, John replaced the vinyl tracks with Dragon individual-link tracks, scratchbuilt the side skirts and hangers, and fitted a machine gun from his spares box. He painted the German camouflage with Vallejo acrylics and weathered with oil washes before placing the tank on a wooden base with a little groundwork.
Eric Mante
Waukesha, Wisconsin
The existence of the SR-75 Penetrator, a planned successor to the SR-71, has long been rumored but never proven. Eric built Anigrand’s 1/144 scale resin kit of the big spy plan and painted it with Model Master acrylics.
David Wolinski
Algonquin, Illinois
David painted the Southeast Asia camouflage on his out-of-the-box build of Hasegawa’s 1/48 scale F-4E Phantom II freehand with acrylics and lightly weathered with enamel washes.
David Wolinski
Algonquin, Illinois
David painted the Southeast Asia camouflage on his out-of-the-box build of Hasegawa’s 1/48 scale F-4E Phantom II freehand with acrylics and lightly weathered with enamel washes.
Marek Rogal
Madison, Wisconsin
When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, the Polish army had about 50 Renault R35 light tanks in service, mostly in the 21st Tank Battalion. Using Tamiya’s 1/35 scale R35, Marek re-created one of those combatants. His only addition to the kit was using jewelry chain on the rear of the tank. He painted the camouflage with Hataka lacquers.
John Wendt
Downers Grove, Illinois
Building ESCI’s 1/35 scale M60A1 as an Israeli Magach 6B, John added Eduard photo-etched metal, a Def.Model cupola, AFV Club T-142 tracks, Eureka tow cable, Live Resin M240 machine guns, an AFV Club M2 .50-caliber machine gun with solder wire connection for remote operation, and a Meng Models Israeli tank crew. He painted the camouflage with Ammo by Mig Jimenez Sinai Grey acrylic over automotive lacquer primer.
Ihor Hlohowskyj
Downers Grove, Illinois
After dressing up Italeri’s 1/35 scale Mercedes L-3000 with resin wheels and Eduard photo-etched metal, Ihor filled the bed with a Tamiya motorcycle, balsa wood timber, and other cargo. He painted the truck in Afrika Korps camouflage with Tamiya acrylics over pre-shaded panel lines. Papier maché groundwork decorated with sand and gravel, artist oil and Woodland Scenics washes, and grass tufts from Vallejo as well as a pair of MiniArt figures put the truck in the North African desert.
Mike Knowski
Joliet, Illinois
To build a late Battle of Britain fighter, Mike added Eduard photo-etched metal and Aeromaster decals to Tamiya’s 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk.I. He airbrushed the camouflage freehand with Model Master enamels, adding post-shading, paint chipping, and exhaust stains for weathering.
Robert Raver
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Other than improving the base with edge molding and a 3D-printed Rebel Alliance symbol, Robert built Bandai’s 1/72 scale X-wing out of the box. Using images of Red One from a book about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, he painted it with Tamiya acrylics and used liquid masking to create the chipping. Oils gave the fighter the right weathered appearance.
Scott Bischoff
Wheaton, Illinois
Scott spent a year turning Revell’s 1/25 scale 1950 Ford pickup into a Pro Touring masterpiece. His modifications included chopping the top, widening the rear fenders, and scratchbuilding the frame and suspension. The sleek finish is Model Master enamels and clear coat.
Victor Hernandez
Chicago, Illinois
Victor’s improvements to Tamiya’s 1/48 scale StuH 42 include scratchbuilt side skirts, Legends stowage, and an RB metal gun barrel. He painted the German assault howitzer with Tamiya acrylics before weathering with oil washes and pigments for dust and grime.
Verna Neal
Ridott, Illinois
Verna added Flats’ macaws to an apropriately painted canvas. The birds were primed with acrylics and then hand-painted with oils.
Mark Danko
Valparaiso, Indiana
The P-40 seems to lend itself to exciting nose art like the screaming skull on Mark’s 1/48 scale Warhawk. He added Eduard photo-etched metal to the cockpit and replaced the kit exhausts with resin parts from Ultracast. He airbrushed Mr. Hobby acrylics for the camouflage, including post-shading, then weathered with oil washes and chipping for a P-40N from the 80th Fighter Group at Assam, India.
Scott Bischoff
Wheaton, Illinois
There is a ’53 Studebaker under all of Scott’s racing modifications. He chopped the top on AMT’s 1/25 scale kit, then set the modified body on completely scratchbuilt chassis, gas tank, and interior. For the sharp finish, he used Tamiya spray-can German Grey and Black topped with Model Master clear gloss.
Alan Zais
Ridott, Illinois
After priming Reaper’s 28mm Winter Fairy with Tamiya white acrylic, Alan hand-painted artist oils over Vallejo base coats.
Robert Williamson
Hobart, Indiana
The KV-2 is a big tank that makes a big model in 1/16 scale. Robert took on the challenge of improving Tamiya’s kit with tools in the open fender toolboxes and battle damage. He painted the beast with acrylics from Ammo by Mig Jimenez and AK Interactive, then weathered with pigments and washes.
Chris Valenti
Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
Working with a vintage Revell kit, Chris built a 1/25 scale Baja bug. He painted the off-road Volkswagen Beetle with Tamiya acrylics and added thin layers of pastel dust to match the Celluclay groundwork.
Dave Wolinski
Algonquin, Illinois
Dave’s sharp F4U-1 Corsair features an added antenna wire, brake lines on the gear legs, and ignition wires for the engine. He painted he Tamiya 1/48 scale kit with acrylics and weathered with enamel washes.
Scott Andeen
Schaumburg, Illinois
“It’s based on a café I was familiar with in my grandparents’ town that had one gas pump,” says Scott. He scratchbuilt the café on foamboard with black rubber cork for the road. The lone pump came from a gas station kit, and he modified AMT’s 1/25 scale Chevy pickup with dual rear wheels and a flatbed.
Mark Danko
Valparaiso, Indiana
Mark detailed Hasegawa’s 1/48 scale Nakajima Ki-84 with Eduard photo-etched metal cockpit details and an Ultracast resin seat, and then he drilled out the exhausts and open flap section underneath. He painted the Japanese army fighter with Mr. Hobby acrylics and weathered with post-shading and oil washes.
Elizabeth Linich
Shorewood, Illinois
Elizabeth, 11, showed off her skills with Bandai’s 1/12 scale Entry Grade Izuka Midoriya from My Hero Academia.
Patrick Kanaverskis
Willowbrook, Illinois
Patrick’s Ford Econoline van started as an AMT 1/25 scale kit to which he added a custom interior. To finish it, he primed with gold, then two coats of green followed by a coat of multicolor glitter clear and two coats of Testors high gloss. After smoothing the paint with four progressively finer sanding pads, he used compound and auto wax. Groovy!
Jason Rotunda
Lindenhurst, Illinois
Jason’s 1/16 scale Jagdtiger is big on detail. He added a bunch of aftermarket parts to Trumpeter’s kit, including a turned-aluminum gun barrel. After airbrushing it with acrylics, he weathered with washes.
Victor Hernandez
Chicago, Illinois
To show the interior workings of a Soviet tank, Victor opened the engine deck and removed the turret top from Hobbyboss’ 1/48 scale T-34/84 Mod. 1944. Among the interior detail on display is the engine and transmission that he wired and plumbed. He painted the model with Tamiya acrylics over NATO black primer and weathered with oil washes and pigments.
Charles Thomas
Burns Harbor, Indiana
Charles airbrushed Hobbycraft’s 1/35 scale BMP-1 with Model Master enamels and marked it as an infantry fighting vehicle of the New Iraqi army.
Jeff LaMott
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
After modifying Lindberg’s 1/25 scale Dodge Little Red Wagon with a resin A-100 van body from Jimmy Flintstone, Jeff set about giving it a distressed patina. He sprayed it with rust shades then sealed that with a heavy coat of hairspray followed by salt. The body color was applied when the air was humid so the salt on the model absorbed the moisture and further discolored the surface. Brushing off the salt revealed a well-seasoned van.
Jeff LaMott
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jeff painted Kit Kong’s 1/8 scale rendering of a Navy pinup with Vallejo acrylics and pastel shading.
Geoffrey Waller
Tinley Park, Illinois
Geoffrey hand-painted Michael Roberts 120mm British soldier in Afghanistan with acrylics.
Arthur Krull
Wheaton, Illinois
To depict the end of NASA’s NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) Shoemaker mission, Arthur posed a model of the spacecraft just before it touched down on the asteroid Eros in 2001. He added details and scratchbuilt parts to a 3D-printed body and painted it with Tamiya acrylics and Alclad II lacquers.
Charles Thomas
Burns Harbor, Indiana
Wanting to model something different, Charles built Fine Molds’ 1/48 scale Nakajima Kikka, Japan’s first jet fighter, as an operation aircraft. Only one prototype actually flew before the World War II ended. He added gun pods and a radar antenna and airbrushed the camouflage with Model Master enamels.
Terry Hallquist
Elgin, Illinois
Terry painted AMT’s 1/25 scale ’49 Mercury Custom Coupe with Tamiya lacquers and enamel clear gloss.