Brandon Lewis
Duluth, Minnesota
Brandon built his Bandai 1/100 scale Macross Plus YF-19 Valkyrie out of the box, flying in jet mode. He colored the variable fighter with Tamiya and SMS lacquers over black primer. Brandon weathered with Tamiya pigments and AK Interactive washes.
Weylin Albiniak
Duluth, Minnesota
This MSM-3 Gogg has seen the end of its fighting days. Weylin built a Bandai 1/144 scale kit, severing one appendage and finishing it to show a long forgotten mech. He primed the model black, dry-brushed silver, and stippled colors and rust effects across its surface before layering in pastels and washes. For the added touch, Weylin decorated the Gogg with moss and miniature flowers to show it had become part of the countryside where it lies.
Patrick Bright
Duluth, Minnesota
Patrick’s model shows the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Perfect Strike Gundam ready for launch. He built the Bandai MG 1/100 scale model and included base mostly from the box, adding aftermarket decals for better-looking markings. Vallejo Mech Air and Model Air and Tamiya acrylics handled the colorful paint job. Patrick pre-shaded panels for better contrast and upped the ante with Tamiya Weathering Master pigments and AK Interactive Weathering Pencils.
Michael Hochscheidt
Robbinsdale, Minnesota
The Harbinger of Decay has never looked so good! Michael assembled the Games Workshop 28mm horse and rider from the package and made a base for it from air-dry clay, wooden sticks, and styrene parts. Reaper and Vallejo acrylic paints provided plenty of color for the undead prophet. Michael pre-shaded, established initial colors with glazes, and then picked out additional highlights and shadows. Acrylic washes supplied rust effects. Woodland Scenics Soft Flake Snow covers the ground enhanced with airbrushed shading.
John Carlson
Clayton, North Carolina
John placed seat belts, a fire extinguisher, and a canopy release mechanism to improve the verisimilitude of his Tarangus 1/48 scale SK 61 Bulldog. Decorated for the Swedish air force, the two-seat trainer wears splinter camouflage airbrushed with Real Colors lacquers using John’s hand-cut masks. He lightly weathered his prop plane with pastels and landed it on a craft-store base he adorned with Sweden’s three crowns.
Chris Weisensel
Blaine, Minnesota
A Black Cat Models kit served as the base for Chris’ USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413) destroyer escort. This model of the Sammy B. left the Weisensel shipyard as an out-of-the-box build with EZ Line for the rigging. Chris primed it with Stynylrez Black primer, painted with Scale Colors acrylics and True North enamels, and masked with Tamiya flexible tape. Winsor & Newton artist oils were used for detail washes and weathering. It’s a worthy replica of the “destroyer that fought like a battleship.”
Gavin Rolstad
Eagan, Minnesota
Gaspatch turnbuckles stand out on Gavin’s Wingnut Wings 1/32 scale DH.9a “Ninak”, finished for post-war service in Iraq circa 1923-24. After laying down a gloss black primer, Gavin airbrushed Tamiya Flat Aluminum for the biplane’s doped aluminum fabric and Alclad II White Aluminum for the metal sections. He cut stencils and painted his own roundels instead of relying and decals to the job. Tamiya enamel washes and artist oils covered the DH.9a with dust and spotted it with oil stains.
Gavin Rolstad
Eagan, Minnesota
Gaspatch turnbuckles stand out on Gavin’s Wingnut Wings 1/32 scale DH.9a “Ninak”, finished for post-war service in Iraq circa 1923-24. After laying down a gloss black primer, Gavin airbrushed Tamiya Flat Aluminum for the biplane’s doped aluminum fabric and Alclad II White Aluminum for the metal sections. He cut stencils and painted his own roundels instead of relying and decals to the job. Tamiya enamel washes and artist oils covered the DH.9a with dust and spotted it with oil stains.
Tim Rocheford
Otsego, Minnesota
This cute robot’s body was scratchbuilt from styrene, and all the detail parts were salvaged from Tim’s spares box. Mostly Tamiya acrylics adorn the jaunty cube, including NATO Black as the base coat and Blue airbrushed from above to create shading. Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color picks out the panels, and Tim dry-brushed with lighter blues before chipping the paint with Tamiya Aluminum and a small sponge.
Allen Weaver
Faribault, Minnesota
Allen’s intimidating Bandai 1/144 scale Sazabi stands atop a base scratchbuilt from styrene sheet and rod. The mech itself was built out of the box, primed with Vallejo Gray Primer, and decked out with light coats of Vallejo Mecha paints before receiving a sealing coat of Vallejo Ultra Matt Varnish.
Brennon Addy
Duluth, Minnesota
This Full Armor Thunderbolt Gundam needs some serious repairs. Brennon built a Bandai 1/100 scale kit and painted it freehand without an airbrush, relying on dry-brushed acrylics and enamels to get the desired effect. He distinguished the panels with Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color and trimmed the mobile suit with the water-slide decals that came in the kit.
Merrill Anderson
Edina, Minnesota
Merrill placed this Takom 1/35 scale Mark IV Female tank at Cambrai, France, 1917. Acrylic paints and an airbrush, plus pigments and washes, gave the tank a realistic appearance. He added posts and barbed wire along with groundwork to the wooden base.
Tim Streeter
Edina, Minnesota
Modeling Steve McQueen as “The Cooler King” Hilts from the movie The Great Escape, Tim hand-painted a 1/16 scale figure from H3. He built up colors from LifeColor, Model Master, and PolyScale to achieve realistic lighting on the clothes and jacket. Putty and Woodland Scenics rocks made the groundwork, and Tim dusted the figure’s shoes with pigments to match. He made the 8th Air Force decal for the shoulder insignia Hilts and added scratches in the leather with burnt umber and yellow ochre.
Gary Anderson
Bloomington, Minnesota
To model his 1/72 scale Spanish galleon, Gary turned first to a Revell Ghost Ship and then equipped it with guns on the weather deck and a main sail from an Airfix HMS Prince. He rescued the flags and decals from his spares. The colorful trim comes from a combination of paint brands, including Tamiya and Model Master, wood stains, and paint pens. Gary said he found the base at a thrift store and he replaced the handle with a pair of skulls.
Valereigh Chatleain
Arlington, Minnesota
Junior modeler Valereigh landed a Revell 1/48 scale P-40 Tiger Shark at the contest. She decided to build this model because the fighter “has an angry face.” Good enough for us! Valereigh masked with Silly Putty for the camouflage and painted with Vallejo and The Army Painter acrylics using an Iwata airbrush. She brush-painted small details and the pilot figure.
Howard Quednau
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Howard combined a Tamiya 1/24 scale Vespa and a resin figure for his fun “Scooter Girl” model. He painted the Vespa Tamiya Orange from the spray can and finished the helmeted rider with Tamiya acrylics and artist-oil washes. He made the base by cutting a circle from a thin sheet of plywood and spray-painting a fun striped pattern that gives the model motion, almost like a frame from a comic book.
Rob Teubert
Edgerton, Wisconsin
This 1/72 scale Char I Bis wears markings for the Free French Forces in 1944. Rob reworked the front vision slot, added cast texture to the Trumpeter kit’s turret and hull, and installed exhaust covers, rear chain hooks, and chains. AK Interactive acrylics furnished the tank’s colors, and he hand-painted the markings to reflect those on the real vehicle.
Edward St. Denis
Rochester, Minnesota
An Ammo resin base supports Edward’s RPM 1/72 scale Staghound Mk.I armored car in British markings. He layered colors from Ammo, Vallejo, and Tamiya to depict British SCC 15, weathered with artist oils and pastels, and dry-brushed highlights. He equipped the armored car with Value Gear and Roco stowage and improved the lenses with clear parts from MV Products.
Ed Carlson
Maple Grove, Minnesota
Ed’s Monogram 1/35 scale M48A2 Patton tank wears Rust-Oleum Camouflage Flat Army Green sprayed straight from the can along with Testors enamels brushed on to handle the tracks and detail parts. You’ll never guess what he used for weathering: black and brown shoe polish applied with a cotton swab.
Steve Shaffer
Hastings, Minnesota
With the rebooted Battlestar Galactica in the early 2000s came a new Cylon Raider design, but in the movie, Battlestar Galactica: Razor, a Raider design appeared that more closely hearkened back to the ships seen in the original series from the 1970s. Steve downloaded the STL files for his model, 3D-printed them on an Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra, cleaned up the results, and assembled his 1/48 scale “Razor” Raider. He base-coated the model with Mr. Color black primer, applied squiggles in the base color, and then sprayed a semi-transparent overcoat of the same color for a mottled effect. Pastels provided heat scorching and exhaust discoloration. Steve found the base online and repurposed it for his own needs.
Lloyd Little
Westgate, Iowa
This Revell 1/25 scale 1969 Nova houses a 3D-printed twin turbo engine painted to match the airbrushed metallic body color. The acrylic paint, sprayed directly onto the plastic, was sealed under a coat of Tamiya Clear. To complete the look of his updated Chevy, Lloyd swapped in 3D-printed tires and wheels under the fenders.
Lloyd Little
Westgate, Iowa
This Revell 1/25 scale 1969 Nova houses a 3D-printed twin turbo engine painted to match the airbrushed metallic body color. The acrylic paint, sprayed directly onto the plastic, was sealed under a coat of Tamiya Clear. To complete the look of his updated Chevy, Lloyd swapped in 3D-printed tires and wheels under the fenders.
Michael Gutierres
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Michael got it into his head to replicate his grandpa’s 1966 Ford Bronco, and set about the task with a Revell 1/25 scale Bronco kit. Alterations included a resin six-cylinder engine that he plumbed and wired, a decked out interior, and a fully detailed underside. Michael airbrushed his replica MCW Arcadian Blue and Wimbledon White to match his granddad’s farm truck and protected it with a coat of Mr. Hobby Clear.
Michael Gutierres
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Michael got it into his head to replicate his grandpa’s 1966 Ford Bronco, and set about the task with a Revell 1/25 scale Bronco kit. Alterations included a resin six-cylinder engine that he plumbed and wired, a decked out interior, and a fully detailed underside. Michael airbrushed his replica MCW Arcadian Blue and Wimbledon White to match his granddad’s farm truck and protected it with a coat of Mr. Hobby Clear.
Brandon Schmitz
Red Wing, Minnesota
Tamiya Desert Yellow and Dark Green camouflage this Border Models 1/35 scale Panzer IV Ausf G. Brandon sprayed the yellow on the up-armored German tank and brush-painted the green markings.
Michael Gutierres
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Michael got it into his head to replicate his grandpa’s 1966 Ford Bronco, and set about the task with a Revell 1/25 scale Bronco kit. Alterations included a resin six-cylinder engine that he plumbed and wired, a decked out interior, and a fully detailed underside. Michael airbrushed his replica MCW Arcadian Blue and Wimbledon White to match his granddad’s farm truck and protected it with a coat of Mr. Hobby Clear.
Sean Brzozowski
Coon Rapids, Minnesota
The 2S7 Pion was a Soviet 203mm self-propelled cannon with a barrel that measured 39 feet long and weighed 14 tons. Sean built a 3D-printed Pion, designing and replacing missing or incorrect parts to replicate the vehicle on display at the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum in Smithfield, Queensland. The paint job is a custom mix of MRP lacquers laid on with an Iwata Neo airbrush. Artist-oil washes provided weathering and contrast.
John Zweber
Blaine, Minnesota
Splash Paints decorate John’s Aoshima 1/24 scale McLaren F1 GTR longtail. He installed RB Motion wires and fittings along with a Hobby Design detail set to improve the model’s overall look. After the decals, John sealed the Gulf Team markings under a glossy 2K clear.
John Zweber
Blaine, Minnesota
Splash Paints decorate John’s Aoshima 1/24 scale McLaren F1 GTR longtail. He installed RB Motion wires and fittings along with a Hobby Design detail set to improve the model’s overall look. After the decals, John sealed the Gulf Team markings under a glossy 2K clear.
Harold Parsons
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
The British have never been shy about interesting aircraft architecture, and Harold added a 1/48 scale model of one of those unusual designs to his collection, the Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF. He built an Airfix kit out of the box, airbrushing Tamiya acrylics and lacquers and Mr. Color lacquers along the way. He made his own masks for the greenhouse and turrets, and masked for the soft-edged camouflage with poster tack. Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color distinguishes the model’s panels.
Matt Minnichsoffer
Lindstrom, Minnesota
Matt built an Eduard 1/48 scale P-51B Mustang box stock and decorated it in D-Day markings for “Flying Scot II/Vicious Virgie” flying out of Bodney, England, piloted by Lt. Carleton Fuhrman. He primed the plane with Mr. Finish 1500, pre-shaded panel lines, and painted the natural-metal finish first. Next came the blue nose, and Matt left the invasion stripes for last. Pastels colored the nose and wings for exhaust and powder stains.
Steve Rewey
Edina, Minnesota
As a Delta pilot, Steve would fly military charters into Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada. There he saw many Canadian CF-104D Starfighters, so he built a replica of one from a Hasegawa 1/48 scale kit. The wings and stabilator required putty, and he replaced the kit’s seats with Quickboost resin upgrades. The complicated natural-metal finish required plenty of masking, and MRP lacquers handled the finish admirably. Finally, washes gave this Canuck 104 a “lived in” look.
Kent Doble
Savage, Minnesota
Kent thought the Red Bull O2-A Cessna Skymaster looked great and needed one for his model aircraft collection. To accomplish this, he turned to the venerable Testors 1/48 scale kit from the 1990s and proceeded to scratchbuild the interior floor, walls, ceiling, and control console. Individual sun visors and wing canards were added, as was a resin top for the engine. He wired the brakes, placed seat belts inside, and made custom decals. For paint, Kent went with Tamiya lacquers and acrylics. Gray washes weathered the control surfaces.
Jacques Duquette
Bovey, Minnesota
Black primer gave Model Master Dark Green a consistent base for Jacques’ work on his 1/35 scale Ukrainian BREM-2 (early) recovery vehicle. He worked up to lighter colors, creating depth, and dry-brushed to capture the brightest highlights. Starting with a Trumpeter BMP-1, he transformed the base kit into a BREM-2 with a SP Designs conversion set and SAAM Models 3D-printed detail parts for the antiaircraft machine-gun mount. Jacques kept the weathering light, with just washes and pinwashes.
Robert Prokup
Chaska, Minnesota
Baby Yoda (also known as Grogu) contemplates eating a frog in this hand-painted rendition of the lovable Force-wielder from the Disney+ streaming show, The Mandalorian. Robert completed the NY3DCreations 3D-printed figure with Scale 75 acrylic paints, attached it to a wooden base, and placed hobby grass. Cool how the resin water fills the space in the wooden base!
Bob Maderich II
Minneapolis, Minnesota
“It was my RPM ‘white elephant’ kit and was a joy to build out of the box,” Bob said of his Tamiya 1/24 scale 2004 Xanavi NISMO Z. He handled all the paint with Tamiya spray cans and masked and painted both the silver and red. Decals sorted the rest.
Patrick Edwards
Northfield, Minnesota
This model of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex came from a HobbyBoss 1/700 scale kit improved with an Eduard photo-etched metal detail set. Patrick airbrushed the base colors on the ship, laying down Tamiya acrylics with a Harder & Steenbeck. The subtle craft of applying washes and artist oils followed for rust and other discoloration caused by this ship’s time at sea.
Steve Hansen
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ferraris look fast even when sitting still, and Steve’s Fujimi 1/24 scale 512S is no exception. He upgraded plenty on the car, including a ton of 3D-printed parts, louvers, wheels, velocity stacks, oil reservoir, coolant tanks, hinges, lights, tire stencils, and distributor. Whew! He cloaked the race car in Splash Paints Rosso Scuderia and Whitest White, marked it with STS decals, and gloss-coated with Mr. Color Super Clear.
Steve Hansen
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ferraris look fast even when sitting still, and Steve’s Fujimi 1/24 scale 512S is no exception. He upgraded plenty on the car, including a ton of 3D-printed parts, louvers, wheels, velocity stacks, oil reservoir, coolant tanks, hinges, lights, tire stencils, and distributor. Whew! He cloaked the race car in Splash Paints Rosso Scuderia and Whitest White, marked it with STS decals, and gloss-coated with Mr. Color Super Clear.
Dean Kuitunen
Hanover, Minnesota
This Revell 1/25 scale 1929 Ford roadster depicts a barn find someone discovered, updated, and now drives for fun, according to Dean. He stuffed a 409 Weekend Wrencher from VGG Resins behind the radiator, a four-speed transmission behind it, and a banjo rear end. He weathered the heck out of the roadster with just about everything, including Rustall, pastels, and pigments over Testors enamels and Tamiya acrylics.
Dean Kuitunen
Hanover, Minnesota
This Revell 1/25 scale 1929 Ford roadster depicts a barn find someone discovered, updated, and now drives for fun, according to Dean. He stuffed a 409 Weekend Wrencher from VGG Resins behind the radiator, a four-speed transmission behind it, and a banjo rear end. He weathered the heck out of the roadster with just about everything, including Rustall, pastels, and pigments over Testors enamels and Tamiya acrylics.
Brady Walskog
Coon Rapids, Minnesota
This dream JDM build started with a Tamiya 1/24 scale Nissan Fairlady Z. Brady swapped in a GTR engine and reworked the body with Milliput for a wide-body appearance. The car sports a 3D-printed interior, engine bay, and scratchbuilt roll cage. For a special matte finish, he airbrushed Dodge High Octane Red over Tamiya primer at a low pressure. A thin coat of flat clear went down over it, and then Brady misted on the red again to bring back a hint of the metallic twinkle.
Brady Walskog
Coon Rapids, Minnesota
This dream JDM build started with a Tamiya 1/24 scale Nissan Fairlady Z. Brady swapped in a GTR engine and reworked the body with Milliput for a wide-body appearance. The car sports a 3D-printed interior, engine bay, and scratchbuilt roll cage. For a special matte finish, he airbrushed Dodge High Octane Red over Tamiya primer at a low pressure. A thin coat of flat clear went down over it, and then Brady misted on the red again to bring back a hint of the metallic twinkle.
Chad Truss
Crystal, Minnesota
Chad concentrated on a clean, out-of-the-box build so he could then focus on dirtying up his Tamiya 1/24 scale Toyota Celica rally car. The white base coat is Tamiya lacquer straight from the can, while the dirt and dust is Vallejo acrylics misted with an airbrush.
Michael Badinger
Champlin, Minnesota
This is the first Games Workshop Warhammer 40K vehicle Michael has modeled, and he said this 28mm Dakkajet pushed his skills. Supplied with numerous options in the kit, he built what he liked and added a 3D-printed Grot to a spare bomb as homage to Dr. Strangelove. He hand-painted the scheme over Rust-Oleum Black Primer, sticking with The Army Painter acrylic colors, wash, and panel liner.
Augie McKibben
Crystal, Minnesota
A little downtime finds a group of French soldiers enjoying coffee near a Renault armored car. Augie built a Copper State Models 1/35 scale kit and then worked it with Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics. Post-shading, washes, and pigments provided contrast and weathering effects. Copper State figures and accessories from ICM and MiniArt round out the World War I scene. For the base, Augie wrapped an XPS foam block in basswood sheet, stained it, and clear-coated with acrylic varnish.
Kelsey Eldred
Minnetrista, Minnesota
Kelsey built a Warhammer 40,000 Imperial Knight Paladin from a Games Workshop 28mm Knight Preceptor/Canis Rex kit. The concept was to show the massive war machine running to close in on its opponent. Games Workshop Fenrisian Wolves were added to the scene to help convey the sense of motion, and the tree, made from a cardboard tube with hot glue for the bark, has been knocked aside. With the exception of a few decals, Kelsey hand-painted the Paladin with Monument Hobbies and The Army Painter Warpaints acrylic colors and turned to Citadel Nuln Oil for shading. The base wears The Army Painter Battlefield Basing Snow, Vallejo Terrain Paste, and Citadel Stirland Battle Mire.
Chris Pionkowski
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
This model of the USS Kauffman (FFG-59) was built by Chris for a “plank owner” — someone assigned to the ship while it was still being built. Built from a 1/350 scale Blue Water Navy kit, Chris scratchbuilt the underway replenishment gear, gun barrels, and boat rigging. There was all sorts of masking involved to get the decks just so, and a combination of Sculpey polymer clay, CelluClay, and artist acrylics resulted in a realistic water base.
Jeremy Baldwin
North Oaks, Minnesota
Jeremy pre-shaded his Academy 1/144 scale P-8A Poseidon with NATO black to excellent effect and airbrushed Vallejo colors to complete the look. No weathering to speak of, he picked out panel lines with a pinwash to vary the appearance.
Chuck Bauer
North Oaks, Minnesota
Chuck has been a long-time shipbuilder, and, after he took some time off, it’s great to see his work once again with this Trumpeter 1/350 scale Italian heavy cruiser Gorizia. Not one to leave improvements undone, he scratchbuilt the leadsman’s platforms, ventilator housings, slop chute, prop guards, paravane carts, ring buoys, boat booms, navigation lights, and the mainmast pennant. That’s all before easing back a bit and installing a Shipyard photo-etched metal set for Zara-class ships. How many parts went into this build, you ask? That’s easy: 1,225! Chuck painted the decks plank by plank, masking each one individually.
Ray Smith
Albert Lea, Minnesota
This unusual-looking coaxial helicopter is the Bendix Model J. Ray built the unique aircraft straight from an AMP 1/48 scale kit, airbrushed it with Humbrol enamels, and called it done.
Paul Gloster
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Paul couldn’t resist a Marsh Models 1/43 scale Porsche 908/2. He wired the engine, modeled seat belts, and added aftermarket switches inside the cockpit. Zero Paints color the body, and Paul made sure to touch the tires a bit to show wear.
Troy Deal
Montello, Wisconsin
This old 1969 Buick Skylark GS400 junker started as a Micron 1/25 scale resin kit. Troy worked his particular magic and damaged the doors, trunk lid, and hood. He placed a 350 Chevy V8 up front to fill the space between the fenders. A deconstructed tea bag made a convincing sagging roof liner, and Troy ran aluminum tubing for the exhaust and driveshaft. He painted the body Rust-Oleum Apple Red and wet-sanded to reveal the primer beneath. The rust holes were made with a rotary tool and cutting burrs.
Dave Perzel
Rosemount, Minnesota
Dave modeled the 52nd Fighter Wing operation group commander’s A-10 Warthog from a Revell 1/48 scale kit. He used Vallejo Model Air paints to decorate the jet as one based at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, 2001.
Violet Baldwin
North Oaks, Minnesota
Violet used an airbrush for the first time to paint her 3D-printed Styracosaurus family! But that wasn’t the only technique she used to finish her model of happy dinosaurs. Violet also hand-brushed areas, mottled with a sponge, and picked out details with a toothpick.
Scott Primeau
Harris, Minnesota
The groundwork on the base for Scott’s Dragon 1/35 scale Panther A places it in Italy, 1944. He dressed the kit up with aftermarket Zimmerit, metal tracks, and a turned-metal barrel. Tamiya paint, enamel weathering, and artist-oil dust effects topped by a sharp-eyed commander finish a tank from the 1st Panzer Division.
Erik Zabel
St. Paul, Minnesota
Built for a club challenge, Erik dove into a Salvinos JR 1/24 scale NASCAR kit to model Cale Yarborough’s 1982 Buick Regal. The kit provided plenty of details, although he did add just a touch extra to the engine. No weathering, this car has yet to see the track. Erik airbrushed everything with Tamiya lacquers, applied the kit’s decals, and then sealed it all with Mr. Color Super Clear.