Steve Ratajek
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Steve arrived with his sleek AMT/Ertl 1/25 scale ‘39 Chevy wagon hot rod. He added spark plug wires, throttle cables, and injector lines to the engine and set the car riding on 3D-printed wheels. MCW Velvet Red Metallic and hand-painted and masked wood finished it off.
Steve Ratajek
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Steve arrived with his sleek AMT/Ertl 1/25 scale ‘39 Chevy wagon hot rod. He added spark plug wires, throttle cables, and injector lines to the engine and set the car riding on 3D-printed wheels. MCW Velvet Red Metallic and hand-painted and masked wood finished it off.
Richard Schaffer
Sparta, Wisconsin
Richard placed a MiniArt 1/35 scale M3 Stuart (early production) on a base he bought from a trophy store to create a field maintenance area during the 1942 Louisiana Maneuvers. He built the Stuart mostly box stock, aside from adding ignition wires and antennas. Richard painted the model dark green over light green and weathered using the hairspray method to chip the paint.
William Kirchmayer
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
William combined a 1/35 scale sWS halftrack(Great Wall Hobby), Flakvierling 38 (Tamiya), and trailer (Italeri) from three different companies to get the model he wanted. He scratchbuilt the gun mount, added Eduard photo-etched metal updates to the Flakvierling, and painted with Vallejo acrylics sprayed through Paasche and Iwata airbrushes. He chipped the paint and lightly weathered before calling it done.
Scott Bischoff
Wheaton, Illinois
An online illustration inspired Scott to completely rework a Revell 1/25 scale Orange Crate ‘32 sedan into something all his own. He modified the chassis and suspension, scratchbuilt the interior, and added an Iceman Boss Ford 429 motor to power it. He painted with Tamiya Light Gray, Ocean Gray RAF, and Navy Blue from the spray cans. At first, he thought he’d gloss coat them, but decided for a flat finish after “it just didn’t look right glossy,” Scott said.
Scott Bischoff
Wheaton, Illinois
An online illustration inspired Scott to completely rework a Revell 1/25 scale Orange Crate ‘32 sedan into something all his own. He modified the chassis and suspension, scratchbuilt the interior, and added an Iceman Boss Ford 429 motor to power it. He painted with Tamiya Light Gray, Ocean Gray RAF, and Navy Blue from the spray cans. At first, he thought he’d gloss coat them, but decided for a flat finish after “it just didn’t look right glossy,” Scott said.
Charles Schlom
Algonquin, Illinois
Charles added a Phantom Phreaks resin high-speed reconnaissance nose to his Tamiya 1/32 scale U.S. Marine Corps RF-4B Phantom II. He painted with Tamiya acrylics and Model Master enamels and weathered with pigments, a homemade wash, and Tamiya Smoke.
Tom Crayne
Woodbury, Minnesota
Tom upgraded his Hasegawa 1/32 scale Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat with Quintas Studios cockpit details and Eduard seat belts. He finished the World War II Navy Hellcat fighter with Tamiya paint and washes made from Doc O’Brien’s Weathering Powders.
John Tokarewich
Bartlett, Illinois
The L’Arsenal 1/350 scale USS Conyngham sailed in with John, who scratchbuilt its refueling stations and added 3D-printed navigation lights. Scale Colors and Vallejo acrylics decorate the ship, which was in turn weathered with artist oils.
Matt Key
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Matt’s 1/24 scale Mazda RX-7 GTI features a Revell chassis, a Fujimi body, and a 3D-printed tri rotor. He custom-mixed Tamiya acrylics to get the orange pearl color just right.
Matt Key
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Matt’s 1/24 scale Mazda RX-7 GTI features a Revell chassis, a Fujimi body, and a 3D-printed tri rotor. He custom-mixed Tamiya acrylics to get the orange pearl color just right.
Richard Sliwka
Warrensburg, Missouri
To create one of 28 Gato-class submarines built in Manitowoc, Wis., Richard built the AFV Club 1/350 scale USS Rasher and replaced the kit’s 40mm and 20mm Bofors guns with aftermarket ones from Black Cat. The colors are Polly Scale acrylics applied with a Badger airbrush.
Cal Wood
Hudson, Wisconsin
Cal made a base from foam board, AK Interactive Thick Mud, and real and plaster stones for his SP Designs 1/35 scale PPRU-1M Russian Sborka. He scratchbuilt parts of the radar, wired it, installed RB Model antennas, ran Fruilmodel metal tracks, and upgraded with 3D-printed wading vanes. Cal painted his Sborka and base with Vallejo acrylics.
Rick Rasmussen
Decorah, Iowa
A scratchbuilt siren, striped helicopter helmet, and a wooden “stay back” sign upgrade Rick’s HobbyBoss 1/35 scale M706 Commando armored car. Pastels provide shading over a Model Master enamel paint job.
Ed St. Denis
Rochester, Minnesota
Ed wanted a Portuguese EBR-ETT in Angola in the late ‘60s to early ‘70s, so he built the Ace 1/72 scale EBR-ETT French wheeled armored personnel carrier. He replaced the kit’s wheels with 3D-printed versions, added hull lift points made from brass wire, hollowed out the headlights and added MV Products lenses. Hand-painted camo with Tamiya, Model Master, and Vallejo acrylics under washes and light dry-brushing make the vehicle look the part.
Nicholas Duke
Janesville, Wisconsin
A base of clay, foam, flocking, and textured paste topped with 28mm figures from Games Workshop create Nicholas’ scene of a demon prince chasing a halfling who is protected by an elf wizard. He sculpted the magic effects from acrylic modeling paste, and the plants were 3D-printed. The scene’s vibrant colors were achieved with Vallejo and Pro Acryl acrylics.
Vlado Jovic
Greenfield, Wisconsin
Vlado’s Trumpeter 1/48 scale F-106 Delta Dart features an aftermarket ejection seat, missiles, wheels, nozzle, and decals. He finished jet with AK Interactive Real Colors lacquers.
Stew Edwards
Grafton, Wisconsin
To replicate a 1967 four-cylinder “works” MGB GT built for Sebring and Targo Florio, Stew used an Aoshima 1/24 scale Mazda roadster, added a roof from a damaged resin casting, lowered the stance by 1 1/2 scale inches, and added a fuel tank to the back end. The color scheme is Tamiya Italian Red and Pure White under Testors Wet Look Clear with decals from Fred Cady and the kit.
Pete Geffers
Omro, Wisconsin
Pete freehand airbrushed Tamiya paints onto his Tamiya 1/48 scale Douglas A-1J Skyraider. His only modification was to cut a brass tube for the cannon barrel.
Tom Piper
Winfield, Iowa
This unique car is a resin 1/25 scale version of the Hot Wheels Splittin’ Image with a ‘69 AMT Vette chassis and AMT redline tires. Testors Deja Blue over silver with a heavy clear coat gives it that attention-grabbing finish.
Curtis Knight
Rochester, Minnesota
Curtis weathered his KP 1/72 scale Lavochkin La.5 using paint thinner on brushes and cotton swabs to soften and remove the whitewash to reveal a summer camo scheme under the white.
Bill Wedeward
Waterloo, Wisconsin
A Bases by Bill frame supports Bill’s Pro Modeler 1/48 scale SB2C-4 Helldiver. He painted with Vallejo acrylics and masked for the insignia instead of using decals. Bill completed the aircraft with resin depth charges and radar dome, Master machine-gun barrels, and a photo-etched metal cockpit and dive breaks.
Steve Hustad
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Steve did so much to improve his ICM 1/72 scale Mitsubishi Ki-21-Ib “Sally” that we couldn’t possibly list everything. Highlights include detailing the cockpit, riveting the airframe, replacing guns, and swapping out the kit markings for others from Rising Decals. Want a closer look? See Steve’s “Sally” on Page 30 of the July/August 2026 FineScale Modeler magazine.
Steve Hustad
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Steve did so much to improve his ICM 1/72 scale Mitsubishi Ki-21-Ib “Sally” that we couldn’t possibly list everything. Highlights include detailing the cockpit, riveting the airframe, replacing guns, and swapping out the kit markings for others from Rising Decals. Want a closer look? See Steve’s “Sally” on Page 30 of the July/August 2026 FineScale Modeler magazine.
Steve Hustad
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Steve did so much to improve his ICM 1/72 scale Mitsubishi Ki-21-Ib “Sally” that we couldn’t possibly list everything. Highlights include detailing the cockpit, riveting the airframe, replacing guns, and swapping out the kit markings for others from Rising Decals. Want a closer look? See Steve’s “Sally” on Page 30 of the July/August 2026 FineScale Modeler magazine.
Steve Hustad
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Steve did so much to improve his ICM 1/72 scale Mitsubishi Ki-21-Ib “Sally” that we couldn’t possibly list everything. Highlights include detailing the cockpit, riveting the airframe, replacing guns, and swapping out the kit markings for others from Rising Decals. Want a closer look? See Steve’s “Sally” on Page 30 of the July/August 2026 FineScale Modeler magazine.
Bob Clift
Milton, Wisconsin
Bob built his Tamiya 1/35 scale M577 command post carrier serving during Desert Storm mostly out of the box and added gear from his spares box. He primed and base coated, used the hairspray technique for chipping paint, and further weathered with a dot filter and AK Interactive pencils and powders.
Lance Noltemeyer
Waunakee, Wisconsin
Taking inspiration from Japanese custom car culture, Lance made a Monogram 1/24 ‘69 Pontiac GTO very much his own. He modified the car with a custom chassis and external cooler, fender flares, and mirrors way out in front.
Lloyd Little
Westgate, Iowa
Lloyd closed off the hood scoop and added a 3D-printed engine and wheels to his Revell 1/24 scale ‘71 Plymouth GTX. The hot finish features freehanded flames airbrushed with Tamiya acrylics.
Lloyd Little
Westgate, Iowa
Lloyd closed off the hood scoop and added a 3D-printed engine and wheels to his Revell 1/24 scale ‘71 Plymouth GTX. The hot finish features freehanded flames airbrushed with Tamiya acrylics.
Peter Schanbel
Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Peter built the Bandai 1/144 scale Gundam G-Self with Perfect Pack and dressed it in muted versions of the original scheme with Tamiya and Splash Paints lacquers and Tamiya acrylics. All the colors were airbrushed over gray primer, and the Splash Universal Blue was a stand-out color for everyone.
Scott Primeau
Harris, Minnesota
Scott painted a Young Miniatures bust of Richard Winters from the Band of Brothers episode “Day of Days.” He employed Vallejo and AK Interactive 3G acrylics, for both brush painting and airbrushing. The plants came from various companies and Scott sculpted the tree. He replicated the face paint with artist oils.
Mike Hartjes
Wausau, Wisconsin
Mike said he had a ‘60 Starliner when he was in high school, which inspired him to make this AMT 1/25 scale ‘60 Ford Starliner. He handmade the taillights, chopped the top over the windshield, and molded new bumpers. Mike primed, masked, and draped his Starliner in two tones of Dupli-Color lacquer.
Mike Hartjes
Wausau, Wisconsin
Mike said he had a ‘60 Starliner when he was in high school, which inspired him to make this AMT 1/25 scale ‘60 Ford Starliner. He handmade the taillights, chopped the top over the windshield, and molded new bumpers. Mike primed, masked, and draped his Starliner in two tones of Dupli-Color lacquer.
Liam Daly
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Liam added a Hornet Models resin head to his H3 Models 1/35 scale World War II paratrooper and put him on a Black Dog base with plaster bricks, rubble, and sand. He airbrushed the base and figure with AK Interactive acrylics and completed the job with washes and pigments.
Todd Hallchurch
Big Bend, Wisconsin
Todd didn’t paint his Bandai 1/100 scale Master Grade RX-78GP02A Gundam Physalis. Instead, he kept the original plastic colors, detailed with Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color and decals, and topped them with Mr. Hobby Premium Topcoat Flat. Todd posed the mech on a Bandai Action Base ready to fire its Atomic Bazooka.
Bruce Williams
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Bruce’s Bandai 1/144 scale Gundam Lfrith rides a Tickbalang painted in a freehand camo scheme with Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics. He weathered both the mech and its flight system with artist-oil washes.
Jason Johnsen
Cherry Valley, Illinois
Airbrushed Tamiya acrylics and lacquers decorate Jason’s otherwise box-stock Aoshima 1/12 scale Kawasaki 900 Super 4.
Pete Baio
Waunakee, Wisconsin
The Berlin Wall devastated families in the wake of World War II and the during escalating tensions between East and West during the Cold War. Inspired to encapsulate this in a diorama, Pete depicted the Berlin Wall in 1961. He carved the wall and base from XPS foam and painted them with a Vallejo Black base coat before working with various shades of gray to capture the somber colors. He showed the separation of family, with a father and daughter on the East Berlin side and the mother in West Berlin. The officer is a slightly larger scale than the father and daughter to make it feel more threatening.
Bill Kreuger
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Bill brought his Copper State Models 1/35 scale Italian Lancia 1ZM armored car. He primed the model with Stynylrez before painting the body Vallejo Olive Drab and covering the tires in Vallejo Black. Dirt and dust were replicated with pigments and washes.
Sergio Barrientos
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Sergio primed his Bandai Master Grade Super Deformed Wing Gundam Zero EW gray before airbrushing a custom finish. He pre-shaded with Tamiya Sea Blue and then built the contrast with various shades of blue acrylic paint from Vallejo. The metal finishes are Splash Paints Burnt Iron, and your eye catches on SMS Mecha Orange. He added Delphi decals, painted a basic action base, and named the Gundam Blue Death.
Troy Deal
Montello, Wisconsin
If you’re familiar with Troy’s work, you’ll know him from his fantastically damaged and beat-up cars, and this MPC 1/25 scale 1969 Dodge Charger is a new addition to his collection. He crafted damaged body panels from tin foil, a vinyl top from automotive masking tape, used a cellphone screen protector for the broken glass, and a bread twist tie for a radio antenna. Troy wet-sanded the red oxide and gray primed Rust-Oleum Gold car to give it that junker look.
Matt Minnichsoffer
Lindstrom, Minnesota
An AMT 1/25 scale Peterbilt 359 hauls a pair of Case International tractors. Matt detailed the semi with scratchbuilt parts and designed and 3D-printed the tractors in their entirety. He handled paint with Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics, gave everything just a touch of pastels — everything’s just been cleaned for the state fair.