Jackson Ianaus
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
To model a looted Spitfire stolen and put into ork service, Jackson started with an Airfix 1/48 scale kit and added Games Workshop ork pilot and styrene guns and mounts. The base utilizes Games Workshop Epic Scale models to create a forced perspective. AK Interactive acrylics and putty masking under enamel washes with AK Interactive Streaking Grime and Tamiya products make up the paint and weathering.
Alexander Zelyk
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Alexander used an Asuka 1/35 scale Sherman M4A3, added an M1A1 dozer blade and QuickTracks T49 tracks to model “Cuddles” of C Squadron Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) armored brigade in Korea. He painted with AK Interactive Real Colors U.S. Olive Drab, adding Olive Drab Faded to lighten it. Weathering came in the form of AK enamel washes and a misting of Tamiya Buff for dust.
Richard Moos
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Richard primed this out-of-the-box Peerless Max 1/35 scale CMP light truck and 6-pound gun NATO black and airbrushed the camouflage with Tamiya acrylics. He weathered, stained, and dirtied the Canadian pattern vehicle with Ammo pigments and washes.
Mariusz Flery
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Mariusz’s diorama of the final battle in Star Wars Rogue One features Bandai 1/72 scale X-Wing starfighter and TIE Striker kits on a base made from XPS foam, AK Interactive Sand, and epoxy water. He custom lighted the TIE and X-Wing engines, popped details with black wash and dry-brushing, and planted 3D-printed trees.
Maurizio Laudisa
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Combining a HobbyBoss 1/35 scale KrAZ-255B chassis and cab and Trumpeter 1/32 scale MiG-15 VK-1 jet engine, Maurizio set out to model a Russian snowblower truck. He scratchbuilt the tank and snowblower frame to model the unusual airport drudge, and painted it with Tamiya, AK Interactive, and Vallejo acrylics. Oil washes took care of grime and weathering.
Lorenzo Mendez
Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Junior modeler Lorenzo added styrene board armor and epoxy putty tarps and weld beads to his Games Workshop heroic scale Leman Russ battle tank “Ana.” Acrylic and lacquers from Vallejo, AK Interactive, Tamiya, and Mr. Color allowed him to get the camouflage, figure uniforms, and weapons glow just so. The display includes optional weapons and turret for the tank. Vallejo pigments offered wear and tear, and he used white glue and tissue for tarps and to hold the camo netting in place.
Ming Wong
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
“You know this is a septic truck,” Ming asked as he brought his model up for photographs. We assured him we did and hadn’t mistakenly chosen it. He said the vintage Japanese septic truck is “about 70% scratchbuilt,” but includes parts from an ARII 1/32 scale ‘56 Mazda T2000 along with styrene and brass sheet, rod, and wire. Ming painted the truck with Tamiya acrylics and weathered with Tamiya enamels.
Mike Norton
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Mike used 11 LED lights throughout his diorama, “Coming in hot.” It features a Bandai 1/144 scale RGM-96X Jesta, RGM-96X Jesta Cannon, and Tickbalang. He pulled out all the stops on the Mobile Suits, pre- and post-shading, used a sponge to chip the paint, and picked out details with Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color. Mike made the base from balsa wood, XPS foam, and homemade texture paint to depict the attack on Mt. Cheyenne as seen in the anime Gundam Unicorn.
David Malott
London, Ontario, Canada
David built his Gunze Sangyo 1/12 scale BMW R69S motorcycle with a scratchbuilt solo seat replacing the dual seat. He scratchbuilt the Steib sidecar from an aluminum mailing tube, styrene, and aluminum tubing. The wheel was fashioned from 2-inch plumbing pipe and metal guitar strings with a rubber pipe fitting for the tire. David primed, spray painted, and polished the model.
Justin Schroeder
Lockport, New York
This big bust is Justin’s StannArts.com 1/2 scale Tusken Raider from Star Wars. He primed it Tamiya Gray and painted with Archive-X acrylic. Tamiya Weather Masters pigments supplied Tatooine’s dust.
Geoff Whittaker
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rudolf Stark’s Fokker D.VII (OAW) comes to life with Geoff’s help from an Eduard 1/48 scale kit. Mr. Color lacquers provide much of the bright livery, and decals decorate the wings with lozenge camouflage. He added a scratchbuilt cowl and machine-gun rails, and tungsten wire form the aileron controls.
Cliff Read
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
For a custom built 1/25 scale modern hot rod with traditional cues, Cliff scratchbuilt the RenShape body, front suspension, and lots more. The beautiful burgundy red finish is a custom mixed automotive base coat with a clear coat. He said the finishing process involved lots of fine sanding, automotive primer, and paint.
Richard Moreno
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Heavy cutting and sculpting on all organic features, Milliput and Green Stuff two-part epoxies, and a Gundam heavy gattling gun modified Richard’s Games Workshop 1/32 scale “Timmy the Demon Tank.” This frightening and somewhat bonkers model wears AK Interactive, Vallejo, and Citadel acrylics, and oil washes help created shadows and weathering. Richard made the base from cork board and covered it with a sand and white glue mixture and stones to display the Nurgle-possessed vehicle.
Ariel Obtinalla
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ariel was inspired by Mecha Musume to kitbash a Bandai 1/12 scale 30 Minute Sister kit and other parts from the 30 Minute Sister line to make his Bandai 1/12 scale Elussa with Dragon Strike HWS. He primed, airbrushed on the main Mr. Color lacquers, and brush painted details with AK Interactive and Vallejo paints. The beautiful mech sits on a stand from a Kotobukiya Frame Arms Girl.
Nole MacCallum
Nole added stowage to a Tamiya 1/35 scale Sherman M4A3 105mm howitzer and coated it in black, olive drab, and olive drab lightened with dark yellow Tamiya acrylics to model a tank in the field. A dark brown wash and a track wash give the tank a used and worn look.
Glenn Cawley
Kempville, Ontario, Canada
Glenn said his Revell 1/144 scale German U-boat Type VIID “Minelayer” built as World War II U-213 was a 10 year project, and it’s apparent why! He added extensive detailing, a full photo-etched metal deck and mine bunker, hull exterior details, and detailed armament and tower components. Not to mention the AK Interactive Real Colors lacquers in various shades of gray, washes, splatters, ink patina, and rust made from oils and pigments.
Glenn Cawley
Kempville, Ontario, Canada
Glenn said his Revell 1/144 scale German U-boat Type VIID “Minelayer” built as World War II U-213 was a 10 year project, and it’s apparent why! He added extensive detailing, a full photo-etched metal deck and mine bunker, hull exterior details, and detailed armament and tower components. Not to mention the AK Interactive Real Colors lacquers in various shades of gray, washes, splatters, ink patina, and rust made from oils and pigments.
Glenn Cawley
Kempville, Ontario, Canada
Glenn said his Revell 1/144 scale German U-boat Type VIID “Minelayer” built as World War II U-213 was a 10 year project, and it’s apparent why! He added extensive detailing, a full photo-etched metal deck and mine bunker, hull exterior details, and detailed armament and tower components. Not to mention the AK Interactive Real Colors lacquers in various shades of gray, washes, splatters, ink patina, and rust made from oils and pigments.
Glenn Cawley
Kempville, Ontario, Canada
Glenn said his Revell 1/144 scale German U-boat Type VIID “Minelayer” built as World War II U-213 was a 10 year project, and it’s apparent why! He added extensive detailing, a full photo-etched metal deck and mine bunker, hull exterior details, and detailed armament and tower components. Not to mention the AK Interactive Real Colors lacquers in various shades of gray, washes, splatters, ink patina, and rust made from oils and pigments.
Darren White
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Bunker Studio 3D-printed AA guns and a wood deck modify Darren’s Flyhawk Models 1/700 scale Scharnhorst. The Baltic camo was brush painted with AK Interactive 3G acrylics. Enamels and artist oils helped him show the ship after months at sea.
Landon White
Junior modeler Landon’s Airfix 1/48 scale Fairey Gannet AS.4 sports Eduard resin wheels and “remove before flight” tags and AK Interactive hyper-thin elastic rigging. He used a mixture of airbrushing and brush painting Tamiya, Mr. Hobby, Citadel, and Vallejo acrylics. Washes accented the panel lines and helped give the aircraft a suitably used appearance.
Lorenzo Vitali
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lorenzo built a Monogram 1/48 scale B-26 Marauder with aftermarket photo-etched metal seat belts. He stretched an antenna wire from mast to tail, and decorated the fuselage with AeroMaster decals. The Mr. Color paint scheme was weathered with various shades of the base color, oils, and chipping.
Tom Choy
Champaign, Illinois
Tom built the Dragon Models 1/72 scale M6 Bradley Linebacker mostly out of the box. He simulated the reflective coatings on the vision blocks and sight lenses from holographic vinyl sheet. “Random paint patches” deepened the AK Real Colors Army Tan base. He added an artist-oil wash and powdered pastels to show the Bradley in the field.
Zen Babiarz
Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
What’s cooler than having two Zs in his name? Zen’s Tamiya Silver and Pearl White Moebius 1/25 scale 1969 Ford F-100. No weathering here, this showroom clean truck sports a 3D-printed 5.4 liter DOHC Mod motor; 3D-printed wheels, tires, and brakes; a scratchbuilt dual exhaust with chrome tips; chrome foil trim; and a modified suspension and chassis for a lowered ride.
Zen Babiarz
Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
What’s cooler than having two Zs in his name? Zen’s Tamiya Silver and Pearl White Moebius 1/25 scale 1969 Ford F-100. No weathering here, this showroom clean truck sports a 3D-printed 5.4 liter DOHC Mod motor; 3D-printed wheels, tires, and brakes; a scratchbuilt dual exhaust with chrome tips; chrome foil trim; and a modified suspension and chassis for a lowered ride.
Bob Spurr
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Bob lowered the suspension, added rims and wheels, and replaced the kit trim with El Dorado trim on his Monogram 1/25 scale ‘59 Cadillac. The car wears Tamiya Lavender, Pearl Clear, and Clear all over white primer.
Bob Spurr
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Bob lowered the suspension, added rims and wheels, and replaced the kit trim with El Dorado trim on his Monogram 1/25 scale ‘59 Cadillac. The car wears Tamiya Lavender, Pearl Clear, and Clear all over white primer.
Barry O’Shea
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Barry leveled the stance of his Lindberg 1/25 scale Dodge L-700 by removing a small part of the rear leaf springs, scratchbuilt replacements for the mirror brackets, wired the engine, and added hoses to the “pogo stick.” The cab features Vallejo paints and artist-oil washes, while the chassis sports Tamiya paint and Ammo pigments. Barry painted the fifth wheel hitch plate with artist oils and weathered all the wheels with washes and pigments.
Richard Craig
Wickham, Quebec, Canada
Richard chose Tamiya for everything on this model: a Tamiya 1/35 scale A34 Comet finished with Tamiya paint. He added wires to the search light and made the grab handles from wire. The tank’s weathered look came from mostly artist oils and a few pigments on the lower hull.
Nicholas Saunders
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Nicholas’ Tamiya 1/35 scale French H39 light tank incorporates parts from a Tamiya SdKfz 251. He sprayed a black base, pre- and post-shaded with Tamiya and AK Interactive acrylics, freehanded the camo and highlights with Abteilung 502 oil paints and AK paint markers.
Arielle Merritt-Murrell
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Arielle, 17, primed and airbrushed her Industria Mechanika 1/35 scale steam car resin kit with Tamiya acrylics. The steampunk vibe and unique styling interested her, and she dulled the finish to show the smoky patina from the stack.
Arielle Merritt-Murrell
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Arielle, 17, primed and airbrushed her Industria Mechanika 1/35 scale steam car resin kit with Tamiya acrylics. The steampunk vibe and unique styling interested her, and she dulled the finish to show the smoky patina from the stack.
Paul Hawkins
Kars, Ontario, Canada
Paul primed and then painted his Pegaso 75mm 14th century knight with Kimera Kolors acrylics. The wooden base has been topped with sculpting clay, stones, gravel, wood, and grass.
Bob Esplin
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Surf’s up! Bob built an AK Interactive 1/35 scale 1967 Volkswagen T2 microbus and added 3D-printed and resin items to show a surfers’ ride to the beach. He placed it on a base of craft sand over sheet rock joint compound. Bob painted the bus with Vallejo acrylics and added character with different colored washes.
Simon Lam
Markham, Ontario, Canada
Simon used multiple Marvel Crisis Protocol kits to create his 40mm scene of Colossus Juggernaut trying to mash an elusive Spider-Man. He added effects made from UV resin. He painted with AK, Vallejo, and Scale 75 acrylics for a suitably comic-book vibrant appearance.
Dalton Nyberg
Bridge North, Ontario, Canada
Dalton’s Tamiya 1/24 scale 1997 Mercedes CLK-GTR sits on a racing pit base made from cork and Mod Podge. He wired and plumbed the engine with colored and braided lines, foiled the heat shield, and even picked out the data cables. Splash, Tamiya, and Molotow paints all meld together under post-shading, an artist-oil wash, and Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color.
Dalton Nyberg
Bridge North, Ontario, Canada
Dalton’s Tamiya 1/24 scale 1997 Mercedes CLK-GTR sits on a racing pit base made from cork and Mod Podge. He wired and plumbed the engine with colored and braided lines, foiled the heat shield, and even picked out the data cables. Splash, Tamiya, and Molotow paints all meld together under post-shading, an artist-oil wash, and Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color.
Chung Hei Ng
London, Ontario, Canada
Chung scribed the panel lines on the hull of a Very Fire 1/700 scale USS Missouri BB-63 to simulate hull armor. He used the kit’s photo-etched metal parts and primed and masked for the Tamiya acrylic and Mr. Color lacquer camouflage. Chung lightly weathered to show the ship shortly after receiving it’s splinter camo.
Chung Hei Ng
London, Ontario, Canada
Chung scribed the panel lines on the hull of a Very Fire 1/700 scale USS Missouri BB-63 to simulate hull armor. He used the kit’s photo-etched metal parts and primed and masked for the Tamiya acrylic and Mr. Color lacquer camouflage. Chung lightly weathered to show the ship shortly after receiving it’s splinter camo.
Luis Tejada Jr.
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Luis primed his Bandai 1/100 scale MSK-008 Dijeh Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 Black and Mr. Surfacer 1000 Gray before pre-shading with Tamiya Black and painting with Real Colors lacquers and Tamiya acrylics. Chipping fluid, washes, pinwashes, and pigments provide a worn and tested appearance.
Kevin Doodnauth
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Kevin added grime and dust weathering, hand-painted wood grain, and scratchbuilding to a Hasegawa 1/12 scale Nostalgic Vending Machine Mazinger Z noodle diorama he calls “Lunch Break.” He painted the machine freehand with acrylics and paint markers, and Kevin weathered with hand-applied pigments and colored pencils. Kevin says it represents “a brief respite, enjoying a hot bowl of sustenance in the middle of a busy, lived in, advert-heavy world.” See the steam rising from the ramen?
Gerry Brennan
Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada
Gerry drilled out the exhaust pipes of his 1950s Irish Air Corps Supermarine Spitfire TR.9 built from an Airfix 1/48 scale kit. He painted the plane Tamiya Cockpit Green mixed with White and weathered with Tamiya washes.
Larry Osolkowski
North Tonawanda, New York
Zero Paints, stainless steel tubing exhaust pipes, and epoxy light lenses upgrade Larry’s Marsh Models 1/43 scale Chaparral 2C. The stark white car looks ready to race!
Keith Gorman
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
An Italeri 1/48 scale Wessex UH.5 presented Keith many challenges during building, but he persisted and modeled a beautiful chopper that served during the Falkland War. You can see many finishing techniques in play, including pre- and post-shading. After he finished painting, decalling, and flat coated, Keith’s final step was to make a filter of the predominant color and apply it to the whole model to unify the overall appearance. Very cool tip!
Shakhed Conforti
Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
At only 9 years old, Shakhed built a Bandai 1/144 scale RX-78-2 and added battle damage with a hot knife and soldering iron. The lone Gundam’s derelict state was enhanced with custom-mixed paint colors for a rusty appearance, salt weathering, and dry-brushing. Tim asked if the Gundam had lost. Shakhed assured him, “No, it won.” We believe him, as the Mobile Suit stands victorious atop a base of foam, rocks, and model foliage.