More than 3,000 models loaded the contest tables in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Aug. 5-8, 2026, for the IPMS/USA National Convention at the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Modelers from all over the world converged to display what they’d been working on for the past year and longer. Sci-fi, figures, and Gundam made huge showings, and the aircraft tables were wingtip to wingtip. The exhibit-only Tiger Meet display room housed 1,000 models of its own, and modeling seminars ran all four days. Vendors filled three separate halls, and Tamiya revealed its brand new 1/35 scale RSO/01 allowing Squadron exclusive sales for the release at the convention. FineScale Modeler was on hand to take photos of models. Check out the gallery and make sure to pick up the January/February 2027 FineScale Modeler expanded issue for the exclusive photo gallery.
Show Gallery
IPMS/USA National Convention scale model photo gallery
Modelers showed up in force for the largest scale-model show in North America
Rick built his Eduard 1/48 scale Bell B-39Q-10 Airacobra gunnery trainer out of the box except for aftermarket wheels and Eduard Quickboost exhausts and seat with belts. Inspired by photo references, he masked and painted the unusual scheme with Testors Model Master enamels. Oil washes popped the panel lines and pastels added exhaust stains along the fuselage. “The large cover over the nose cannon looks odd, but it is correct according to P-39 In Action,” Rick said.