Fine Molds has added new tooled sprues to their 72nd scale F-104 kit to transform it into the "G" model of arguably the West German Luftwaffe's most famous fighter. Details in our preview...Read on... »

Updated details of MiniArt's new 1/48th-scale Focke-Wulf FW 190D-11 (basic kit). We add sprue layout, decals & colour profiles to the CADs, art, features & the real kites in our preview...Read on... »

The hobby is drowning in great choices right now, and that’s both a gift and a trap. We talk through what “superabundance” really looks like in modern scale modeling: a flood of high-quality plastic model kits, aftermarket decals, 3D printed parts, and specialized paint and weathering products that would’ve felt impossible a couple decades ago. Using examples like the suddenly crowded field of 1/72 P-40B kits, we dig into why the golden age of modeling is real, and how it can still leave you stuck staring at options instead of making progress. 

We also share listener-driven updates and community news as the IPMS Nationals get closer, including travel plans, meetups, and the behind-the-scenes effort it takes to host fellow modelers while your house and hobby room are mid-remodel. On the community side, we’re pushing toward a better home for long-term reference content, so great builds and tips don’t disappear into the Facebook timeline. If you’ve been following the Dojo build content, we also talk about improving visibility and inviting more Q and A with builders. 

Then we go hands-on with one of the most common problem areas in aircraft modeling: clear parts and canopies. We cover practical techniques like using a micro razor saw to avoid cracking brittle clear plastic, choosing the right adhesive (and why some “clear” glues can still be tricky), and how careful sanding and test fitting before you glue can prevent gaps you’ll hate later. We also debate the big workflow question: when to attach the canopy, and how the answer changes depending on the kit and whether it’s posed open or closed. 

If you enjoy these kinds of deep-dive shop talks, subscribe, share the show with a modeling friend, and leave a quick rating or review. What’s your best tip for avoiding choice paralysis and keeping your mojo on the bench?

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Your source for custom display bases, laser engraved airfield and carrier decks.

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Box Art / Packaging / History

Academy have produced a newly boxed iteration of the 1999 Revell Leopard 1A5, parts are well molded and very little flash was observed. The box art is glossy and depicts artwork of a Leopard in German Markings and NATO Camouflage scheme. The instructions did not give any history of the MBT, but briefly, the Leopard 1A5 was the main service version of the Leopard 1 post 1987 when some 1800 Leopard 1’s were converted to the new variant. The newer variant improved on fire control systems, gun stabilization and night fighting capabilities adding a laser rangefinder and enhanced thermal imaging. Some are indeed in service today in Ukraine.

I believe the Battle of the Coral Sea is vastly underrated and overlooked in its importance, often overshadowed by the imminently more covered Battle of Midway less than a month later. The Battle of the Coral Sea could arguably be more important than Midway, and author Dr Tom Lewis does a fantastic job of not only describing the Battle of the Coral Sea very well, but he also places it where it belongs in history.

Trumpeter have picked two great subjects for their July releases. We have colours, decals & built-up kits in our preview...Read on... »

HI ! Here another project I have done in the past , if you like to view more pics , just follow this GOOGLE link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/oY8cW5E3w14HXcSQ6 Enjoy ! Jmarc

In 2020, the JASDF celebrated the final year of service for the RF-4E, which had entered service in 1961, with a specially marked airframe, serial 57-6907.

Korean modeling company, DXM Models, has released a set of 1/48 decals for this airframe and has kindly sent IPMS/USA a sample. This set included two sheets of decals, one for the stenciling and standard markings, while the second is devoted exclusively to the special markings applied to the airframe.

A full colour instruction leaflet includes comprehensive decal placement and painting guides for top, bottom and both sides. Colour callouts are in Mr. Color, Humbrol and FS standard where applicable.

In 2020, the JASDF celebrated the final year of service for the RF-4E, which had entered service in 1961, with a specially marked airframe, serial 57-6907.

Korean modeling company, DXM Models, has released a set of 1/48 decals for this airframe and has kindly sent IPMS/USA a sample. This set included two sheets of decals, one for the stenciling and standard markings, while the second is devoted exclusively to the special markings applied to the airframe.

A full colour instruction leaflet includes comprehensive decal placement and painting guides for top, bottom and both sides. Colour callouts are in Mr. Color, Humbrol and FS standard where applicable.

The Silicon Valley Scale Modelers had a contest called "Build Your Name." Unlike Frank Babbitt (who did a Ki-84) or Eugenie Ray (whose pre-marriage initials were E.T., hence her little spaceship), I had no obvious options. I built the plane flown by Robert C. Buchholz of the Fourth Fighter Group (you can read his full story here: https://obscureco.wordpress.com/2026/04/12/metronymic-mustang-building-lt-robert-buchholz-p-51d-10-from-the-eduard-172-kit/ ) who was not a close relation (although his name is spelled like my family's was before they immigrated from Hamburg in the 1880s). The Eduard kit is a step up in detail and accuracy from the Tamiya kit, but a step down in ease of construction. The surface is detail is... well, a bit overdone. Some areas of construction, like the instrument panel/rudder/windscreen, don't fit very well. The 108-gallon tanks in the kit don't fit particularly well; with Eduard's Brassin line, one could be cynical and say there was a reason for that. Different variants need you to scribe or fill lines; pay particular attention if you do a D-5 with a fillet. All that said, the cockpit looks great, they give you tank options we've never had before, and a bit of modeling is rewarded. I used True North paint for the red and white trim and Alclad II for the fuselage. The wings were puttied, sanded and painted with Floquil old silver.

The JASDF operated a special unit for Phantom testing from it’s earliest service days in 1971. The F-4EJ ADTW (Air Development and Test Wing) was the first and last operator of the F-4EJ in Japan until it'sdxm disbanding in 2021. Based at Gifu AB, the ADTW tested new technologies and weapon systems for the JASDF. Throughout the Phantom's service, the ADTW evaluated F-4EJ variants including the improved Kai version.

Korean modelling company, DXM Decals, has released a set of 1/48 decals for three airframes, including two F-4Ejs and one F-4EJ Kai. The single standard-sized decal sheet is packed with images, including all the decals required for the three options that include a farewell scheme, and a full set of stencils.

I like small air forces so whenever a book comes out covering planes flown by them I am interested, especially if it shows schemes used by those smaller air forces.

The Bazzocchi Connection is focused on two designs by Engineer Ermanno Bazzocchi who joined Machi during WW2. The Introduction covers early designs leading up to the MB.326 in 1961 after the firm became Aermacchi. This plane later evolved into the MB.339 and these two aircraft make up the bulk of the narrative and pictures.

The book moves through the development history of the MB.326 before moving into operational use. One interesting aspect is tables listing all operational aircraft by serial numbers under the air forces they flew with and with a notes column listing each planes outcome.

More images of sprue layouts, colours & decals to add to the CADs, info & art of MiniArt's latest "Blitz" – the early 1/35th scale 4x4 cargo truck, 3.6-6700A, in our preview...Read on... »

Here it is finally finished, my build of the Academy M3A1 Stuart Light Tank, in the markings of the USMC 3rd Tank Battalion on Bougainville in late 1943. The kit comes with a fairly comprehensive interior, but I added some missing details in there, as well as some on the external extra fuel tanks and some reinforcement iron bars on the rear fenders that photos showed. I replaced the kit headlight brush guards with some 3D printed ones and an engine exhaust screen that I printed up from files that I bought off of Cults3D. Paints are primarily AK Real Colors, along with AK, Vallejo, and Humbrol acrylics. I used the kit decals, and surprisingly they did not cause any problems as Academy decals often are reputed to do. And just for some size comparisons, this thing is pretty small… Bigger than a jeep Much smaller than an Easy 8 Sherman and pretty close in size to WC-51 3/4 ton truck… Thanks for looking, comments and critiques are welcome…

In September 2022, in a surprise move, the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) revealed a new special markings scheme for one of its aggressor F-15J Eagles of the 306 Hikotai based at Komatsu AB. In conjunction with Paramount Pictures as publicity for the then-new Top Gun: Maverick movie, the service had painted up one of their Eagles as Top Gun instructor ‘Maverick’ Mitchell’s personal F/A-18E, specially for a forthcoming Air Festival at the airbase. A bit of a non-sequitur, but it looks good!

This book contains 84 pages, 150 b/w photos, 3 color photos, 12 color profiles, 2 B/W maps, and 5 tables. It covers the war between Hungary and Slovakia in 1939.

Like WWII, which would begin 162 days later, the origins of this conflict could also trace its beginnings back to WWI and the Treaty of Versailles and specifically the Treaty of Trianon.

Hungary wanted to recover territory it had to give up as per the treaty, especially that in Sub-Carpathia. With Germany having seized Czechoslovakia and created the new nation of Slovakia, this seemed the right time to Hungarian officials. The war lasted approximately 12 days which in the end saw Slovakia cede roughly 655 square miles of territory back to Hungary.

A Mighty Eighth Air Force book is on the table, but we’re not doing a “click and win” giveaway. We want something that makes the show better for everyone: your best Shop Talk topic ideas and your sharpest questions for the Wheel of Accidental Wisdom.

Mike and Kentucky Dave start with a laid back Fourth of July catch up, from road weariness to the kind of heat that makes even a pool feel too warm. Then we get to the main point: a listener powered giveaway featuring The Mighty Eighth: A Glimpse Of The Men, Mission, And Machines Of The U.S. Eighth Air Force 1942 To 1945, a commemorative coffee table book filled with art, maps, and historical detail. It’s signed and tied to Mark Copeland from the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, which makes it a special piece for anyone into WWII aviation, military history, or building Eighth Air Force aircraft models.

We also explain exactly how to enter and why we’re asking. Shop Talk is most fun when it goes beyond our own bench habits and gets into what you’re working through right now: the techniques you’re curious about, the frustrations you want solved, and the hobby debates you want aired out. Send your suggestions by email to plasticmodelmojo@gmail.com or via Facebook DM. We’re running entries through July, shutting it down just before midnight on August 1, and drawing a winner in early August, possibly around the National Convention.

If you want more modeling community conversations like this, subscribe, share the show with a friend at the bench, and leave a quick review. Then send us one topic or one question to enter, what do you want us to tackle next?

Military Gallery's "The Mighty Eighth: A Glimpse of the Men, Missions & Machines of the U.S. Eighth Air Force 1942-1945"

Model Paint Solutions
Your source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes, Mixing supplies, and great advice!

SQUADRON
Adding to the stash since 1968

Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!

KitMasx
Custom Canopy Masks for the Scale Modeler

Bases By Bill
Your source for custom display bases, laser engraved airfield and carrier decks.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Give us your Feedback!
Rate the Show!

Support the Show!
Patreon
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Bump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed Baroth
Ad Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob" Bair

Mike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.  

MiniArt's new 35th scale "German Infantry, Ardennes 1944-45" features four figures & five sprues of weapons & equipment. See about the soldiers & the set in our preview...Read on... »

This is the first in what is promised to be a new series of aircraft modeling guides, and the chosen subject is the incomparable Avro Vulcan, the best known of Britain’s Cold War “V-Bombers.” Designed for nuclear deterrence but made famous at the end of its career for the “Black Buck” missions against the Argentine invaders in the Falklands War.

Author Geoff Coughlin is well known in British aviation modeling circles and is the founder of the scalemodellingnow.com website. A well-established author and aviation historian, he starts the book with a good but necessarily brief history of the type’s development and service, I think that this would have benefited from being longer, but size restrictions clearly came into play.

A new vendor, DXM Decals from Taiwan, has provided the IPMS-USA reviewer corps with a wonderful waterslide decal set commemorating the JASDF 8th Squadron 60th Anniversary Special Painting of an F-2A “Panther Spots” in 2020.

The Anniversary markings are for the following aircraft:

• F-16C Block 50P, No. 13-8558 (SN 1058) – 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tsuiki Air Base, Japan.

Contents

There is one folded color sheet, printed on both sides (8 X 11.5 inches) that shows decal placement. There are three decal sheets which come with a complete set of stencils and the special camouflage scheme. Painting references are for five colors: FS35109, FS36320, Black, Radome Gray, and a Black+5% White mixture.