Podcasts
Three April Model Shows Worth The Trip: April Model Show Spotlight
April is stacked with model shows, but not all scale model contests feel the same once you walk into the room. We line up three very different events and get into the details that actually matter when you’re deciding where to spend a Saturday: when doors open, when registration closes, what judging looks like, how strong the vendor room is, and what you can do while the judges are working.
First stop is the Roscoe Turner Invitational outside Indianapolis in Lebanon, Indiana. It’s a big traditional IPMS-style one-two-three show with the familiar spread of categories, a serious vendor hall, great onsite food, and special awards that fit the region. There you can enjoy a figure painting seminar hosted by Bret Avants. We also talk about a smart operational idea that judges love: using shared plastic bases so staff can move models without touching your build.
Then we jump time zones to CoMMiesFest in Golden, Colorado, where the vibe is relaxed but the planning is sharp. They rebuilt their judging workflow into a browser-based system that runs on your phone, added fun theme and specialty awards, and packed the day with seminars, demos, seating, and a food truck to keep people engaged instead of disappearing during judging. If you care about sci-fi modeling, Gunpla, minis, and a show that’s trying to welcome adjacent hobby communities, you’ll want to hear how they’re approaching it.
We wrap in Northern California with the Wine Country Model Expo in Petaluma, which leans into open judging and an exhibition-style layout that groups each modeler’s work together so conversations happen naturally. Add seminars, raffles, a charity silent auction, and a post-show social gathering, and you’ve got a blueprint for where “model show culture” might be headed.
If you enjoy Model Show Spotlight, subscribe, share this with a modeling buddy, and leave us a review so more builders can find it.
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Special: AMPS 2026 National Convention with Neil Stokes, AMPS President
Join us for a special episode as JB, Scott, and TJ speak with Neil Stokes, the President of AMPS to discuss the AMPS National Convention to be held in South Bend, Indiana from April 16-18, 2026. Neil also discusses many changes to judging and other initiatives for AMPS that the organization is excited about.
From AI Prompt To Printable Figure with Jack McKee: Episode 159
An AI prompt that becomes a real scale figure you can hold in your hand sounds like science fiction, but the gap just got a lot smaller. We sit down with returning guest Jake McKee to walk through the exact, messy, real-world workflow he is using right now to create custom 3D printed figures for a diorama, starting with an AI-generated photoreal image and ending with a printable STL. We dig into what works, what breaks, and why “yes, no, and maybe” is the most honest answer when you ask whether AI can “sculpt” for the hobby.
Jake explains how tools like ChatGPT for image creation and Meshi.ai or Tripo for image-to-3D conversion fit together, why simple standing poses succeed faster than compact seated drivers, and how artifacts show up when the software has to guess hidden geometry. We also talk about the practical reality of paying for subscriptions or tokens, the difference between fast results and better meshes, and when learning Blender becomes the fastest path to cleaning and reposing a figure instead of endlessly re-rolling prompts.
After the interview, we shift back to the bench with updates on current builds, HeritageCon anticipation, and an experiment that a lot of car builders and decal junkies will appreciate: a one-off custom decal order for a Moosaroo Cup Miata. We share what the print quality looks like, how the decal film behaves, and what we would do differently next time.
See Jake's workflow and links to his favorite AI tools here!
If you are curious about AI in scale modeling, 3D printing for dioramas, custom figures, or faster ways to generate masks and patterns, this one will spark ideas. Subscribe, share the episode with a modeling friend, and leave us a five-star rating and a review so more builders can find the show.
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
Buy Me a Beer
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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.
MGPC Episode 119 - Photographing your models
Welcome to Episode 119 of The Modelgeeks Podcast! We have a special guest tonight!
Jeremy Moore is joining us as a guest host and to help us with our model photography.
After a bit of banter, we share what is on our bench and what we have picked up lately. After we mention our March Madness projects we cover Mail Call (keep the cards & letters coming folks!). Don’t forget Listener Spotlight. We then do a recap of the Old Dominion Open (Richmond IPMS) and then roll into a recap of future shows.
Our Patreon Giveaway has expanded! We have added a second giveaway for our non-Pro Geek patrons.
Our main topic is “Photographing Scale Models” with Jeremy Moore. Jeremy takes magazine quality photos of his models as can be seen on his web page and in the various modeling magazines his work where his work is published. Even on the front cover!
We would like to thank all our listeners out there for the continued support you have given the show. We hope to see you out and about as we hit show circuit. If you happen to see us at a show come on over and say hello, we may even put you in front of the mic!
If you can't make it to the shows then you can still interact with us through social media, Facebook, Instagram, and of course email at:
Also remember to surf over to the Geeks homepage at https://modelgeekspodcast.com. Take a look at the Listener Gallery, and if you’d like your work there, send us your photos to contact@modelgeekspodcast.com. File size and quantity is not an issue for us, but may be an issue for your email provider. Feel free to send us a link to a sharing service if you use one, but please ensure the link expires at least 7 days after you send it. We need a few days to get them published.
Make sure you check out our group / community on Facebook:
Get on there and feel free to share your work! We want to see what’s on your bench.
We also want to thank each of our sponsors for their support. We are very lucky to have them. When you have the time, pay a visit to their web sites, and have a look at their fine products.
Please visit our Sponsors and see what new items they have:
We are very fortunate to be able to join the scale modeling podcast community and are in the company of several other really GREAT podcasts. Hopefully, someday we’ll earn our wings and be able to keep up with those guys! Please check them all out at https://modelpodcasts.com. It’s a consortium website created by Stuart Clark of the Scale Model Podcast.
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Model Geeks Podcast