Celebrate the USS Hornet's 76th anniversary with a model competition and vendor expo on the hangar deck of the famous aircraft carrier, whose air wing destroyed more than 1400 Japanese planes and which served as the recovery vessel for Apollo 10 and Apollo 11. The contest is held in conjunction with open cockpit day, with nine aircraft cockpits open for you to sit in or get a better view of. Featuring 27 categories plus seven special awards, including Best Naval Aviation Subject, Best Automotive and Best Papercraft Subject. 

Have FUN and show off your best work.

We are teaming up with the International Plastic Modelers Society of Sonoma County to offer a judged model contest.

• See hundreds of cool models
• Compete in a Gundam Speed Build contest
• Shop vendor tables
• Participate in raffles

Model Show Schedule:

• Free Public Admission: 10:00am - 5:00pm
• Vendor Sales: 10:00am - 5:00pm
• Model Registration: 10:00am - 12:30pm
• Judges Meeting: 12:30pm - 1:00pm
• Speed Build Challenge: 1:00pm - 2:00pm (Subject to be determined)
• Raffle Drawing: 2:00pm
• Judging: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
• Awards Presentation: 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Speed Build Challenge:

All participants start with the same model to work with.

You have a 1 hour maximum time to complete your model. After 1 hour models are judged on completeness and quality of the final build. The competition is based on time from opening the package and snipping parts, to fully assembled model, so choose what you spend the most time on wisely!

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners receive prizes. Speed Build Challenge Entry fee is $5. Contestants must bring their own X-acto knife, Sprue cutter, and markers if they wish to use them.

Contest Entry Fees:

• Youth (1 to 12): FREE ENTRY
• Junior (13 to 16): FREE ENTRY
• Adult (17 and over): $5 entry fee + $1 per model
• Gundam Speed Build Challenge: $5

Contest entry closes at 12:30 pm

Rules and Judging:

This is a plastic scale model contest open to the public. Pre-finished, pre-assembled, flying or RC models are generally not eligible. A strict definition of "plastic" can be found in the IPMS USA Competition Handbook (see below). However, some flexibility exists in cases such as scratchbuilt scale models, operating scale models and cast metal figures. If you have questions about eligibility, please contact us ahead of time. Judging will be in accordance with IPMS USA rules and criteria. These criteria place the emphasis on scale fidelity and workmanship. Additional information may be found on the IPMS USA website and in the official Competition Handbook. Previous year's Hobby Expo contest winning models receiving a First, Second, Third or special award and models built by Region 9 IPMS members that exceed the "One Year of Competition" rule are not eligible to compete. The contest will not be judged "no sweeps" Decisions by the Head Judge in all matters are final What if I don't want to enter the contest? Then bring your models anyway! We encourage everyone to bring something, whether it is a past National winner, just a neat model you enjoyed building or a work in progress. The goal is to have FUN and we all love to look at models. We'll have plenty of room for you to show off your creations and there is no fee for display models.If you have something that is unusually large, please contact us in advance. All models must be checked in at our registration table, including display only models.

Come join us for the first model show of the year.  18,000 SF of carpeted model paradise at the Chattanooga Convention Center.  Kicks off at 2pm Friday afternoon and wraps up at approx 4:30pm Saturday afternoon.  With a no host bar reception in the room on Friday evening.  

Annual display to promote modeling and to try to recruit membership.