Plastic Model Mojo

A good year in modeling doesn’t happen by accident. It grows out of small bench wins, a few brave skill pushes, and the friends who show up at the right time. We wrap 2025 with a clear-eyed look at what worked, what changed, and how to carry that energy into 2026—plus a rich conversation with Australia’s own Paul Gloster on moving his entire modeling life across states without losing momentum.

We start with holiday check-i...

Texas decided January should belong to scale modelers, and we’re not arguing. We map out two can’t‑miss events—Model Fiesta in New Braunfels and Winter Blitz in College Station—so you can plan builds, book time, and show up ready. From streamlined online registration to judging formats that respect your effort and schedule, this is a practical guide wrapped in pure hobby energy.

We start with Model Fiesta on January 3, hos...

A surprising theme ran through the last part of our year: when modelers stop chasing perfect and start building what they truly love, everything clicks. Your letters proved it. We heard from builders paring down stashes, organizing tools, and finally tackling “someday” subjects with less guilt and more momentum. That energy shaped our own workbenches too—methodical planning, smarter jigs, and reliable materials turned tricky steps ...

Show sponsor KitMasx has big news—they solved their US shipping headache so hobbyists can actually get the product they want. To sweeten the return, there’s a December-only Mojo30 code for 30% off. Please support Kevin and Janelle at KitMasx.

From there we zoom out to a  trade stories from the Murfreesboro show, celebrate friends old and new, and tentatively circle Chattanooga in January, weather willing. The plan for Dece...

Big news for modelers who’ve been waiting on cross-border orders: Kit Mask is shipping to the United States again, and the process is finally simple, transparent, and predictable. We sit down with Kevin to unpack how tariffs forced a pause, why Canada Post’s suggested “solutions” came up short, and how Janelle engineered a multi-service workflow that calculates duties at checkout so there are no surprise bills after delivery.
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What if the fastest way to level up your modeling wasn’t waiting to “get better,” but picking a fear and building straight through it? That’s the heart of this episode, where we sit down with Seattle modeler Tim Nelson to explore an intentional, cross-genre approach that turned anxiety into momentum. From smart starter ships and museum deadlines to vacform methods and CAD-assisted conversions, we share practical systems that help y...

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Holiday chaos is closing in, but we’re not letting the “dark time” steal the bench. We ride the high of the Cincinnati show: open hangar doors, perfect weather, strong models, and vendors who priced to move. That momentum rolls into plans for Murfreesboro, with friends heading in and schedules to wrangle. Live shows do more than fill a weekend—they sharpen your build list, set deadlines, and remind you why the hobby’s community mat...

Ever feel your hobby start to feel like homework? We hit episode 150 with a full tank of mojo and a guest who knows how to keep it running. Dr. Paul Budzik joins us on the eve of his retirement after 51 years in dentistry to share a refreshingly honest blueprint for building with joy: protect inspiration, shed obligation, and stop treating your stash like a to‑do list. If finishing every kit has become a guilt trip, this conversati...

Ready to turn November into a nationwide model show tour? We line up four standout events—ModelZona in Phoenix, the Cleveland Model Show, Charlotte’s Region 12 contest, and Middle Tennessee’s ModelCon in Murfreesboro—and dig into the details that actually affect your day: judging style, registration windows, vendor-room depth, food, parking, and how fast awards wrap so you’re not stuck in your chair at dusk.

We start in Ph...

A TIE Fighter parked on the moon with footprints leading into mystery. A glossy blue Bearcat bound for a local collection. A workshop cleanup that turns frustration into flow. This one blends story, craft, and community into a practical guide for getting more joy—and more finishes—out of your modeling time.

Mike, Kentucky Dave, and guest Jeff Groves of The Inch High Guy blog kick off with a lively Louisville MMCL recap: bo...

A packed Louisville hall with 408 models, a day spent talking shop with listeners and friends, and the kind of low-pressure reconnect that sends you home eager to finish something you’ve been putting off.

Momentum keeps building as we look ahead to Cincinnati on October 18—a favorite for its friendly atmosphere, great location, and reliably good weather. We share why shows matter even if you don’t enter, how they recalibra...

What does it take to create a convincing bare metal finish without tearing your hair out? How can simple pencils transform your weathering game? And is it even possible to complete a quality model in just 48 hours?

In this episode, we're joined by Chris Wallace of Model Airplane Maker fame to tackle some of modeling's most intriguing challenges. Chris shares his surprising success using Vallejo metallics for bare...

October brings two exceptional modeling events to the Midwest that showcase the unique character and community spirit that make scale modeling such a rewarding hobby.

First up on October 4th, the West Michigan IPMS presents their Great Lakes Challenge at the West Michigan Aviation Academy. What makes this venue extraordinary is its connection to aviation education – hosted at a STEM-focused public school where students act...

Ever wondered what's causing those mysterious bubbles in your airbrush paint cup? In this episode, Dr. Strangebrush returns to solve the airbrush mysteries that plague scale modelers everywhere. Drawing from decades of experience, he walks us through common issues with surprising solutions – from the simple fix for bubbling paint cups to the proper technique for applying dry and wet coats.

The doctor's paint cris...

The Plastic Model Modo Twelve Minute Modelsphere is brought to you by KitMasx!

Summer flew by in a flash, and we're reflecting on our recent trip to the IPMS National Convention in Hampton, Virginia. We're eager to hear your experiences if you attended – especially first-timers! Looking ahead, mark your calendars for September 27th when we'll be at the Military Modelers Club of Louisville show in Shepherdsvi...

Scale modeling contests are evolving beyond just competition, as demonstrated by two fascinating September shows highlighted in our latest episode. From Pennsylvania to Oregon, we explore how clubs are reimagining the traditional model contest format to build stronger communities and create more engaging experiences.

The Shenango Valley Area Scale Modelers in Pennsylvania will celebrate their 40th annual show on September ...

Fresh from the whirlwind that was the IPMS National Convention in Hampton, Virginia, we're bursting with stories, impressions, and a renewed passion for scale modeling. What draws thousands of modelers to this annual pilgrimage? Beyond the spectacular contest entries and vendor treasures, it's the profound sense of community that keeps us counting down the days until next year.

The vendor floor transformed into w...

A journey that could only be described as a country song come to life. Professional modeler Bruce McRae returns to share his unbelievable cross-country expedition to four  scale modeling competitions – a trip marked by disasters that would have sent most people packing for home.

What began as an ambitious nine-week journey across America turned catastrophic when Bruce and his wife woke to find their campsite in Louisiana r...