February 19, 2026 • 19 mins
The Model Show Spotlight is brought to you by The World of Armor!
A flying Lancaster overhead, rows of models below, and a sold‑out vendor hall buzzing with deals—HeritageCon 2026 is set to deliver a full‑throttle modeling day inside the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. We sit down with the new coordination team to share what’s changing, what’s staying great, and how to lock in your spot before entries sell out.
We break down the essentials: March 29, doors at 9 a.m., with registration moving to the museum’s system to streamline both admission and model entries. Pre‑registration opens March 1 at 9 a.m., and there’s no registration at the door, so timing matters. Expect a packed floor with over 140 vendor tables, from local shops to aftermarket specialists offering barrels, tracks, decals, tools, and the kind of book deals that vanish fast. Between the C‑47, B‑25, and the museum’s showpiece Lancaster, you’ll have instant reference material for weathering, modulation, and panel tone decisions you can take straight to the bench.
Programming keeps the momentum high. Judging starts at noon while the seminar track runs with Harvey Lowe on aircraft modulation and weathering, plus our live “Wheel of Accidental Wisdom”—a fast, practical, game‑style session where crowd questions turn into build tips and giveaways. The contest follows a familiar IPMS structure: armor by era and side, aircraft across pre‑war to Cold War, a growing Gundam and sci‑fi presence, plus robust auto and ship categories. Specialty awards add local flavor, including best Canadian subject, best fighter flown by a Canadian pilot, best Ukrainian subject, veteran recognition, people’s choice, and judges’ best of show.
We also share travel and weather tips for late March in Ontario, the on‑site cafe plan, and how the community energy carries from the vendor aisles to the evening hangouts. If you’re aiming to compete, pre‑register, pack smart, and double‑check your category. If you’re there to learn, sit in on the talks, snap reference photos under the Lancaster, and make a wishlist before you hit the vendor hall.
Ready to roll? Subscribe for more show spotlights, share this preview with your build group, and leave a quick review so other modelers can find us. Then set a reminder: March 1 at 9 a.m.—get registered and we’ll see you under the wings on March 29.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
The Voice of Bob (00:00):
The Model Show Spotlight is brought to you by
the World of Armor.
Communicate, share, and learnwith armor modelers worldwide at
the World of Armor.
If armor modeling is yourthing, follow the link in the
show notes or atPlasticmodelmojo.com and join
the team.
Kentucky Dave (00:35):
Yeah, we're gonna talk about one of my favorite
shows.
Mike (00:39):
It's probably your close second.
You should say close closesecond favorite show.
Kentucky Dave (00:44):
Close second.
Mike (00:46):
Only because the duration's not quite as long.
Kentucky Dave (00:51):
And also, you know, mu March in Canada.
Mike (00:55):
That is true.
Well, that uh that's the tease,folks.
We're here to talk aboutHeritageCon 2026.
I think it's HeritageCon uh 18or 18.
Kentucky Dave (01:05):
1818, one or the other.
Yeah.
Mike (01:08):
Sorry, folks, we missed the bookkeeping there.
But anyway, definitely 2026 andPlastic Model Mojo's plans are
on ice.
Kentucky Dave (01:15):
Yep.
Mike (01:16):
We're we're on cruise control, man.
Looking forward to this.
Kentucky Dave (01:20):
Absolutely.
Mike (01:21):
I think our biggest uh wild card is the Minnesota gang
getting snowed in before theshow.
Kentucky Dave (01:27):
Yeah, let's hope that doesn't happen.
And also, of course, that'salways what it's gonna what what
what's the weather gonna belike in Hamilton.
Of course, we got a nice cozyAirbnb.
Once we get there, I guess wedon't even care.
Mike (01:41):
Until we gotta leave, then we're probably gonna.
Kentucky Dave (01:43):
Yeah, that's true too.
Mike (01:45):
So that's true.
Uh it needs to be clear sailingcoming in, nothing while we're
there, and clear sailing comingout.
So man, uh Heritage Con is justit's just a blast, man.
It is.
Kentucky Dave (01:58):
It is a beautiful venue, a great group of guys,
unbelievable show withunbelievable models and great
vendors.
There's just there's nothing tonot love.
Mike (02:11):
Well, I'm I'm probably gonna sit there with my slack
jaw hanging, looking at theLancaster this year because uh
I've been taking in a lot ofinformation about Operation
Gamora, a lot a lot of thenighttime stuff, and just man,
yeah, that's just insane.
Kentucky Dave (02:28):
It is unbelievable.
Mike (02:30):
And to try to fight off what might come at you at with a
bunch of 303 machine guns.
Kentucky Dave (02:36):
Yeah, well, not the best choice.
Mike (02:39):
I understand why they flew at night.
Kentucky Dave (02:41):
Yeah, exactly.
Mike (02:43):
And to learn about window, yeah.
The uh precursor to what wecall uh chaff now.
Kentucky Dave (02:49):
Yep.
Mike (02:50):
Really, really interesting.
We worked worked great there onthe front end, but uh the
Germans got wise and not so muchlater.
But uh during OperationGomorrah, it was uh pretty much
pretty much a game changer.
Kentucky Dave (03:00):
Yes, it was.
Mike (03:01):
Well, Dave, we love HeritageCon and you know they
keep changing the crew on us.
Kentucky Dave (03:07):
Yep.
Mike (03:07):
Which is fine.
I understand them wanting tospread the wealth, and uh we got
a bunch of uh new folks, someof them some of them we've met
at HeritageCon.
Maybe all of them.
Yeah, maybe my memory's bad,but definitely some of them.
So let's get into that and seewhat's going on in Hamilton for
2026.
Dave, we are once again gettingready to go to one of our
(03:35):
favorite events of the year, andit's we're so fortunate that's
one of our favorite events ofthe year is in the first quarter
here at the end of the end ofMarch.
We got a fresh team from theHamilton crowd on here tonight
to tell us all about this year'sinstallment of HeritageCon.
Gentlemen, how are you doingtonight?
Hey, we're doing really well.
Thank you.
Oh, you're welcome.
Well, won't you guys go aroundthe horn, introduce yourselves,
(03:56):
and tell us the capacity you'reyou're working with HeritageCon
here?
Uh my name is Tim.
Tim Bangerter (04:01):
I am a newly appointed HeritageCon
coordinator.
Evan Zuk (04:04):
My name is Evan.
I will be second in command,helping with the running of the
model contest on the day of.
Nick Saunders (04:11):
I'm Nicholas, and I'm doing the uh table setup
and I'm coordinating thevolunteers.
All right.
Mike (04:17):
Well, we know where this event is held.
What's why don't one of youtell us the date and the place
again and what folks can expectas far as the venue who may have
not been to HeritageCon yet?
Tim Bangerter (04:26):
Sure.
The the date is March 29th.
The Hamilton Warplane HeritageMuseum in Hamilton, Ontario.
It's gonna start at 9 a.m., rununtil 5 p.m., and it's gonna be
a day full of models,airplanes, vendors, and all
sorts of shenanigans.
Mike (04:46):
Well, we're really looking forward to it.
What is gonna be new on the thedocket for this year versus
past past shows?
You got anything new in theworks?
Evan Zuk (04:56):
The big thing this year is that the registrations
has been taken over from theclub side and is actually moving
to the museum.
They recognize the importanceof the show to them, both from a
revenue standpoint and the factthat it is one of their biggest
days just from foot traffic.
And they wanted to try and bemore proactive with it and try
(05:18):
to modernize their approach tohow they run the museum and try
and maximize the potential ofthe show, again, knowing how
important it is to them.
Mike (05:27):
Well, how's that gonna work versus versus last year?
I I know there was, I believe,it wasn't it all
pre-registration last year?
Evan Zuk (05:34):
It's still going to be pre-registration.
We've been told that theirsystem will go live on March 1st
at 9 a.m.
through their website.
However, the exact details haveyet to be disclosed to us as
they are still in the midst offinalizing the system.
Okay, and that's gonna involvemodel registration and the
(05:54):
museum admission, yeah.
Yeah, like the it's still gonnabe the admission is through the
museum, of course, and yes, theregistration now is through
them on their site.
Tim Bangerter (06:03):
Okay.
And they're expecting it tosell out.
Kentucky Dave (06:05):
Yeah, yeah, give if the last two years are any
indication, heck yeah.
Mike (06:10):
Well, things have always been pretty big.
I mean, it's a big place,fortunately, and I know if the
if the weather's decent, it canget a little bigger on the
inside if they have to move somethings around.
But uh explain folks uh alittle bit about the museum and
and what they can expect to seethere.
Evan Zuk (06:26):
Of course, they have the one of two flying Lancasters
in the world.
It's likely going to beindoors.
We have C-47 Dakota's usuallyalso in, and the B-25 Mitchell,
along with many other flyingaircraft that they have on in
their collection.
Tim Bangerter (06:42):
Um Catalina, they've got the Fairy Firefly,
the Avenger.
They got a great selection ofaircraft.
Nick Saunders (06:50):
Yes, they do.
Saber, F-104, C F-104 is two ofthem.
Mike (06:54):
Well, it's a fabulous place to have a show, that's for
sure.
Kentucky Dave (06:58):
When does the show open?
Evan Zuk (07:00):
9 a.m.
on March 29th.
Kentucky Dave (07:02):
Okay.
And then when do you all expectto do awards and wrap have the
show wrapped at that point?
Tim Bangerter (07:12):
The judging is gonna start at noon.
Okay.
At that time we will havepresentations going on, which
you guys know something about.
Kentucky Dave (07:20):
Yep.
Tim Bangerter (07:20):
And then while that's going on, we're hoping to
have it wrapped up by three.
Kentucky Dave (07:25):
Okay.
Tim Bangerter (07:26):
Uh, and then hopefully have all our ducks in
a row by four o'clock and bepresenting by four o'clock.
Sometimes we we get thereearlier, sometimes we get there
later.
It just completely depends oncircumstance.
Kentucky Dave (07:38):
And models will be all have to be pre-registered
through the website.
If somebody shows up, do youhave a display table for models
that people bring that they didnot enter?
Tim Bangerter (07:50):
We will have a display table for them.
Mike (07:52):
Well, we always know the vendor area is pretty full at
HeritageCon.
That's always been one of thethe highlights at that show,
like many shows.
How's that stacking up for uhfor HeritageCon this year?
Nick Saunders (08:03):
We have over a hundred, over 140 tables, which
again, all of them sold out.
So if you guys are familiarwith the layout, gonna be just
about as many vendors as lastyear and lots of different ones.
I wish I had a list, but Idon't.
But I can think of local hobbyshops and like a place like the
barrel store if you guys likeyour tank gun barrels and things
(08:25):
like that, and tracks and allsorts of things.
Tim Bangerter (08:28):
So if you need something from the vendors,
they're gonna have it.
There's so many and so much tochoose from, really.
Mike (08:34):
Well, I I don't think folks will be disappointed.
We tend to walk out of therewith uh our our pockets a little
lighter, our bags a littleheavier.
Kentucky Dave (08:42):
Yeah, I have never left HeritageCon
empty-handed.
Tim Bangerter (08:47):
I distinctly remember you walking out with a
huge stack of books last year.
Kentucky Dave (08:51):
Yes, yes, yes, I did.
I bought a lot of books lastyear.
Tim Bangerter (08:55):
The prices were incredible.
Even better for you guys withyour American money.
Kentucky Dave (09:00):
That's right, that's right.
Mike (09:02):
Well, you mentioned seminars.
Let's talk about what's gonnabe going on during judging and
throughout the day, in additionto uh vendors and and the model
contest.
Nick Saunders (09:10):
So in the morning we've got Harvey Lowe, and then
he's gonna be doing a thing onaircraft modulation weathering.
And then around judging time,it's gonna be you guys if you
want to talk about that withyour the accidental wheel of
wisdom.
Mike (09:24):
Yeah, we're have been uh roped in by Duncan and you guys
to do a live version of theWheel of Accidental Wisdom on
site during the show, and wehaven't quite figured out all
the logistics at that, but wethink that's gonna be uh a fun
thing to do, Dave.
Kentucky Dave (09:39):
Yep, we'll have to come up with maybe items to
give away, some little doorprizes or something.
We'll we'll we'll we'll makethis a game show.
This thing'll this thing'llhopefully t hopefully give
everybody in the crowd somethingto do once they've spent out
their wallet in the vendor roomand while judging's going on.
Tim Bangerter (10:01):
Yeah, I think it'd just be great to have you
guys in a room just to talkmodels.
That'd be awesome.
Mike (10:05):
Well, we're glad to do it, and I tell you, we love doing
it.
I think Harvey's a good a goodcatch too.
We had him on once uh last yearand really like talking to him.
He's he does some amazing work.
Kentucky Dave (10:16):
I'll be in his seminar for sure.
Mike (10:19):
Just those two or anything else?
Tim Bangerter (10:20):
That's all we got planned for this year.
We're keeping it like just tokeep uh things fresh and under
control, if you will.
Last year was a little crazy.
We uh we started with two andwe ended up with four
presentations.
Uh I was involved in that andtook up most of my day.
Mike (10:34):
Oh, okay.
Tim Bangerter (10:35):
So, but it was uh it was exciting nonetheless.
Kentucky Dave (10:39):
Well, I gotta tell you guys, honestly,
HeritageCon has become maybe oneof my one of my favorite shows
every year.
One that's on the what do notmiss list, one that as soon as
January rolls around, I startanticipating HeritageCon.
Nick Saunders (10:58):
Yeah, it's kind of like a big show, right?
Kind of since the first big onein Canada.
Kentucky Dave (11:02):
And it's it's the atmosphere of it.
You all Canadians' reputationsare well deserved, unfailingly
polite, unfailingly uhhospitable to your guests.
I've just never had anythingbut great interactions up there.
The times in the evening,either the day before the show
(11:24):
or after the show, are justreally enjoyable times.
And Mike and I are huge fans ofshows in general, getting
modelers together to talkmodeling.
And I've I've really enjoyedthat up at Hamilton.
Tim Bangerter (11:41):
Yeah, it's a great time all around,
especially for the local.
There's so many, uh such alocal community that come and
partake.
Yeah.
And that we all really enjoygetting together and doing it.
Kentucky Dave (11:51):
And I understand you all are going to arrange for
the weather to be say in 65, 70degrees Fahrenheit, uh, clear
skies, light breezes from thesouth.
Tim Bangerter (12:04):
I'll let you in in the secret.
We cross our fingers everyyear.
Evan Zuk (12:08):
Yeah, I know.
But the weather we've hadlately, no guarantees, but we're
we'll cross our fingers for youguys.
Kentucky Dave (12:14):
Well, hopefully we got all the bad stuff out of
the way early.
Mike (12:17):
Absolutely.
Yeah, we've not gottenclobbered yet.
We've had some cutting wind inthe morning sometimes, but
usually the white stuff's been,for the most part, gone the last
every time we've been up there.
So I don't know, Dave.
Maybe we may be due for alittle comeuppance on the on the
weather.
Kentucky Dave (12:36):
Yeah, no, no, no, no, no.
The Canadians are too polite togive us bad weather.
They're we're gonna we're gonnahave a good old time and the
weather's gonna cooperate.
Tim Bangerter (12:45):
Yeah, it's gonna be a great time.
You guys are gonna beagreeable.
Mike (12:49):
Well, let's talk about the uh the contest format.
That's typically one thing wetalk about in these spotlights,
uh, what kind of system you'reusing and kind of at a high
level, at least the categorydispersion and that sort of
thing.
Evan Zuk (13:01):
So it's gonna be sort of the typical uh IPMS format.
We're gonna have m differentcategories in armor, both you
know, allied, axis, modern, andthe cold war.
Uh aircraft is gonna be, youknow, standard World War II,
pre-war, cold war, same, samesort of split as that.
Gonna have many differentthings in the automotive
(13:24):
categories.
I believe there's also gonna beuh a few extra sort of civilian
type of categories to covermore into some of the more niche
things beyond just cars to helpcover a little bit more of the
spectrum there.
And then, of course, shipmodels, and we're gonna have a
wide variety of stuff in Gundam,sci-fi.
Yeah, really just cover all thebases out there so we can.
Kentucky Dave (13:48):
Yeah, you all had you all had a heck of a turnout
in Gundam and Sci-Fi last year.
Nick Saunders (13:54):
Yeah, we've been trying to get a bit closer with
our kind of the Gundam crowd.
It's big in Toronto and some ofthe bigger cities.
Find a lot of those modelerscome with some really, really
cool kits too.
Awesome builds and stuff likethat.
Evan Zuk (14:08):
We also get a lot of support from one of the other
local clubs inside six who notonly show up with their members,
but also help provide a lot ofjudging support and entries.
Tim Bangerter (14:20):
Those guys have been great supporters of the
show for a couple years now.
Fantastic group of people.
Kentucky Dave (14:25):
So, do you all, in addition to the category
awards and the best stuff, doyou all have specialty awards in
addition?
I mean, for particular items orparticular subjects?
Evan Zuk (14:38):
I believe we have stuff like best Canadian subject
is usually one that gets handedout every year.
Sure.
Um Best Ukrainian subject hasbeen one that has been done for
at least the past five or sixyears that I've attended.
Were there any other big ones,Tim?
Tim Bangerter (14:54):
Yeah, there's a best fighter aircraft flown by a
Canadian pilot, best Ukrainiansubject, best Canadian subject,
uh veteran recognition award,people's choice award, and the
judge's best of show.
Kentucky Dave (15:06):
Okay.
Mike (15:06):
So quite a few.
Yeah.
Yes.
Kentucky Dave (15:09):
Now I know that there's a small cafe on site, a
small uh food food vendor.
Is are you all bringing in foodtrucks as well?
Or are you doing anything likethat?
I know there's some food nearbyas far as like local
restaurants.
Tim Bangerter (15:27):
We had talked about bringing in food trucks.
I don't think it's ever beenfully discussed or confirmed
with the museum.
They that would be uh if theywanted to, but I'm pretty sure
they don't want to infringe ontheir business for their
cafeteria's.
Right.
Sure.
Yep.
But it's a good idea.
Not gonna lie, walking out thedoor and getting tacos, that'd
be pretty cool.
Mike (15:46):
Unless they're frozen by time you got back to the door.
Yeah, exactly.
Kentucky Dave (15:50):
Yeah, probably.
Snow covered tacos.
Mike (15:55):
Well, it sounds like you guys have got your handle on it.
Like it's gonna be another uhgreat show for you guys, I'm
sure.
It's it's always been uh, youknow, a pretty thick crowd at
times, and but the number ofentries is usually really high,
and then the vendors have justbeen outstanding.
So uh I know Dave and I arereally looking forward to to
coming back up there again.
And uh we've kind of made apilgrimage with some of our
(16:17):
friends to come up at least toDetroit a little early and hit
some places around there, andthen come on in the afternoon on
Saturday.
So uh we are really lookingforward to it.
Kentucky Dave (16:27):
Indeed we are, and guys, do us a favor uh when
registration goes live, pleasepost that in the dojo so that
people will know it.
And hopefully you can not onlypost but provide a link.
And we'll see if we we'll seeif we can uh get the fire
marshal to close the place downbecause there are so many
(16:50):
people.
Yeah.
Tim Bangerter (16:53):
We will definitely uh make sure that we
uh post on the dojo and all overFacebook when the registration
is live so everybody gets theword out.
Tell your friends, tell yourfriends without computers, help
them register, give them thewebsite address, take them to a
take them to the library and login there and get them
registered there.
Yeah, just just come.
We're looking forward to havingyou all.
Mike (17:14):
Well, we appreciate that.
And once you give everybodylisten the the date and time one
more, one more time.
Tim Bangerter (17:19):
Sure, it's March 29th, Hamilton Warplane Heritage
Museum, 9 a.m.
Doors open till 5 p.m.
Registration's gonna startMarch 1st, 9 a.m.
Everything's gonna be online.
There's gonna be noregistration at the door.
Tell your friends.
Mike (17:36):
All right, guys.
Well, we're looking forward toit, and we'll see you in a few
weeks.
Awesome.
Tim Bangerter (17:41):
Thank you so much for having us to talk on uh on
your show.
Mike (17:43):
Oh, you're very welcome.
Kentucky Dave (17:44):
Thank you for coming, guys.
Mike (17:50):
Well, we know what it's gonna be.
It's gonna be awesome.
Kentucky Dave (17:52):
It's gonna be awesome.
That sounds like they've goteverything under control.
I can't wait till registrationopens.
I want to get registered.
I I am I am hot to try it.
I'd get in a car tomorrow if uhif if it was uh if it was
tomorrow.
Mike (18:09):
Well, I'll I'll take care of that.
But uh yeah, it's uh it's gonnabe fun.
I'm I'm I'm I'm excited aboutthe live version of the Wheel of
Axiom and Wisdom.
Yes, that's gonna be neat.
We've got to talk to them alittle bit about how we might
want to do that, but lookingforward to uh doing that on the
fly.
I think that'll be fun.
Kentucky Dave (18:27):
Yeah, I'm looking forward to here seeing your Bob
Parker imitation.
Mike (18:33):
And who's the other guy?
Uh uh Rod somebody, Rod NobodyDrew Carey.
No, that's the new host.
I mean, when Bob was doing it,who was the the announcer?
Kentucky Dave (18:46):
Oh, the announcer gosh, now you're stretching me.
I can't remember.
Mike (18:50):
Never mind, folks.
But we'll be there.
Hopefully that's gonna work outand it's just gonna be a lot of
fun.
So uh look looking forward tohanging with our Canadian
friends again, looking for theAirbnb.
Hopefully the Minnesota gangcan make it, and it's just gonna
be a grand time.
It's just a such a great showfor for for no longer than it
lasts.
Kentucky Dave (19:10):
Yep.
Mike (19:10):
Anything else on Heritage Conday?
Kentucky Dave (19:12):
Nope.
Just uh I'm anxious, man.
This this this next month can'tpass fast enough.
Mike (19:19):
Well, don't be careful what you wish for.
The whole year will end up thatway.
Kentucky Dave (19:24):
There's truth in that, brother.
Mike (19:26):
All right, man.
Well, let's uh get on out ofhere and get on to Heritage Con.
All right.
The Model Show Spotlight is brought to you by
the World of Armor.
Communicate, share, and learnwith armor modelers worldwide at
the World of Armor.
If armor modeling is yourthing, follow the link in the
show notes or atPlasticmodelmojo.com and join
the team.
Kentucky Dave (00:35):
Yeah, we're gonna talk about one of my favorite
shows.
Mike (00:39):
It's probably your close second.
You should say close closesecond favorite show.
Kentucky Dave (00:44):
Close second.
Mike (00:46):
Only because the duration's not quite as long.
Kentucky Dave (00:51):
And also, you know, mu March in Canada.
Mike (00:55):
That is true.
Well, that uh that's the tease,folks.
We're here to talk aboutHeritageCon 2026.
I think it's HeritageCon uh 18or 18.
Kentucky Dave (01:05):
1818, one or the other.
Yeah.
Mike (01:08):
Sorry, folks, we missed the bookkeeping there.
But anyway, definitely 2026 andPlastic Model Mojo's plans are
on ice.
Kentucky Dave (01:15):
Yep.
Mike (01:16):
We're we're on cruise control, man.
Looking forward to this.
Kentucky Dave (01:20):
Absolutely.
Mike (01:21):
I think our biggest uh wild card is the Minnesota gang
getting snowed in before theshow.
Kentucky Dave (01:27):
Yeah, let's hope that doesn't happen.
And also, of course, that'salways what it's gonna what what
what's the weather gonna belike in Hamilton.
Of course, we got a nice cozyAirbnb.
Once we get there, I guess wedon't even care.
Mike (01:41):
Until we gotta leave, then we're probably gonna.
Kentucky Dave (01:43):
Yeah, that's true too.
Mike (01:45):
So that's true.
Uh it needs to be clear sailingcoming in, nothing while we're
there, and clear sailing comingout.
So man, uh Heritage Con is justit's just a blast, man.
It is.
Kentucky Dave (01:58):
It is a beautiful venue, a great group of guys,
unbelievable show withunbelievable models and great
vendors.
There's just there's nothing tonot love.
Mike (02:11):
Well, I'm I'm probably gonna sit there with my slack
jaw hanging, looking at theLancaster this year because uh
I've been taking in a lot ofinformation about Operation
Gamora, a lot a lot of thenighttime stuff, and just man,
yeah, that's just insane.
Kentucky Dave (02:28):
It is unbelievable.
Mike (02:30):
And to try to fight off what might come at you at with a
bunch of 303 machine guns.
Kentucky Dave (02:36):
Yeah, well, not the best choice.
Mike (02:39):
I understand why they flew at night.
Kentucky Dave (02:41):
Yeah, exactly.
Mike (02:43):
And to learn about window, yeah.
The uh precursor to what wecall uh chaff now.
Kentucky Dave (02:49):
Yep.
Mike (02:50):
Really, really interesting.
We worked worked great there onthe front end, but uh the
Germans got wise and not so muchlater.
But uh during OperationGomorrah, it was uh pretty much
pretty much a game changer.
Kentucky Dave (03:00):
Yes, it was.
Mike (03:01):
Well, Dave, we love HeritageCon and you know they
keep changing the crew on us.
Kentucky Dave (03:07):
Yep.
Mike (03:07):
Which is fine.
I understand them wanting tospread the wealth, and uh we got
a bunch of uh new folks, someof them some of them we've met
at HeritageCon.
Maybe all of them.
Yeah, maybe my memory's bad,but definitely some of them.
So let's get into that and seewhat's going on in Hamilton for
2026.
Dave, we are once again gettingready to go to one of our
(03:35):
favorite events of the year, andit's we're so fortunate that's
one of our favorite events ofthe year is in the first quarter
here at the end of the end ofMarch.
We got a fresh team from theHamilton crowd on here tonight
to tell us all about this year'sinstallment of HeritageCon.
Gentlemen, how are you doingtonight?
Hey, we're doing really well.
Thank you.
Oh, you're welcome.
Well, won't you guys go aroundthe horn, introduce yourselves,
(03:56):
and tell us the capacity you'reyou're working with HeritageCon
here?
Uh my name is Tim.
Tim Bangerter (04:01):
I am a newly appointed HeritageCon
coordinator.
Evan Zuk (04:04):
My name is Evan.
I will be second in command,helping with the running of the
model contest on the day of.
Nick Saunders (04:11):
I'm Nicholas, and I'm doing the uh table setup
and I'm coordinating thevolunteers.
All right.
Mike (04:17):
Well, we know where this event is held.
What's why don't one of youtell us the date and the place
again and what folks can expectas far as the venue who may have
not been to HeritageCon yet?
Tim Bangerter (04:26):
Sure.
The the date is March 29th.
The Hamilton Warplane HeritageMuseum in Hamilton, Ontario.
It's gonna start at 9 a.m., rununtil 5 p.m., and it's gonna be
a day full of models,airplanes, vendors, and all
sorts of shenanigans.
Mike (04:46):
Well, we're really looking forward to it.
What is gonna be new on the thedocket for this year versus
past past shows?
You got anything new in theworks?
Evan Zuk (04:56):
The big thing this year is that the registrations
has been taken over from theclub side and is actually moving
to the museum.
They recognize the importanceof the show to them, both from a
revenue standpoint and the factthat it is one of their biggest
days just from foot traffic.
And they wanted to try and bemore proactive with it and try
(05:18):
to modernize their approach tohow they run the museum and try
and maximize the potential ofthe show, again, knowing how
important it is to them.
Mike (05:27):
Well, how's that gonna work versus versus last year?
I I know there was, I believe,it wasn't it all
pre-registration last year?
Evan Zuk (05:34):
It's still going to be pre-registration.
We've been told that theirsystem will go live on March 1st
at 9 a.m.
through their website.
However, the exact details haveyet to be disclosed to us as
they are still in the midst offinalizing the system.
Okay, and that's gonna involvemodel registration and the
(05:54):
museum admission, yeah.
Yeah, like the it's still gonnabe the admission is through the
museum, of course, and yes, theregistration now is through
them on their site.
Tim Bangerter (06:03):
Okay.
And they're expecting it tosell out.
Kentucky Dave (06:05):
Yeah, yeah, give if the last two years are any
indication, heck yeah.
Mike (06:10):
Well, things have always been pretty big.
I mean, it's a big place,fortunately, and I know if the
if the weather's decent, it canget a little bigger on the
inside if they have to move somethings around.
But uh explain folks uh alittle bit about the museum and
and what they can expect to seethere.
Evan Zuk (06:26):
Of course, they have the one of two flying Lancasters
in the world.
It's likely going to beindoors.
We have C-47 Dakota's usuallyalso in, and the B-25 Mitchell,
along with many other flyingaircraft that they have on in
their collection.
Tim Bangerter (06:42):
Um Catalina, they've got the Fairy Firefly,
the Avenger.
They got a great selection ofaircraft.
Nick Saunders (06:50):
Yes, they do.
Saber, F-104, C F-104 is two ofthem.
Mike (06:54):
Well, it's a fabulous place to have a show, that's for
sure.
Kentucky Dave (06:58):
When does the show open?
Evan Zuk (07:00):
9 a.m.
on March 29th.
Kentucky Dave (07:02):
Okay.
And then when do you all expectto do awards and wrap have the
show wrapped at that point?
Tim Bangerter (07:12):
The judging is gonna start at noon.
Okay.
At that time we will havepresentations going on, which
you guys know something about.
Kentucky Dave (07:20):
Yep.
Tim Bangerter (07:20):
And then while that's going on, we're hoping to
have it wrapped up by three.
Kentucky Dave (07:25):
Okay.
Tim Bangerter (07:26):
Uh, and then hopefully have all our ducks in
a row by four o'clock and bepresenting by four o'clock.
Sometimes we we get thereearlier, sometimes we get there
later.
It just completely depends oncircumstance.
Kentucky Dave (07:38):
And models will be all have to be pre-registered
through the website.
If somebody shows up, do youhave a display table for models
that people bring that they didnot enter?
Tim Bangerter (07:50):
We will have a display table for them.
Mike (07:52):
Well, we always know the vendor area is pretty full at
HeritageCon.
That's always been one of thethe highlights at that show,
like many shows.
How's that stacking up for uhfor HeritageCon this year?
Nick Saunders (08:03):
We have over a hundred, over 140 tables, which
again, all of them sold out.
So if you guys are familiarwith the layout, gonna be just
about as many vendors as lastyear and lots of different ones.
I wish I had a list, but Idon't.
But I can think of local hobbyshops and like a place like the
barrel store if you guys likeyour tank gun barrels and things
(08:25):
like that, and tracks and allsorts of things.
Tim Bangerter (08:28):
So if you need something from the vendors,
they're gonna have it.
There's so many and so much tochoose from, really.
Mike (08:34):
Well, I I don't think folks will be disappointed.
We tend to walk out of therewith uh our our pockets a little
lighter, our bags a littleheavier.
Kentucky Dave (08:42):
Yeah, I have never left HeritageCon
empty-handed.
Tim Bangerter (08:47):
I distinctly remember you walking out with a
huge stack of books last year.
Kentucky Dave (08:51):
Yes, yes, yes, I did.
I bought a lot of books lastyear.
Tim Bangerter (08:55):
The prices were incredible.
Even better for you guys withyour American money.
Kentucky Dave (09:00):
That's right, that's right.
Mike (09:02):
Well, you mentioned seminars.
Let's talk about what's gonnabe going on during judging and
throughout the day, in additionto uh vendors and and the model
contest.
Nick Saunders (09:10):
So in the morning we've got Harvey Lowe, and then
he's gonna be doing a thing onaircraft modulation weathering.
And then around judging time,it's gonna be you guys if you
want to talk about that withyour the accidental wheel of
wisdom.
Mike (09:24):
Yeah, we're have been uh roped in by Duncan and you guys
to do a live version of theWheel of Accidental Wisdom on
site during the show, and wehaven't quite figured out all
the logistics at that, but wethink that's gonna be uh a fun
thing to do, Dave.
Kentucky Dave (09:39):
Yep, we'll have to come up with maybe items to
give away, some little doorprizes or something.
We'll we'll we'll we'll makethis a game show.
This thing'll this thing'llhopefully t hopefully give
everybody in the crowd somethingto do once they've spent out
their wallet in the vendor roomand while judging's going on.
Tim Bangerter (10:01):
Yeah, I think it'd just be great to have you
guys in a room just to talkmodels.
That'd be awesome.
Mike (10:05):
Well, we're glad to do it, and I tell you, we love doing
it.
I think Harvey's a good a goodcatch too.
We had him on once uh last yearand really like talking to him.
He's he does some amazing work.
Kentucky Dave (10:16):
I'll be in his seminar for sure.
Mike (10:19):
Just those two or anything else?
Tim Bangerter (10:20):
That's all we got planned for this year.
We're keeping it like just tokeep uh things fresh and under
control, if you will.
Last year was a little crazy.
We uh we started with two andwe ended up with four
presentations.
Uh I was involved in that andtook up most of my day.
Mike (10:34):
Oh, okay.
Tim Bangerter (10:35):
So, but it was uh it was exciting nonetheless.
Kentucky Dave (10:39):
Well, I gotta tell you guys, honestly,
HeritageCon has become maybe oneof my one of my favorite shows
every year.
One that's on the what do notmiss list, one that as soon as
January rolls around, I startanticipating HeritageCon.
Nick Saunders (10:58):
Yeah, it's kind of like a big show, right?
Kind of since the first big onein Canada.
Kentucky Dave (11:02):
And it's it's the atmosphere of it.
You all Canadians' reputationsare well deserved, unfailingly
polite, unfailingly uhhospitable to your guests.
I've just never had anythingbut great interactions up there.
The times in the evening,either the day before the show
(11:24):
or after the show, are justreally enjoyable times.
And Mike and I are huge fans ofshows in general, getting
modelers together to talkmodeling.
And I've I've really enjoyedthat up at Hamilton.
Tim Bangerter (11:41):
Yeah, it's a great time all around,
especially for the local.
There's so many, uh such alocal community that come and
partake.
Yeah.
And that we all really enjoygetting together and doing it.
Kentucky Dave (11:51):
And I understand you all are going to arrange for
the weather to be say in 65, 70degrees Fahrenheit, uh, clear
skies, light breezes from thesouth.
Tim Bangerter (12:04):
I'll let you in in the secret.
We cross our fingers everyyear.
Evan Zuk (12:08):
Yeah, I know.
But the weather we've hadlately, no guarantees, but we're
we'll cross our fingers for youguys.
Kentucky Dave (12:14):
Well, hopefully we got all the bad stuff out of
the way early.
Mike (12:17):
Absolutely.
Yeah, we've not gottenclobbered yet.
We've had some cutting wind inthe morning sometimes, but
usually the white stuff's been,for the most part, gone the last
every time we've been up there.
So I don't know, Dave.
Maybe we may be due for alittle comeuppance on the on the
weather.
Kentucky Dave (12:36):
Yeah, no, no, no, no, no.
The Canadians are too polite togive us bad weather.
They're we're gonna we're gonnahave a good old time and the
weather's gonna cooperate.
Tim Bangerter (12:45):
Yeah, it's gonna be a great time.
You guys are gonna beagreeable.
Mike (12:49):
Well, let's talk about the uh the contest format.
That's typically one thing wetalk about in these spotlights,
uh, what kind of system you'reusing and kind of at a high
level, at least the categorydispersion and that sort of
thing.
Evan Zuk (13:01):
So it's gonna be sort of the typical uh IPMS format.
We're gonna have m differentcategories in armor, both you
know, allied, axis, modern, andthe cold war.
Uh aircraft is gonna be, youknow, standard World War II,
pre-war, cold war, same, samesort of split as that.
Gonna have many differentthings in the automotive
(13:24):
categories.
I believe there's also gonna beuh a few extra sort of civilian
type of categories to covermore into some of the more niche
things beyond just cars to helpcover a little bit more of the
spectrum there.
And then, of course, shipmodels, and we're gonna have a
wide variety of stuff in Gundam,sci-fi.
Yeah, really just cover all thebases out there so we can.
Kentucky Dave (13:48):
Yeah, you all had you all had a heck of a turnout
in Gundam and Sci-Fi last year.
Nick Saunders (13:54):
Yeah, we've been trying to get a bit closer with
our kind of the Gundam crowd.
It's big in Toronto and some ofthe bigger cities.
Find a lot of those modelerscome with some really, really
cool kits too.
Awesome builds and stuff likethat.
Evan Zuk (14:08):
We also get a lot of support from one of the other
local clubs inside six who notonly show up with their members,
but also help provide a lot ofjudging support and entries.
Tim Bangerter (14:20):
Those guys have been great supporters of the
show for a couple years now.
Fantastic group of people.
Kentucky Dave (14:25):
So, do you all, in addition to the category
awards and the best stuff, doyou all have specialty awards in
addition?
I mean, for particular items orparticular subjects?
Evan Zuk (14:38):
I believe we have stuff like best Canadian subject
is usually one that gets handedout every year.
Sure.
Um Best Ukrainian subject hasbeen one that has been done for
at least the past five or sixyears that I've attended.
Were there any other big ones,Tim?
Tim Bangerter (14:54):
Yeah, there's a best fighter aircraft flown by a
Canadian pilot, best Ukrainiansubject, best Canadian subject,
uh veteran recognition award,people's choice award, and the
judge's best of show.
Kentucky Dave (15:06):
Okay.
Mike (15:06):
So quite a few.
Yeah.
Yes.
Kentucky Dave (15:09):
Now I know that there's a small cafe on site, a
small uh food food vendor.
Is are you all bringing in foodtrucks as well?
Or are you doing anything likethat?
I know there's some food nearbyas far as like local
restaurants.
Tim Bangerter (15:27):
We had talked about bringing in food trucks.
I don't think it's ever beenfully discussed or confirmed
with the museum.
They that would be uh if theywanted to, but I'm pretty sure
they don't want to infringe ontheir business for their
cafeteria's.
Right.
Sure.
Yep.
But it's a good idea.
Not gonna lie, walking out thedoor and getting tacos, that'd
be pretty cool.
Mike (15:46):
Unless they're frozen by time you got back to the door.
Yeah, exactly.
Kentucky Dave (15:50):
Yeah, probably.
Snow covered tacos.
Mike (15:55):
Well, it sounds like you guys have got your handle on it.
Like it's gonna be another uhgreat show for you guys, I'm
sure.
It's it's always been uh, youknow, a pretty thick crowd at
times, and but the number ofentries is usually really high,
and then the vendors have justbeen outstanding.
So uh I know Dave and I arereally looking forward to to
coming back up there again.
And uh we've kind of made apilgrimage with some of our
(16:17):
friends to come up at least toDetroit a little early and hit
some places around there, andthen come on in the afternoon on
Saturday.
So uh we are really lookingforward to it.
Kentucky Dave (16:27):
Indeed we are, and guys, do us a favor uh when
registration goes live, pleasepost that in the dojo so that
people will know it.
And hopefully you can not onlypost but provide a link.
And we'll see if we we'll seeif we can uh get the fire
marshal to close the place downbecause there are so many
(16:50):
people.
Yeah.
Tim Bangerter (16:53):
We will definitely uh make sure that we
uh post on the dojo and all overFacebook when the registration
is live so everybody gets theword out.
Tell your friends, tell yourfriends without computers, help
them register, give them thewebsite address, take them to a
take them to the library and login there and get them
registered there.
Yeah, just just come.
We're looking forward to havingyou all.
Mike (17:14):
Well, we appreciate that.
And once you give everybodylisten the the date and time one
more, one more time.
Tim Bangerter (17:19):
Sure, it's March 29th, Hamilton Warplane Heritage
Museum, 9 a.m.
Doors open till 5 p.m.
Registration's gonna startMarch 1st, 9 a.m.
Everything's gonna be online.
There's gonna be noregistration at the door.
Tell your friends.
Mike (17:36):
All right, guys.
Well, we're looking forward toit, and we'll see you in a few
weeks.
Awesome.
Tim Bangerter (17:41):
Thank you so much for having us to talk on uh on
your show.
Mike (17:43):
Oh, you're very welcome.
Kentucky Dave (17:44):
Thank you for coming, guys.
Mike (17:50):
Well, we know what it's gonna be.
It's gonna be awesome.
Kentucky Dave (17:52):
It's gonna be awesome.
That sounds like they've goteverything under control.
I can't wait till registrationopens.
I want to get registered.
I I am I am hot to try it.
I'd get in a car tomorrow if uhif if it was uh if it was
tomorrow.
Mike (18:09):
Well, I'll I'll take care of that.
But uh yeah, it's uh it's gonnabe fun.
I'm I'm I'm I'm excited aboutthe live version of the Wheel of
Axiom and Wisdom.
Yes, that's gonna be neat.
We've got to talk to them alittle bit about how we might
want to do that, but lookingforward to uh doing that on the
fly.
I think that'll be fun.
Kentucky Dave (18:27):
Yeah, I'm looking forward to here seeing your Bob
Parker imitation.
Mike (18:33):
And who's the other guy?
Uh uh Rod somebody, Rod NobodyDrew Carey.
No, that's the new host.
I mean, when Bob was doing it,who was the the announcer?
Kentucky Dave (18:46):
Oh, the announcer gosh, now you're stretching me.
I can't remember.
Mike (18:50):
Never mind, folks.
But we'll be there.
Hopefully that's gonna work outand it's just gonna be a lot of
fun.
So uh look looking forward tohanging with our Canadian
friends again, looking for theAirbnb.
Hopefully the Minnesota gangcan make it, and it's just gonna
be a grand time.
It's just a such a great showfor for for no longer than it
lasts.
Kentucky Dave (19:10):
Yep.
Mike (19:10):
Anything else on Heritage Conday?
Kentucky Dave (19:12):
Nope.
Just uh I'm anxious, man.
This this this next month can'tpass fast enough.
Mike (19:19):
Well, don't be careful what you wish for.
The whole year will end up thatway.
Kentucky Dave (19:24):
There's truth in that, brother.
Mike (19:26):
All right, man.
Well, let's uh get on out ofhere and get on to Heritage Con.
All right.
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