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Plastic Model Mojo

A Scale Modeling Podcast

Plastic Model Mojo, a podcast dedicated to scale modeling, as well as the news and events around the hobby

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Today · 50 min
Brand New Workshop and Figure Show: November Model Show Spotlight
The Model Show Spotlight is brought to you by The World of Armor A free model kit, a folding table, and someone patient enough to coach can add up to something bigger than a hobby. We’re joined by organizers behind Scale 41, a veterans-focused model making workshop hosted at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. They walk us through the plan: an unjudged public display, a hands-on classroom build session, and enough donated kits and basic supplies that participants can start building on the spot and take a kit home. We also talk candidly about why scale modeling can be powerful therapy for stress, injury recovery, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Aggieland Modeling Club Scale 41: A Model-Making Workshop Then we head to Florida for a first-year event with a very different twist: Figure World Orlando, a juried exhibition style figure show at the Renaissance Orlando Hotel near SeaWorld. Show chair Randy Riley explains how open judging works, why simple scoring makes judging smoother, and the clever upgrade they’re using to prevent a classic show nightmare: exhibitors provide photos of their entries so judges can verify they’re scoring the right piece. We cover the two-day painting workshop, display-only options, vendor plans, and what to expect across the weekend. If you care about scale modeling events, IPMS club outreach, AMPS partnerships, miniature painting workshops, or better contest formats, this conversation is packed with ideas you can steal and adapt for your own community. Subscribe so you don’t miss future spotlights, share this with a builder who needs a nudge to get involved, and leave a review to help more modelers find the show. Figure World Orlando ModelCon/EagleQuest 2027 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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#171
Thursday · 2 hr 12 min
Paint Masks from Paradise: Episode 171
Decals can be the moment a build turns from fun to stressful, and we have all watched a perfect marking fold onto itself or silver at the worst possible time. That’s why we were excited to finally sit down with John Ferdico from Hawaiian Air Depot, a Hawaii-based aftermarket brand with a smart twist: instead of shipping pre-cut masks, John sells digital downloads (SVG and DXF) so you can cut your own paint masks at home with a Cricut, Silhouette Cameo, or similar cutter. We get into the real nuts and bolts of paint masking for scale models: how John researches markings using factory drawings and period photos, how he corrects photo distortion to nail proportions, and why his sets include kit-specific placement masks that align to panel lines so you can hit the right location without guesswork. We also talk materials (Oramask, tape, vinyl), what cutters do best, and where the limits still are especially in 1/72 scale and with multi-color nose art. Outside the interview, we catch up on fall modeling season, bench time reality, and a flood of listener mail about contest judging and the bigger question behind it: when does chasing trophies start steering your hobby in the wrong direction? We also share updates on Chattanooga ModelCon and Eagle Quest planning, plus a quick round of faves and yawns from recent releases and new manufacturers. Bonus: Hawaiian Air Depot offers 10% off through October 31 with code mojo dojo, and we’ll point you to a free download so you can test the workflow if you already have a cutter. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a modeling friend, and leave us a rating and review so more builders can find us. Hawaiian Air Depot Chattanooga ModelCon/EagleQuest Chattanooga ModelCon/EagleQuest 2027 Video Series Intro Video Feature Video #1 Feature Video #2 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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October 1 · 11 min
As Autumn Cools, PMM Heats up: October Twelve Minute Modelsphere
As we slide into fall show season mode. The weather is turning, the hobby calendar is filling up. We’re talking about where we’ve been and where we’re going next including a recap of the Military Modelers Club of Louisville show in Shepherdsville and plans for the Cincinnati show at the Tri-State Warbirds Museum. We also share why vendor tables are part of the fun, even when we absolutely do not need more stuff (and still find something we “need”). We preview what’s coming on the podcast feed too: a feature chat with John Ferdico of Hawaiian Air Depot, focused on aircraft markings files for the DIY masking community and Silhouette mask cutting, plus a 1/72 scale extravaganza we’re already excited about. We also tease our next model show spotlight with a new expo style figure show in Orlando and a veterans-focused model making workshop in College Station, Texas. Finally, we give a quick update on the Plastic Model Mojo Dojo as it closes in on 5,900 members and we spotlight the jaw-dropping miniature painting posts that are inspiring our own use of color, highlights, and shadows. Subscribe, share this with a modeling friend, and leave a rating or review so more builders can find the show. 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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#170
September 29 · 1 hr 28 min
What If Winning Ruins The Hobby: Episode 170
Model contests can be a blast, but they can also mess with your head if winning becomes the point. We dig into a listener question that hits a nerve for a lot of scale modelers: do you need to compete to be recognized, and what happens when you start building with “beating other builders” as the goal? We share our own experiences with competition, dopamine hits, and disappointment, plus the guardrails we think keep plastic modeling fun and personally rewarding. Then we shift into the nuts and bolts of staying grounded in the modern golden age of modeling. We talk about why kits have improved so much since the 1990s and early 2000s, from 3D CAD and CNC tooling to instruction sheets that finally make sense. We also address modeler burnout and bench motivation: how work stress and mental fatigue knock you out of routine, and how simple off-bench habits like reading, focused videos, and low-stakes tasks can pull you back in without forcing it. Shop talk goes deep on two creative topics: in-flight aircraft displays and genre changes. We cover “plane on a pole” basics, judging reality (pilot included), and smarter presentation ideas like box dioramas, controlled viewing angles, blurred backdrops, and hidden supports. We wrap with why switching genres, from armor to cars to Gundam to figures, can add new tools to your skill set fast, from gloss finishes to metallic effects to decals. If you enjoy honest hobby talk with practical takeaways, subscribe, share this with a modeling friend, and leave a review so more builders can find us. Check out Jeff Groves' ARMA Hawk 81-A! 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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September 22 · 40 min
Cincinnati’s Great Show, and now Jr. Modeler Chapter: October Model Show Spotlight
The Cincinnati Scale Modelers are becoming the scale modeling equivalent to "The Big Red Machine"! Join us as we discuss their upcoming show, and then pivot to a conversation regarding their Junior Modelers Chapter! A model contest inside a warbird museum is already a strong idea, but Cincinnati Scale Modelers are pushing it further with the kind of details that make a show feel effortless for builders. We sit down with club president Will Kurt to get the full rundown on the upcoming Cincinnati show at the Tri-State Warbird Museum in Batavia, Ohio, including what time the doors open, how the museum space stays accessible all day, and why that setting makes the contest tables more inspiring. If you’ve ever wanted to study real aircraft shapes, finishes, and markings while thinking about your next build, this venue delivers. We also get practical about how to attend and compete: online registration versus on-site paperwork, clear fee structure, and the on-the-ground improvements like prominent signage, a front-door greeter, and club members in branded shirts so you always know who can help. Then we dig into what makes the awards special. Alongside the returning Boss Hog Award with Mission Barbecue, Will shares the story behind a brand-new Colonel Robert Rogers “Little Buckaroo” P-38 Lightning award that will be presented by the pilot’s son, plus the Spirit of Cincinnati Award sponsored by LaRosa’s Pizza, built around local pride and local history. The second half turns into a bigger conversation about the future of the hobby: how Cincinnati Scale Junior Modelers became a free youth model club, why a public library is a perfect meeting spot, how donated kits and supplies keep costs out of the equation, and what kids learn beyond glue and paint. If you’ve wondered how to start a junior chapter inside IPMS, this is a real-world playbook, complete with recruiting tactics, mentoring lessons, and a reminder that mistakes are part of every build. Subscribe for more scale modeling talk, share this with a friend who needs a fall show to attend, and leave us a review if you want more interviews like this. What would you bring to the contest table, and what story would your model tell? https://www.cincyipms.com/show https://www.cincyipms.com/juniormodelclub 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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#169
September 12 · 2 hr 13 min
The F-16 That Refused To Fit and More: Episode 169
Your hobby room can either pull you into the build or quietly push you away from it. We talk through a real-world reset that many scale modelers are facing right now: replacing doom scrolling with model reading, building a simple nightly routine that feeds ideas, and making smart changes to the model room so the bench feels focused again instead of scattered. Listener mail takes us into two topics that keep coming up for plastic model builders: health and access. We dig into air quality monitors, ventilation habits, and even surprising CO2 spikes during airbrushing, plus the bigger “golden age of modeling” question. Kits, 3D printing, decals, and aftermarket detail sets are better than ever, but local hobby shops are closing, evolving, and shifting toward different audiences. We also share encouraging stories about modeling as living history and the youth programs that help new builders discover the hobby. Then we bring on Dr. Michael Polin from Knoxville, Tennessee, fresh off winning Best Aircraft at the IPMS National Convention with a jaw-dropping 1/48 F-16. He breaks down the full “Magnum opus” process: brutal resin fit issues, black CA glue as a gap-filling workhorse, sanding and rescribing, integrating 3D printed parts and photo-etch, choosing decals and clear coats, and solving last-minute canopy and stabilizer disasters right before travel. We also get into a clever QR code build log, transport foam strategies, and how figure painting with Citadel colors sharpened his brush skills for avionics bay detail work. If you enjoy deep-dive scale modeling talk with practical takeaways, subscribe, share this with a modeling friend, and leave us a review so more builders can find the show. 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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September 2 · 15 min
Laying Out September’s Guests, Shows, and More :September Twelve Minute Modelsphere
The fall model show season is here. We talk through upcoming events like the Military Modelers Club of Louisville invitational in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, plus an early nudge to start planning for the Cincinnati show in October. If you’ve been itching to get your work on a table, see new builds up close, or just hang out with other builders, this is the stretch of the year where local contests and club shows really deliver. We also lay out what’s coming next on Plastic Model Mojo: an interview with Dr. Michael Polan from Knoxville, Tennessee, fresh off winning Best Aircraft at the 2026 IPMS National Convention, along with more listener-driven shop talk and a model show spotlight. And because the hobby is better together, we check in on the Plastic Model Dojo’s rapid growth, share what kind of posts are lighting up the feed, and offer a simple guideline that keeps everyone’s work from getting buried. If you enjoy scale modeling podcasts that mix community, events, and real bench-top problem solving, subscribe, share this with a modeling friend, and leave us a review so more builders can find the show. 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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August 28 · 50 min
Two Great Shows with a Side of ARMA Hawk 81-A: September Model Show Spotlight
The best model shows are not just contests, they are proof that a hobby can feel like a community. We’re back with Model Show Spotlight to share what’s coming next after Nationals, starting with our own Military Modelers Club of Louisville (MMCL) and the practical choices that make a local plastic model show run like a well-oiled machine. Alex Restrepo joins us to break down how MMCL pulled off a raffle that scaled up smoothly at the IPMS Nationals, from sponsored closeout kits to a barcode-based system that scans, projects, and posts winning ticket numbers online. We talk volunteer coordination, contingency planning, and why convenience for ticket buyers is not a “nice to have,” it’s what keeps the room moving. Then we hit the details for the MMCL show at Paroquet Springs in Shepherdsville, Kentucky on September 26, including registration timing, vendor support, nearby hotels and food, and the club’s push to welcome youth builders and fast-growing genres like Gunpla. MMCL Show Info Next, Doug Reed returns to preview the Oregon Modelers Jamboree in Albany, Oregon at the Linn County Expo Center on September 12, which also hosts the IPMS Region 7 contest. The Jamboree approach leans into an expo feel: club tables, demos, display-only space, and social time that makes the event more than “enter, shop, wait, leave.” Oregon Modelers Jamboree We close with quick early bench impressions of Arma’s pre release Hawk 81-A2, P-40B kit and what we’re seeing so far. Subscribe for more model show spotlights, share this with your club, and leave a review so more scale modelers can find the show. What’s one change that would instantly make your local model contest better? 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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#168
August 19 · 1 hr 47 min
2026 IPMS Nationals Recap With Friends And Fresh Ideas: Episode 168
The best part of a national convention is not just the stacks of kits and the contest tables, it’s the moment you walk in and realize you are surrounded by your people. We’re back from the 2026 IPMS National Convention and talking through the full comedown: the unpacking, the reorganizing, and the small but important truth that some “solutions” in the model room (looking at you, retail paint racks) just do not work at home. Then we get into the conversations we recorded on the floor. We sit down with Jay Chadwell of Mojo Model Works to talk 3D design and 3D printing for the stuff nobody else makes, from real space hardware to pop culture subjects that instantly hit the nostalgia button. We also talk with Randy Chisholm about his USS Texas turret project, a scratchbuilding rabbit hole where scarce references, mechanical realism, and clean construction matter as much as paint and weathering. We also catch up with Keith Zimmerman about building a striking 1/48 B-24 Liberator for a show exclusive release, including what it takes to handle huge decals and tight timelines. And we’re thrilled to talk with Arma Hobby about how modern injection-molded plastic kits get designed, why 1/72 scale is having a moment, and how a company stays grounded in what modelers actually want to build. Finally we close with our show host and sponsor, Brandon Lowe of Squadron Top it all off with a “what broke our wallets” recap from the vendor room, and you’ve got a convention debrief that feels like sitting at the bench with friends. If you enjoy this, subscribe, share it with a modeling buddy, and leave a review so more scale modelers can find the show. 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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August 12 · 19 min
Fort Wayne Nationals: Special Thanks Shout Outs
Fort Wayne set a new bar for what an IPMS National Convention can feel like: busy without being crushing, loud without being unbearable, and packed with modelers who actually have room to stop and talk. We’re fresh back from Nationals, and before we dive into the “juicy bits” in our next feature show, we wanted to put the spotlight where it belongs, on the people who made the weekend work and the small, practical choices that made the whole event comfortable. We get specific about what made the venue shine for a scale modeling convention: vendor spaces that stayed compact even when split up, aisles that didn’t turn into a slow-motion traffic jam, contest and squadron rooms with real breathing room, and acoustics plus carpeting that saved our feet and our ears. We also talk about why Fort Wayne is a sneaky-great convention town, from easy food options to a memorable minor league baseball night that turned into one more shared story. Then it’s a gratitude tour of the community: Mark Copeland dialing in lodging, Aussie friends traveling halfway around the world, Canadian friends choosing camaraderie over and unfortunate political climate, listeners stopping by the table, and the MMCL folks who keep raffles and local shows running like clockwork. We celebrate wins for the Septemberists, congratulate award winners we’re proud of, and close with a huge thank-you to Brandon Lowe and the entire Squadron team for going above and beyond. If you love plastic model kits, model shows, and the best parts of the IPMS USA community, hit play, share this with a friend who needs a Nationals nudge, and leave us a review telling us what makes a convention unforgettable for you. 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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August 3 · 8 min
August, Aussies, and the IPMS National Convention: August Twelve Minute Modelsphere
Digger Dave Goldfinch joins us for some brief travel talk, from recent events to what’s ahead, including the 2026 IPMS National Convention in Fort Wayne. There’s a full-on side quest too: a road trip to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, plus essential Americana stops like Waffle House and Buc-ee’s. Look for National Convention show content along with another listener submitted topic "Shop Talk" episode. In addition we will have a Model Show Spotlight in August as well, so stay tuned. Come find us at the Nationals, say hi at the table, and if you like the show, subscribe, share it with a modeling buddy, and leave a quick review so more builders can find us. 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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#167
July 31 · 1 hr 27 min
Cleaner Air And Smarter Workspaces For Scale Modelers: Episode 167
The fastest way to lose your modeling mojo is not a bad kit, it is a workspace that fights you every step of the build. With the IPMS Nationals in Fort Wayne around the corner, we keep things “Mojo Light” but pack in a ton of practical shop talk driven by listener messages, real bench mishaps, and the kind of small changes that add up to better results. We start with what life looks like when guests are arriving, the yard needs attention, and the hobby room is mid-revamp. Then we share a true walkaway moment at the bench: a full waste-solvent spill, dead digital calipers, and the mad scramble to clean up safely. That leads to a bigger conversation modelers often ignore until it bites us, indoor air quality. We talk VOCs, why fumes can linger after you stop spraying, what an air quality monitor can reveal, and how extraction, respirators, and even dedicated VOC filtration can make your hobby room healthier. From there, we dig into fun “what if” questions for history and research nerds, the missing records and photos we wish we could recover, and the extinct military subjects we would save for a museum. We also tackle a classic scale modeling debate: historical accuracy versus artistic license, and why the best-looking builds often balance accuracy, scale fidelity, and a tasteful finish. If you enjoy scale modeling workflow tips, hobby room organization ideas, airbrush ventilation talk, and Nationals energy, you will feel right at home. Subscribe, share the show with a modeling buddy, and leave a review so more builders can find us. 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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July 24 · 15 min
Star Trek Builds And Ice Cream: August Model Show Spotlight
Vendors sold out months early, a Star Trek 60th anniversary category on the awards table, and a full day of plastic modeling in one of the most visitor-friendly spots in north Alabama. We sit down with Tom Clark from the Huntsville Plastic Modelers Society to get the real details on their 49th annual show at the Huntsville JC’s building on Airport Road, including what to expect if you’re traveling in right after the IPMS Nationals. We walk through the schedule step by step: when vendor setup starts, the registration window, how long judging runs, and when awards are handed out. Tom also explains how their electronic forms work, why the club prefers online paperwork, and how they keep things simple with classic IPMS 1-2-3 judging. If you’re searching for an IPMS USA model contest, a scale model show in Huntsville, or a plastic model event in Alabama with strong vendor support, this is the planning guide you want before you pack the car. Then we get into the fun stuff: category options across aircraft, armor, automotive, dioramas, real space, sci-fi, ships, and a dedicated Gundam and giant robot section, plus a juniors category that makes it easy for younger builders to jump in. We also talk about the on-site food trucks, nearby restaurants, and why the venue is comfortable for a full-day hang. You’ll even hear what the club is previewing as they recruit volunteers for next year’s big Nationals workload. Subscribe for more show spotlights, share this with a friend who builds, and leave a review with your best contest tip so more modelers can find the community. Huntsville Plastic Modelers Society Facebook Show Info and Entre Forms 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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#166
July 13 · 1 hr 32 min
Superabundance In Plastic Modeling: Episode 166
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? 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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July 7 · 6 min
Mighty Eighth Book Giveaway!
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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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July 4 · 13 min
Trying to Beat the Heat: July Twelve Minute Modelsphere
We settle into a laid-back holiday catch-up, swap a few vacation highlights, and revisit that specific kind of nostalgia that comes from remembering long-gone hobby shops and the stuff we bought there. Then we look ahead to July with two feature episodes on the calendar, including a shop talk segment, plus a Nationals run-up as IPMS Nationals gets closer. If you like plastic model building podcasts that stay practical and builder-focused, this one sets the tone for what’s coming next. We also spend time on the heart of the hobby: community. The Dojo keeps growing because modelers show up with questions, techniques, material tips, and works in progress, and the replies actually help people build better. A perfect example is the 3M tape conversation that started as a listener tip and turned into a thread with real momentum and even some unexpected crossover into Mike’s day job. If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, or you’re planning to come to the national convention, we want to hear from you. Subscribe, share the show with a modeling friend, and leave a quick review so more builders can find us. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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#165
June 27 · 1 hr 53 min
What If Your Next Build Started At The Museum, Or On A Tour: Episode 165
A tiny paint question can turn into a big lesson about how the hobby actually works. We start with the everyday reality of scale modeling: reorganizing the model room, fighting distractions, and trying to protect bench time while life keeps piling on. Then we jump into listener mail that gets surprisingly deep, including how to choose an olive drab or Marine green for a Pacific Theater Sherman in 1/144 without getting trapped chasing a single “correct” shade. From there, the conversation widens into what makes a model show truly successful. We argue that the best shows are not defined by trophy counts or vendor tables, but by the interactions they create between builders: the conversations, the techniques shared, the new friendships, and the seminars where you can ask questions in real time. Along the way we swap practical technique talk, from using small test plaques to develop skills, to mixing a workable Tamiya 4BO green, to why a gloss base coat can make or break a natural metal finish with paints like Alclad. Our main guest is Mark Copeland, Director of Educational Travel for the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Mark updates us on major museum expansion news, rare artifacts, and the excitement of preserving historic aircraft, then walks us through upcoming WWII history tours across the UK and Europe. If you’ve ever built a B-17, B-24, or Battle of Britain subject, you’ll understand why standing on the ground where history happened can change the way you build and the meaning your finished model carries. If you enjoy thoughtful modeling talk with real takeaways, subscribe, share the show with a modeling friend, and leave us a five-star rating and review so more builders can find us. 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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#164
June 13 · 1 hr 49 min
New Tech And Better Shows For Modelers: Episode 164
A hobby can feel timeless right up until the moment it changes under your hands. We start with the real-world catch up: Wonderfest, the sprint toward the IPMS Nationals in Fort Wayne, and the listener mail that reminds us why this community is so strong. Along the way we share show intel, a clever “Squadron Catalog Challenge” idea, and what one contest recap teaches about entry growth, online registration, and the tricky problem of judging without shutting viewers out of the model room. Then the conversation turns into something bigger: the technology shift hitting scale modeling right now. AI and 3D printing are colliding in ways that were barely on the radar a year ago, and we wrestle with the messy middle ground of AI-generated images in hobby spaces, credit, and why clear labeling protects trust. From there we jump to the most jaw-dropping bench-adjacent find: a prototype Optivisor-style headset that snaps into focus wherever your fingertips are, instantly, at multiple working distances. If you build small, scribe fine lines, or just want your eyes to stop fighting you, this is the kind of tool that can change everything. We also get practical with paint prep and process: mixing, note taking, storing formulas, and whether you should batch-mix custom colors or mix fresh for each session. Finally, we talk model show features we want to see more of, including keeping tables accessible during judging, bringing seminars back, and the promise of exhibition-style formats that make it easier to meet the builder and learn face to face. If you care about the future of plastic model kits, scale modeling tools, and better model shows, hit play, then subscribe, share the show with a modeling friend, and leave a review. The self-focus eyewear mentioned by Kentucky Dave in this Episode... Vivifocal 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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June 4 · 36 min
Inside The 2026 IPMS USA National Convention Plan: Model Show Spotlight
You can feel when a Nationals is being built with real intention and Fort Wayne is making that case early. We sit down with John Figueroa, chair of the 2026 IPMS USA National Convention, and treasurer Dave Mason to get the behind-the-scenes look at what’s coming to the Grand Wayne Convention Center in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 5 through 8. The big headline: they’re not doing this with one club grinding for four days. They’ve assembled 11 clubs across Region 4 to share the workload, share the payoff, and still have time to enjoy the convention like everyone else. We dig into the attendee essentials: a vendor room on the scale you expect from IPMS Nationals (about 426 vendor tables with only a few left), plus a seminar schedule that runs from beginner to advanced. Expect practical topics like scale model photography and lighting, CAD, Silhouette and Cricut paint masks, and weathering for dioramas, along with subject-focused sessions and special interest group guidance. If you come to Nationals to learn new techniques, this lineup is designed to keep you moving from room to room. Then we get into the “why” behind their choices. John explains a deliberate push to welcome more genres, so automotive, ships, sci-fi, and Gundam builders feel just as at home as aircraft and armor modelers. That shows up in theme awards, custom decal sheets, and a raffle they treat as one of the three core pillars of the show, with plans that even let you check results online. We also talk logistics that matter: online pre-registration is open, it’s $55, pre-registration closes June 30, and on-site registration jumps to $65. Finally, Fort Wayne adds a unique capstone: an awards ceremony in the restored Embassy Theatre connected by skywalk. Subscribe, share this with a modeling buddy, and leave a review so more builders can find the road to Fort Wayne. 2026 IPMS National Convention - Fort Wayne, IN 2026 IPMS National Convention Facebook Page 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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June 2 · 15 min
Wonderfest Afterglow: June Twelve Minute Modelsphere
We get real about the behind-the-scenes side of running a scale modeling podcast. May hit us with health issues, a car that refused to make the trip, and the kind of production chaos that throws schedules off. We lay out what June should look like, what we’ve already recorded, and how we’re planning to get feature episodes and shorts back on track as we head toward bigger events like the IPMS Nationals. The heart of the conversation is Wonderfest. Even if sci-fi isn’t your main lane, Wonderfest delivers world-class builds, a vendor room you won’t see at a typical IPMS-style show, and an atmosphere that feels like a model show blended with a convention. We share what stood out, the people we ran into, and how a single weekend can push you to try something totally new at the bench. We also talk about the dojo community momentum, from daily posts to smart technique questions about pigments and weathering powders, and why seeing others build outside their genre makes all of us braver. Subscribe, share this with a modeling friend, and leave a review if the show helps you get back to the bench. What’s the one task or tool that most improved your builds? 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. Send us Some Mail! Rate the Show! Support the Show! Patreon Buy Me a Beer Paypal 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.
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Showing 1–20 of 29 episodes