Podcasts
PMM Twelve Minute Modelsphere: February 20206
Snow may slow travel, but the calendar is heating up. We swap plans and call out standout events across the map, including BlizzCon in Columbus, AMPS Atlanta, 4M Mayhem in Michigan, Rochester’s Hope It Don’t Snow, and the Old Dominion Open in Richmond. For planning and entries, IPMSUSA.org remains the essential resource, with listings that stretch well into spring. That rhythm—research, build, show, repeat—keeps the hobby humming even when the weather says stay home.
Community is the thread. The Plastic Model Dojo has surged past 5,600 members, and the feed is full of show flyers, build logs, and finished models that show serious skill. We highlight a new Gemini book, and we touch on current work heading to Kennedy for Artemis, a reminder that the same care we bring to scale builds echoes in real-world engineering. It’s all connected: precision, patience, and the joy of making.
We also set up two upcoming topics that need your voice: what stops us from starting, and what do we truly get from this hobby—calm, community, challenge, or something else entirely? Share your story and help shape the conversation around motivation and meaning at the bench.
Subscribe for more modeling insights and show news, share this with a friend who needs cleaner canopies, and leave a review to help others find the pod. Got thoughts or tips to add? Send us a note and join the Dojo—your build might spark someone’s next breakthrough.
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Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Bump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed Baroth
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Mike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.
MGPC Episode 116 - "How do you organize your bench?"
Welcome to Episode 116 of The Modelgeeks Podcast!
After a bit of banter, we share what is happening in our modeling world. Our Mail Call for this episode is mostly about the last episode, and we expand a bit on the topic of social anxiety and situational extrovert. We then put a spotlight on on some of our listener's submissions to either the Listener Gallery or the Model Shack. We then mention shows through the month of February. After the Hobby shop shout out we conduct our Patreon Giveaway. Then we discuss the main topic, "How do you organize your bench?"
We would like to thank all our listeners out there for the continued support you have given the show. We hope to see you out and about as we hit show circuit. If you happen to see us at a show come on over and say hello, we may even put you in front of the mic!
If you can't make it to the shows then you can still interact with us through social media, Facebook, Instagram, and of course email at:
Also remember to surf over to the Geeks homepage at https://modelgeekspodcast.com. While there you can buy some gedunk and subscribe for updates from the Geeks. Take a look at the Listener Gallery, and if you’d like your work there, send us the photos at contact@modelgeekspodcast.com
Make sure you check out our group / community on Facebook:
Get on there and feel free to share your work! We want to see what’s on your bench.
We also want to thank each of our sponsors for their support. We are very lucky to have them. When you have the time, pay a visit to their web sites, and have a look at their fine products.
We are very fortunate to be able to join the scale modeling podcast community and are in the company of several other really GREAT podcasts. Hopefully, someday we’ll earn our wings and be able to keep up with those guys! Please check them all out at Scale Model Podcasts.
Blogs:
Model Geeks Podcast
OTB 230: Hello 2026!!
It's 2026 and the boys are back with their first episode of the year!
Finding Joy At The Bench Again: Episode 156
What happens when the hobby you love starts feeling like a chore? We go straight at that question with Jim Bates, exploring how burnout creeps in, why favorite subjects can become fear targets, and what it takes to rediscover honest joy at the bench. Jim shares how a demanding year pushed modeling to the margins, why armor felt freer than aircraft, and the simple mindset shift that turned “perfect or quit” into “finish and learn.” Along the way, we unpack airbrush avoidance, photoetch dread, and the tiny victories that rebuild momentum—like stripping a botched primer, repainting, and choosing progress over paralysis.
We also get practical. You’ll hear how keeping short journal notes, and accepting weekend-only bench time can remove friction and make modeling sustainable again. We talk about the limits of step-by-step boilerplate articles, why video excels at teaching technique, and how personal writing can spark creativity in ways a camera can’t. Jim’s revived blog, A Scale Canadian, is his sandbox for that approach: short, thoughtful posts that value honesty over hype.
There’s fresh inspiration too. We walk through Model Mania at the Museum of Flight—a display-only, public-forward event with seminars, demos from Rick Lawler, and zero contest pressure—plus a quick tour of new kit announcements that caught our eye, from Airfix’s Canberra and JU 52 to MiniArt’s Opel Maultier. To close, we share bench updates: Shermans and Cromwells, a Hellcat edging toward weathering, a T-33 off the shelf of doom, and a KV-85 waiting on brass.
If you’ve been stuck, second-guessing, or saving “the good kit” for a better version of yourself that never seems to arrive, this conversation is your nudge. Build for you. Finish something small. Protect your joy. Then tell us what you’re tackling next. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs the push, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.
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SQUADRON
Adding to the stash since 1968
Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Bump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed Baroth
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Mike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.
Turning Competition Into Recognition: February Model Show Spotlight
A snowbound Kentucky chat meets sunny Jacksonville plans as we sit down with Bob Tate from IPMS First Coast to explore how JaxCon reshaped the classic model show into a warm, community-first experience. Think Friday evening setup and a pizza social to slow the pace, then a crisp Saturday run with registration at 9, judging at noon, and a focused awards wrap by 5. It’s efficient, friendly, and designed so builders, vendors, and visitors all get time to breathe and actually talk models.
We dive into the heart of their approach: an open gold, silver, bronze system that evaluates each model on its own merits. No podium pressure, just recognition for quality work. Bob explains how initial resistance gave way to buy-in once people saw honest standards and consistent results, and why they still zone tables by genre for judging flow and easier browsing. The result? Strong turnout with 150+ entrants, 600+ models, and a calmer show floor where learning beats rivalry.
JaxCon’s extras add real value. A sold-out vendor hall arrives early on Friday, three food trucks keep lines short, and the raffle is both exciting and strategic. One-dollar random draws every half hour keep the buzz going, while five and ten-dollar targeted tickets let you aim for high-value kits. That structure raises enough to offer free public admission, which brings new eyes to the hobby without raising participant fees. This year’s theme, 80 years of the Blue Angels—rooted in Jacksonville’s history—anchors special awards alongside memorial trophies that honor club members and their passions.
If you’re planning to attend regional shows or thinking about how to evolve your own, JaxCon offers a practical blueprint: reward excellence, encourage connection, and make the logistics work for people first. Enjoy the insights, steal a few ideas, and share your favorite show innovations with us. If this spotlight helped, follow, rate, and leave a quick review so more builders can find the show.
In addition to JaxCon, a couple of other shows we would like to promote are:
4M Mayhem hosted my the Mid-Michigan Model Makers on February 7th
and
AMPS-Atlanta 2026 on February 20-21
Your source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power Tools
SQUADRON
Adding to the stash since 1968
Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Give us your Feedback!
Rate the Show!
Support the Show!
Patreon
Buy Me a Beer
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Bump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed Baroth
Ad Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob" Bair
Mike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.
Snowmageddon Forces A Pivot: Winter Blitz Moves To February 28, 2026
A storm with a name is bearing down on the Ohio Valley and mid-south, and that changed everything. We hit record to get a clear, direct update out fast: Winter Blitz moves to Saturday, February 28, 2026. Same venue, same plan, just smarter timing so no one risks a long drive on icy roads. Consider it a bonus window to finish your build, refine that finish, or finally try the stencil set that’s been staring at you from the bench.
We walk through how the decision came together and why venue relationships matter. A flexible museum partner meant the organizers could pivot without losing momentum, vendors, or goodwill. Along the way, we open our Model Show Spotlight calendar and invite clubs with February, March, or April dates to pitch their events. Tell us your categories, your surprises, and the small details that make your show easy to love. When information is clear and personal, more modelers show up, and the scene grows stronger.
Community recognition fuels the hobby, so we update our lighthearted “agent” roster to thank the folks who keep this thing moving—from the Indy connector who solved the famous patty run, to the straight-shooting blogger who pressure-tests our ideas, to the Winter Blitz leader who keeps raising the bar. We also tease an ambitious 1/32 SBD Dauntless build headed to the dojo, loaded with aftermarket and stencil work that will spark questions and copycat courage.
If the storm keeps you home, cue the kettle, sharpen a blade, and make progress while the snow stacks up. Then spread the word so no one makes a wasted trip: Winter Blitz is February 28, 2026. If you enjoy these updates and the community love, tap follow, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review—what are you building before the new date?
Your source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power Tools
SQUADRON
Adding to the stash since 1968
Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Give us your Feedback!
Rate the Show!
Support the Show!
Patreon
Buy Me a Beer
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.
Episode 131: When Passion is Lacking at the Bench + JB Disagrees with Rob Riv
All five of us have some great discussions around 2 central topics - "What do you do when you have Mojo, but can't seem to find the passion for your next project?" and JB disagrees with Rob Riv on the most important part of a model - the details of the build versus the finish of the build.
If you would like to become a Posse Outrider, and make a recurring monthly donation of $ 1 and up, visit us at www.patreon.com/plasticpossepodcast .
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Plastic Posse Podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP7O9C8b-rQx8JvxFKfG-Kw
Orion Paintworks (TJ): https://www.facebook.com/orionpaintworks
JB-Closet Modeler (JB): https://www.facebook.com/closetmodeler
Three Tens' Modelworks (Jensen): https://www.facebook.com/ThreeTensModelWorks
Rocky Mountain Expo: https://rockymtnhobbyexpo.com/
SPONSORS:
Tankraft: https://tankraft.com/
AK Interactive: https://ak-interactive.com/
Tamiya USA: https://www.tamiyausa.com/
Micro World Games: https://mwg-hobbies.com/
Bases By Bill: https://basesbybill.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoojwgAlnXwsJcB_SlYzeclVt9ZuIX3Fd18Ig9k5f4vyIYmihobb
Support the show
MGPC Ep. 115 Welcome to Season 6, and How’s ya Mojo?!
Welcome to Episode 115, and Season 6 of The Modelgeeks Podcast!
Happy 2026 to everybody! After our Christmas and holiday break we are ready to get back at it in front of the mics to talk models! We hope you enjoyed our mid break short episode drop from a couple of weeks ago. Now it’s time to get into another season of building, attending shows and bringing scale modeling content to your bench side.
In this episode we’ll cover what each of us have been up to model building wise…or not, as the case may be! “Mojo” with be a topic of discussion and how it, or the lack of it affects out time at the bench. We also visit with Mr. Jeffrey Kubiack of “Hypersonic Models” who brings us up to speed on the latest in shipping his products from his home base in Japan to his main customer base here in the U.S. Jeffrey also covers what Hypersonic has in store in new product development coming soon!
Take a seat, relax, and pull out a fresh kit, and let’s get Season 6 started!
Share your work with us and the rest of the scale modeling community through our web page, or through our Facebook community page. We love seeing other people’s work. Who knows who you may inspire through your latest masterpiece!
Modelgeeks web page:
Model Geeks Podcast
Facebook community:
…and of course you can email us at:
We also want to thank each of our sponsors for their support. We are very lucky to have their support. When you have the time, pay a visit to their web sites, and have a look at their fine products.
Sponsors:
If you're a wicked ModelGeek go check out the following links!
The Interesting Modeling Company
We are very fortunate to be able to join the scale modeling podcast community and are in the company of several other really GREAT podcasts. Hopefully, someday we’ll earn our wings and be able to keep up with those guys! Please check them all out at Scale Model Podcasts.
Blogs:
Model Geeks Podcast
2026... New Year, Fresh Bench: Episode 155
A slow start, a full heart, and a clear plan. We kick off 2026 by resetting our modeling habits, sharpening the skills that matter most, and putting dates on the calendar to turn ideas into finished work. HeritageCon is pulling us forward, but it’s the day-to-day that will make the difference: tighter bench time, better canopies, and bases that finish strong instead of phoning it in.
One photo sent us down a rabbit hole—captured Soviet armor at Kummersdorf with mysterious inventory rectangles. We trace similar markings across other vehicles and share why the rectangle’s color might be yellow, then ask armor specialists for hard provenance rather than AI guesses. That curiosity fuels the whole episode. The dojo keeps paying dividends, from canopy wax tips and stencil-cutter know-how to encouragement from modelers solving the same problems. We celebrate KitMask extending mojo30 for 30% off through HeritageCon and spotlight how small breaks in cost and friction can nudge more projects across the line.
We lay out our goals for the year. Aircraft need spotless canopies—polished clear parts, confident masking, and frames that sit sharp and true. Speed is focus: fewer distractions, more finishes without losing joy. Armor projects get a base upgrade with cleaner edges, smarter terrain transitions, and groundwork that complements the model instead of competing with it. On the adjacent front, we commit to mastering a Cameo stencil cutter for crisp markings and layered paint effects, and we push to launch phase two of our website so the community can learn and share even more.
On the bench, the Hellcat weathers the tiny-stencil storm, the Moosaroo rally build earns custom decals and a clever mixed-material interior, and the KV-85 stacks sub-assemblies toward primer. Our 2026 wish list is ambitious but grounded: MiniArt T-34/76 variants, a modern JSU-152, an early D3A1 Val, a 1/72 Privateer, and a 14-meter Daihatsu for Pacific dioramas. If you’ve got insight on Kummersdorf markings or a kit rumor we should track, jump in. Subscribe, share the show with a modeling friend, and leave a quick review—then tell us your top skill goal for 2026.
Adding to the stash since 1968
Model Paint Solutions
Your source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power Tools
Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Give us your Feedback!
Rate the Show!
Support the Show!
Patreon
Buy Me a Beer
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.
Built Sideways Podcast Season 6 Ep. 1: reacting to Discord hot takes!
Starting off 2026 with spice the guys react to hot takes posted on Discord on anything and everything scale modelling related...and maybe some not-so-much!
Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/aXFPjZDmCE
-
Check out our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/builtsidewayspodcast
-
This Episode is proudly sponsored by usagundamstore!
-
Hosts:
- Julio: @Clippinubs
- Brian: @Bro_Builder
- Pabz: @Chris_Pabz
- Kyle: @Clueless_Gunpla_Builder
- Z: @The_Old_Ronin
- Paul: @GunplaPaul
OTB After Dark: Best war movies ever
G'Day benchers....hello and welcome to a holiday special, where Dave, Riv and Whitey get into a gunfight over what are the top ten war movies of all time.
The Episode is strictly "R" rated and not suitable for young and delicate ears. So now that you have been warned...sit back and enjoy the show!
We will be back with the usual crew and episodes on January 31st 2026 after Dave gets back from his holiday.
Episode 130: Stephan Ortmanns + Winterblitz 2026 + Hobby Trends & Looking For Jensen...
Four of the five of us (Jensen is lost) are joined by Stephan Ortmanns, AKA Steve Builds Panzers. We discuss trends in the hobby, and rather than generic New Years resolutions we talk about specific skills or concepts we want to onboard during 2026. We also interview Brandon Jacob about the upcoming Winterblitz 2026 show which will be held Saturday, January 24 at the Museum of the American GI.
If you would like to become a Posse Outrider, and make a recurring monthly donation of $ 1 and up, visit us at www.patreon.com/plasticpossepodcast .
Plastic Posse Podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlasticPosse
Plastic Posse Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/302255047706269
Plastic Posse Podcast MERCH! : https://plastic-posse-podcast.creator-spring.com/
Plastic Posse Podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP7O9C8b-rQx8JvxFKfG-Kw
Orion Paintworks (TJ): https://www.facebook.com/orionpaintworks
JB-Closet Modeler (JB): https://www.facebook.com/closetmodeler
Three Tens' Modelworks (Jensen): https://www.facebook.com/ThreeTensModelWorks
Rocky Mountain Expo: https://rockymtnhobbyexpo.com/
SPONSORS:
Tankraft: https://tankraft.com/
AK Interactive: https://ak-interactive.com/
Tamiya USA: https://www.tamiyausa.com/
Micro World Games: https://mwg-hobbies.com/
Bases By Bill: https://basesbybill.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoojwgAlnXwsJcB_SlYzeclVt9ZuIX3Fd18Ig9k5f4vyIYmihobb
Winter Blitz Show: https://winter-blitz.com/
Support the show
PMM Twelve Minute Modelsphere: January 2026
A fresh year deserves a fresh bench. We kick off 2026 by trading the “dark time” for bright, practical momentum: a clearer plan for January, two focused releases on the calendar, and an open invite to help shape what comes next. We look back at five years of recording and realize the best thing we built isn’t an episode catalog—it’s a thriving community that keeps growing and teaching each other every week.
First up, we outline episode 155, where we get specific about what progress looks like this year: realistic build goals, smarter habits at the bench, and small changes that add up to more finished kits. Then we preview episode 156, a Shop Talk with our friend Jim Bates, who brings hard-earned insight on modeling and life. Expect candid updates, practical tips, and a few topics we’ll hammer out before the mics go live so the conversation stays tight and useful.
We also open the door for clubs and show runners. If your group has an event coming in February, throw your hat in for our Show Spotlight. The earlier you reach out, the better we can tell your story and help more modelers find your tables, vendors, and categories. On the community front, the Plastic Model Dojo just crossed 5,600 members and keeps climbing. Join for WIPs, product tips, new releases, and the kind of encouragement that gets you to the finish line. If your post gets stuck in spam, ping us—we’ll get it unlocked. And keep the listener mail coming; questions and hot takes help us steer future segments toward what you care about.
Ready to trade resolutions for results? Hit play, join the Dojo, pitch your club’s show, and tell us what kit you’re starting. If you enjoy the pod, follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review so more builders can find us.
Your source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power Tools
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
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Give us your Feedback!
Rate the Show!
Support the Show!
Patreon
Buy Me a Beer
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.
MGPC Special Episode #4, 2025 Recap and our "Kits of the Year"
Show Outline:
"HAPPY NEW YEAR" Geeks!! Welcome to another Special Episode of the Modelgeeks Podcast! Nemo leads the way with entire MGPC Gang discussing our highlights from 2025, what we look forward to in 2026, and what we feel were worthy selections as "Kit of the Year".
2025 was an awesome year for the Geeks. So many incredible show, models, and experiences. Above all, our favorite part of 2025 was the people! Yeap, if it wasn't for all you Geeks out there, this podcast just wouldn't be where it is today. So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you all so much for an awesome 2025 and here's to an even better 2026!!
Also, a huge thanks to all that have submitted gallery pics and followed us on social media. Please keep the pics and email coming. Lastly, we will have more Patreon give-aways in 2026. Our Sponsors have loaded up the Geeks with awesome goodies, so come 2026, you'll see more kits given away!
Contact the Geeks:
If you can't make it to the shows then you can still interact with us through social media, Facebook, Instagram, email, and our new website.
contact@modelgeekspodcast.com
Make sure you check out our group / community on Facebook:
The ModelGeeks Model Shack
***NEW MODELGEEKS WEBSITE!!!!***
Please check out our new website!! www.modelgeekspodcast.com
Links to Episodes, “Meet the Geeks”, What's on our Bench, Listener Gallery, and some Gee-Dunk! Email us pics of your completed models and we’ll place them in the Listener Gallery. We want to see what’s on your bench.
Modelgeeks Sponsors:
When you have the time, pay a visit to their web sites, and have a look at their fine products.
Tamiya USA, Furball Aero-Design, Detail and Scale, Sprue Brothers, LionHeart Hobby, Bases by Bill, Hypersonic Models, Matters of Scale, and Kotare Models!
Fellow Podcasts:
We are very fortunate to be a part of the scale modeling podcast community and are in the company of several other amazing modeling podcasts. Hopefully, someday we’ll earn our podcast wings and be able to keep up with those guys! Please check them out at Scale Model Podcasts.
Blogs:
The Kit Box
Sprue Pie with Frets
Matters of Scale
Model Airplane Maker
Inch High Guy
Support the show via Patreon.
Support the show via PayPal.
Thank You’s!!
Hope you enjoy our 2025 Recap Special Episode #4. Thanks again to all the Geeks out there. Be excellent to each other and get out there and build something!
-Out from the Geeks!
Model Geeks Podcast
Model Geeks Podcast
Year-End Mojo: Models, Moves, And Memories: Episode 154
A good year in modeling doesn’t happen by accident. It grows out of small bench wins, a few brave skill pushes, and the friends who show up at the right time. We wrap 2025 with a clear-eyed look at what worked, what changed, and how to carry that energy into 2026—plus a rich conversation with Australia’s own Paul Gloster on moving his entire modeling life across states without losing momentum.
We start with holiday check-ins, realistic bench talk, and the simple joy of a new tool that actually solves a problem. From there, we dig into the skills that moved the needle this year: sharper re-engraving, cleaner canopies, tighter scratchbuilding, and just enough 3D printing to expand what’s possible. Then we head into travel and community. Four days at the IPMS National Convention changes your modeling in ways a two-day show can’t—deeper seminars, patient conversations, and the kind of learning that sticks. It’s where “model friends” become friends, and where you can see a kit built before it lands in your shop.
Paul’s segment is a masterclass in keeping mojo alive during a move. He shows how to triage a stash, protect finished builds with foam and tubs, and assemble a small, reachable “twelve-kit shortlist” that keeps you building while the new bench comes together. He catalogs tools by role, keeps a “desert-island” core set handy, and ensures references are within reach so progress doesn’t stall. If you’re searching for how to move built models, how to store unbuilt kits long-term, or how to set up a temporary modeling bench, you’ll leave with a proven plan.
We also riff on the kit news that made 2025 pop: Fine Molds’ Zeros and F-104s, Tamiya’s 1/72 F-14, Rye Field’s JS-2, and Arma’s incoming 1/72 Me 262. More than eye candy, these releases give modelers fresh canvases—better engineering, great markings, and subjects that reward both clean builds and heavy weathering.
If you’re plotting your own 2026, here’s our take: set one or two honest goals, pick a some that stretch you, and build the bench you want to return to. The rest follows. Enjoy the episode, share it with a modeling friend, and help someone new find their groove.
If you had a favorite kit reveal or a skill breakthrough in 2025, tell us about it. And if this resonated, please follow, rate, and leave a short review—it helps more modelers find the show.
Your source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power Tools
SQUADRON
Adding to the stash since 1968
Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Give us your Feedback!
Rate the Show!
Support the Show!
Patreon
Buy Me a Beer
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.
OTB 229: Goodbye 2025
Last episode for the year.......the boys chat about what plans they have for 2026 and dive into a very large mailbag.
Thank you all for your wonderful support this year and we will see you in January 2026!
Built Sideways Podcast Season 5 Ep. 18: FESTIVUS 2025!
Its that time of the year once more! Joined by @GunplaPaul we air our grievances over the past 12 months and look forward with as much hope as we can squeeze out of our brains! This is a spicy one for sure!
Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/aXFPjZDmCE
-
Check out our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/builtsidewayspodcast
-
This Episode is proudly sponsored by usagundamstore!
-
Hosts:
- Julio: @Clippinubs
- Brian: @Bro_Builder
- Pabz: @Chris_Pabz
- Kyle: @Clueless_Gunpla_Builder
- Z: @The_Old_Ronin
- Paul: @GunplaPaul
Texas Kicks Off Model Season: January Model Show Spotlight
Texas decided January should belong to scale modelers, and we’re not arguing. We map out two can’t‑miss events—Model Fiesta in New Braunfels and Winter Blitz in College Station—so you can plan builds, book time, and show up ready. From streamlined online registration to judging formats that respect your effort and schedule, this is a practical guide wrapped in pure hobby energy.
We start with Model Fiesta on January 3, hosted by the Alamo Chapter, where clear rules, posted scoring sheets, and an open gold‑silver‑bronze system set a fair stage. Display‑only builders get real love too, with sponsor‑selected special awards that include a Cold War theme, People’s Choice, aerospace, vehicles, sci‑fi, and more. The vendor hall is nearly full—about 140 tables—so expect plenty of aftermarket, kits, and tools, plus a handy location with food nearby. The website makes everything simple: download forms, pay online, and walk in ready.
ModelFiesta
Then we head to Winter Blitz on January 24 at the Museum of the American GI, a venue where restored Shermans and half‑tracks share space with your entries. It’s armor‑centric, fast, and focused: doors at nine, judging by noon, medals on the table, and a short ceremony spotlighting 16 Best Of categories and the sponsors who make it happen. This year’s theme celebrates military support vehicles, and the Tank of the Year target is the 38T in any variant—bring your Hetzer or Marder and go for it. New categories—Brown water Navy, Landing Craft, Helicopters, a P‑47 challenge, and MaschinenKrieger—open the door for more builders without diluting the armor vibe. There’s a Friday soft open for early drop‑off and a group dinner at Tad’s Louisiana Cooking to turn logistics into community.
We also talk Hall of Fame honors for past Best of Show winners, vendors, and a weather policy that keeps the show on unless ice shuts the roads. If you’ve been looking for a reason to finish that support truck, dust off a 38T, or finally paint a P‑47, January in Texas is your cue.
WinterBlitz 2026
Subscribe, share this with your build group, and leave a review with the model you’re bringing—who’s ready to roll?
Adding to the stash since 1968
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Episode 129: Happy Holidays 2025 + Special Guest Evan McCallum (Panzermeister36)
Four of the five of us (We lost JB to his job) have a Holiday chat about... you guessed it - scale modeling! Evan McCallum AKA Panzermeister joins us for the fun and we talk about our year in review, and Evan Challenges us to recall a model we finished years in the past that has held up to our current standards, and why? We also get some TJ Rants about Star Wars along the way at no extra cost to you!
Thanks for another great year for the Plastic Posse, Year 5 and still going strong. We appreciate each of you out there in the Posse that makes this all possible. We wish each and every one of you a Happy Holidays for 2025.
If you would like to become a Posse Outrider, and make a recurring monthly donation of $ 1 and up, visit us at www.patreon.com/plasticpossepodcast .
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From Listener Mail To 2026 Plans: A Scale Modeling Year In Review
A surprising theme ran through the last part of our year: when modelers stop chasing perfect and start building what they truly love, everything clicks. Your letters proved it. We heard from builders paring down stashes, organizing tools, and finally tackling “someday” subjects with less guilt and more momentum. That energy shaped our own workbenches too—methodical planning, smarter jigs, and reliable materials turned tricky steps into repeatable wins. Think KV-85 intake screens built with a custom jig, CA used with intention, Mr. Surfacer and thinner cleaning up seams before weathering could ruin them, and decals that go down right the first time.
We also talk practical stash strategy. New kits will always tempt us, so here’s what works: trade up when the upgrade arrives, and keep a short list of builds you can actually start. We’ve locked in a tight plan for 2026: an early jet like the Meteor F.1, a buddy build of the HE 162, a quirky Panzerwerfer 42 on the Maultier, and a focused approach to finishing what’s already close. Along the way we share community hacks you’ll use tomorrow—holographic craft vinyl for prismatic optics, ultra-thin PLA paper alternatives, and the magic of a simple paint inventory app that removes friction at decision time.
We wrestle with do-overs too. When is it worth rebuilding a past project, and when should the lesson travel to a new subject? The answer depends on joy. If a vignette still speaks to you, rebuild it with better kits and skills. If not, apply the learning forward and keep moving. That mindset powered our favorite listener stories this year, from club exhibition formats to seeing a dusty stash kit reborn by a friend. It’s the community at its best—sharing tips, swapping kits, and cheering each other to the finish line.
If you’re in a dark time, start small. Fifteen minutes on oil weathering, a single jigged subassembly, a quick decal session with a brand you trust. Momentum beats perfection every time. Subscribe, share with a modeling friend, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then tell us: what’s the first kit you’re starting in 2026?
Tamiya PLA Paper - Super thin styrene sheet material
Adding to the stash since 1968
Model Paint Solutions
Your source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power Tools
Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Give us your Feedback!
Rate the Show!
Support the Show!
Patreon
Buy Me a Beer
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.