For modelers who've ever stood in front of the aftermarket display with credit card in hand knowing they should walk away but simply can't, this episode is your support group. We welcome Bob "The Voice of Bob" Bair to the third chair, and immediately dive into his current Tamiya P-38 build—a project that's gradually transformed from a straightforward kit into a showcase of just about every aftermarket part available. The conversation takes a sharp turn into the evolving world of online modeling ...
Jul 21, 2025•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 144
Scale modeling in Japan exists in an entirely different dimension—where subway stations host free model building events, highway rest stops sell Tamiya kits, and every other child seems to know their way around plastic cement. On this episode, we're joined by acclaimed modeler Harvey Low, who recently returned from an extended trip to Japan where he experienced the famous Shizuoka Hobby Show, Tokyo's legendary hobby shops, and the unique modeling culture that permeates Japanese society. Harvey s...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 143
Tired of the frustration that comes with masking canopies? You're not alone. This episode kicks off with an introduction to Kit Masx , a company born from the simple truth that "manually masking canopies sucks." Founded by Kevin and Janelle, this modeling business now offers over 400 precision-cut mask sets, with Kevin personally testing each one multiple times to ensure perfect fits. The best part? If you reach out, you're talking directly to the owners—real modelers who understand your challen...
Jul 01, 2025•11 min
From logistics nightmares to groundbreaking special editions, Brandon Lowe takes us behind the scenes of Squadron's evolution into a new era for model enthusiasts. After logging countless miles between trade shows and completing their tenth move in twenty years, Squadron has finally settled into their Chattanooga headquarters, transforming their operation and expanding their customer offerings. The relocation story reveals why shipping logistics became the primary driver behind Squadron's move. ...
Jun 22, 2025•42 min
What truly makes this hobby special? Is it the kits, the techniques, or something deeper? Today we explore how the human connections in scale modeling often become more meaningful than the models themselves. Kentucky Dave shares touching stories about celebrating a fellow modeler's retirement and another's first home purchase—reminders that our "model sphere" extends far beyond the workbench. We dive into a thought-provoking discussion about modeling legacies after helping liquidate a deceased m...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 142
Summer has officially arrived in the modeling world, and with it comes a fresh update from the Plastic Model Mojo team. This month's 12-Minute Model Sphere takes listeners through the bustling halls of Wonderfest, now bigger than ever before. Cars packed every available space around the convention hotel as record numbers of modelers and enthusiasts gathered to celebrate their craft. The model room was nothing short of spectacular, featuring creations that Kentucky Dave describes as "stopping you...
Jun 05, 2025•12 min
What would your ideal modeling workspace look like? It's the question that haunts modelers everywhere as we struggle with overflowing stashes, cluttered benches, and the constant shuffle of moving one project to make room for another. In this episode, we welcome back Panzermeister36 (Evan McCallum) to explore the challenges of creating and maintaining an organized modeling environment. Evan kicks things off with a fascinating firsthand account of his recent trip to the Moson Show in Hungary, whe...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 141
When Kevin Hedrich noticed a serious gap in the modeling market, he knew exactly what to do. "Manually masking canopies sucks," he explains bluntly, "and somebody had to step in to save those countless kits from the shelf of doom." That's how KitMasx was born—a specialized business creating precision-cut canopy masks for scale model aircraft. What makes KitMasx unique in the modeling world isn't just their quality products, but their focus on overlooked kits. While many manufacturers rush to cre...
May 16, 2025•18 min
What happens when a lifetime of collecting ends without a plan? Kentucky Dave shares a moving story about rescuing an extraordinary military history library from destruction after its owner passed away. The massive collection, facing the prospect of being pulped after nine months of unsuccessful liquidation, sparked an emergency rescue mission that filled Dave's car to the point of affecting its handling. This sobering experience serves as a powerful reminder to all collectors: organize your pos...
May 06, 2025•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 140
Precision masks, Derby talk, and exciting convention plans fill this episode as we welcome our newest sponsor! KIT MASX joins the Model Building Mojo team with their innovative solution to one of modeling's most frustrating challenges - canopy masking. Learn how this modeler-owned company is saving countless kits from the dreaded "shelf of doom" with over 400 precision-cut masking sets and a customer-first approach. New customers can use code MOJO15 for 15% off their first order! May brings Kent...
May 02, 2025•13 min
What happens when scale modeling becomes historical detective work? Jake McKee joins us to share his extraordinary journey creating an historically accurate 1:35 scale Clubmobile—a converted GMC truck that brought donuts, coffee, and a touch of home to WWII soldiers near the frontlines. This isn't just any modeling project. McKee walks us through the challenges of researching these vehicles that largely disappeared after the war, requiring him to piece together fragmentary evidence from archives...
Apr 22, 2025•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 139
A rmor modeling enthusiasts, mark your calendars! In this deep-dive conversation with Neil Stokes, newly elected President of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society (AMPS) , we unveil everything you need to know about the upcoming AMPS International Convention taking place May 15-17, 2025, at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania . Neal shares details about what promises to be their biggest show yet, with approximately 700 competition models expected and over 110 vendor tables al...
Apr 16, 2025•25 min
W hen modelers gather to talk shop, magic happens. This episode pairs hosts Mike and Kentucky Dave with special guest Jeff Groves (the Inch High Guy) for an enlightening conversation that dives deep into the beating heart of the scale modeling hobby. F resh from attending the Roscoe Turner show in Indianapolis, Jeff shares his experience at one of the region's premier modeling events, sparking a candid discussion about the current state of model contests. The trio examines trends in vendor behav...
Apr 07, 2025•2 hr 8 min•Ep. 138
T he gentle shift from winter to spring brings more than just pollen-dusted cars and blooming trees to the modeling world—it signals the arrival of regional show season. In this April update, we recount our recent adventure to Heritage Con, which we expanded this year to include trips to Detroit and the Michigan Toy Soldier shop before the main event. H eritage Con continues to hit the sweet spot for model enthusiasts. The perfect mix of vendors, the electric atmosphere, and the manageable size ...
Apr 01, 2025•11 min
T he modeling community comes alive in this episode as Mike and Kentucky Dave return from Heritage Con at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, where connections proved even more valuable than the contests and vendors. Their journey to the Great White North yielded far more than just additions to their stash – it rekindled that irreplaceable modeling spirit that comes from face-to-face interactions with fellow enthusiasts. L isteners will discover the power of in-person events as our hosts shar...
Mar 30, 2025•2 hr 11 min•Ep. 137
T he unmistakable energy of model show season pulses through the latest Plastic Model Mojo episode as we journey from coast to coast exploring two major spring modeling events. Our cross-country virtual tour begins in sunny Florida with Don Buerger of the Pelican Model Club, who shares details about their upcoming April 26th show near Tampa. D on walks us through the evolution of Pelican 2025, highlighting their shift to the increasingly popular gold-silver-bronze judging format where models are...
Mar 20, 2025•40 min
W hat makes the modeling community so special? In this engaging episode, Mike and Kentucky Dave explore the bonds that form when scale modelers connect beyond their workbenches. After sharing updates about plumbing troubles and work challenges that impact their hobby time (and budget!), the conversation shifts to exciting news about HeritageCon, where modeling friends from across the US and Canada will converge. Mike's unexpected schedule change means he'll make the event after all, leading to p...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 136
S pring brings excitement and an urge to connect within the modeling community while preparing for upcoming shows. Our reflections lead to discussions that resonate both personally and collectively, focusing on how our workspaces impact our creativity and interactions. • Conversations about the arrival of spring and the excitement of model shows • Personal experiences shared from the Columbus event and its significance • Engaging with the community through shared experiences and workspace photos...
Mar 03, 2025•12 min
W hat happens when winter weather in Kentucky meets the Plastic Model Mojo crew? We dive into the challenges of maintaining our modeling schedules amidst the chill and share our excitement for the upcoming model show season, including a much-anticipated trip to Columbus, and for the Moosaroo Cup. O ur mailbag is buzzing with some great listener mail, like one from Rock Rozak at Detail and Scale about their release of the P-51 Mustang book series, or a short discussion on decluttering, inspired b...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 135
J oin us for a captivating look into the fabulous show HeritageCon , as we welcome Duncan Young, Robyn Germann, and Bernie Hack from the Hamilton Club to share insights about this year's exciting event. D iscover the magic behind HeritageCon, held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario, where the atmosphere is as electric as the passion of its participants. Bernie spills the beans on the revamped registration process, allowing model lovers to exhibit their entire collectio...
Feb 18, 2025•21 min
E ver wondered how the unpredictable February weather could influence your scale modeling passion? Join us as we share our personal journeys, from Dave's mixed feelings about deadlines and new website launches to my reflections on future plans for 2025. Discover what keeps us motivated as modelers, how we use our creative fluids—whether that's a splash of bourbon or a refreshing soda—and the excitement that surrounds our community events and feedback from fellow enthusiasts. With each story, we ...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 134
W hat if your hobby could connect you to a vibrant community and enhance your creativity like never before? Discover how our brand-new website, www.plasticmodelmojo.com , to revolutionize your modeling experience. We've officially launched this exciting platform, transitioning from our previous site to create a more dynamic and visually appealing hub for enthusiasts like you. Thanks to the incredible support from our community through Patreon, PayPal, and Buy Me a Coffee, we've built a digital s...
Feb 07, 2025•4 min
D espite the January snow throwing a wrench in our Chattanooga plans, the excitement is palpable as we hope to have PMM presence at the Columbus' model show. M ike and Dave gear up for "Shop Talk" for episode 134, tackling a couple of modeling related topics, as well as a journal topic from Steve Anderson's "A Guided Journal for Modelers". Meanwhile for episode 135, Mark Copeland from the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force joins us to bridge the fascinating worlds of modeling and mil...
Feb 03, 2025•12 min
C elebrate the art of scale modeling with Mike and Kentucky Dave as we dive into the joys and challenges of this intricate hobby. From recent modeling accomplishments to the excitement of upcoming events like HeritageCon, our conversation promises a blend of personal stories and hobby insights. Despite the bittersweet end of the pro football season, we share moments of camaraderie and passion that this creative pursuit brings into our lives. Get an update on our website's progress, reminisce abo...
Jan 28, 2025•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 133
D ave Mason, of the Mid-Michigan Model Makers, joins us for a fascinating look into the world of February model shows, particularly the much-anticipated 4M Model Mayhem event at Saginaw Valley State University. We promise you'll gain a deeper understanding of the event's rich offerings, from the evolution of judging systems to the broadening categories now including Gundam and gaming miniatures. Despite the potential for snowy weather in northern Michigan, Dave assures us of the club's knack for...
Jan 19, 2025•22 min
H ow does one keep the creative juices flowing amidst life's interruptions? As we kick off the new year on Plastic Model Mojo, Mike battles a kidney stone, while they both grapple with snowstorms, seeking to keep their modeling passion ignited. Listen in as Kentucky Dave and Mike sip on fine bourbons like Russell’s Reserve 10 year, and Rabbit Hole Dareringer, sharing personal stories of perseverance and our excitement for future projects. From the highs and lows of model building to the vibrant ...
Jan 13, 2025•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 132
E ver wondered how staying local for the holidays can bring unexpected joy? This January, we're reflecting on the warmth of family gatherings without the stress of travel and how it sets a positive tone for the New Year's modeling adventures. Join us as we gear up for the Chattanooga Model Con and Winter Blitz 2025 in Texas, promising excitement for model enthusiasts everywhere. Our upcoming episodes are packed with insights, including a fascinating chat with Steve Anderson about his guided jour...
Jan 03, 2025•11 min
W hat if the secret to mastering model building lies in embracing the journey rather than the destination? Join us as we reminisce about the highs and lows of 2024, a year filled with camaraderie, creativity, and countless shows where we connected with our amazing listeners. Enjoying a Dr. Pepper and Boatswain American IPA, we toast to the joy this hobby has brought us, even when our projects didn't quite make it to the finish line. We share personal stories from our modeling adventures, reflect...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 131
J oin us, along with Ben Gibby from the Chattanooga Scale Modelers, who gives us an insider's look into the much-anticipated Chattanooga ModelCon. Scheduled for January 10th and 11th at the Chattanooga Convention Center, this two-day extravaganza is the perfect post-holiday treat for modeling enthusiasts. With a gold, silver, and bronze open judging system and a bustling array of vendors, the event promises to be a must-attend for anyone looking to kick off the model show season with style and c...
Dec 24, 2024•35 min
W hat if the holiday season didn't mean putting your passion projects on pause? Join us as we share our tales of juggling festive obligations with our modeling mojo. While Kentucky Dave braves the chaos of Christmas chores, from shopping sprees to tree decorating, he still carves out time for his beloved hobby. Meanwhile, Mike is fired up about a workshop makeover inspired by Chris Wallace's brilliant space, dreaming up new shelving and a multifunctional table. And wouldn't you know it, he stumb...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 130
