Victor Maestas
| ASM Member Since: | 1996 |
| Division: | Masters |
| Day Job: | Mechanical Engineer designing flight and gunner simulators |
| Online Profiles: | (none) |
| Modeler of the Year Winner: | Yes |
| Model of the Year Winner: | Yes |
| E-Board (current/past): |
President (2011) |
Background
How/when did you get started?
My first model was when I was about 7 or 8. My dad was building a model replica of his ’67 Corvette and I wanted to help. I got a Starship Enterprise to work on. Ever since and when I can, that’s how I like to spend my free time. Working on models was always a way to keep me busy as a kid and then later during HS and College, it was a nice to do something different during breaks or between semesters. Now it is something different from my usual and lets me recharge.
What do you like to build?
Machines. Larger scale mostly (aircraft, cars, spacecraft, Sci-fi) with the occasional figure. I like to avoid getting in a rut by changing subjects and scales for each new build. I very rarely build the same twice in a row (props vs jets vs helicopters, shiny vs matte, armor vs cars, big scale vs small scale) and I am one of those finish-what-I’ve-started-before-starting-something-else modelers.
How many models have you built?
150 or so.
Bench
What are your favorite tools?
Other than basic snips and sanding sticks, a good folding tool makes a huge difference when doing photoetch!
What are your favorite paints?
Alclad and Tamiya Silver Leaf for natural metal finishes and used to be primarily Model Master Enamels, but now that the world has ended, I’m still using up my stocks, then I’ll have to figure that out!
What is your airbrush of choice?
I have several Iwata airbrushes, but the workhorse is a Revolution CR that just keeps working and working!
Stash Management
What’s your favorite build?
1/32 NMF B-25G in custom warbird markings. I tried a bunch of new techniques with this model including several different shades of Alclad metal and home-made artwork on printed decals! …and it took a first place at a Nationals!
What’s your dream build?
My on-going theme is to build a model of every simulator subject I have worked on or “flown”. So far, I have about a dozen, but more than a dozen to go!
How large is your pile of shame (unbuilt kits)?
More than I can finish in this lifetime! Don’t even do the math, it doesn’t reconcile!
How many models do you build a year on average?
In a good year about 10, lately 2 or three
Do you have a build horror story, accident, or mistake that haunts you?
Knocking over a bottle of liquid solvent glue all over a bunch of parts on my bench.
Accolades
Do you compete outside of ASM contests?
Some firsts and placings at Regionals (ChileCon II, III and IV) and Nationals (2010, 2013, 2018, 2021) and at the NM State Fair.
Have you been published in a trade magazine (picture or article)?
No.
What’s your biggest accomplishment in modeling?
Building a gift model for a veteran and building a diorama for a F-105 Thud reunion/conference and having it end up in a museum.
Anything else to add?
The biggest influence on improving my skills has been interacting with other members at the club meetings. Everyone will share their techniques and building “secrets”, just ask! It’s also good to share with others at the meetings; something obvious to you may be a new discovery for another member. Also being involved in judging will really hit home on what judges look for and will put a focus on things to watch for when building something for a contest.
Over the years, I have been involved in the organization of the club including Pro-Tem member, President and a couple of stints as Contest Director. Some of these are more work than others, but it is fun and satisfying to help influence the direction and well-being of the club by having a hand in running things!
