Model of the Year Contenders
Model of the Year contenders are those who won Best of Show throughout the year. Please refer to the Model of the Year (MOY) page on this website for the full list.
Articles/Reviews
New Airfix Bf-109G in 1/24
This impressive 1:24 scale model comes with extensive build options:
- Model can be built with or without the fully detailed DB605 engine.
- Engine cowlings and oil cooler can be posed in open or closed position
- Choice of two types of engine cowlings (MTT and Erla)
- Canopy can be posed open or closed (two canopy types included)
- Additional engine and cockpit parts included for G-5 (pressurised cockpit version)
- Optional 300l fuel tank and wing cannon “Gondolas”
- Ailerons, elevators and rudder can be offset to add life to the model.
- Radiator and wing flap position can be customised
- Many optional parts to suit specific aircraft builds, such as rudder pedals, gunsights, trim wheels, instrument panels, undercarriage wheels/tyres and windscreens
- Detailed nose armament with machine guns, gun mounts and ammunition boxes included
- Slide moulding used to allow the capture of fine detail on engine cowlings, fuselage, exhausts and gun barrels
Osprey Wild Tail Art
Unfortunate news for VMM-268 at MCAS Kanehoe, HI, as their command staff just got fired. Doubly unfortunate as they happen to have some of coolest tail art in the U.S. military. Check out how the serial number and aircraft number are painted on the surfboard.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/marines-fire-entire-command-osprey-151740912.html
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/marine-corps-osprey-paint-job-endless-summer/
UK Model Airplane Factory
Interesting Facebook reel from the late 1950s or early 1960s about a model airplane works in the UK. Impressive craftsmanship.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17RhqzWXy5/
Also attached, an image of a FROG model van from the same period used to service their flying model team.
“Showtime 100” Build
Build of “Showtime 100” for the USAF Academy Aces Gallery
By Mike Blohm
This article covers my build of the F-4J Phantom II “Showtime 100” flown by Lt Randall “Duke” Cunningham and Lt JG Willaim “Willie” Driscoll for my Aces Gallery Model Display at the USAF Academy, Colorado. “Showtime 100” was the F-4J they flew during their three aerial victories sortie on May 10, 1972 that made them the only US Navy aces in the Viet Nam War.
Casey Rupley recently posted an article on the August 27, 2025 passing of Cunningham with a link to his obituary, and talked about “Showtime 100” and the multitude of kits that had been issued with the markings of that aircraft. To add-on to his posting, I thought that I would write an article on my “Showtime 100” build and invite other ASM members to send Casey pictures of their own builds as well, as a tribute to “Duke” Cunningham.
My build used the 1/72 Monogram F-4J kit and after-market “Showtime 100” markings by Yellowhammer Models #HYD 72002, and was constructed 24 years ago in September, 2001. Colors used were likely Model Master FS 16440 Light Gull Gray on the upper surface and FS 17875 Insignia White on the bottom (I miss that paint line). The four Mk 20 Rockeye munitions that they carried on that sortie were sourced from a Hasegawa 1/72 Aircraft Weapons set. These were mounted on the shoulder stations (left and right side) of each Triple Ejector Rack (TER) with the center (lower) stations empty. Four AIM-9 Sidewinders, two AIM-7 Sparrows in the aft wells, and a centerline bag were also in the load-out. The two outer pylons were empty. Overall, the kit was a nice build, and it has been my choice for multiple F-4C, F-4D, and F-4J projects.
Pictures of “Showtime 100” are included below, including a jpeg of the biography of Cunningham and Driscoll and the location of the model in the display next to Steve Ritchie and Chuck DeBellevue’s F-4D “OY-463.” I am building Jeff Feinstein’s F-4D and hope to get that done soon. There are currently about 175 American ace’s models and biographies in the display.
Throwback Advertising
How model airplane advertising was done in the old days – it would be fun to see if this could be updated for today’s hobby.
Black Widow Modeling
Black Widow Modeling buys estate lots of model kits and resells them. It’s open on Saturday mornings to the modeling public. It’s located in Del City, OK, which is in the SE area of Oklahoma City, near Tinker AFB. Although an eight-hour drive from ABQ it might be worth a look if you’re in the area, on the right day and time…
Randy Cunningham Obituary
Randy Cunningham, the famed naval aviator from the Vietnam War and the U.S. Navy’s last fighter ace, passed away on August 27th, 2025. His service career is covered in this obituary from the Aviation Geek Club.
His jet ace status made his F-4J Phantom II “Showtime 100” a popular modeling subject; his jet graced many kit box tops and model shelves. Most airplane modelers tackled his jet as a modeling project at least once and his fighter plane is arguably the most popular jet subject of all time.
Fair winds and following seas, Commander…
Model Handling Models
Original Caption: San Diego, CA, June 3rd 1968. General Dynamics employee Toni Taura with models of Atlas and Centaur rockets and F-102 and F-106 interceptors.
