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2025 New Mexico State Fair – Contest Details
State Fair dates: September 4-14, 2025
Entry Dates: Friday and Saturday, August 22-23, 9:00am-5:00pm
Pickup Dates: Tuesday, September 16, 9:00am-4:00pm
Entry Fee: $5.00 per entrant (not model)
Rules
- Exhibitor must construct all models.
- Entries from past NM State Fairs, not allowed.
- Entries are to be entered in specific class otherwise, enter in miscellaneous class #14.
- One entry per exhibitor per class.
- Classification and acceptance of entries will be at the discretion of officials. Judges may reclassify entries if needed.
- Judges will determine qualification or disqualification of any entry in question.
- Entry tags will not be tied to item.
- Models and diorama bases not to exceed 15”x 20” or 300” sq. Space for large models is limited.
- Display of large models will be at the discretion of officials.
- All ribbon winners will be displayed.
- Non-ribbon exhibits will be displayed as space permits.
- Quality is emphasized and entries are judged by workmanship, scale authenticity, finish and presentation.
- Precautions are taken for the safety of all entries, but in no case, will the New Mexico State Fair, the state of New Mexico, employees, contractors or volunteers be held liable for the loss or damages to any entry while in the Fair’s possession. Participants are encouraged to carry their own insurance.
- Participant recognizes that marketing of the Fair and its grounds requires use of photography and video. Participant hereby expressly grants to the Fair the irrevocable, assignable right and license to take, use and publish participant images and work without the need for any other approval. Images and work will not be used for profit.
- Participants are responsible for picking up their own work or provide written authorization for pick-up by another individual.
- NEW: Work must be picked up Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 9:00am – 4:00pm. Any work remaining on the Fairgrounds after this date will be considered abandoned and shall become the property of the NM State Fair to be disposed of at its discretion.
Sections
Section 471 Youth (11 years and under)
Section 472 Senior Youth (12-17 years of age)
Section 473 Adult (18 years and over)
Section 474 Professional (More than 5 years experience)
NOTE: ASM members in the Masters and Intermediate Divisions are required to enter models in Section 474: Professional.
Classes
- Aircraft, Jet – Large scale – 1/48 scale & larger
- Aircraft, Jet – Small scale – 1/72 scale & smaller
- Aircraft, Non-Jet – Large scale – 1/48 scale & larger
- Aircraft, Non-Jet – Small scale – 1/72 scale & smaller
- Diorama – Miniature scene, wholly or partially three-dimensional, depicting model in a naturalistic and realistic setting
- Flying Models, including flying rockets
- Helicopters – Jet & Non-Jet, all scales
- Military Vehicles – Fully tracked – large scale – 1/35 scale & larger
- Military Vehicles – Fully tracked – small scale – 1/48 scale & smaller
- Military Vehicles & Equipment – Non tracked & Halftracks – small scale – 1/48 scale & smaller
- Military Vehicles & Equipment – Non tracked & Half tracks – large scale – 1/35 scale & larger
- Miniature Figure – Single footed or Mounted figure
- Miniature Figure Vignette – Maximum of 3 related human, animal or equipment figures, no vehicles
- Miscellaneous – none of the above
- Powered Ships
- Sailing Ships & Oared Ships
- Science Fiction/Fantasy Figures – included Anime, Gundams, Robotech
- Science Fiction; science Fiction/Fantasy Spacecraft and Terrestrial Crafts; and Real (actual) Spacecraft; etc. Excludes figures.
- Wood Models: models assembled or built of wood from pre-cut/laser-cut kits
- Paper Models: models built of paper or card stock, paperboard, or foam from kits or scratch-built.
- 3D Metal Models: models built or assembled from pre-cut metal kits
Ribbon Awards
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Best of Show – Rosette
Note: Best of Show will be awarded only in classes where there are three (3) or more entries.
2024 Air Force Anniversary Ball
ASM Model Display at the 2024 Air Force Ball
By Mike Blohm
ASM conducted a model display at the 77th Air Force Ball that was held on Saturday, September 28th at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque. This was ASM’s sixth display at the AF Ball event and this year’s display was terrific. The event celebrates the anniversary of the US Air Force becoming a separate service on September 18, 1947. Our display themes were “USAF 1947 to the Present” and “Why We Exist,” which was the theme of the event.
For our set-up we had six large tables in two groups of three (probably 36 total feet) and we displayed 115 total models, a new record for an AF Ball event. We brought 32 tubs and boxes of models that filled two vans, and we used just about everything we brought. We were located in the event ballroom against the back wall of the room facing the stage, and the attendees all passed by the display as they lined up to purchase beverages at each end of the back wall. So we had lots of lookers and discussions with the attendees. See pictures 1-9.
With all the table space available, we were able to better separate things into groupings than in previous displays. See pictures posted below which run left end to right end. On the three left tables (pics 16-25) we had: the Korean War, the “What’s in the Box?” display (P-51B kit’s sprues), Vietnam War/Southeast Asia, Air Defense Command including the Bomarc SAM, Strategic Air Command including cruise missiles, IRBMs, and ICBMs, and the Military Airlift Command/Air Mobility Command. Jerry Little and Matt Blohm manned these tables. On the three right tables (pics 26-33) we had: modern aircraft from Desert Storm through Afghanistan, experimental aircraft, NASA space programs (Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle), and finally aircraft from Kirtland AFB and other New Mexico bases. Ken Piniak and Mike Blohm manned these three tables.
The event started with a presentation of the colors, followed by the cutting of the cake by the most senior and junior USAF members serving at Kirtland AFB. This was followed by the dinner and then a guest speaker talking about “Why we serve” and the two tips of the spear (see picture). One point is the aircrews who fly the planes, and the other point is the maintenance and support people that make it happen (pics 9-15). ASM was thanked for providing the model display during the final wrap-up of the event.
The display was set-up and manned by Ken Piniak, Jerry Little, and Matt and Mike Blohm. Models were provided by Frank Randall, Don Gatewood, Victor Maestas, Scott Jaworski, Brian Peck, Len Faulconer, and Matt and Mike Blohm; and also Josh Pals and Jack Garriss who permanently donated models for the club’s displays. Thanks to all who participated and loaned models. Thanks to Hobby Proz for letting us stage the model tubs at the shop. Please contact me if you are interested in building models to fill out the aircraft types that we still need for the display.
As I mentioned earlier, we had a lot of discussions with the attendees (pics 34-41). The 58 Special Operations Wing commander and I talked for around 10 minutes about the models in the Kirtland AFB section of the display. He had just checked-out in the MC-130J Commando II and wondered if we had one of those. I told him that I had one about 90 per cent completed and would bring it next year. (Hope to get that to a club meeting soon.) We talked about a lot of C-130 stuff as one of my younger brothers and my oldest son had both served flying them. I did get two new builds completed for the Kirtland AFB part of the display: a CV-22 Osprey and a F-51D in the NM Air National Guard “Tacos” markings, both in 1/72 scale. That MC-130J and a C-133 are in the in-progress pile. I also talked with a lot of folks about F-4 Phantoms, the SR-71, and the B-2. Jerry Little also had a couple of interesting discussions. In one discussion he talked with a B-52 crewmember and discovered that Jerry had flown with the guy’s father during his own career. Small world, and oldies but goodies keep soldiering-on.
In summary, we had a great time and successfully promoted the hobby of scale modeling and ASM, and provided service to the community. We passed out a bunch of ASM promo sheets so perhaps we might get some new members.
2024 Folds of Honor Patriots Gala
ASM Model Display at the 2024 Folds of Honor Patriot Dinner
By Mike Blohm
ASM conducted a model display at the 2024 Folds of Honor 9th Annual Patriot Dinner that took place on Friday, Sep 6th at Isleta Casino Isleta Resort and Casino’s Convention Center in Albuquerque. The display went really well and was enjoyed by all the attendees. This was ASM’s fifth display at a Folds of Honor (FoH) event. We started supporting FoH in 2017 and we have been invited back since then. The theme of the display was “Models of Aircraft, Ships and Military Vehicles Used by the U.S. Services.”
For our set-up we had three large tables in one row near one of the doors into the ballroom section. The tables were really wide (deep) and we were able to display 114 models, which was a record number for the event. Per our usual set-up we had models representing all the Services starting with the Korean War at the left end and then went chronologically through the Vietnam War and the Cold War to modern aircraft from Desert Storm through Afghanistan. The right end had experimental aircraft, helicopters, and military vehicles. We had mostly aircraft, helicopters and missiles with a shortfall in the modern military vehicles area. Request that you ASM armor-modeling dudes get busy building for our 2025 display.
The event had one ballroom set-up for silent auctions and one ballroom for the dinner and live auctions. Outside the ballrooms there were colors (flags) of all the Services and small plaques with information on the New Mexicans who had fallen, including both military and first responders. There were two place settings for the military and first responders who were no longer with us-an old tradition. To open the event there were colors presentations by both the USAF and the Albuquerque Fire Department, who were carrying silver axes instead of rifles-which I had not seen before-and was very moving. Pictures are posted below that show the event spaces and our model display. Set-up in pics 1-6, event spaces in pics 7-11, models in pics 12-22, and discussions with attendees in pics 23-26.
The display was set-up and manned by Matt and Mike Blohm and Don Gatewood. Frank Randall dropped off his tubs of models and assisted with the set-up before he had to leave to attend the ASM meeting, which unfortunately was on the same date as this event.
Models were provided for the display by Frank Randall, Don Gatewood, Victor Maestas, and Matt and Mike Blohm; and also by Josh Pals and Jack Garriss who permanently donated models for the club’s displays.
The President of the Folds of Honor New Mexico, Col Jim Quick, thanked us for putting on the display. Thanks to all who participated and loaned models, and thanks to Hobby Proz for letting us stage the model tubs at the shop.
We had a great time and successfully promoted ASM and the hobby of scale modeling and provided service to the community.
58 SOW Flightline Tour
On April 11th, 2025, ASM members Frank Randall, Tim Wood, Patrick Dick, Scott Jaworski, John Tate, and AJ Tate visited the Kirtland AFB flightline of the 58th Special Operations Wing (SOW), a thank-you for ASM members who built or helped provide models to the 58th SOW’s award banquet on March 13th. Our able guide was Benjamin Flickinger, 1LT, USAF, our point-of-contact for the model-build effort.
Our first stop was a hangar containing several CV-22 Ospreys. These aircraft were painted an overall dark gray with light gray markings. One of these aircraft was getting a wash and it was easy to see why, since these training aircraft see a lot of use, as evidenced by the dirt on the sponsons of an Osprey we were allowed to board. Contrary to the instructions on most model kits, the interiors of these Ospreys were flat black. Funny thing about this hangar, a loudspeaker was playing tropical bird calls, to scare away pigeons- with the splashing water and bird calls it sounded like a tropical rainforest.
Next stop was a helicopter hangar with veteran UH-1N Hueys; these helos had a color scheme similar to the 1980s Euro I scheme, with medium green, Euro I green and a splotch or two of gray. As with the Ospreys, they had black interiors. A real treat was seeing a brand new HH-60W “Whiskey” Pave Hawk, with a segmented, black national insignia not seen before. The Whiskey version has modified exhaust vents to reduce its infrared signature. Gun mount maintenance work was being done on the Whiskey, which meant the port .50 cal machine gun and the starboard minigun were dismounted and lying on the hangar floor. Impressive that trusty .50 cal has been a U.S. aerial machine gun for almost 90 years.
Leaving the helo hangar, we stopped to see a MC-130J on the tarmac and had a chance to see the interior of the fuselage and the cockpit. The MC-130J had a metal shield applied to the port lower front cockpit window opening, since replacement windows were difficult to get.
The finale was an AC-130J gunship, named Phobos after the Greek god of fear and panic. These gunships mean business, with a 30mm cannon forward, and a 105mm cannon aft. We had the opportunity to enter the fuselage and see the two guns, separated by a large console complete with gamer-style controllers and screen banks. It was dark inside, with flat black being the primary interior color, but it came to life when the power was activated and all manner of lights flashed on. The AC-130J is a big aircraft but with the gun stations and control console it didn’t seem very big inside at all.
There was no flightline photography allowed (for obvious reasons given the mission of these aircraft) but we had an opportunity to take images of static legacy aircraft of the 58th SOW parked at a nearby location off the flightline.
The flightline tour was a real treat for modelers and a fine courtesy extended to ASM members for our scale model work in support of our neighbors, the 58th SOW. Some of these aircraft will be on public display as part of the Air Fiesta airshow at the end of May, so if you have a chance they will be well worth visiting.
ASM Star Trek Display at Cherry Hills Library
ASM members Michael O’Brian and John Tate recently setup a Star Trek model display at the Cherry Hills Library Branch. The display will run through March, in conjunction with Star Trek events being held at the library.
Here is a link to the Cherry Hills Library mentioning ASM and showing off our models: https://abqlibrary.org/exhibits/CherryHills
Kirtland AFB Air Fiesta
KAFB, May 30 – June 1, 2025
https://www.kirtland.af.mil/Kirtland-Air-Fiesta/
Scheduled to attend:
- U.S. Army Golden Knights
- F-16 Viper Demonstration Team from Shaw Air Force Base
- 58th Special Operations Wing
- MC-130, AC-130, HC-130, HH-60, Huey, and CV-22.
THUNDER & LIGHTNING OVER ARIZONA 2025
On the weekend of March 22-23, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is opening the gates and inviting everyone to enjoy a free, weekend-long event packed full of entertainment. Come out and see dynamic aerial displays, memorable planes, and SO much more!
2024 New Mexico State Fair – Summary
Creative Arts – Division 13
Models – Military and Science Fiction
Sections 471-474 Sponsored by Albuquerque Scale Modelers
Sections
Section 471: Youth (ages 11 and under)
Section 472: Senior Youth (ages 12-17)
Section 473: Adult (ages 18 and over)
Section 474: Professional (More than 5 years experience)
NOTE: ASM members in the Masters and Intermediate Divisions are required to enter models in Section 474: Professional.
Classes
- Aircraft, Jet – Large scale (1/48 scale & larger)
- Aircraft, Jet – Small scale (1/72 scale & smaller)
- Aircraft, Non-Jet – Large scale (1/48 scale & larger)
- Aircraft, Non-Jet – Small scale (1/72 scale & smaller)
- Diorama – miniature scene, wholly or partially three-dimensional, depicting model in a naturalistic and realistic setting
- Flying Models, including flying rockets
- Helicopters – Jet & Non-Jet – All scales
- Military Vehicles – Fully Tracked –Large scale (1/35 scale & larger)
- Military Vehicles – Fully Tracked – Small scale (1/48 scale & smaller)
- Military Vehicles & Equipment-Non Tracked & Half Tracks-Small scale (1/48 & smaller)
- Military Vehicles & Equipment Non Tracked & Half Tracks-Large Scale (1/35 & Larger)
- Miniature Figure – single-footed or mounted figure
- Miniature Figure Vignette – maximum of 3 related human, animal or equipment figures, no vehicles
- Miscellaneous (none of the above)
- Powered Ships
- Sailing Ships & Oared Ships
- Science Fiction/Fantasy Figures – Including Anime, Gundams, Robotech
- Science Fiction, Science Fiction/Fantasy Spacecraft and Terrestrial Crafts; and Real (actual) Spacecraft; etc. – excluding figures
- Wood Models: models assembled or built of wood from pre-cut/laser-cut kits
- Paper Models: models built of paper or card stock, paperboard, or foam from kits or scratch-built
- 3D Metal Models: models built or assembled from pre-cut metal kits
NOTE: Only one entry per class.
Contest Summary
This year for the New Mexico State fair we had 55 total entries, which is about average. There were three youth entries. Two senior youth entries. 29 adult entries. And 21 entries in the professional category, which are mostly club members. We also had nine display only models and we also did the what is scale modeling educational display. James Medina had the most entries with seven he also won a clean sweep with seven blue ribbons. The most entries in the adult category was a lady named Haley Gibson with five entries. I want to thank Mike, Matt, Victor, Mark and David for help with the entries and James Medina for help with judging.
Complete Gallery
ASM’s Model Displays at the Folds of Honor Patriot Gala
For those that weren’t present for the July meeting, here is a PDF version of the briefing Matt Blohm gave about Folders of Honor.
