FineScale Modeler

FineScale Modeler teaches you to build models of aircraft, armor, ships and more. Clear articles show you how to assemble, paint, and finish the latest model kits. Every issue includes unbiased reviews of kits that were built and tested for accuracy, product announcements, tips from the experts, and a gallery of readers’ models.

EDITOR’S PAGE

Contest Cars

SUBMISSIONS GUIDE • Want to see your contest or show in next year’s Contest Cars? Here’s how.

NimCon • McHENRY, ILLINOIS ■ JUNE 14, 2025 ■

Back to the ’50s • SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA ■ JUNE 20-21, 2025 ■

Lima Transmission • HARROD, OHIO ■ AUGUST 23, 2025 ■

Midwest Scale Madness • FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN ■ SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 ■

Y-City • ZANESVILLE, OHIO ■ SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 ■

NordicCon • INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA ■ SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 ■

Classic Plastic • LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS ■ OCTOBER 5, 2025 ■

Plastic Undercover 2025 • CLEVELAND, OHIO ■ OCTOBER 11, 2025 ■

ACME Southern Nationals • CARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA ■ OCTOBER 25, 2025 ■

Butch O’Hare • WHEATON, ILLINOIS ■ NOVEMBER 15, 2025 ■

Detroit Autorama • DETROIT, MICHIGAN ■ FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 1, 2026 ■

Tips for wiring a scale model car engine • ADDING ENGINE WIRING to your next scale model car project can be as simple as routing the spark-plug wires or as extensive as running every wire and line found in a 1/1 scale engine compartment. Here are some tips to help get you going.

Scale carpeting for model car interiors • USING FLOCKING OR EMBOSSING POWDER to simulate carpet can add realism to model car interiors. This is especially the case with open-top convertible and roadster models where interior details are on display. Fortunately, this is an easy addition for your next model project. Let’s look at how it is done.

Tips for better tire decals and realism • WHILE WATER-SLIDE DECALS have been common in automotive model kits for decades, placing them on tires is difficult. It is a good idea to apply the decal late in the build to avoid handling and flexing the tire.

Model an open-top hot rod with real wood bows • ADDING REAL WOOD BOWS to the open tops of your traditional hot rod and other applicable pre-World War II models is a surprisingly easy modification. It also allows you to better showcase your model car’s interior detailing efforts. Here’s how you do it.

Up your model car chassis-weathering game • MODERN SCALE MODEL CAR kits come with detailed, multipart chassis that can be daunting for builders to paint and weather, but don’t let that deter you. It’s really not that difficult. First, choose the right base color and then go from there.

Fasten scale model parts with magnets • WHEN YOU WANT TO HOLD A MOVABLE or removable hood, door, or hatch in place, or would rather not have an unsightly screw holding parts together on your scale model, use rare-earth magnets. You can even correct warped panels!

Mad City Modelers • MADISON, WISCONSIN ■ MARCH 7, 2026 ■

HeritageCon • MOUNT HOPE, ONTARIO, CANADA ■ MARCH 29, 2026 ■

Buckeye Classic NNL • HILLIARD, OHIO ■ MARCH 21, 2026 ■

WrightCon • DAYTON, OHIO ■ APRIL 25, 2026 ■

Stark Scale Model Show • MASSILLON, OHIO ■ APRIL 18, 2026 ■

NNL Milwaukee • FRANKLIN, WISCONSIN ■ MAY 2, 2026 ■

NNL North • INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA ■ MAY 17, 2026 ■

AMPS International Convention • SOUTH BEND, INDIANA ■ APRIL 16-18, 2026 ■

WonderFest Hobby Expo • LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY ■ MAY 30-31, 2026 ■

IPMS/USA National Convention • FORT WAYNE, INDIANA ■ AUGUST 5-8, 2026 ■