Blog Statistics and News
Happy New Year to one and all!
This was the seventh year for the Inch High Guy blog and I am happy to report that I managed to make a post each day.
The big news is that in March the blog received its one Millionth page view! Given that it took six years to get there I’m not sure if that’s good as far as hobby blogs go but I’ll take it! Daily views are averaging over 1,000 per day. There are over 2,600 posts in the archives so if you’re new to the blog there are plenty of older posts to review to catch up, so get busy! Seriously though, if there is something you’re looking for type it into the blog’s search bar, there’s a good chance there’s a build of that kit or other information on the subject in there somewhere.
Thanks to Don Gilman and Jake Moon, both of whom contributed reference material in the past year! There is a backlog of “walk around” photos which I will be trying to work through during the new year, so look for more of that content in the future.
Models Built in 2025
As most of you know I typically build in batches, this is very efficient in keeping the completion rate up and helps compensate for my inability to choose between camouflage schemes. This year I managed to complete 40 aircraft and 17 vehicles, which is up a bit from last year. I also painted 20 figures mainly to pose with the armor builds. A fun diversion was the Star Wars TIE fighter diorama which was a unique project for me in several respects. As usual, all this year’s kits were built to 1/72 scale. The photos are of each batch as they were completed, the models in each picture shared the bench but the construction posts may have been written up separately on the blog. Construction posts and additional finished pictures can be found by pasting the subjects into the search bar on the right side of the blog.
The list:
Vespid Tiger I
Border Tiger I
Vespid Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer x2
Vespid Jagdpanther
Vespid Panzer VIII Maus
Arma Hobbies Ki-43-II Oscar x8
Fujimi E14Y Glen
Hasegawa J8M1 Shusui
Nichimo A5M4 Claude
Fujimi A5M4 Claude
Clear Prop A5M4 Claude
Hasegawa A6M2-N Rufe x2
Fine Moldes Kayaba Ka-2 Autogyro
Fujimi B6N2 Jill x2
Hobby Boss F8F-2 Bearcat
Sword AD-3 Skyraider
Hasegawa F9F-2 Panther
Hasegawa F9F-8 Cougar x2
Tamiya Mosquito B Mk.IV
Airfix Mosquito PR.XVI
Hasegawa Beaufighter
Airfix TF.X Beaufighter
Hobby 2000 (Fujimi) A-4 Skyhawk x5
Hobby 2000 (Academy) F-8 Crusader
Fine Molds Star Wars TIE Fighter diorama
Meng Abrams M1A2 SEP Tusk II
Trumpeter M1126 Stryker
Dragon M2A2 Bradley x2
Dragon HMMWV Humvee x2
Trumpeter AAV-7A1
Revell Merkava III
Hasegawa Macchi MC.202 x2
Italeri Macchi MC.202 x2
Italeri SM.79 Sparviero
Arma Hobby PZL P.7A
IBG Models Autocannone 3Ro
IBG Models M13/40
IBG Models Semovente M41M da 90/53
Modeling Adjacent Adventures 2025
I managed to get to five model shows in 2025. These were Blizzcon in Columbus, Ohio; the Indianapolis Roscoe Turner show in Lebanon; Model Con 419 in Perrysburg, Ohio; MMCL Military Modelers Club of Louisville show; and the Cincinnati Show at the Tri-State Warbird Museum. This was two fewer than last year. IPMS Duneland was one that I missed, October is a busy show month in Region 4 and the schedule was just too tight.
This Spring I participated in a very bittersweet endeavor which has resulted in much introspection and reflection ever since. A modeler had passed, and one of his friends was helping his family liquidate his large stash of kits and even larger reference library. I went to see the books, and purchased five boxes from the estate (four for me and one for friends). Moving a large collection of books is difficult and takes a considerable amount of time, you end up putting in a lot of effort and often get pennies on the dollar. I was one of the better “customers” at that point and suggested some other leads to run down. A few weeks later I got a call that the bulk buyers I had suggested had not panned out and the family was just wanting to get the books moved. The word “dumpster” was mentioned. I contacted friends John Bishop and David Knights, both great guys with connections that I knew would be helpful in getting some of these books into the hands of fellow modelers. We loaded our vehicles to capacity and still left behind much more than we rescued.
There were some very nice books, and while I am grateful for having the chance to add some of them to my collection and to pass on others to friends, an element of this was very unsettling. I have tried to put myself into the shoes of the other parties: What would I want for my collection when my time comes? What is the best way to help a friend if asked? What can I do to prevent my wife from looking at my collections as a burden when I’m gone? I’d like for my friends to get a keg and have a cookout, everybody bring a truck and everybody gets to go home with boxes of rare books and models to enjoy, but there is no local IPMS chapter here so my modeling friends are geographically scattered or on-line. One thing for sure, when my time comes and you are one of the guys who winds up with some of my treasures, know that you do so with my complete blessing and hopes that my stuff makes you as happy as it has made me.
One immediate change is I have begun vending again at the shows, to move both books rescued from the estate and my own old stock which remained on hand from my eBay days. I am selling at prices as low or lower than I used to buy at as the goal is to get things moving, so if you want reference books at great prices look for my tables at the show!
On to happier thoughts.
I was a guest on the Plastic Model Mojo Podcast twice during the past year, Episode 138 and 149. This is always a good time, I listen to PMM while at the bench which is almost as much fun hanging out with Mike and Dave in person at one of the shows. Mike has all the technical podcasting and editing details figured out which makes things easy.
Episode 138 here: https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/episode/Scenic-Products%2C-Model-Shows%2C-and-Bases-Shop-Talk%3A-Episode-138/
Episode 149 here: https://www.plasticmodelmojo.com/episode/More-Modeling-Goodness-With-The-Inch-High-Guy%3A-Episode-149/
In July I attended an open house and airshow hosted by the 122nd Fighter Wing at Fort Wayne, Indiana. This was a very popular event and the “Blacksnakes” put on a good show. The line through security was long and the day was hot, so I was glad to have gotten there early before things really heated up.
What’s Ahead for 2026
My plan is to build models and have fun. I don’t tend to set specific goals or have a build plan, I have found I have trouble sticking to a schedule for this type of thing. I will definitely be building some small ships this year, and hope to work in some larger aircraft, maybe a submarine or two. I also hope to outfit a display wall in the basement, the shelving and hardware is already stockpiled, just need a few more components and some motivation.
On the show front the big news is the IPMS Nats are in my own backyard this year, little more than an hour’s drive away. I should be able to attend the show and sleep in my own bed! While my 1/72 scale seaplane tender Akitsushima is a pain to move she has never been to the Nats, so this may well make her final public appearance if I can get her up there in one piece. I have never been to an AMPS show and this year’s AMPS is also in-state so that should be another great event. I am hoping to make all the usual shows in Region 4 again this year, so if you’ll be at one of the shows in Region 4 look me up!
Time spent modeling is not deducted from your lifespan, so carry on! May you each live long enough to build every model in your stash!
Inch High Guy 