NoVa IPMS Model Classic 2026

I attended the NOVA IPMS Model Classic on Saturday after what has been a whirlwind of 5 weeks of travel and activity for mostly family activities plus a nasty cold. I had just returned from a week at Disney World with my daughter and her family. 

I entered 9 models in 5 different categories. I am happy to report that I received several awards, while  fellow members of the National Capitol Model Soldier Society also did very well. I received:

• 1st place for my 75mm model of Herman Haupt in the figure 90mm and less Category
• 1st place for Acinad and Koda in the Mounted Figure Category. This model also got a peer award from the Fort Wayne IPMS,
• 1st Place for the USMRR Engine House and Shop in the Miscellaneous and Railway Models Category. 
• 2nd Place for Inquisitor Mizar in the Bust Category
• 2nd Place for Avenging Varus in the Miscellaneous Diorama Category.
• My bust of the 1st Virginia infantry at Valley Forge got a peer award from Fort Wayne IPMS.

The USMRR Engine House and Shop also received the Best Miscellaneous Model Award, which put it in contention for Best in Show. However, that award went to Zack Becker, fellow member of the National Capitol Model Soldier Society, for his dual busts of revolutionary war figures called "250." 
Zack also received some other awards but I did not get the full list.

Jim Ritchey, another member of National Capitol Model Soldier Society, received first place for his Sicilian Pirate in the over 90mm category.

Darcy Hoffman ran the National Capitol Model Soldier Society table where we debuted the 2026 Show Figure of John Hancock and had some sales. It will be interesting to see how others paint the figure.

Brion Boyles was at the show displaying his incredible model of the 1/40th scale CSS Shiloh, a fictional model of a gunboat that served in the Confederate Navy set his version of an alternate universe where the South did not lose the Civil War.  The model is both a fully- operational RC boat and incredibly detailed.