WHAT TO EXPECT

Returning for 2026, The OCon Expo and the Omaha IPMS chapter, Fort Crook, present the OCon Full-Scale Model Building Competition.

From aircrafts to tanks to gundams to dioramas and everything else in between, the 2026 OCon Expo Model Building Contest is filled with competition, incredible builders, and fun.

The contest will take place all weekend long with award announcements closing out the weekend Saturday Afternoon.

If you need special accommodations, be sure to inform John Lanning at the start of the weekend.

THE CONTEST

Read the rules, categories, criteria, and additional information below, then bring your model to the model building room when arriving at OCon Expo.

There will be a NO SWEEPS rule (winner cannot place more than once in a single catagory). Registration, building, and display hours will take place from event opening on Friday until 4:00 PM on Saturday. Judging will take place from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Saturday . Awards will be presented during a ceremony panel at 5:00 PM on Saturday. The winner, or a representative, must be present to win an award. The Judges decisions are final and cannot be changed or nullified once awarded.

Model Contest

CATEGORIES

  • CATEGORY A: Ships, Aircrafts, Tanks, and Spacecrafts
  • CATEGORY B: Gundams and Figures
  • CATEGORY C*: Everything Else (including dioramas, cosplay props, buildings)
  • CATEGORY D: Junior Competition Category (17 years of age and under)

Category C: If you are uncertain if your model meets the requirements for this category, please reach out to John Lanning and the IPMS Team.

RULES

  1. Contest is open to all O Con Expo attendees.
  2. The contest is free. There are no entrance nor model fees.
  3. Models can only be entered into one single category for the competition.
  4. Number of model entries are unlimited, but we request that you limit the number of models for each category due to table space.
  5. Only fully built model kits, scratchbuilt models and toys that have had extensive work or rebuilding (seams filled, scratchbuilding of components such as cockpit or weapons, painting & weathering) will be allowed. No pre-constructed toys straight out of the box, or with minor work or just repainting will be allowed. No lego assembly kits are allowed.
  6. Only models that meet the criteria of the Theme Award are eligible for the theme award.
  7. All models entered into the contest are eligible for the Judge’s Grand and Popular Vote awards. 

THEME: Red, White & Blue, America 250

Models that will qualify include the following:

Anything designed and/or built in the USA. 

Anything designed in the US, but built overseas, an example would be a Turkish F-16C, designed in the US by General Dynamics, built by TAI for the Turkish Air Force.

Anything built in the US, but in foreign markings.

Anything built as an international project with direct US participation, for example, the International Space Station.

Anything designed/built in the US that was used as the basis for a modification for a Hollywood TV show or movie such as the Bell 222 helicopter that was used in the show “Airwolf” or the 1982 Trans Am used in the original “Knight Rider” show.

IMPORTANT: No hypotheticals, sci-fi or projects that didn’t make it “off the drawing board” will qualify, however, experimental aircraft that actually flew would qualify. 

 

CRAFSTMANSHIP JUDGING CRITERIA

Craftsmanship Judging Criteria is conducted across the four categories.

  • Construction: The overall build of the model will be the central point to the judges final ruling.
  • Finish: This includes, but not limited to, sanding and smoothing, clean-up, final paint job, and coloring.
  • Weathering: Simulation of wearing or being worn by long exposure to the atmosphere.
  • Extra Work: This includes, but is not limited to, aftermarket, scratch building, peripheral pieces in dioramas, and themed items.
  • Accuracy: If you are crafting a real or inspired item, the accuracy of the build in relation to the existing reference will be judged.