SPA Modeler

how on earth can you build a model in 12 hours? This, I won't get. Looks good, you 4 hour outcome

Thank you Martin and keep watching. Our Club has had this challenge every year since 2021. It can be done! The keys are planning, preparation, and kit selection.

These are my previous 12 Hour Challenge builds











None are “great” builds, and all show signs of the time limitations. But it is fun to pull off getting a build completed in a comparatively rapid manner.

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2026 10:52 am None are “great” builds, and all show signs of the time limitations. But it is fun to pull off getting a build completed in a comparatively rapid manner.

Really? Those do look good, come on, for 12 hours build time, those are excellent!

At UAMF, the other forum I visit often, they do a 24 Hours GB 2 times (or more often) a year and I always thought, this is crazy, but 12 hours ...

It’s not 12 hours in one sitting, so that helps. Three separate four hour sessions, one month apart. That’s where planning comes in. Session 1, complete work up to point x. Stage 2, complete work to stage y and have either primer on or base color on. Stage 3, get it all completed. There is time for paints and glues to dry after sessions 1 and 2. Don’t get crazy with add ons, changes, aftermarket, etc. Work with what comes in the box. Have all your stuff prepped before the session starts. Tools and glues ready. Paints mixed, air compressor primed. Choose your kit wisely… nothing too complex, or with some crazy paint job needing lots of masking. Acrylics and lacquers are a blessing for time challenged work.

We did do a 4 hour challenge once during Covid, and that was an eye opener.

I built this in four hours… Tamiya 1/48




I later went back and added washes and pigments weathering, the figures, etc. Still done in under 12 hours

Those are some very cool builds Carlos! I love the SF Landrover, I remember you building that one.

Impisi wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2026 1:51 pm

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2026 10:52 am None are “great” builds, and all show signs of the time limitations. But it is fun to pull off getting a build completed in a comparatively rapid manner.

Really? Those do look good, come on, for 12 hours build time, those are excellent!

At UAMF, the other forum I visit often, they do a 24 Hours GB 2 times (or more often) a year and I always thought, this is crazy, but 12 hours ...

Those Blitzbeau GB 's they do are mad - some of the work they do is amazing. I'm glad I had a go at one, but never again.

I remember all those 12 Hour Build Challenges.

Yes, I have also done some of those 12-hour builds, and even three of the four-hour builds. The first four-hour build I did, I managed to complete three models in that time: two Shermans and a StuG.

Here's my one 12-hour Build that I finished:







And these are my three 4-hour build completions; all finished in the same four hours and yes, all weathered before time was up:










So yeah, it's possible.....

Cool builds Mark!