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Welcome to the BuffCon 40 homepage!

BuffCon 40 was held on Sunday, April 6, 2025 by IPMS Niagara Frontier. Thanks to everyone who made the show a success.

The winners of the Best of Show awards were as follows:

  • Best Junior, sponsored by Robert Conshafter: Bristol Faith, Shich
  • Best Aircraft, sponsored by Peel Scale Modelers: Mark Gadek, Lancaster Bomber
  • Best Military Vehicle, sponsored by AMPS: Mike Converse, Tacom Berge Panther
  • Best Automotive, sponsored by Passing Lane Automotive: Ron Mikol, Fuel Altered '41 Willys
  • Best Ship, sponsored by In Memory of Don Schulenberg USN, DD217 WW2: Paul Kittel, "Ranger"
  • Best Figure, sponsored by Section 8 Games and Hobbies: Doug Halke, Private 69th New York State
  • Best Fantasy & Sci-Fi Gaming, sponsored by Section 8 Games and Hobbies: William Elliott, Space Marine Assault Intercessors
  • Best Gundam & Gunpla, sponsored by the Gunpla Knights: Andrew Hutchilson, Char's Zaku
  • Best Real Space & Science Fiction, sponsored by Patsy & Dave Schwab: Kirk Ballash, Y-TIE Fighter
  • Best Diorama, sponsored by Section 8 Games and Hobbies: Rick Biesik, "Where Is Everyone?"
  • Best of the Rest, sponsored by Section 8 Games and Hobbies: Rick Biesik, Uneeda Medical Building
  • Judges Best of Show, sponsored by Section 8 Hobbies: Mark Gadek, Lancaster Bomber
  • Theme Award - Built In the Niagara Frontier, sponsored by The Elma Press: Ron Mikol, Fuel Altered '41 Willys

The winners of the category awards were as follows:

1. Bantam (ages 10 and under) - all entries, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier

  • No entries
1A. Bantam (ages 10 and under) - LEGO, all sets and MOCs (My Own Creation), sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • Gold: Ted Dewitt, Medieval Castle
  • Gold: James Dewitt, Hogwarts Castle
  • Gold: James Dewitt, Tuxedo Cat
  • Gold: Bristol Faith, Shich
  • Silver: Lucas Dewitt, Baby Pig House
  • Silver: Lucas Dewitt, Sail Shop
  • Silver: Marlow Faith, Barbie Ice Cream Stand
2. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Aircraft, sponsored by Bob Conshafter
  • No Entries
3. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Military Vehicles, sponsored by IPMS Hamilton Modellers Club
  • No Entries
4. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Automotive, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • No entries
5. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Other Subjects, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • No Entries
5A. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - LEGO, all sets and MOCs (My Own Creation), sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • No Entries
6. Aircraft - Biplanes and Rigged Types - 1/72 & smaller, sponsored by Dick Schulenberg
  • 1st: Jon Fredricks, PF/3A Stearman
7. Aircraft - Biplanes and Rigged Types - 1/48 & larger, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Jon Millaw, Halberstadt CI
  • 2nd: Paul Wojciechowski, Mitsubishi F1M2
  • 3rd: John Mckeowh, Spad XIII
8. Aircraft - Single Engine Prop - 1/72, sponsored by ROC City Scale Modelers IPMS
  • 1st: Kirk Ballash, Spitfire Mk24 Racer
  • 2nd: Bill Gillman, Northrop BT-1 Dive Bomber
  • 3rd: Bill Gillman, Shorts Tucano T.1
9A. Aircraft - Single Engine Prop - 1/48 - Allied Inline, sponsored byIPMS Toronto
  • 1st: Mike Butry, P-51B Mustang
  • 2nd: Paul Kowalczyk, P-51D Mustang
  • 3rd: Mike Butry, Typhoon Mk Ib
9B. Aircraft - Single Engine Prop - 1/48 - Allied Radial, sponsored by IPMS Toronto
  • 1st: Paul Kowalczyk, F4U-1A Corsair
  • 2nd: Paul Kowalczyk, P-47D Thunderbolt
  • 3rd: Brian McFee, F4F-4 Wildcat
10. Aircraft - Single Engine Prop - 1/48 - Axis, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Armand Miale, Ki-84 "Frank"
11. Aircraft - Multi Engine Prop - 1/72, sponsored by In Memory of Bernard Button, 15th AAF
  • 1st: Bill Gilman, Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
  • 2nd: Mike Kleber, Messerschmitt BF-110
  • 3rd: John-Allen Price, He-111
12. Aircraft - Multi Engine Prop - 1/48, sponsored by IPMS New Jersey
  • 1st: Ed Barthelmes, Gannet AS1
  • 2nd: Bob Butry, Flapjack
  • 3rd: Paul Wojciechowski, PBY-5 Catalina
13. Aircraft - Jet - 1/72, sponsored by In Memory of Clarence Wilkerson, USAF
  • 1st: Bill Gilman, Grumman Dynamics F-111B
  • 2nd: Bill Gilman, Auro Canada CF-10S Arrow
  • 3rd: Ken Brent, F-18 Recon
14. Aircraft - Jet - 1/48, sponsored by IPMS Hamilton Modelers Club
  • 1st: Ed Barthelmes, Rafale M
  • 2nd: Paul Wojciechowski, He-162A
  • 3rd: Bob Butry, F-86D
15A. Aircraft - Prop All Except Civil - 1/32 & larger, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Mark Gadek, Lancaster Bomber
  • 2nd: Mike Kleber, Heinkel He-219 Owl
  • 3rd: Phil Puncher, Ju-87G-1 Stuka
15B. Aircraft - Jet All Except Civil - 1/32 & larger, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Mark Gadek, F-84
  • 2nd: Tom Petkovsky, F-4J Phantom (Blue Markings)
  • 3rd: Ronald Panniccia, F-18F
16. Aircraft - All Except Civil - 1/144 & smaller, sponsored by Dick Schulenberg
  • 1st: Kirk Ballash, Spitfire Mk IXe7
  • 2nd: Mike Kleber, Lockheed C-130
  • 3rd: John Trippe, USCG C-54
17. Aircraft - >Civil & Civil Markings - all scales, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Bob Butry, P-51B Air Racer
  • 2nd: John Trippe, Boeing 767
  • 3rd: Bruce Mathes, Boeing Dash 80
18. Aircraft - Rotary Wing - 1/48 & smaller, sponsored by Bay Colony Modelers Club
  • 1st: Bradley Kommeth, Hup-2
  • 2nd: John Kleber, Bell AH-1W Super Cobra
19. Aircraft - Rotary Wing - 1/32 & larger, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • No entries
20. Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked - 1/72 & smaller, sponsored by Jeff Keenan
  • 1st: Marty Snow, Italian P.43 Heavy Tank
  • 2nd: Marty Snow, TNCA Salinas Tank, Mexico 1917
  • 3rd: Tom Darcangelo, Panzer 3 Ausf.L
21. Military Vehicles - Softskin, All Except Fully Tracked - 1/72 & smaller, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Marty Snow, Airfix M6 Bomb Service Truck
  • 2nd: Frank Blonski, Armored Car
22. Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked, Closed Top AFVs - Allied - pre 1946, sponsored by IPMS Hamilton Modelers Club
  • 1st: Ted Wells, Valentine Tank
  • 2nd: Mark Unger, Whippet Tank WW I
  • 3rd: Pierre Salazar, KU-2
23. Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked, Closed Top AFVs - Axis - pre 1946, sponsored by In Memory of Tony Bartoszek
  • 1st: Mike Converse, Tiger 1
  • 2nd: Mike Converse, Dragon Panther G
  • 3rd: Mark Unger, Panzer 1 Africa
24. Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked, Closed Top AFVs - Modern - post 1945, sponsored by IPMS Toronto
  • 1st: Ted Wells, IDF NAMER APC
  • 2nd: John Zaranek, Swedish Army Stridsvagn 103
  • 3rd: John Zaranek, Swedish Army CV9040B
25. Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked, Visible Interior/Open Top AFVs - Allied - pre 1946, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Mike Converse, M7 Priest
  • 2nd: Sandy McRorie, RPM Kangaroo
26. Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked, Visible Interior/Open Top AFVs - Axis - pre 1946, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Mike Converse, Berge Panther
  • 2nd: Mike Converse, Marder 3
  • 3rd: Sandy McRorie, Panzer 38 Guschutzwagen
27. Military Vehicles - Fully Tracked, Visible Interior/Open Top AFVs - Modern - post 1945, sponsored by David Bailey
  • 1st: Rodger Rouse, BMP-3 IFV
28. Military Vehicles - Softskin, Halftracks & Armored Wheeled Vehicles - all periods, sponsored by AMPS
  • 1st: Mike Butry, Italian Armored Car
  • 2nd: Mike Converse, 15 CWT
  • 3rd: John Zaranek, French Army AML-60
29. Military Vehicles - Ordnance & Prime Movers Under Tow - all periods - all scales, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • No entries
30. Automotive - Factory Stock, sponsored by David Bailey
  • 1st: Mike Garrett, 1958 Edsel Pacer
  • 2nd: Pete Juryniec, '71 Mustang
  • 3rd: Kevin Morley, 1932 Ford Coupe
31. Automotive - Custom & Show Cars, sponsored by IPMS Hamilton Modelers Club
  • 1st: Dylan Thomas, '66 VW Bug
  • 2nd: Mike Garrett, '56 Chevy Mild Custom
  • 3rd: Bill Sweetland, '40 Ford CDE
32. Automotive - Street Rods & Hot Rods, 1949 & older, sponsored by FAB Resinworks
  • 1st: Scott Estee, 1932 Ford Tudor
  • 2nd: Mike Garrett, 1932 Ford Sedan
  • 3rd: Scott Thomson, 1929 Ford Pickup
33. Automotive - Hot Rods & Street Machines, 1950 & later, sponsored by IPMS Patriot Scale Modelers
  • 1st: Ron Mikol, '58 Pontiac Bonneville Panel
  • 2nd: Mike Garrett, 1968 Road Runner
  • 3rd: Dylan Thomas, '56 Chevy Del Ray
34. Automotive - Competition, Open Wheel, sponsored by Tim Carson
  • 1st: Bill Chick, #88 Dirt Modified
  • 2nd: Mike Garrett, Richie Evens Modified
  • 3rd: Bill Chick, Stewart Friesen #4 Modified
35. Automotive - Competition, Closed Wheel, sponsored by Anthony Gliszczynski
  • 1st: Peter Juryniec, '57 Jaguar D-type
  • 2nd: Kevin Morely, Bobby Allison Miller Buick
  • 3rd: Mike Garrett, Bob Senneker
36. Automotive - Dragsters, including Funny Cars & Pro Stock, sponsored by In Memory of Gene Carson
  • 1st: Ron Mikol, '41 Willys Fuel Altered
  • 2nd: Ron Mikol, '57 Buick Pro Mod
  • 3rd: Mike Garrett, Dyno Don Mustang
37. Automotive - Light Trucks, Pickups, SUVs, Car-based Police & Emergency Vehicles, sponsored by NNL Buffalo
  • 1st: Scott Estee, 1953 Ford Pickup Avocado Hauler
  • 2nd: Dylan Thomas, 1966 C-10 Custom Pickup
  • 3rd: Dylan Thomas, 1966 C-10 Service Truck
38. Automotive - Heavy Trucks, Commercial; Heavy Fire, Rescue & Emergency Vehicles, sponsored by In Memory of Gene Carson
  • 1st: Mike Blauser, Smokey & the Bandit
  • 2nd: Mike Garrett, White Freightliner
39. Automotive - All 1/32 & smaller, sponsored by Larry Osolkowski
  • 1st: Kent Hughes, Alfa Romeo
  • 2nd: Kent Hughes, Maserati 250F
40. Automotive - All larger than 1/20, sponsored by In Memory of Tom Waddington
  • 1st: Kent Hughes, Alfa Romeo 8C
  • 2nd: Bill Chick, Steward Friesen #44 Dirt Car
  • 3rd: Ron Mikol, '63 Corvette Pro Mod
41. Automotive - Motorcycles - all scales, sponsored by Larry Osolkowski
  • 1st: Bill Sweetland, Custom Motorcycle
  • 2nd: Mark Gadek, Suzuki Katana
  • 3rd: Mark Gadek, Tamiya Harley Police Bike
42. Ships - Oars and/or Sail - all scales, sponsored by Loyalhanna Dockyard/Taubman Plan Service
  • 1st: Paul Kittel, "Ranger"
43. Ships - Powered - smaller than 1/400, sponsored by In Memory of Boilerman 3rd Robert E. Collignon, USN 1950-1954
  • 1st: Lee Rush, Mt. Whitney
  • 2nd: Ken Brent, USS Gary
  • 3rd: Kirk Ballash, IJN Kako
44. Ships - Powered - 1/400 & larger, sponsored by In Memory of John Richard Wilmoth, USN, KIA 3/2/42
  • 1st: Phil Pucher, IJN Fuso
  • 2nd: Kirk Ballash, Motor Launch
  • 3rd: Lee Rush, USS Ingersoll
45. Ships - Submarines - all scales, sponsored by Loyalhanna Dockyard/Taubman Plan Service
  • 1st: Kirk Ballash, U-218 U-Boat
  • 2nd: John Zaranek, U-Boat at Sea
46. Figures - Foot - 30mm to 90mm, sponsored by IPMS Hamilton Modelers Club
  • 1st: Rodger Rouse, US Special Forces
  • 2nd: Rodger Rouse, British Officer
  • 3rd: Bradley Kommeth, Union Infantry
47. Figures - Mounted - 30mm to 90mm, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Rodger Rouse, Napolean Officer
  • 2nd: Rodger Rouse, Arab Warrior - Bowman
  • 3rd: Rodger Rouse, Arab Warrior - Swordsman
48. Figures - Foot - larger than 90mm, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • No entries
49. Figures - Mounted - larger than 90mm, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: John Raymond, Death Matriarch
50. Figures - Busts - all scales, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Doug Halke, Private 69th New York State
  • 2nd: Scott Belland, Dwarf Warrior
  • 3rd: Doug Halke, Trooper Missouri Calvary Merrill's House
51. Figures - Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Movies & Comics - 8-1/2" high or less including base, sponsored by Southern Maine Scale Modelers
  • 1st: Justin Schroeder, Rex
  • 2nd: Rodger Rouse, Boba Fett
  • 3rd: John Raymond, Icarus
52. Figures - Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Movies & Comics - over 8-1/2" high including base, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Justin Schroeder, Cain
  • 2nd: Scott Belland, Catwoman
  • 3rd: Tom Petrovsky, Scotty
53. Figures - Vignettes - Figures Only, No Vehicles - all scales, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: John Zaranek, English Infantry Man at Waterloo
  • 2nd: John Zaranek, English Archers at Agincourt
54. Fantasy and Sci-Fi Gaming - Fantasy Gaming, Single Model, Alternate History/Steampunk/Pure Fantasy up to 90mm tall, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Justin Schroeder, Empathetic Robot Reach
55. Fantasy and Sci-Fi Gaming - Fantasy Gaming, Single Model, Alternate History/Steampunk/Pure Fantasy over 90mm tall, sponsored by Gene Pavelchek
  • Jim Greenfield, Tau Pirrana
56. Fantasy and Sci-Fi Gaming - Fantasy Gaming, 2-10 Models, 40mm Scale, Alternate History/Steampunk/Pure Fantasy, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Jim Greenfield, Armigers
  • 2nd: Jim Greenfield, Warhammer Ship
57. Fantasy and Sci-Fi Gaming - Sci-Fi Gaming, Single Model, Weird WW2/Near Future/Sci-Fi/Far Future up to 90mm tall, sponsored by Jeff Keenan
  • 1st: Seth Kasarda, Xenos Sniper
  • 2nd: Seth Kasarda, High Marshal
  • 3rd: Seth Kasarda, Veteran Marine Deathwatch
58. Fantasy and Sci-Fi Gaming - Sci-Fi Gaming, Single Model, Weird WW2/Near Future/Sci-Fi/Far Future over 90mm tall, sponsored by Gene Pavelchek
  • No entries
59. Fantasy and Sci-Fi Gaming - Sci-Fi Gaming, 2-10 Models, Weird WW2/Near Future/Sci-Fi/Far Future, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: William Elliott, Space Marine Assault Intercessors
60. Gundam and Gunpla - Straight Build, 1/144 or smaller, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: James Magel, Gundam Lfrith UR
  • 2nd: Seth Kasarda, Zeta Gundam
  • 3rd: Nicolas Reed, Sword Impulse Gundam
61. Gundam and Gunpla - Custom Build, 1/144 or smaller, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Mei Cione, Hy-Gogg
  • 2nd: Mei Cione, RX-78-2 Gundam
  • 3rd: Seth Kasarda, RX-78-2 Gundam
62. Gundam and Gunpla - Straight Build, 1/100 or larger than 1/144, sponsored by Highland Hobby
  • 1st: James Magel, Full Armor Gundam Verka
  • 2nd: Seth Kasarda, Providence Gundam
63. Gundam and Gunpla - Custom build, 1/100 or larger than 1/144, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Andrew Hutchison, Char's Zaku
  • 2nd: James Magel, Mg 1/100 RGM-96X Jesta
  • 3rd: Andrew Hutchison, Harrison Madins F91
64. Real Space & Science Fiction - Real Space, Real Spacecraft, Vehicles and Equipment, sponsored by Ed Button & Family
  • No entries
65. Real Space & Science Fiction - Science Fiction, Fictional Spacecraft, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Kirk Ballash, Y-TIE Fighter
  • 2nd: Justin Schroeder, Nazi UFO
  • 3rd: Justin Schroeder, B-Wing
66. Real Space & Science Fiction - Science Fiction, Fictional Subjects, All Others including Steampunk, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Kirk Ballash, AT-M6 Gorilla Walker
  • 2nd: Larry Osolkowski, HAL 9000
67. Dioramas - Military Vehicle Dioramas, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Teo Wells, Gamma Goat 6x6 Ambulance Truck
  • 2nd: Mark Unger, Afrika Korps Pzr Division 1942
  • 3rd: Mark Unger, Smoke Them If You Can
68. Dioramas - Aircraft Dioramas, sponsored by Robert Conshafter
  • 1st: John Trippe, Resupply Mission
  • 2nd: Unknown, Preparations Aboard on Cape Glouster
  • 3rd: Rodger Rouse, Desert Eagle
69. Dioramas - Ship Dioramas, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Lee Rush, Destroyer On Patrol
  • 2nd: Lee Rush, Nest of Ships
70. Dioramas - All Other Dioramas, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Rick Biesik, Where Is Everyone?
  • 2nd: Nathan Bernier, Spanish Knights
  • 3rd: Mei Cione, A Quiet Moment
71. Other - Collections - Five Related Subjects, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • 1st: Mike Butry, Jeeps
  • 2nd: Frank Lamarca, TIE Fighters of the Galactic Empire
  • 3rd: Chip Fike, Stealth Planes
72A. Other - Miscellaneous - All Other Entries, Vehicles, sponsored by Cpl. Tom Brown Sr. USMC, Cpl. Tom Brown Jr. USMC, Katie Brown USMC
  • 1st: Ron Mikol, '56 Nomad & Chris Craft Boat Combo
  • 2nd: Kevin Morlay, Chase Elliot NAPA Toon Car
  • 3rd: Brian Witt, The Polar Express
72B. Other - Miscellaneous - All Other Entries, Other, sponsored by Cpl. Tom Brown Sr. USMC, Cpl. Tom Brown Jr. USMC, Katie Brown USMC
  • 1st: Kirk Ballash, Japanese Magazine Vending Machin
  • 2nd: Bradley Kommeth, Pterosaurs
  • 3rd: Tom Brown, Eagle Globe and Anchor EGA
73. Other - Humor in Modeling, sponsored by In Memory of Ray Weick
  • 1st: Mei Cione, "But, Where Is X-13?"
74. Other - Modified/Customized Die-cast - All Kinds, sponsored by IPMS Niagara Frontier
  • No entries
75. Other - Scratch Built, All Kinds, sponsored by In Memory of John Bishop
  • 1st: Rick Biesik, Uneeda Medical Building
  • 2nd: Paul Kittell, Erie Canal Passenger Packet

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