Welcome to SoCal AMPS
This is the SoCal Chapter of AMPS - The Armor Modeling and Preservation Society. The Armor Modeling and Preservation Society, Inc., or AMPS, was founded in 1993. Although AMPS’s main function is as a modeling club, it is definitely a different type of modeling organization compared to IPMS or other mainstream groups. AMPS has a Constitution and Bylaws to govern how it is run and the AMPS judging system rewards individual effort using a point system to minimize subjectivity. The purpose of AMPS is to foster a knowledge and appreciation of the history of armored vehicles, through examination of preserved examples located in both museums and private collections, in miniature through modeling. To this end, AMPS publishes a 32-page journal called Boresight six times a year. This journal covers reviews, tips, articles on preserved vehicles, and comparisons of models and related items. AMPS membership entitles you to product discounts from some of the most innovative products in our hobby. AMPS also hosts an international convention every spring in which the subject of armor is supreme. The convention features the best armor model vendors, seminars from armor experts and an excellent example of the best armor models from around the world in its competition. Competition is organized into five levels - junior, basic, intermediate, advanced and master - and the judging system rewards the modeler for his individual effort, not in comparison to other modelers. If you like to build armor models, we’d love to have you as a member.
Meeting Info
SoCal AMPS meets the second saturday of each month from 4-8pm at Brookhurst Hobbies 12188 Brookhurst St, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Click for Map and more InfoSo Cal AMPS Facebook
We use Facebook for discussions, information and much more. Please click the link below to join us!
FacebookUpcoming Events
4/12-13/25 Southern Cal Air Show, March Field, Riverside
4/12-13/25
Southern Cal Air Show
March Field, Riverside
4/27/25 Roll, Floats & Flies Kit Show
4/27/25
Roll, Floats & Flies Kit Show
Doubletree by Hilton, 700 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park 90620
5/3-4/25 Wings, Tracks & Wheels, Chino Airport, Chino
5/3-4/25
Wings, Tracks & Wheels
Chino Airport, Chino
5/24/25 Best of the West, Las Vegas, NV
5/24/25
IPMS Best of the West
Las Vegas, NV
6/7/25 San Diego Model Expo
6/7/25
San Diego Model Expo, Contest & Swap Meet
June 7, 2025 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
San Diego Air and Space Museum Annex
Gillespie Field
335 Kenney Street, El Cajon
CA 92020
Recent Posts
SoCalAMPS Live Meeting, Saturday,4/12/25
Hi, guys,
Just a reminder that the next SoCal AMPS live Monthly Meeting is this Saturday, 4/12/25.
SoCal AMPS Live Monthly Meeting:
Saturday
4/12/25
4:00 – 9:00 PM (or whenever)
Brookhurst Hobbies
12188 Brookhurst St.
Garden Grove 92840-8312
714-636-3580
Meet in the tented area behind the store-adjacent gaming room.
Special Request: Please park behind the store so as not to take up the limited customer parking spots in front of the store during our meeting time.
Meeting Theme: Presentation: Australian Armor Museum
Agenda:
(1) Local Hobby News and Updates
(2) New Stuff
(3) Show & Tell
(4) Dinner Break: Ted Kawahara will sponsor a free Taco Bar to celebrate his 60th birthday
(5) Feature Slideshow Presentation: The Australian Armor Museum (Jim W.)
(6) What Are You Working On?
(7) Help Needed
(8) Next Meetings
Brookhurst Hobbies Update:
(1) Order your aftermarket products through the store at a 25% off discount with no shipping charges. Deliveries are usually within one week.
(2) Sign up for the Brookhurst Hobbies Weekly Newsletter at info@brookhursthobbies.com
to stay appraised of all the new model hobby and gaming product releases available in the store.
(3) The B24H Formation Model Build Project:
This new project entails building a WW2 USAAF mass bomber box formation of 21 B24 bombers
that will be suspended from the ceiling at Brookhurst Hobbies.
The models will be made from the new Airfix 1:72 scale B24H Liberator bomber kits.
Brookhurst Hobbies is looking for modelers who would like to participate.
Details are provided at the SoCal AMPS meetings, Sprue Cutters meetings and at the store.
Club Website Build Contests:
The following is a list of 2025 SoCal AMPS Model Build Contests listed by completion date.
Although the contests may be related to live meetings, Zoom meetings, or online social media activities,
you are encouraged to post your model projects build and completion status on our SoCal AMPS online social media sites listed below.
If you cannot post to any of the sites, email your photos to Kevin Hjermstadt and/or Robert Yeatman and they will post them for you.
Their email addresses are listed in the To: section of this email.
(1) Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Military Vehicles
This is a SoCal AMPS online social media contest.
This contest was completed on 1/31/25.
(2) 12 Hour Model Build Contest
This is a SoCal AMPS Zoom online meeting contest.
At the 2/22/25 online meeting participants presented their 3 model kit build choices.
Attendees at that meeting then voted on the one kit for the participant to build for the contest.
Models must be built over the next three 4 hour monthly online build sessions and completed by the end of the online meeting on 5/24/25.
Winners will be chosen at the online meeting on 6/28/25.
Contest awards will be Brookhurst Hobbies gift certificates provided by SoCal AMPS.
(3) WW2 Mediterrean Theater Military Vehicles
(North Africa, Sicily and Italy – armored and soft skin vehicles, all scales)
This is a SoCal AMPS online social media contest.
Completed models are due 7/31/25.
Contest Awards will be Brookhurst Hobbies gift certificates provided by SoCal AMPS.
You must use a non-started kit for this contest.
(4) Model For Orangecon: T34 Family of Vehicles
This is a SoCal AMPS live meeting contest.
Completed models are due at our live meeting on 9/13/25.
Contest Awards will be Brookhurst Hobbies gift certificates provided by SoCal AMPS.
(5) Tamiya Out of the Box Model Contest
This contest is divided into 3 parts:
(1) 1/72 and 1/48 Scale Aircraft
(2) 1/48 Scale Armor
(3) 1/35 Scale Armor
This is a SoCal AMPS live meeting contest.
Completed models are due at the SoCal AMPS live meeting on 10/11/25.
Models will be judged by representatives from Tamiya.
Prizes will be awarded by Tamiya.
NOTE: You MUST provide the kit instructions with each model entered in this contest.
(6) 4 Hour Model Build Contest
This is a SoCal AMPS online live contest.
Models must be completely built during the SoCal AMPS live meeting on 11/8/25.
Contest Awards will be Brookhurst Hobbies gift certificates provided by SoCal AMPS.
(7) Team Diorama Contest
This is a SoCal AMPS live meeting contest.
Completed team dioramas are due at the SoCal AMPS live meeting on 12/13/25.
NOTE date change as approved at the March monthly meeting.
4 teams of 3 guys each were selected by random draw.
The 4 teams are:
(1) Team Einst: Konrad Schreier, Bill Evans and Sean Falleson
(2) Team Dos: Jim Spellmire, Ed Davies and Jose Medina
(3) Team Brown: Jim Wechsler, Jon Trask and Luis Castillo
(4) Team Busting Heads: Kevin Hjermstadt, Ted Kawahara and Pascal Zandt
Contest awards are TBD at this time.
(8) Vehicles of the Vietnam War, 1955-1975
This is a SoCal AMPS online social media contest.
This contest starts 8/1/25.
Completed models are due 1/31/26.
Contest Awards will be Brookhurst Hobbies gift certificates provided by SoCal AMP.
You must use a non-started kit for this contest.
Group Build: M113 Family of Vehicles-1/35th scale:
The goal is to complete over 100 models for the Group Build Display category at an upcoming IPMS Nationals Show.
Completed models are due TBD since the earliest time that the next IPMS Nationals will return to a western regional location is 2027.
You are encouraged to post your project status on the SoCal AMPS online social media sites.
Save the Date: SoCal AMPS Field Trips;
5/3/25 Palm Springs Air Museum and Rare Planes Detective Warehouse
NOTE new date as approved at our March live meeting.
TBD Planes of Fame and Yanks Air Museums
to be scheduled in 2025
Model Hobby-Related Show Update-the next 3 months:
4/12-13/25 Southern Cal Air Show, March Field, Riverside
4/27/25 Roll, Floats & Flies Kit Show, Doubletree by Hilton, 700 Beach Blvd., Buena Park 90620, 9:00-2:30
5/3-4/25 Wings, Tracks & Wheels, Chino Airport, Chino
5/24/25 Best of the West, Las Vegas, NV
6/7/25 San Diego Model Expo, Contest & Swap Meet, El Cajon
6/14/25 Silicon Valley Classic, Fremont
6/20-21/25 West Coast Historical Military Collectors Show,Fairplex, Bldg.7, Pomona
Stay connected with fellow SoCal AMPS modelers on Social Media:
Website: socalamps.org
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/21007030912816
Upcoming SoCal AMPS Meetings:
Saturday 4/26/25 1:00 – 5:00 Online Zoom Meeting
12 Hour Online Build Contest: Part 3: Build Hours 5-8
Saturday 5/10/25 4:00 – 9:00 Live Meeting
Presentation: Figure Painting (Scott S.)
See you at the meeting.
John
AMPS Membership
Elevate your knowledge and modeling skills to the next level! AMPS membership brings a number of benefits:
Boresight is our membership magazine. It’s written by and for tank modelers. Every issue is jammed with research material and modeling articles.
Purchasing discounts come with your membership and are good at many hobby vendors. Your membership will pay for itself.
The AMPS International Convention is the largest all-armor show and hobby convention in the world! Your membership grants you access to the model contest to have your work judged by your peers.
Want to find out more or Join AMPS?
Visit the membership page for all the details.