Armor modelers and military vehicle enthusiasts from around the world should begin planning now for one of the hobby’s premier annual events—the AMPS 2027 International Convention, taking place May 20–22, 2027, at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Hosted under the internationally respected banner of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society (AMPS), the convention promises three full days of military modeling excellence, historical research, vendor shopping, education, and community fellowship.

At www.AFVhobbyhub.com, we proudly support AMPS events and organizations that help strengthen the armor modeling hobby by encouraging craftsmanship, historical accuracy, mentorship, and creativity.

Event Information

AMPS 2027 International Convention

Dates:
Thursday, May 20, 2027 – Saturday, May 22, 2027

Location:
Penn Harris Hotel
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

2027 Show Theme: Recovery & Engineering Vehicles

The official show theme for the 2027 convention is:

“Recovery and Engineering Vehicles”

This exciting topic opens the door for a huge range of military modeling subjects, including:

• Armored recovery vehicles
• Engineering tanks
• Bridging vehicles
• Combat bulldozers
• Mine-clearing equipment
• Tank retrievers
• Combat engineering support vehicles
• Battlefield recovery scenes and dioramas

AMPS organizers noted that a more detailed description of the theme will be released closer to the event.

The theme offers modelers a fantastic opportunity to explore highly detailed and often overlooked military vehicle subjects that played critical support roles throughout military history.

The AMPS Judging System

One of the defining characteristics of AMPS conventions is the organization’s unique judging philosophy.

Unlike traditional competitions where models compete directly against each other, the AMPS judging system focuses on:

• Skill development
• Mentorship
• Objective evaluation
• Encouragement for every modeling level

At its core, the AMPS approach evaluates:

• The quality of the build
• Artistic achievement
• Historical accuracy
• Overall presentation

Each model is judged on its own merits—not compared against another model.

Skill Levels Designed for Every Modeler

AMPS organizes entrants into progressive skill levels, helping ensure fair evaluation and growth opportunities for builders at every stage of the hobby.

The AMPS skill levels include:

• Junior
• Basic
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert
• Master

This creates a welcoming environment where newer modelers can compete comfortably while experienced builders continue striving for higher achievement levels.

Gold, Silver & Bronze Awards

Instead of only selecting a single winner, AMPS uses a:

Gold • Silver • Bronze

award structure.

That means:

• Multiple builders can earn awards
• Every entry is independently evaluated
• Models are measured against objective standards

In theory, every model in a category could earn a medal if it meets the standards established by the AMPS judging criteria.

Constructive Feedback & Mentorship

Another major benefit of AMPS conventions is the educational feedback system.

Each model is reviewed by a team of judges who:

• Independently score the model
• Evaluate craftsmanship and presentation
• Provide written feedback
• Offer constructive guidance for improvement

The lowest score from the judging team is dropped, helping maintain fairness and consistency.

This mentorship-oriented judging philosophy is one of the reasons AMPS has earned such strong respect within the armor modeling community.

A Major Gathering for Armor Modelers

The AMPS International Convention traditionally attracts:

• Armor modelers
• Military historians
• Figure painters
• Diorama artists
• Vendors and aftermarket manufacturers
• Authors and researchers
• Military vehicle enthusiasts

Attendees can typically expect:

• Large vendor areas
• Seminars and workshops
• Contest displays
• Networking opportunities
• Historical discussions
• New product releases
• Aftermarket accessories and rare kits

For many hobbyists, the AMPS International Convention represents one of the most important modeling weekends of the year.

Why Events Like AMPS Matter

At www.AFVhobbyhub.com, we believe organizations like AMPS are essential to preserving and growing the military modeling hobby.

Events like the AMPS International Convention help:

• Encourage historical research
• Improve modeling techniques
• Inspire creativity
• Support hobby manufacturers
• Mentor newer builders
• Preserve military history through scale modeling

Whether your interest is:

• WWII armor
• Modern AFVs
• Combat engineering vehicles
• Recovery vehicles
• Soft-skin military subjects
• Figures and dioramas

…the AMPS International Convention offers inspiration for every military modeler.

Supporting the Armor Modeling Community

At www.AFVhobbyhub.com, we proudly support:

• AMPS chapters
• IPMS clubs
• Armor-focused contests
• Historical preservation organizations
• Scale modelers worldwide

We encourage armor enthusiasts everywhere to follow updates for the AMPS 2027 International Convention and support the organizations helping grow the hobby for future generations.

Visit AFV Hobby Hub: https://www.afvhobbyhub.com/

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