Southern California modelers should mark their calendars for the IPMS Region 8 Contest & Swap Meet, taking place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the outstanding San Diego Air & Space Museum Annex at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, California.
Hosted by IPMS/San Diego and the IPMS/San Diego Model Car Club, this event promises a full day of model competition, vendor shopping, aviation history, and hobby community fellowship.
At AFVHobbyHub.com, we proudly support model contests, swap meets, and hobby organizations that help bring scale modelers together and keep the hobby thriving.
Event Information
IPMS Region 8 Contest & Swap Meet
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM PDT
Location:
San Diego Air & Space Museum Annex – Gillespie Field
335 Kenney Street
El Cajon, CA 92020
Region: IPMS Region 8 – Southern California
Hosted By:
IPMS/San Diego & IPMS/San Diego Model Car Club
Website: IPMS San Diego
Contest Highlights
This year’s event will feature:
- Over 35 contest categories
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards
- Best of Class awards
- Best of Show honors
The competition welcomes builders of:
- Armor and AFVs
- Aircraft
- Automotive subjects
- Ships
- Figures
- Sci-fi and fantasy
- Dioramas and more
Whether you're an experienced competitor or entering your very first contest, this Regional 8 show offers something for every modeler.
Special Theme Awards
The event will also include two unique and creative special theme categories:
“From a Picture”
A category featuring models built from:
- Historical photographs
- Reference images
- Movie stills or film frames
“Musical Cars”
Celebrating famous cars that inspired songs or were featured in music culture.
These specialty awards are sure to bring extra creativity and originality to the contest tables.
Huge Swap Meet & Vendor Area
The event will feature:
- Over 60 vendor tables
- Model kits
- Aftermarket accessories
- Aviation collectibles
- Hobby tools and supplies
- Rare and out-of-production items
Swap meets like this are always a treasure hunt for modelers looking to expand their stash or find hard-to-get items.
An Incredible Venue for Aviation & Model Fans
One of the biggest draws of this event is the location itself—the San Diego Air & Space Museum Annex at Gillespie Field.
Attendees will have the chance to experience:
- Historic aircraft displays
- Restoration projects
- Aviation exhibits
- Museum collections
The unique setting makes this far more than just a contest—it’s an immersive experience for aviation enthusiasts and scale modelers alike.
Supporting the Modeling Community
At AFVHobbyHub.com, we know local and regional events are essential to keeping the hobby healthy and growing. Shows like the IPMS Region 8 Contest & Swap Meet help:
- Inspire new builders
- Showcase incredible craftsmanship
- Connect hobbyists
- Support clubs and vendors
- Encourage creativity throughout the hobby
These events are the heart of the scale modeling community.
Contact Information
Contest Chairperson
Bob Ekstrom sdipmsexpo@gmail.com
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👉 https://afvhobbyhub.com/
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