Heartland Master Modeler, Bill Pettyjohn:

RECIPIENT OF OVER 200 IPMS AWARDS IN AIRCRAFT MODELING

Bill Pettyjohn is primarily an aircraft model builder and usually in the scale of 1:48th. He started model buildingat the age of six when he received the Aurora Sopwith Camel for his birthday. Pettyjohn, when asked by this reporter for the number of winning awards he's garnered over the years at IPMS local, regional and National Conventions stated that the number would be over 200. This would include first place, second place and third place awards at all levels; while at many events, Bill has won Best Aircraft as well as Judges Grand Award-Best of Show for his aircraft modeling. When questioned about the one award that had the most meaning for him, Bill stated that his most cherished award and moment of pride was in winning the Dick Clay Memorial Trophy for classic aircraft, awarded in 2003.

KC IPMS/USA NATS:
PRESENTED SEMINAR ON UNIQUE PAINTING AND WEATHERING STYLE

Bill was one of the major aircraft model presenters at the Kansas City Nationals held in Kansas City, Missouri this past August, 2006, giving of his time to conduct a seminar two different days on his unique painting and weathering techniques. Bill will draw from that seminar when he presents his discussion on aircraft modeling at the afternoon session of our 2007 Model Fest. Bill has designed a step-by-step display that clearly shows examples of each step, using a group of mounted 1:48th scale model aircraft wings in various stages of finishing, as he clearly describes each step in detail. It will be an event; a "definitely not to be missed" presentation that any modeler can learn from, regardless of what kind of modeling you do.

WEDDING PRESENT, BINKS AIRBRUSH: TAKES A LICKING AND KEEPS RIGHT ON TICKING

As stated above, Bill started modeling at the age of six and has been an avid builder ever since with a few interruptions along the way. Bill tells me he had a couple of years in high school when he was interested in hot rods and "girls". He didn't indicate which of the two took most of his time! He enlisted in the US Navy in 1966 and was sent to the rock bound coast of Maine, at Cutler Naval Radio Station in 1968. Also in 1968 on a return trip to the Midwest, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Cindy who became his life long partner. Bill said her wedding present to him was a Binks Wren Airbrush, which he still uses to this day. He considers that Binks Brush his good luck charm, as it helped to bring home many winners. Bill and Cindy raised two sons while Bill has been a long time employee of ATT as a communications technician with long distance, switching equipment and fiber optics technology. He's been with the company for 40 years of service.

PETTYJOHN: INAUGURAL WINNER OF DICK CLAY MEMORIAL TROPHY

The following is a partial list of some of Bill's major awards and the models that won those awards

1997 at the IPMS Nationals in Columbus, Ohio Bill won four National awards: His 1:48th old Monogram SBD Dauntless won 2nd place in the aircraft diorama category.

Also at the Columbus Nationals a 1:48th scale P-38 diorama won 3rd place while his 1:48th Hawker Typhoon diorama was awarded Honorable Mention.

And his old 1:48th AMT A-20 Havoc entry was awarded the coveted Kendall Model Company special award for aircraft.

2003 Bill was the first recipient of the Dick Clay Memorial Trophy given to the top classic aircraft model in the show. For the sponsor of the trophy, Rick Brownlee, this was especiallygratifying, and fitting, since Pettyjohn and Brownlee were both close personal friends of Dick Clay.

2003 at the IPMS Nationals in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Bill won three National awards: his 1:48th Classic Airframes Lockheed Hudson won first in aircraft. His 1:48th Tamiya Mosquito won 3rd in category and his old 1:48th Monogram B-29 also won third in category.

2006 at the IPMS Nationals in Kansas City, Missouri, Pettyjohn, once again won four National awards: his 1:48th HiPM FW 189 twin engine took first place. His 1:48th DML Ju 188 to 3rd place while his superb job on the very old Hasegawa 1:32nd F6F Hellcat won a Premier Award. Lastly for the KC Nats., Bill did a masterful job on the 1:32nd Fisher resin kit of the Korean War era F9F Panther and it got a 3rd place award.

Here is the other side of Bill's outer model and award displayroom. A lot of posters and WWII aircraft illustrations are posted on the walls. The door behind Bill is the entrance to the very large room where Bill constructs and paints his models.

Another photograph of the walls covered with awards Bill has won.

A close upphoto of one of Bill's display cases. You can see on the top row left, the 1:48th Hudson that won first at Oklahoma City, a 1:48th Mossie, an IJN Zero, and below, the 1:48th Monogram B-29 that won the initial Dick Clay Memorial Trophy and placed in the IPMS Nationals.

Pettyjohn sits at work bench in the work room. He's holding his latest aircraft kit project, that he's been working on since last August; a 1:48th Monogram OS2U Kingfisher, w/ aftermarket resin interior. Bill will display it on the resin catapult he purchases at the IPMS Nats. in Kansas City. A lot of catapult cleanup work still to be done, he told me with a long sigh. . .

Another shot of the very large work/construction room where Bill creates his award winners. The room features a sink with running water and a complete spray booth at the back edge of his main work bench. The booth exhaust pipe is attached to the ceiling and connects with the outside. Very neat and tidy.

A close upphoto of Bill's FW 189 that won first in category at the KC Nats. One of Bill's strengths is his attention to detail, especially in the cockpit area. Not the most fall together kit, here. . . but Pettyjohn turned it into a winner with around 6 months of work.

A close upphoto of the greenhouse of the 1:48th FW 189, and the photo doesn't do it justice.

Here is the Fisher 1:32nd full Resin kit of the F9F Panther. This reporter has seen this model close upand the cockpit is just incredible. It's like looking at the real aircraft, in miniature.