The 2026 Themes

The Ottawa Scale Model Showcase features Two Theme awards for the first time at our 2026 event.

#1 - As the show was conceived originally as being an automotive affair, the first is an automotive theme.

Motor Trends (or any major automotive publications) "Car of the Year"

Any year you like works. Motor Trends magazine has been doing this from 1946 to today.

Here is a youtube video that tells you what each car was, for each year of their publication: CAR OF THE YEAR

Please if you enter this special award class, please provide proof that the model qualifies. Best (and coolest) way would be if you display a copy of the magazine reference with the model.

In 1969 the Motor Trend Car of the Year was the Plymouth Roadrunner. You could display this image with your entry to qualify.

 

Other publications do a "Car of the Year" pick as well. If you have documentation like this for it, that would qualify for this theme class as well.

Also, entries do not have to be built specifically for this event. As long as your entry did not win at one of our previous shows, it's good to enter! This is totally on the honour system but it is embarrassing if you get caught out in violation of this rule. 

Good Luck! 

#2 - 35th Anniversary of the Desert Storm Conflict

Anything that was involved in that conflict is eligible. Ships, Aircraft, Armour, Support vehicles. This gives a lot of scope. Just to broaden things, you can enter any "type" that participated in the conflict but by paint and marking scheme does not represent something that was actually in theatre.

For example : A-10 Warthogs were used in the conflict. We'll allow any A-10 model to enter this class.

As with the car theme,  you don't have to build your entry specially for this event but please do not enter something that has won an award in a previous show.

Good Luck!