Michael Geyer is a passionate modeler whose curiosity for German armor sparked a hobby that quickly grew into a full-scale obsession.
Michael Geyer has been modeling for about 4–5 years and joined High Plains Modelers three years ago. He’s also a member of IPMS/USA.
His journey into the hobby began with a fascination for German armor—he thought it looked amazing and wanted to build it all. That spark quickly grew into a passion for 1/35 scale armor and 1/48 aircraft, though his stash also includes 1/350 ships and a growing number of sci-fi kits.
Michael’s first model was a 1/72 biplane, though he remembers it being “more tube glue than plastic.” These days, he’s working on AMT/ERTL’s 1/48 Airwolf, complete with a scratch-built base. One of his most memorable builds was a 1/32 Tomcat he built with his dad. They never painted it, but he fondly recalls flying it around the house and having a blast.
His favorite kit so far has been Meng’s C-17 egg plane. He loved the quirky look and now wants to build every egg plane he can find. As for the one that got away—Michael spent years searching for a model of the DHC-4 Caribou, a plane he remembers from his time with the Australian Army. He’s finally found the kit and is determined to do it justice.
To date, he’s built around 15–20 models, but his stash tells a bigger story. Scalemates lists 214 kits, and he’s got about 40 in various stages of completion. “It feels like I have so much more to buy,” he says.
Looking back, Michael wishes he had focused earlier on finishing techniques—working with oils, pigments, filters, and anything else that adds realism. His advice to beginners: “It’s ok to make a mistake; that’s where the learning starts.”
He’s had his share of modeling mishaps too. While building an old Airfix 1/72 Canberra, he spent hours perfecting the camouflage and seam lines, only to discover it was a tail sitter. He tried everything—even cutting off the nose to add more weight—but it wouldn’t sit flat. Eventually, he scrapped it, only to learn later about other techniques that could have solved the problem. “Live and learn,” he says.
Michael’s biggest surprise in the hobby has been the people. “Before joining the club, I didn’t know anyone who modeled, let alone anyone involved in modeling clubs,” he says. He hasn’t won any awards yet, but he’s enjoying the journey and the community.
His workspace has evolved from a kitchen table to a coffee table—where he built while his family watched movies—and finally to a dedicated desk with a storage rack and painting booth. “Just need a better chair now,” he adds.
Lately, he’s been impressed with ATOM paints and has a large collection of SMS paints, which he supports as an Australian company. He’s also looking to improve his painting and detailing skills to take his builds to the next level.
Michael’s Workspace
