Juha Airio came to town.

[Modellpularn]

Now this is old news I guess, but maybe a bit interesting anyway.

August 9th was the day the Wheels Nats car show was held. And with it there's always the "Plastic Whackin'" model car show. Juha Airio always shows up at this show, and the one in early February - CCM Open. This time he brought a 1972 Opel Rekord coupe, a '70 Eldorado, a tuner, and something else, which I might have missed.

Here's the Opel:

And here's the Caddy:

For some reason, the number of models entered in the show this year was very low. Usually it's a very popular model contest. There's another model contest coming up this Saturday. I hope more guys are coming to this one...

Edited September 21, 2008 by Modellpularn

[Eshaver]

WOW................................................................ sum buildin thar........................................

[george 53]

WoW! Juha Airio, He's probably the most envied guy I've ever heard of! I would LOVE to have just 1/10th of his talent! As far as I'm concerened He's the BEST replica stock builder ON THE PLANET! I'd love to meet him and see his models up close an personal like! even his name jus gives me chills!!! In my book he's the BEST IN THE WORLD at what he does, BAR NONE! I can still dream to someday be as good (I SAID DREAM) as he is! Edited September 22, 2008 by george 53

[Frank Steffens]

The man is amazing...he could take a 1/72 F-14 Tomcat and convert it into a 1/25 '69 Camaro, and it will be the best model of that car ever made...

[Bill Coulter]

The man is amazing...he could take a 1/72 F-14 Tomcat and convert it into a 1/25 '69 Camaro, and it will be the best model of that car ever made...

Certainly this is stated with no disrespect to any of the other great builders in this hobby we all love so much but Juha's replica stock work remains, in my opinion, the absolute best I've ever seen in print or in person. When you see him next time thank him for me. His building continues to amaze me with every new model I see. I'm a life-long confirmed car nut with a design degree. I just can't seem see some of the cars Juha builds in some of the stuff he starts with. Who would ever have guessed there was a mid-50's Studebaker hiding out inside a mid-50's Chevy.

Just keep setting the bar higher and higher Juha!

Bill Coulter

[Zoom Zoom]

Certainly this is stated with no disrespect to any of the other great builders in this hobby we all love so much but Juha's replica stock work remains, in my opinion, the absolute best I've ever seen in print or in person. When you see him next time thank him for me. His building continues to amaze me with every new model I see. I'm a life-long confirmed car nut with a design degree. I just can't seem see some of the cars Juha builds in some of the stuff he starts with. Who would ever have guessed there was a mid-50's Studebaker hiding out inside a mid-50's Chevy.

Just keep setting the bar higher and higher Juha!

Bill Coulter

Amen brother! He just never ceases to amaze me; I've seen the pictures and I've seen a few in person. They're not models so much as they are real miniature replicas. Wingrove and others work in large scale, Juha works in "our" scale. Whether replica stock or custom, his work is so perfect and fascinating to study. A level of depth to the detailing that goes well beyond where I'll ever go, the scale fidelity is amazing. And where in the world he gets the research material for so many of these very esoteric subjects...mind blowing.

Okay...what do we think he started with for this Opel? My first guess is a 1970 Hornet 2 door coupe (promo body). I would love to see more photos of the Cadillac.

[Modellpularn]

Yes, Juha's models are amazing. He told me he entered his first model contest maybe in the mid 80's. I guess he's more than made up for the late start.... The first time he came to a model car show here in Stockholm, in '89, he actually came to see me first, and showed his stuff! One of the models was the orange Dart Swinger, and I could tell right away; this guy is something special. His models were on a much higher level than the others! Juha is a very quiet, modest person, like my friend calls him: "The modest master" That was the time he converted an old '66 Impala convertible junker, found in a childrens playground, into a Biscayne fourdoor sedan with a six...... Here's a pic of the master:

That Opel..... I'm not sure, but it might have been some resin kit. On the other hand, it could have started as a Hornet.....

Bill, very nice to hear from you! I will tell Juha, but I think you might have to remind me, sometime in early February, just before the CCM Open!! I'm kind of absentminded, think I've always been, but it's worse now. The glue you know......

So, if anyone happens to plan a trip to Stockholm Sweden in early February, let me know, 'cus you'll get to meet Juha and see some spectacular models!

Edited September 22, 2008 by Modellpularn

[GeeBee]

That Opel is just brilliant, my uncle had the estate version when i used to live in Spain, it looks so real .... he has so much talent, i'd love to fnd out i that was a resin kit ...

[george 53]

Thanks for the pic of the "Master" Hans. Isn't it funny how such an unassuming looking Gentleman can be SUCH a genius? But then, look at Einstien, Never woulda thunk he was the smartest man on the planet in his day just by lookin at him! Juha's in that class, to me. It would be worth a trip tp Sweden just to meet him as far as I'm concerned. The trick is talkin "Wifey-Pooh" into goin just for some models."You wanna what???" would probly be her response! Either way, THANKS again for the pic, I wonder if he knows his effect on the modeling world? At least he looks like a nice guy!

[Modellpularn]

George and anyone interested, why don't you talk some buddies into coming over, have a raffle to raise money, or whatever. But even if it might be cool to meet Juha in person, it's bit "coold" in February. Might be better to plan for late July - early August, since there's a model car show in late July, which is very popular, called "The Count's Glue Galore" hosted by Claes Beck-Friis. And then you have the Wheels Nats in early August, held at an old military airfield. Lots of cool American cars and bikes! Then at night there's the Stockholm Cruising, a big thing down one of the main streets. You would have a blast! In the meantime between model shows, how about a trip to my summer house in the countryside? Where you will meet more car crazy guys, and some modelers as well. Something called Classic Car Week is also taking place around that time, Hot Rod Reunion, etc.....Lots of cool stuff is happening! Let's just hope for better weather next summer.....

[Luc Janssens]

Now this is old news I guess, but maybe a bit interesting anyway.

The Opel:

OMG!

This guy is unbelievable, what's next the Commodore GS/E Version?

[Billy Kingsley]

Juha is an inspiration to us all.

I hear he's incredibly humble as well. Someday I hope to meet him, and just shake his hand and say "Thanks for everything you've done for modeling".

Unfortunatly I'm not big on planes or boats so I doubt I'll ever get to visit you folks!

[kerc]

Juha is my hero! LOVE his models.

1) Tell him to post here!

2) I wanna know how he installs his windows! Kit "glass" is one of my pet peeves. I replace it with clear styrene, but gluing them is soooo tricky. How doe she do it?

[Harold]

I have a stack of old SAE's going back to the late '90's, along with the Car Modeler annuals and everything with Juha's work is dog- eared and drool- stained. I swear that man has a shrinking ray that he uses to convert 1:1 to 1:25. If only I were a quarter as good...

[MrObsessive]

Juha has been one of my inspirations to jump into the superdetailed realm ever since seeing his models in the old Car Modeler in the '90's. My favorite to this day has got to be his '73 Pontiac Grand AM that he converted from the old Johan '75 Cutlass.

That's one I gotta tackle someday!

I'd definitely like to meet him someday as I'd love to see his models in person! Hopefully he'll turn up at one of the GSL shows in the future!

Or..................just hop on a plane and come over there------ I gotta brush up on my Finnish though!

[Modellpularn]

Bill, you don't need to practice your Finnish..... it's a language beyond understanding, and it sounds like they are mad at each other most of the time...... "satana, perkele, vitto" Those were some bad words.... Everyone over here speaks English, and Juha as well. Yeah, hop a plane and come over why don't 'cha! We'd be happy to have you! And bring some of your outstanding models! Like I said before, plan for a summer vacation, Sweden is so much nicer in the summer, and with all that's going on, you won't believe it...!!!

Edited September 23, 2008 by Modellpularn