Howard Markel, Zephyrhills, Florida
Inspired by Texan air racers he saw in an online group build, Howard decided to pull a T-6 from his stash and model it as if it were flown by his 8-year-old daughter — and Little Miss Magic taught her new techniques and helped her graduate from snap-fit models. He let her apply liquid cement while he guided her hand, but soon she was flying solo, Howard says, “although I did have to remind her ‘not too much’ a couple of times.” She helped him trim parts and sand seams. Howard added paper-strip seat belts, ignition wires, and an extended exhaust from the SNJ version. The plane is painted with Colors by Boyd true pearl, with ice blue pearl scallops and trim, and Testors Model Master hot magenta piping.