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R U Ready !

About the 48 in 48 Challenge

Welcome to the 48 in 48 Challenge—a dynamic and inclusive group build event that combines the joy of scale modeling with the mission to support mental health and well-being through creativity. This annual challenge invites participants to build a 1/48 scale model kit within 48 hours, all in support of Models for Heroes, a UK-based charity providing scale model kits and creative outlets to improve the mental health of veterans, active service members, and first responders.The Origin of 48 in 48
This event started as a birthday challenge and has since evolved into a cherished tradition in the scale modeling community. With the spirit of friendly competition and the heart of a fundraiser, the 48 in 48 Challenge encourages modelers of all skill levels to join forces for a greater purpose. The initiative reflects the passion, creativity, and resilience of the modeling community, embodying the therapeutic benefits of this beloved hobby.Why Models for Heroes?
Models for Heroes uses scale modeling to provide a creative outlet for those struggling with PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. As a volunteer and advocate for this charity, our organizer has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the hobby and its ability to foster focus, camaraderie, and personal achievement. Every donation helps provide model kits, tools, and guidance to those who need them most, making your support truly impactful.What to Expect
The 48 in 48 Challenge is a fully immersive experience:Live Streams and Community Engagement: Watch builders from around the world tackle their kits live on YouTube, share their progress, and cheer each other on.
Special Guests and Partners: Industry podcasters, professional modelers, and friends of Models for Heroes join in to elevate the event with tips, stories, and camaraderie.
Fundraising Milestones: Throughout the event, donations unlock fun surprises, challenges, and community shout-outs, keeping the energy high and the purpose clear.
Get Involved
Whether you're a seasoned builder or new to the hobby, there’s a place for you in the 48 in 48 Challenge:Participate: Build your own 1/48 scale model kit and share your progress with the community.
Donate: Every contribution helps Models for Heroes continue their vital work.
Spread the Word: Share the event on social media to bring more awareness to the cause.
Together, we’re proving that creativity, connection, and compassion can make a tangible difference. Let’s build for a brighter tomorrow—one model at a time.Learn more about the event, explore ways to get involved, and check out the live streams right here on our site. Your support ensures that the incredible work of Models for Heroes can continue to change lives.

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2025 Participants

Eligibility:
The event is open to all model makers regardless of skill level.Participants must register before the event starts.Kit Requirements:
Models kit can be any scale.
Any subject matter is acceptable (aircraft, vehicles, figures, etc.).The kit must be unstarted before the event begins. However, participants may open boxes and examine parts.2025 Kit of choice
1/48 Airfix Supermarine Spitfire
1/48 Tamiya Sherman TankTimeframe:
The event will run for exactly 48 hours.
Participants may start building once the event begins (as per the official time announced).Build Process:
All work must be completed within the 48-hour window, including assembly, painting, and finishing touches.Breaks, sleep, and other personal activities are encouraged but will count within the 48-hour period.Streaming:
Builders are encouraged to live stream or record their progress and share updates regularly on social media or designated platforms.Use the event hashtag (#48in48) for visibility and engagement.Supportive Environment:
This is a fun and inclusive event designed to promote creativity and camaraderie. Negative or unsportsmanlike behaviour will not be tolerated.Completion Submission:
Builders must share at least one photo of their completed model before the event ends.
Helpful Tips for SuccessPreparation:
Choose a kit you’re comfortable building within the time limit.
Have all your tools, paints, and accessories ready before the event.Pacing:
Plan your time wisely. Prioritize assembly early to leave ample time for painting and weathering.Engagement:
Share your progress with the community to stay motivated and connected.Enjoy the Process:
The aim is to challenge yourself and have fun while supporting a great cause!Disclaimer:
Participants are responsible for their own safety and workspace. The event organizers are not liable for any personal injuries, property damage, or issues arising during participation.

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Airfix Steps Up in Support of 48-48

Updated 26/01/26

Airfix has officially launched a special 48-48 event bundle, created in direct support of the 48-48 challenge and Models for Heroes.
For every bundle purchased, 100 flying hours are donated per purchase, delivering a direct and tangible contribution to the charity and the people it supports. This collaboration with Airfix represents a significant show of industry backing for the 2026 event.
The bundle is available now via the buy now button below.

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48-48 Merchandise Official
Means Something

Updated 24/01/26

The official 48-48 merchandise range is designed to do more than mark an event. Each piece tells part of a story — one built around quiet progress, shared effort, and the belief that meaningful change often begins unseen.
Rooted in the narrative arc DARK → BEGIN → FORWARD → SEEN, the collection reflects the same journey at the heart of the 48-48 challenge itself. From the uncertainty of starting, through commitment and momentum, to openness and understanding, every design is intentional, understated, and built to last well beyond a single year.
Rather than bold slogans or time-limited graphics, the range uses refined, dictionary-style definitions as subtle messages — discovered rather than announced. These words are not instructions; they are reflections. Worn individually they stand alone, but together they form a quiet statement about resilience, growth, and choosing to move forward.
Importantly, this is not commercial merchandise in the traditional sense. Every item in the official range exists for one reason: to support Models for Heroes.
100% of all profits from the sale of official 48-48 merchandise go directly to Models for Heroes, helping veterans and emergency service personnel find connection, purpose, and support through creativity and community. Each purchase contributes directly to real-world impact — not overheads, not promotion, but people.
Whether worn at the bench, in the workshop, or away from the event entirely, these pieces act as quiet reminders: progress doesn’t need to be loud to be real, and support doesn’t need to be visible to matter.
This is merchandise with intent.
Defined by the journey.
Built to support something bigger than itself.

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More Than a Patch

Updated 21/01/26

The 48-48 patches have always been more than simple collectibles. They are markers — small, tangible reminders of participation, commitment, and shared purpose.
Each patch represents time given, effort shared, and a moment stood inside together. Whether earned through taking part, supporting from the sidelines, or contributing behind the scenes, the patch signifies belonging to something larger than any individual build or stream.
Designed to be worn, displayed, or kept quietly in a drawer, the patches reflect the same values as the wider 48-48 event: resilience, connection, and showing up when it matters. They don’t celebrate perfection or completion — they acknowledge presence, effort, and intent.
For many, the patch becomes a personal reference point. A reminder of long hours, tired hands, conversations had, and support offered or received. For others, it’s a first step into the community — a small symbol that opens the door to something meaningful.
As with all official 48-48 items, the patches exist to support Models for Heroes. They carry forward the core purpose of the event: using creativity and community to make a real difference for veterans and emergency service personnel.
Quietly worn or proudly displayed, the patch is not about recognition.
It’s about connection.
A shared mark of a journey taken together.

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Theme

2026

Land • Sea • Air — three domains, one challenge.

Updated 24/01/26

Land • Sea • Air brought together in a single scene — armour advancing on land, warships cutting through the sea, and aircraft dominating the sky. A visual reflection of the 48-48 2026 theme: three domains, one shared mission

2025

Spitfires & Shermans — 1/48 scale

Spitfires & Sherman Tanks (1/48 scale) — air and armour working together, capturing one of the most recognisable partnerships of the Second World War.

2024

Land — the machines that keep everything moving.

Land — tractors and utility vehicles that built, sustained, and supported life behind the lines. The quiet backbone of industry, recovery, and resilience.

2023

AT-ST Walker — armour reimagined beyond history.

AT-ST Walker (Star Wars) — sci-fi armour brought to life, blending cinematic storytelling with scale modelling creativity.

2022

Box Diorama — storytelling inside the frame.

Box Diorama — a complete story contained within a frame, where focus, mood, and narrative come first.

2021

Spitfires — grace under pressure.

Spitfires — an icon of air combat, capturing elegance, resilience, and precision in scale.

2020

‘Focker Foes’ - Whoof Whoof

Fockers’ Foes (1/48 scale) — the aircraft that faced the Fokkers in the skies of the First World War, capturing the variety and rivalry of early air combat.

2019

Little Fockers — big character in small scale.

Little Fockers (1/48 scale) — First World War fighters brought down to bench level, celebrating the fragile, hands-on nature of early air combat.

2018

Family Day — building memories, not just models.

Family Day — a celebration of sharing the hobby across generations, where curiosity, creativity, and time together matter more than the subject on the bench.

Tips and Tricks

Updated 24/01/26