DeToyz Plamo Contest 2025 – Winner’s Feature Series : 1st Place

DeToyz Plamo Contest 2025 – Winner’s Feature Series

1st Place – Mr TJ Tee
Model: HG Jesta & GM Spartan (two-unit team)

We caught up with TJ Tee, whose two-unit diorama pairing the HG Jesta and GM Spartan captured 1st place at the DeToyz Plamo Contest 2025. Inspired by real-world special forces tactics, TJ designed a coordinated team: a heavy-weapons Jesta providing suppressive fire and a Spartan acting as point man. Under a tight build schedule, he delivered a disciplined paint finish in sandy tones, sharp detailing, and storytelling that feels grounded in reality. Here’s his post-contest interview.

1) Congratulations! How do you feel about winning 1st place this year?

Needless to say, I’m super, super happy! I’m also especially pleased to be winning my first gold medal with a Gunpla kit, as my previous gold medal in 2020 was with a Star Wars kit.

2) What was the biggest challenge you faced while working on this kit?

This year’s contest had a rather short build time of just over 2 months. It was really challenging to work within such a compressed timeframe and execute on the vision I had for this build, but I’m extremely glad to be able to pull it off, as I was working on my entry right down to the last day of submission!

3) Did you try any new techniques, tools, or materials for this build?

I mostly stayed with what I was already familiar with and focused on executing well with no mistakes, rather than experimenting with untested techniques.

I’ve never painted any of my Gunpla kits in sandy tones, so that was a first for me. Getting the colour palette just right was quite challenging - I had to strip the paint on several pieces and redo them a few shades lighter.

4) Which part of your entry are you most proud of, and why?

I think the concept was the defining moment for this build, as it was inspired by the Navy SEALs. I wanted my mechs to be based on real-life special forces operators working in a team, with each unit having a distinct role and loadout.

The RGM-96X Jesta Cannon is the heavy weapons operator that provides suppressive fire, while the RGM-79S GM Spartan plays the role of the point man, who is more lightly armed but is equipped with a shield. Like Navy SEAL teams in real life, the two work closely and move in a single formation.

The build also feels more grounded in reality, as it’s less of a leap to imagine a future world where the military uses advanced mechanised warfare to counter terrorist threats. I also included a little easter egg in the build — a man running for his dear life while a woman lies unconscious on the ground. I wanted to demonstrate how the giant mechs step in to face the oncoming threat while the man flees in cowardice.

5) Among all the entries this year, was there one that caught your attention or inspired you?

I thought that several entries were done really well, and my favourite of the lot was the Hi-ν Gundam with a unique colour scheme and tons of kitbashed parts.

I also liked the Z’Gok vs. RGM-79 GM built by a young modeller. Even though as a competition build it didn’t make the cut, I’m really glad to see the creativity and effort that went into it!

6) What motivates you to keep building model kits?

Being a big fan of sci-fi (Star Wars and mecha in particular), I’ve discovered that the best way for me to indulge in the fandom is to build model kits from the franchises. Whether it’s recreating famous scenes or creating an original one featuring my favourite characters, my mind is always filled with ideas for new build concepts! I find that model kit building is a great way to exercise my creativity and develop my skills working with an analogue medium (I work in the software industry).

I also think that competitions such as DeToyz’s Plamo Contest provide great motivation for me to push my skills, creativity and discipline to the limits. The reward is getting to display my works for others to see and winning a trophy along the way!

7) What advice would you give to newcomers who want to join next year’s contest?

Invest time into developing a strong concept for your build — your piece must tell a compelling story to the viewer. Also, make sure you don’t leave any room for errors — don’t give the competition judges any reason to deduct points due to silly mistakes!

8) Any message you’d like to share with the DeToyz community?

Keep building, keep improving, be open to receiving feedback and learning from mistakes, experiment with new techniques, and most of all, keep supporting your local hobby shop!

9) What’s your next project or dream kit you’d like to work on?

Too many to mention! But for now, there are two:

• a motion-sensitive BB-8 (1:2 scale) from Star Wars with internal electronics
• HG Dendrobium (1:144 scale) from Gundam.

Builder Info

Name: Mr TJ Tee
Model: HG Jesta & GM Spartan