The omission of this piece as a prize winner virtually kept me up at night. Let it be known that I had initially considered awarding Mr. Hyche either the first or second place status in the contest. But after consultation with Micah, and a careful review of Hyche's explanation about the creation of this work, we realized a painful fact: this entry could not qualify for a prize, due to the rules we had established.

Mr. Hyche stated, ... I took the front of a German half-track kit and bonded it with an U.S. troop truck rear. I added an axle and even have the ripped canvas side exposing the crated Ark. Of course the grill is bent, the windshield broken, and the German tough guy is at the wheel. Indy was made from 3 different soldier kits. His jacket from a WWII G.I., legs and pouch from a British infantryman, and his hat was customized from one of those little plastic cowboys we all grew up with...

I commend Mr. Hyche on his superior modelmaking skills, as well as his incredible honesty. Sadly, Micah and I fretted because Mr. Hyche had used other model kits in constructing this piece. However much he may have manipulated them into a whole new original work of his own, Micah and I, as judges, had to uphold the rules -- no matter how much we may have regretted it. Should we sponsor another art contest in the future, this scenario surely has prompted us to re-evalutate the rules we have drafted.

About the model itself, I am at a loss for words. It's stunning, beautiful, intricate, and -- damn, I'll say it -- flawless. Well done, H.C.!