i was thinking of entering a modelling competition in november sponsored by the pensacola naval aviation museum the weekend of the blue angel homecoming show. i’m not entering because i think i’m that good but just for the fun of it. its an $80 entry fee that includes a banquet, open cockpit tour, and imax theater show along with other benefits that i think would be enjoyable. if anybody else has entered modelling competitions i would like to hear some feed back on some tips of what judges like to see. i know that all judges are different, but maybe some ideas from you guys may give me a better chance of entering something interesting. i would love to build something that would stand out a little so any ideas are welcome. i can enter up to 7 models with the entry fee so i may enter more than one model. thanks fellows.
ps. if anybody live near pensacola and is planning to enter i would like to speak with you. later.
Sounds like a lot of fun and a lot of things going on there to take your mind off the competition. Far as what judges look for depends on what level your entering. The level you enter will guide to what the judges look for in craftmenship and accuracy. However, many models are perfect in craftmenship, or in some cases, there are too many of the same model on the same level. Deciding factors in judgeing are determined by creativity, uniquiness of the subject, and overall feeing the piece gives the viewer. Some of us call it the “wow” factor. Many judges just stand back and go by this. It is hard to tell if your subject has “wow” unless you show it off. Show your friends, family, and ask, what is their overall feeling of the model. Then score your model based on their comments. You may score low but don’t be discouraged, use this information to help you in building your next model for competition.
Of coarse, all this can be taken to extremes in order to win, but I have found the models that win, are built by modelers who are having a lot a fun and enjoy what they are building. They build to impress themselves, not judges.
Scott
thanks scott, thats what it is for me, just pure fun to see how i may size up to the next guy. plus, i’ll get to see what everybody else is doing and marvel at other modellers work. i dont even care if i place but i would like to see a couple of folks linger around my subjects for longer than a glance. LOL. this will be my first competition and i’m stoked about attending the whole thing. sounds like fun whether you place or not. later.
I don’t compete myself but I have been asked to be a judge at a few local IPMS meets ( when they couldn’t get anyone else ). As said above, it depends somewhat on the category you enter, whether it’s OOB or unlimited. Basically, for aircraft, I look first for basic modeling skills, no visible seams, no flat spots sanded on fuselage spines, wings with proper dihedral, tail planes set true to the prototype, landing gear at proper angle, canopies clear & properly masked & painted, etc. Then of course the paint job & decaling. Smooth even paint, no silvering of decals, proper selection of colors, proper camo patterns, overspray on camo,etc. For OOB category, look to see if the builder cheated with AM resin or PE goodies. For unlimited category, it’s a lot tougher & more subjective. Here you will get much closer scrutiny on details, especially cockpit, wheel wells, landing gear, wing guns, etc. As far as the WOW factor, thats an intangible and depends on the judges tastes to some extent. But if you enter a common model, say a Bf-109, Spitfire, Mustang, etal, there may be several other competitors with very similar models and yours will be less likely to stand out. As a judge, I try real hard not to be influenced by my love or dislike of a particular aircraft, but only focus on the craftsmanship demonstrated by the modeler. Before you enter, be sure & get a copy of the official rules so you know the judging categories. I’m not sure this is an IPMS sanctioned contest, but even IPMS rules get interpreted differently sometimes. But most of all have fun with it & don’t be discouraged if you don’t win, place or show. After the judging, if you can, talk to some of the judges about your models. Most will be glad to give you honest & helpful feedback. But please be polite, I’ve had confrontations by more than a few disgruntled modelers whose pride & joy didn’t win the hardware. I can’t totally agree with Scott, a lot of dedicated contest modelers build more to impress judges than themselves.
Saltydog,
I’m a member of the local Pensacola Modeleers club and I’m somewhat familiar with the show this coming fall. If you want an in-depth explanation of the event, give John Struck a call at John’s Models. He’s on the advisory board at the museum.
The one thing to bear in mind is that this is NOT a normal model show. Here is the description from the official flyer of how judging will be accomplished at this show:
“In the Museum competition, the model is to be viewed as a piece of art. Rather than seeking fault, the piece will be evaluated for the level of excellence it has attained.”
Hope this helps,
hey robert, i was hoping to attract your attention, i just couldn’t remember your user name to ask if you were maybe gonna enter a subject. i was in pensacola this past weekend and ofcourse dropped in at bobe’s hobby shop and ask when the next modelling exhibit was gonna be and they gave me the pamphlet on the museum show. i read through it and the way i understand it there are no categories. i promise i’m just having fun and it wont bother me a bit if i dont place. i’m just excited about seeing someone else’s models besides mine humble builds. thanks again fellows.
I also live here in Pensacola, and I know about the show in Nov. but I haven’t seen a flyer for it. Does John have one at his shop? I’ve not been there in a while. How would become a member of the Modeleers club? Thanks.
jonathan
saltydog & gundamxx1,
- Categories: You are correct in stating for this show there are no categories. The way John Struck (John’s Models) explained it at the last meeting is that as models are brought in - throughout the first day and first half of the second day - they will be immediately “judged” on a Gold, Silver, Bronze standard based on the model’s excellence in terms of “art”. There is no other criteria - no accuracy issues, no rivet counters, no paint hue or shade discussions. I don’t know if there will be an award for say the “Most Artful Model” (i.e. Best of Show). You would have to ask John about that, but I don’t think the particulars have been worked out as yet.
At this point, I’m not personally planning on entering anything in the show although I may pay the entry fee just to have extended access to the vendors, the banquet, and of course, the open cockpit demos (which are limited to entered individuals only).
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Flyers: Both Bobe’s and John’s have copies of the flyers available for free. If they are out, I’m sure John will get more printed up as soon as possible.
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Modeleers: The Pensacola Modeleers meet at 1:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month at John’s Models. We’ll be there this Saturday. Your welcome to just stop by and scope out the situation. If you want to join our happy little club, we’ll get you squared away with membership.
BTW: I’ve volunteered my services to the club as the editor (and publisher) of the club newletter. It used to be published, but died out due to lack of interest. I’ve brought it back and will be providing limited copies to both Bobe’s (dropped off 15 today) and John’s for anyone to take who is interested. It outlines all of the clubs current events.
Look forward to seeing you Saturday, Jonathan!
i’ve heard alot about John’s Models but i’ve never been given directions to his place. the people at bobe’s tell me he’s not open but certain hours and such so i havent followed up on getting directions. i’d like to get a newsletter if you dont mind robert. i live about 85 miles (by highway) from p’cola so i’m not down but about once a month so i would probably have to get mine through the mail. i’d be interested in looking into joining the club. later.
saltydog,
Here’s the club web site:
http://www.members.tripod.com/pcolamodeleers/
It includes directions to John’s Models and should have the newsletter posted shortly. I sent the final draft to the webmaster this morning. Keep an eye out and it would be great to see you at our meetings. If you’re 85 miles from downtown P’cola, you’re probably only 60 or 65 from John’s, since he’s actually in Cantonment north of town.
sounds like a smelly situation. i buy granite countertops from Dean’s Solid Surfaces just north of p’cola and i came across a railroad model shop as far as i could tell and thought i had stumbled across John’s Model’s once but i didnt have the nerve to enter the shop and ask. i’ll find it if i can get away saturday. my wife’s been hinting to go back (to p’cola) and swap some shorts at the mall that we bought last week so maybe i could drop in. how long do the meetings last? later.
Usually about 2 hours. Sometimes a little more; sometimes a little less.
Our last major model comp had 2 judges, for modified 48 scale aircraft, 1 of these two has not built a model in 15 years, the has built 3/4 of one in 9 years. I know of another who judged a model as a first place, it had 50 mission marks 15 kills and a factory finish, on a Yak 3, [turned out it was his model and he was Peresident of the organizing club]. If that’s not rigged them it beets me where they come from.
Rob.
Rob, sometimes it’s hard to get qualified judges for an event, but Iv’e never heard of an event that allowed judges to be contestants as well. That would definitely be a problem. Was this a local club event or a sanctioned IPMS competition ?
Robert
Thank you for the invite. I will do my best to show up. Thanks again
jonathan