Hi Modeling Friends,
After listening to a modeling podcast recently, I had an idea for a question to pose on the forum. You would place your models on the table at a show if there were no trophies/awards being awarded? Strictly an exhibition style show where people walk around and look at all the models and just bond over this hobby.
1 Like
I don’t see why not, but rather than being afraid of judgement, I’m more so of breaking the model in the transit to the show.
2 Likes
Sure, I’d do that again. I took several built models to an event at the Lone Star Flight Museum a few years ago. It wasn’t a contest. If I recall right, it was a scale modeler’s conference held at that museum. There were no judges or awards that I recall, or if there were, I found out about it too late to enter but was allowed to bring models to display.
It was a nerve-wracking 35+ minute drive to the museum with about a dozen models, but I got them there and back with no damage.
1 Like
To be honest, I’ve never displayed any of my builds outside of my home. I don’t deem my work on par with the builds I see at shows. My kids on the other hand are begging me to embarrass myself by entering one. Thankfully, my local IPMS chapter didn’t have a show this year due to venue issues. I think I would be more comfortable showing my builds if there weren’t judges scrutinizing them and pointing out every flaw.
3 Likes
A dozen!? Man, I’m afraid of moving my own between the workbench and my shelves, I don’t picture myself going with 12 inside a car. Any small bump and bang, broken parts!
@Sturmovik I’m pretty sure they were in several Rubbermaid tubs with lots of padding that kept them from moving around.
1 Like
The local IPMS chapter here regularly has public displays without having a contest. It is a great way to engage the public and provide a little bit of education in the mix.
For me, contest trophies are not the reason I go. It’s the thrill of the chase and the uncertainty/terror of competition. I go expecting to have my mind blown. I have been to a few contests where there were no real showstoppers, and found my enjoyment was diminished.
1 Like
I’ve never really been one to want or display trophies, even as a kid they went in the closet or under the bed, just clutter to me I guess. Same reason I only keep a handful of finished models. I already have enough stuff lol so to answer your question, personally I would be fine with no awards.
1 Like
Just out of curiosity, what do you do with the ones you don’t keep?
Recycle bin, I have a shelf with 6 spots plus the top. When I finish a kit I compare it to the rest, if it’s better it stays if it’s not it goes, it served its purpose for me to learn from, build, get time away and practice then it’s on to the next one. Plus I’m the only one that sees them besides the pictures I post here. I snap a few pictures and away they go lol.
1 Like
I know at the IPMS/USA Nats last year in Madison, the staff there tried out an idea for having a separate display only area called the Tiger Meet. This was just an area for modelers, clubs, and groups to display their models without entering any in competition. People seemed to really enjoy it and the idea may catch on for future Nats or other local or regional shows.
Here’s a few sample pics.
4 Likes
There’s a coincidence. The last pic has a name label Mike J. Idacavage. He used to be a member of the San Diego IPMS chapter way back…90s I’d say. At some point he moved - but was a great real-space modeler.
Thanks everyone for your feedback & comments. It makes me feel good that sharing our hobby and visiting with other modelers means more to a lot of us than winning some award at a contest. I’m hoping that this type of show continues to grow in popularity.
Regarding models breaking to and from contests I’ve had a few break over the years. Ship models are usually my casualties.
Ship models, especially the tall ships, are extremely hard to transport safely. Ask me how I know. 
But most people really enjoy looking at them. I brought my ship back and forth to my local club while building the hull. Once the masts went up, it is a rare occurrence for her to leave the workbench, let alone the house. Hardest part is just getting it in and out of the car. I built a 2x4 carrier to put in the car which fits around the base to prevent shifting of the monster while driving, but even that makes me nervous.
To answer your bigger original question, YES I would both bring models and attend a show with no awards. Absolutely.
Bob
Yes they are. I see this all the time when I go up to the Manitowoc Maritime Museum model contest. Most (but not all) of the ships that people bring are tall sailing ships and in glass cases. Below are some sample pics.
I’ve always wanted to get over to Manitowoc to see this show. The end of the school year always prohibited me in the past but now that I’m retired that shouldn’t be a problem.
That’s called a club meeting 
2 Likes
WhatIfRebel,
Headed up there this year, sans ship. I will be photographing for the Midwest Model Shipwrights club (and myself). My Constitution will be there next year (I hope). Really not sure what class I should register for. I have never entered, so I could be considered a novice. But in reality, I have been doing this for almost 8 years, so I feel compelled/obligated to register in the intermediate class. If you get gold in a class, you must move up, so maybe I should stick with the novice group and see where it gets me. Anyway, not a concern this year since there is little chance of completing my build in the next 3 weeks!
Hope to see you there!
Bob
I’ll be there. I started out entering as Novice in 2014. Made it up to Intermediate in 2018 I think? Then won Gold in 2022 to move on to the Advanced category and that’s where I’ve been ever since. There’s nothing higher than Advanced. I last won a Silver and a Gold in 2023. Didn’t take any models in 2024 as I didn’t have anything finished. Next year will be special for what I’m bringing. But I can’t say as it’s a secret.
To answer the original question. Yes, I would display models at an exhibition only show. I have not had the chance to enter an exhibition only show, but I have entered shows that have both awards entries and the exhibition and I have displayed models in both.
A show for me is about displaying what I have built, but it is more about seeing what other people are building. I take photos, pick brains, gathering info as I can at a show. So realy it doesn’t matter if there are trophies or not.
Another big draw for me at a show is the swap meet. So again, trophies don’t affect that part either. And I don’t go through the swap meets looking for the ultra rare kits like some of you might. I only look for kits I am actually going to build.
And a side question I saw was what do you do with models you don’t keep?
I build cars. If I want to retire one I will look it over for parts I could re-use. Usually wheels/tires, and the engine. But if there are other notable parts or accessories that can be re-used like nitrous bottles, wiring, rear axles, and whatnot, I’ll save those pieces too.
I also see some transporation discussion.
Since I build cars, they are nice and small and don’t usually have many breakable parts. So I have a big flat Tupperware thing, I’d guess it is 28"W x 18"L x 10"D. And what I did was a took a big sheet of 1" thick memory foam… can’t remember where I got it. But I took and cut a sheet that covers the whole bottom of the tub. Then I cut strips of foam that are about 12" long by 2" wide. Made a barrier arround the perimiter of the tub. and then I also place those strips between each car.
I can get 4 to 6 cars in there depending on their size. This technique requires that I do not drop the tote because there is no protection over the cars. But they are well protected from the bottom, sides, front and rear.
2 Likes