To All,


The purpose of this post is to provide information that might help you improve your score when you attend a show using the AMPS rules and system. I copied this from Bob Clifton’s post on 7 March 2007 and decided that it would be in everybody’s interest to post it earlier this year. I have paraphrased some of Bob’s original words and added some of my own as well as added the Criteria for the Show Theme to the bottom of the post. The intent is to give the entrant some insight into what the judges are looking for and what he or she can do to improve their score. While a Gold medal cannot be guaranteed, these tips below will help to maximize the points that you might receive and cast you model in a favorable light.

a. Having the correct form.
When you fill out your registration forms, be sure to check off the correct boxes. Your skill level is the same for ALL models you bring to the show and is based on your final scores the last time you attended. A gold medal in the past automatically moves you up into the next skill level (except when moving up from the advanced level). Is your model eligible for the Theme Award? Unless you check the correct box, we have no way of knowing that!

b. Dust can kill you!
When a model is placed on the table and the first comment is “Is that weathering or dust?” I know the modeler is in trouble. Consider this- when you visit your friend and look at his work and see dust on his model, don’t you wonder if he cares at all about it?

c. Damage Control.
If damage occurred during your trip to the show, be sure to note it on your registration form or inform the Pass Through Judge and he will note it. Damage caused during transport is not held against a modeler.

d. Put your model on a base or not?
There is no rule that requires a base for your model and the base can’t be judged. When the piece is brought to the table, the judges want to see the model and have to handle it to see all aspects of the model. A model not on a base has to be moved with even more care than normal, with a judge putting his greasy fingers on your finely weathered model. The model can be placed on a simple wood base and attached by a few simple strips of double sided tape. This also helps prevent damage during transport to and from the judges table. I have to highlight attaching the model to the base in some way as there is nothing that is more exciting then to have a model that a judge thinks is secured to the base start to slide off of said base when the model is tilted to get a better look at its features…

e. Organization of your entry(s).
A well assembled presentation is really appreciated by the judges and keeps those good vibes flowing! A simple typed explanation of the modifications that you made to correct or improve a model is a treasure trove of information for the judges. If the modeler has construction photos, bring them along and be sure to hand them in with your model. They provide the Judges with additional information to reward your model.

f. Research & History.
The latest version of the rules permits the team to grant a .5 point bonus if the model is accompanied by information that helps the Judges understand the vehicle being modeled. This is not a brag book that chronicles the building of the model, but instead it is a description (as simple or complex as you wish) and sampling of the material that was used by the modeler as references when he or she built the model. The goal is to enable the judges to learn something about the vehicle that was modeled. A simple list of references does not count and will not garner the votes required for the .5 bonus point.

g. PARTICIPATE and be a volunteer judge.
This single act will not help scores this year but it will increase the modeler’s knowledge base on what judges look for in a gold medal model. Ultimately, after a tour of judging, the modeler is better and has a desire to build more (until summer comes along…)


Criteria for determining what models fit into the 2008 Show Theme.
1. Conceptual Vehicles that were designed but not necessarily built (AKA paper Panzers)

2. Any prototype, or preproduction version of any vehicle that went into series production no matter how many prototypes were actually built. American "T" vehicles do not automatically qualify as hundreds were built of some particular variant.

3. Any field mod vehicles as long as the total build is less than 10. (therefore the Churchill NA 75 would not generally qualify, but the single NA 75 prototype vehicle would)

4. Any production vehicle where the total series production was less than 20 vehicles. Some of the late World War II vehicles could be entered such as the Maus, Type 4 Medium, the T28 and the Tortoise.


I hope this post provides some assistance to the entrants for the AMPS 2008 International Show. I have to reiterate that you, the modeler, should look you’re your model carefully before you bring it to the Pass-Through Table to begin the judging process. If you have questions, ask the AMPS representatives at the Registration Table or Pass-Through Official for assistance. Once you are satisfied that your model is ready, hand it to the Pass-Through Judge. Remember that there is a repair kit at the Pass-Through table if you need to do repairs, just ask for it!

Be sure to take advantage of the Pre-registration being offered this year. Just pay via Paypal and your forms will be mailed to you directly; no filling out forms on boxes of models and best of all, no long lines! The URL for the Show Pre-Registration is:
http://www.amps-armor.net/ampssite/conventions/showReg.aspx?ShowID=21

John Charvat
Chief Judge,
2008 AMPS International Convention