After reading all the input, I hafta agree with Mr.Green. He's right, do it for yourself FIRST, then if you want to enter, go for it. You really hafta love this hobby or it becomes a real drag on you. I pushed the envelope last week to get a 1/48 Tamiya Kruppe thinking it was "a quick build in a different scale"...HAH..was I wrong...!
I was trying so hard to get it done in time that the build became maddening. I was thinking how much effort to put into it knowing the judges would remember that I usually build good stuff and that this build was not up to standards that I SET MYSELF...!
So, it just goes to show you that no matter what you are building, subject wise, you have to put in the same amount of effort ALL the time to compete. After reading the posts, I must admit that the competition thing is just that, a COMPETITION...be prepared to be scrutinized to the nth degree...!!!
THe judges are looking for, as most said, a clean, well painted, decaled model. Accuracy can be a hard one if you are doing Sci-Fi, as I mentioned. There ARE NO reference files to call upon to verify what the builder has written down, so the judge MUST rely on the items I mentioned above.
The best part about how our local IPMS judges, is that you are competing against yourself really, and NOT another builder. The set of rules are there for all to read and the points are awarded against a scale from x to x. Seems the fairest way IMHO...
thehermit
) and critique it has helped me improve so much. I've been lucky enough to have nothing but positive experiences from other modelers. It's always been constructive feedback, not "destructive" feedback. You want to check out AMPS's and IPMS's judging criteria for reference? Go for it, but don't let that rule you. My humble opinion.
