I would like your opinions on the subject of model show contest ''RULES". If a modeler builds a jeep, artilery piece, truck, etc... and makes it look factory fresh and with no flaws in terms of finish, construction, no seam lines, glue marks, etc.... will that modeler be deducted points because the model was not weathered? If so please tell me why does that happened, what I mean is a model is damn near perfect and it still get deducted points for not being weathered.

I have never gone into a contest before, but am considering going into one using AMPS rules, which I understand are a little different than some other shows. I have read all the rules (you can find them here) and am able to help answer your question as far as AMPS goes. Each judge can give a mark of up to 10 for a model. 3.5 points come from construction, 3 come from detail and difficulty, and the other 3.5 come from the finish and weathering. Markings take up 1 point, and finish quality takes up 1.25 points, leaving weathering with 1.25 points. The following is a quote right out of the rules: "WEATHERING:
This section covers the "quality" of the weathering of the vehicles. If the
model is meant to be "factory fresh", there shouldn't be a tremendous amount
of battle damage or rust on the model. If the model is meant to be well used
and in action, the running gear should be weathered logically. Special
considerations: the model should be weathered "consistently" ( A model with
lots of mud on the chassis and side skirts should also have mud on the
wheels and tracks.)"
These rules seem pretty fair. If a model is factory fresh, they realise it should have little or no weathering. I also suppose that the judges aren't deducting points for no weathering, they're just not adding them........

Nic

Folgore is correct.

If you're going to an IPMS/USA contest, the model that is lightly weathered (to no weathering) but pristinely built stands a much better chance of winning. The focus of an IPMS/USA contest when following National Guidelines is bent towards basic construction, painting, decaling, and finishing techniques. It does not matter if you built a model out of the box - or spent a ton of money on aftermarket parts - the basics are looked at and judged before anything else. Where you find different results at local contests is due to lack of experience and familiarity on the part of judges with the National Guidelines and criteria. Weathering and aftermarket detailing is noticed, but not placed as high on the scorecard - so to speak - as is fundamental construction and finishing technique.

AMPS is different, and the model is looked at in whole. The attempt at accuracy (aftermarket, decaling, weathering) is looked at with much more weight than in a typical IPMS/USA contest - and the judges at AMPS are your peers - they build armor. You're not going to run into an aircraft or auto modeler judging your AFV's. The model is not looked at other models in its "category" but judged on its own merit(s). It's a clean evaluation.

Gunnie

Some of this has to due with a judges pre-conceived idea of what armor "should" look like. When I came on board I wrote about my frustration over "artistic" license being abused by some modelers who gob on the unrealistic stowage, riddle, rip and bend the fenders, apply rust, mud, grunge to all surfaces and then chip the paint to the extent it creates a new kind of camo. Building a new off the assembly line model is not "sexy" no matter how well it is done. I guess its human nature. The more that is added the more our mind thinks of it as work on the model, which may not be the case.

I know what the rules say, I've read my local chapters, but human nature is well human and we know how flawed human can be....

As a long time judge...Let's say two "near perfect" models wind up vying for first place. The extra effort for the weathering, if it has been done well will put that one over the top. It's not so much that the pristine model had "points" deducted for its cleanliness as the weathered one showed a bit more work.

Secondly, given an objective judge, the "near perfect" model may not be as near to perfection as the builder thought it was.

My best advice to anyone who wonders why something gets the place it gets is to volunteer to help judge. There are never enough judges which is why a car guy may be drafted to judge armor or an armor guy has to judge figures. You'll not only get a great chance to really look at other people's work, you'll learn what the judges look for and help pmove the process along. Your input may help the more experienced judges to do their job better.

Thanks Al - my sentiments exactly! A lot of griping comes from this skewed perception of what's "perfect" and what's not.

Model contest judges are also model builders. Who's to say what perception is right or wrong in a hobby like this? I know exactly what I'm getting into when I decide to enter a contest, and put personal tastes and dislikes aside. That's why local and national level contests post their rules. If the competitor doesn't like them, then he or she can vote with their feet and walk away. However, lambasting someone else who likes something you do not puts the sourness back on yourself.

Gunnie