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* How many of the serious modellers take pics of real vehicles to shows and conventions and start measuring distances on various models to see how accurate they are? And what is the acceptable margin of error? Should it be less than 1 millimeter or less than 2 millimeters? Is that what judges do at modelling comtests?
No, that's not what we do, certainly not on the teams I've judged with over tha last 20+ years.
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No way of knowing. But I CAN tell you there are too many at conventions who shine Maglites, the armor modeler's Surefire, unprototypically down every hatch they can find, just to see what is/isn't represented inside. I say this because standing on a turret at high noon, I can't see more than a few feet into a turret. (actual photos of T-55 turrets at high noon offered as proof.)The sun still doesn't shine straight into a hatch unless you happen to be at the equator...
I'm one of those shining my Maglight into open hatches. As a judge, (something I've been doing since the mid 1980's) I'm tasked to choose the best 3 models on the table.
Sometimes, that's very easy. Most times it involves some serious examination and comparison. There are many times we have to choose between two excellent models, given the nature of 1-2-3 judging. That means we have to, at times, go looking for tiny errors when models are very well done. More additoinal work does not guarantee a better placement. The more you do, the more chances you have to err, but where there are no significan errors in a buttoned up model and one with a full interior, I'd have to vote for the full interior to place higher.
If a hatch is open on a model in competition, the competitor is asking me to look at his/her work on the interior.
Some questions I'll be asking myself are: (and this is only for judging purposes)
--Is there work on the interior or is it blank space? Was the visible interior even painted? If you don't want to put stuff in there, close the hatch to compete. It will be held against you in competition.
--If there is, is the construction and painting done well? Did the modeller clean up the parts with the same level of attention as on the outside or are there ejector pin holes, mold lines, sprue attachment points scars or unfinished seams?
-- Are there glue stains? Is the paint applied well?
--Is the finish consistent with the presentation of the exterior? A filthy, heavilty weathered and worn exterior should have an interior that shows significant wear and tear as well.
--If there's an open engine deck/hood, is the engine plumbed and wired, at least to give the impression of a working internal combustion engine?
If I'm not judging, I'll still use my Madlight to admire the work that someone else has done. He/she worked under good lighting conditions and put a lot of care into an area that, admittedly, will not see much from the natural ambient light in the hall. These days, my old Mk. I eyeballs need all the help they can get.
