[WWI] Scale Model Judging

[Ray Boorman]

I swore to myself that I wasn't going to get really involved in this
subject, but sheesh I don't seem to be able to help myself.

We have two major classes to the whole IPMS judging discussion and of
course time to judge your class is a third parameter.

Currently there are two different types of class "out of the box" and
"completely open ended" where you build the best model you can with
whatever you wish.  The instructions that I believe someone mentioned
might be used for credentials are usually for out of the box proof
only to show that nothing but decals rigging and some sort of hand
made or came with the model seat belt is used. So that myth now should
be laid to rest. I normally enter my models in this class. To me it's
a really good challenge to get the best out of a model just using my
skills alone. It also darn well helps improve your building skills no
end.

As I said the judges usually have maybe 1-2 hours tops, most shows run
9 am to 4 pm with judging happening around 1 to 3 pm. In most shows
but not all, the area is roped off so the judges can do there work in
peace.  I have been to a show this year (Ajax Ontario) where the
judging was done with everyone still around. This was in my mind a
good thing because sometimes the judges will show what they do and
don't like and why. Bad seam filling for example on a kero burner or
my favorite one this year was over done pre and post shading to the
paint of caricature.  I won't get into this discussion, since done
right it works and done wrong it looks like crap it's as simple as
that.

Judges will use any materials you supply as in photo's and plans,
unless your model is a diorama or vignette the base is not usually
judged, but lol good presentation is going to leave a good feeling so
that's a point to remember. Whilst not all, most judges do know there
stuff and try to judge fairly.

I agree with Neil there should be a class that has as its main point
"scale fidelity", but here is the quandary, should a crappy build get
points because its perfectly accurate over a model that has been
impeccably built, detailed and painted but can't be proven to be as
accurate. I think not!

There is also the whole argument nowadays, where the best of our
models can border on art. In the Diorama and Vignette classes I
believe this to very much be so, in that area I think different rules
should and can apply. I'll try to explain, I built a 54mm German
Stormtrooper in a small diorama. The figure already has a haunting
walking dead kind of robot feel to it. I tried to enhance this with my
paintwork, especially in the face making the figure look almost
skeletal with sunken eyes and pasty complexion; I also reworked the
shoulders and legs to make him look as if he was shambling along.  I
didn't build the figure to enter contests, (I never do in fact), but I
have come to believe we have a duty to show our models to get more
people and younger people into the hobby. Anyway based on accuracy
rules I should be marked down, but should the only judging point be on
accuracy to detail…..
One of the things I did notice at some shows is that some of the best
diorama's were done in the junior classes. Not best built but most
imaginative..

Notice how I managed to get WWI in the post ;)

Ray
>