Rules
I. ELIGIBILITY
- The contest is open to all modelers, without
regard to IPMS membership.
- Contestants may enter models for a fellow
modeler who is not attending the contest,
as long as the builder's name is on the entry.
Entry fees for proxy models will be at the
standard rate. All entries must be the sole
work of the individual whose name is on the
entry blank.
- Models that have won First, Second, or
Third place awards in any category of any
previous IPMS/USA National or Regional model
contest may not be entered in the contest
for awards except as part of a collection.
- Test Shot or pre-production examples of
kits not yet commercially available may not
be entered for awards.
- The
MS Modelers may exclude from public display
any entries which they consider offensive
to generally acknowledged standards of taste
or acceptability.
- Junior
division categories are limited to members
17 years and younger.
II. CONTEST
- PLASTIC DEFINITION. For the contest Plastic
includes but is not necessarily limited to
polystyrene, ABS plastic, celluloids, polyethylene,
vinyls, epoxy and polyester resin, fiberglass,
acetates, acrylics, nylon, other synthetic
fibers and monofilament, and other plastic
modeling compounds. Neoprene rubber is also
defined as plastic for this contest.
- COMPOSITION. The use of plastic as set
forth, above is encouraged; however, the
use of other modeling materials is allowed
as the builder sees fit. Judging standards
of finish, attention to detail, and authenticity
will be the same regardless of the materials
used.
- MISSILES/ROCKETS.
All vehicle-carried or mobile missiles
or rockets will be placed
in the Armor division: category 209. Missiles
used in space research which originated
as military vehicles (e.g.
Atlas/Centaur or Mercury/Redstone) will be
placed in the non-fiction Spacecraft Category.
- BASES/DIORAMAS. Bases will be allowed in
all categories and will not be considered
in the judging except in the Diorama classes.
A base becomes a diorama if there is any
interaction between it and the model. Dioramas
are judged not only on the technical merit
of their construction but also on the strength
of the theme or story they present, so that
if two dioramas were technically equal the
one having the stronger theme or story would
win. Figure entries will not be classified
as dioramas by the inclusion of accessories
supplied in the figure kit.
- OUT-OF-THE-BOX entries will be governed
by the following rules:
A. KITS. Any commercially available kit (injection molded, resin, vacuformed
or multimedia Hi-Tech) may be entered as long as it is a COMPLETE kit.
B. FINISH. The natural plastic finish may be retained or it may be foil-covered
or painted with brush, spray can, or airbrush. Decals other than those included
with the kit may be used. Insignia markings, and instrument panels may be
hand painted instead of decaled. Weathering is permitted.
C. CONSTRUCTION. The modeler may fill seams and gaps; sand off rivets; drill
out gun ports, exhaust pipes, or their appropriate openings; thin to scale
such parts as trailing edges, flaps, and doors; add rigging and antennas;
and add simple tape or decal seat belts in the cockpit of an aircraft or
the interior of a vehicle (NO manufactured hardware e.g., buckles, etc.)
D. IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO: vacuform, manufacture, or replace any part, or
substitute parts from another kit; cut or separate canopies, surfaces, hatches,
doors, etc. (No major surgery); combine a standard kit with a conversion
kit; add anything other than specified on the instruction sheet except as
allowed in Section C
E. INSTRUCTION SHEETS. Modelers must attach the kit instruction sheet to
the entry form. Models entered without an attached kit instruction sheet
will not be considered for an Out-of-the-Box award.
- JUDGES. Judges may not judge a category
in which they are entered. Registered IPMS
members are eligible and encouraged to assist
in judging regardless of club affiliation.
- Models will be judged against other entries
for skill in construction, finish, accuracy,
and realism. First, second, and third place
awards will be given in every category where
appropriate, plus Honorable Mentions as the
judges see fit.
- No
model may be entered in more than one category
other than the Special Awards.
- Contest registrars will help determine
proper entry categories for models during
registration, but the final category placement
is at the discretion of contest judges. Judges
may also combine or split categories during
final Judging.
- ALL JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL.
- Judges
may pick up models to judge or to relocate
as required. Reasonable care will
be exercised. No liability for loss or damage
to contest entries is assumed by MS Modelers.
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