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Post by John Tapsell on Dec 1, 2013 16:11:22 GMT
I would suggest that two years after the event (SMW 2011) is two years too late to resolve any perceived issue with an individual competition entry.
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Nov 28, 2013 19:50:06 GMT
Well - technically speaking we haven't been the 'International Plastic Modellers Society' for a good few years.
We are officially operating as 'IPMS (UK) - The Society for Scale Modellers'.
That change was made years ago to reflect the fundamental changes in our hobby and to emphasise the importance of 'scale' rather than the specific material being used.
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Nov 26, 2013 22:02:56 GMT
As long as you enter the models into the correct classes, then using metal sub-components isn't a problem. Look out for the classes defined as being for 'ASD' (Any Source Detailed). They permit you to use aftermarket parts such as photo-etch and metal details where appropriate. ASD classes would also cover (unless Tony has updated the rules recently) multi-media kits where the parts are supplied as a mix of plastic, resin and/or metal.
As Nick suggests, the man to speak to is the current Competition Secretary, Tony Horton. He'll give you a definitive answer.
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Nov 24, 2013 18:35:27 GMT
You should receive it mid-late December if all goes according to plan.
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Nov 18, 2013 21:14:35 GMT
As others have noted in this thread, IPMS (in the UK and overseas) generally operates a 'plain base' criteria. There is no obligation to mount the model on a base and equally, it's perfectly acceptable to mount it on a plain wooden base (or similar) if that's what you prefer.
'Plain Base' is defined as something that represents the natural environment (within defined limits) in which you would find the prototype but it is the model that is judged, not the base. To include the base in the deliberations would mean that any model without a base would be at a disadvantage (and a proportion of modellers would effectively be excluded from competing because they prefer not to present their models on a base).
The plain base rule also helps to control the drift from 'single model', to 'vignette' to 'diorama' (and where you draw the line for each). Single Models can be (and are) excluded from judging on occasion because the base is considered too complex to be 'plain'. Competition modellers, being the type of animal they are (hold my hand up to wearing that cap in the past), will sometimes try to push the boundaries. As in any competition, the judges (or indeed other competitors prior to judging) can ask the competition organiser to rule on eligibility and as ever, the organiser's judgement is final.
The exception to that approach would be for vignette and diorama classes where the base obviously forms part of the 'story' that is being told and is therefore judged as part of the complete ensemble.
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Nov 13, 2013 19:10:09 GMT
You're not suggesting anything new here - the head judge concept is something we try to implement whenever we can (and do so in some categories). As Tony has stated in a previous thread, judges are generally former class winners so they do have a track record of quality modelling.
We are however beholden to the membership (UK and overseas) to volunteer their services to be judges - we cannot (will not) dragoon modellers into judging if they don't want to so we work with the volunteers we get.
From memory (it's a few years since I ran the comp), the five judging criteria are: construction, originality of subject, painting, decals/markings and overall finish (10 points for each - max possible = 50 points).
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Oct 19, 2013 21:52:43 GMT
I suppose it depends on how you judge a show - In 2012 SMW attracted at least 400 overseas IPMS visitors - that figure doesn't include non-IPMS overseas visitors who attended as paying customers. Those IPMS visitors are arriving from some 20 nations worldwide.
Those guys wouldn't be travelling hundreds (often thousands) of miles to Telford if they didn't think the show was of a suitable standard to sit upon the world stage. Neither would we be attracting the range of overseas traders that we are if our show wasn't considered to be worthy of attending.
For comparison, 2,100 IPMS (UK) Members attended, along with around 5,500 paying visitors.
If the Scale ModelWorld competition is of such poor quality and the judging so suspect, do you not think that word would get around and modellers wouldn't want to travel those hundreds or thousands of miles to take part?
The reality is that judging at SMW is of an extremely high standard, but that there are occasionally decisions that are questioned - show me a competition, any competition, where that never happens.
There is a fundamental difference between the likes of AMT, Torrent, Euromilitaire and SMW. The first three are 'open' competitions that any modeller can enter. The SMW competition is an IPMS-only event because it is our annual championships. We are not seeking to compete with other major open competitions. Compare us instead with 'closed' championships like MAFVA, BMSS, AMPS or the other major overseas IPMS events.
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Oct 13, 2013 8:44:44 GMT
At the present time we are experimenting with some of the social media tools that have become available in recent years. There is a very active IPMS (UK) Facebook page apparently (I don't do FB). Twitter offers a chance to explore a different format (I'm learning as I go along). I'm also aiming to playing around with some YouTube clips at some point but maybe not this weekend You're right though, traffic to this forum is relatively light. Depending on how that develops, will determine what format this forum takes in future. Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Oct 12, 2013 8:29:22 GMT
Are we not ALL enthusiastic amateurs?
Having been involved in organising the SMW competition and also judging for many years, I have to disagree with you. I know of excellent judges who, by their own admission, would not be able to build models to a 'competition' standard. As long as they understand the methods, the processess and the outcomes and can assess objectively to what extent they have been achieved, I see no reason why they can't judge at the highest level.
Similarly, the best modellers do not always make the best judges. They can sometimes be too wrapped up in their own preferred methods and styles to assess a range of models in a class objectively.
Competition judging is always an emotive subject - I could name shows where the judging is carried out by teams of 'expert' modellers and yet every year we STILL get complaints about the standard of the judging at those events. It is the nature of competition. There is no obligation for anyone to enter a competition. By doing so a modeller accepts that they will be judged by a selection of their fellow modellers who may, or may not, appreciate their efforts. If they aren't prepared to take that risk, the easiest solution is not to put themselves through the process.
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Sept 1, 2013 20:30:26 GMT
I'd go with Acmat too - as Dave mentioned they are/were used in small numbers by our special forces teams (mostly as 'mother ships', carrying stores and supplies for the lighter patrol vehicles). I suspect they've been replaced by Coyote-type vehicles by now.
The Acmat is a French vehicle that has been in service for many years. It was designed to replace the old WC-52 Dodge that the French had been using from WWII right up to the mid 70s I think. It has many of the same characteristics.
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Aug 30, 2013 21:40:57 GMT
John,
It's also worth noting that the guys who run the show don't allocate space to clubs in advance. The earlier you get there, the more choice you have as to where to put your display.
It has always been thus - and despite it seeming to be a seat-of-the-pants way of running the show, for some reason it always works!
Good show, friendly organisers, great day out.
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Aug 29, 2013 12:06:07 GMT
Dave,
It depends on how much work you've done on it and whether it is a standard/race type or a custom car.hot rod etc
Class 47 for 'out of the box' builds (no modifications to the kit except for ignition wiring and seatbelts I think) Class 48 if you've modified, converted or scratchbuilt the kit Class 52 for hot rods, dragsters, custom cars etc
Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Aug 27, 2013 11:17:12 GMT
Hi Harriet, No roof involved in my photos. They were all taken at RAF Northolt - strictly at ground level Ditto for the HH-60 photos (except that was a daytime shoot). Regards, John
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Post by John Tapsell on Aug 26, 2013 21:22:44 GMT
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Post by John Tapsell on Aug 26, 2013 21:05:44 GMT
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