Autobahnstormer
Kit Basher
Speed is just a question of money. How fast do you want to go??
Posts: 78
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Post by Autobahnstormer on Jan 4, 2009 19:18:47 GMT
Evening all!
Is there a chance that Helicopter models might have a few sub-classes? At present (Or in the last set of competition regulations that I read) All helicopters were lumped into one class per scale. That is standard, detailed, vac and scratch. This seems a little unfair, as I'm in no way good enough for the shark infested waters that are inhabited by the real pros who super detail, but I'd have a bash at a Standard Kit class.
Any takers - or are there so few Helicopters entered in competitions that they warrant such a broad classification?
Phil Adams (Incidentally building a helicopter)
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Post by John Tapsell on Jan 4, 2009 21:39:42 GMT
Phil,
You are correct - the number of helicopters entered in the comp doesn't really justify the addition of more classes.
I introduced the two helo classes during my tenure as Comp Sec, since before that time they were spread amongst the other aircraft classes. I added both the helo and the civilian aircraft classes because I felt there was sufficient need for them and that seems to have been the case.
It's like anything else - each class has to justify it's existence. We have a limited budget and therefore a limited range of classes. Although it's not always the case, if we needed another helo class, we'd probably look at the other aircraft classes to see if there was one that could be got rid of.
A) we can only afford so many trophies and b) there is always a danger that extra classes means fewer entries in each.
I don't know how Martin Hale decides on changes each year but in my time, any class that had received three or less entries in the past couple of years was looked at very carefully to see whether it should remain (occasional exceptions were made if the class covered a unique subject/type of model). Each Comp Sec sets their own criteria for keeping/removing/adding classes and although we often differ in our approach, the end results are usually pretty similar.
Cheers, John
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Autobahnstormer
Kit Basher
Speed is just a question of money. How fast do you want to go??
Posts: 78
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Post by Autobahnstormer on Jan 4, 2009 21:42:43 GMT
John,
thanks for that reply, either I build something stunning in future, or I just don't bother. I think I'll not bother!!
Still not forgotten about the WRC Build - it's on the cards.
Phil
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Post by martinhale on Jan 5, 2009 13:23:41 GMT
I had representations in 2007 about having a super detailed heicopter class and having spent a great deal of my time consulting as to how this might be defined, was disappointed at a total turnout in the two helicopter classes that would in no way have justified the allocation of alreadystretched rescources to an extra class in 2008.
As to straight kits having no chance in these classes, this is a falicy. That year the small scale helicopter class was won by a model built straight from the box. I myself in the past have won awards in these classes with models that would be generallly considered as just detaild models against superdetailed models. Indeed as one who has been a judge for 16 years now it is my experience and also the opinion of many judges that I know that most classes are decided on basic assembly and finishing issues, even in the superdetailed and scratchbuilt classes. I would trherefore urge everybody not to worry about what others may or may not be building and have a go.
We are also right on the limits of space available for the competition and by their very nature helicopter models take up a lot of room. In the current economic climate we are under pressure to keep costs down and are very short of judges. Therefore there has to be a very pressing need for a new class, for example an area of the hobby that has developed and is not represented at all (we are having a submarine class this year in response to the increased number of kits available and on the advice of the category leader).
To sum up my advice is find something that fires your imagination, build it to the best of your ability, enjoy the model for it's own sake and you might surprise yourself. I know i did when I started taking this approach.
Martin Hale
Competition Secretary and Helicopter modeller!
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Post by The Detail Police on Jan 9, 2009 13:07:16 GMT
Phil
Had you thought of entering your SK helicopter in the appropriate aircraft SK class? Since all helicopters are by definition aircraft I can't see any objection to this.
DP
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Lonewolf
Moderator
Gods Country
Posts: 2,551
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Post by Lonewolf on Jan 9, 2009 20:33:02 GMT
I face this problem as my standard working lorry models can end up with superdetailed oilfield trucks which are hardly run of the mill civvy vehicles but as has been said the present number of entrants does not warrant any more truck classes (YET!).
Mind you I was disappointed at one show to find we were lumped in with racing cars and bikes which by their very nature are nice and shiny and not old trucks.
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Lonewolf
Moderator
Gods Country
Posts: 2,551
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Post by Lonewolf on Feb 16, 2009 21:47:44 GMT
This was also the case at Huddersfield yesterday
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Post by voyager on Feb 16, 2009 22:22:49 GMT
Is there a list of winners at Huddersfield anywhere?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2009 22:29:54 GMT
Wolfie, the original post concerned classes at SMW. At local level however, the organisers do what they can with limited resources to produce a competition. Unfortunately, some model classes are condensed. I've also had similar experiences at shows throughout the country over the years, but there is a choice, you don't have to enter?
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Lonewolf
Moderator
Gods Country
Posts: 2,551
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Post by Lonewolf on Feb 16, 2009 22:35:24 GMT
Great. So either enter in an unbalanced class, or don't enter.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2009 22:38:11 GMT
You can have a chat with the organisers and ask them to change how they run the competition ...
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Lonewolf
Moderator
Gods Country
Posts: 2,551
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Post by Lonewolf on Feb 16, 2009 22:49:38 GMT
I did.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2009 22:51:18 GMT
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Lonewolf
Moderator
Gods Country
Posts: 2,551
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Post by Lonewolf on Feb 16, 2009 23:09:05 GMT
They shrugged me off. Twice.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2009 23:18:11 GMT
They shrugged me off. Twice. Fancy them picking on a poor defenceless big bloke like you ...
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