I have a judging question--covered damage on a model

Sounds slightly less fun than a prostate exam....

I'm just spitballing here, but it seems to me that if the flaw is visible to the naked eye, it's a ding. If the model needs to be manipulated in some fashion to make the flaw visible, I personally don't think that's a fair call. But that's just me. Your mileage may vary.

I'd glue some accessory over it, so it would never be seen.  

This is why I don't enter contests.  I don't want to worry about the nitpicking.

It depends upon what the flaw is, and what judging style is. AMPS and IPMS judging have similar, yet differing criteria, and end results. If the flaw is part of the kit as molded, one may ding you and the other may not. That is especially dependant upon the category that the model is entered into, such as "Out Of Box".  If the flaw is something by the builder, both styles of judging will gig you. And if it is a contest that does not adhere to either style of judging, you are at the mercy of those judges.

Wouldn't the model get docked points for having parts falling off (craftsmanship or basic build skills?), even before considering what was found underneath?

regards,

Jack

In My Experience - YES

That depends on how the parts came off. It is damaged in transit or by somebody handling or knocking it, that damage is supposed to be overlooked by the judges. If the part comes off due to a workmanship issue, yes that is a gig.

Well, I figured I was just being lazy and putting lipstick on a pig, so I took it back apart today and began fixing it. More than anything, it'll be off my mind and done right. Meh.

When a so called "Judge" uses a flashlight or magnifier to check out your model.;Then your model is doing good.A good method in blocking such areas is to add a small dark gray decal square .Then add the desired storage rack or bags.It creates an illusion on the affected area.

It's been my experience that at conteast a model will get moved for various reasons, placed in wrong catagory, moved to make room for another entry, moved so the judges can get a look at the other side, and so on.

I've known many guys that covered defects over with extra gear, containers, or tarps to cover an area they noticed that was too much trouble to fix or found too late. 

I've judged in the past and have seen some pull out T.O. and start checking details and paint jobs for the correct patterns and comparing paint chips against the model.  In both cases there's going to be variations, fading paint and no aircraft will follow exactly the drawings for multi-color patterns.  They may be close, but not exact.  For example, with the C-130s in the 70s there were a lot of units that altered the pattern on their tail to show what state they were based in.

I had a judge assigned to me once that as we approached the table we were asssigned, he started to make comments about how many times he had seen a certain  model in contests.  I immediately called the judge supervisor over and informed him of the comments which would make him predjudeced against the entry and then excused myself from the judging on the grounds that the model he just put down was a first time entry, with over 6 monthe work on the flight deck alone and that I was the builder and not supposed to be in this catagory.

I know I sound like a broken record (sorry - a badly scratched CD), but being a contrary old cuss I can't resist. All you guys have provided sturdy support for a position I've taken for thirty years: I don't believe in model contests.

Well, they can be fun even if you don't enter.  You get to see the work others have done, maybe pick up a few pointers here and there, and get a couple kits you were looking for.  I only attend one a year, and I don't judge anymore.

Having judged on the local level, I rarely if ever touched the model. Something about breaking someone elses hard work bothered me. If it was on a base then If I wanted to see the other side I would move the base. for builds that were not on a base I would walk to the other side of the table to look. Normally you could tell the ones that would be ranked they stood out more than the others and you didn't have to touch them to look. So in answer to your question after my long winded answer,,, In my experience I think it depended on the judge as to whether or not he moved or touched the model. If its me I cover the mistake with gear or tarps. Its why I primarly build armor.