Competition.

I think it is becoming a less solitary activity today.  There are now two non-clubs in my area that are just get togethers where folks build together.  These are in areas like airport hangers where paint smells are tolerated.  No business is conducted- just building comradery.

This is/was a very solitary hobby. That makes the shows very important to me.  The online forums have helped somewhat, but, I like the walking around and talking with other modelers. Even if I didn't do something "wrong" during that year, someone else probably did, and you can find him talking about it.

There is a sort of unwritten code that we don't outright trash a manufacturer's product online or in print,,,,,,,,but, when you are talking to an actual modeling friend in person, that is when you can learn something that saves you money.  Learning isn't always about eliminating a seam, or learning how to thin your brand of paint,,,,sometimes it is about what decals won't even come off the backing paper, or what paint won't stick to primered plastic.

Competing can build your skill level, if you are really trying to someday win a 1st or Gold, in some builders you can see the progression from no medal, to Bronze (3rd), and up to hopefully celebrating a 1st with him someday. (I have a friend that has gone from "Rex's level" up to Bronze and Silver.  If you never enter a model, you will never know just how well you really build.

Me? "Award winning modeler?",,,,,,,yeah, if they start giving out 4th places, or introduce the Copper and Lead medal, lol.  Someday, though, maybe,,,,,,I know that attending the shows has shown results in my models already, even without winning the hardware. Just the attempt to improve makes one improve.

Jim, I am with you,,,,,,,,,if all I ever win is a Bronze/3rd I will be happy.

Rex

I go to a couple of contests every year with other club members. Sometimes I bring something to enter and sometimes I don't. Once in a while I win something, sometimes I don't. I go to see what everyone else does that I can learn from. I've met many new friends at each and every show. 

I learn something new at every show that improves my skills. By the way, I'm 73 and have been building for 67 of those years. I won my first bronze medal at a show 4 years ago. Didn't think that my entry had a snowballs chance to win anything. I was happy as a pig in s***. Build to the best of your abilities. If you want to enter a contest, do it. You never know what will win on any given day. Study the winners to see what they did that you didn't. Take lots of pics to study when you get home. Main thing to remember is to enjoy the hobby.

Almost forgot, the vendor tables are great and so are the raffles.

Jim 

Don Stauffer

But the beauty of attending contests and joining local clubs is the one-on-one help you can get from peers. I have seen people join local clubs and compress the learning curve very rapidly. It is amazing how fast some folks learn.

Oh, and one other thing about learning at an older age (I am 75).  As long as you keep TRYING to learn, you will be able to learn. It is only when you give up trying new things that your mind goes stale. I bought a 3D printer, and am learning 3D CAD to use it.  Yeah, I may not learn as fast as I used to, but I can still learn.

But the beauty of attending contests and joining local clubs is the one-on-one help you can get from peers. I have seen people join local clubs and compress the learning curve very rapidly. It is amazing how fast some folks learn.

There's a 30+ post discussion about this further down this page.

Contest Models

In short, models are judged in how well they are constructed, painted and decalled before any accuracy or added detailing are considered. In most cases, very basic mistakes of omission or commission determine who wins. You are right, on any given day in a 1-2-3 competition you may be deciding among "best of the worst or the worst of the best." In one class, you may have to eliminate several excellent models while in the next class, you may be giving first to a very poorly executed build.

As I understand dog judging, each breed has a standard and each dog is judged against that standard. The one that best exemplifies the breed gets Best in Breed, then is pitted against all other dogs in conforming to its standard in the class , Toy, Working, Sporting, etc. That dog gets awarded best in class and goes up against  the 6 other best in class dogs for best in show. It's not something I'd want to do.