Just a little peeve about an upcomming contest...

Zok,

This reply is based on my own experience and research. As always, it is only my opinion.

First, 95% of all contests - unless they are brand new - base the number of categories and their distribution on historical trends from the past shows. At our local IPMS show, we always base our categories on the entries we've received in the past. There is some leeway given to "split" categories into sub-groups during the show if there are more than the anticipated number of entries, but this is usually limited to 3 or 4 areas each year.

I cannot speak for the Torondo chapter, but in general, IPMS events typically draw far fewer armor models than both aircraft or automotive subjects. There are exceptions, but this is generally true. Aircraft has always been the #1 modeling genre (and probably always will be) with anywhere from 25% to 50% of all modelers in a given area focusing on these subjects. At our show last year, out of 188 entries, only 33 were armor subjects while nearly 100 were aircraft.

As far as OTB goes, it all depends on the contest. At our local show, there is ONE category for OTB. It doesn't matter if the models are armor, aircraft, cars, or figures - they all go on one table and are judged against each other. Our show is not big enough to warrent seperate OTB awards in every category and I suspect that the Toronto organizers are in a similar situation.

Additionally, just because there is no specific OTB category or award for a model you have built, it's not the end of the world. OTB models typically WIN in categories that are heavily stocked with models loaded with AM parts. Why? Just because people put a ton of AM on their models does not mean they've done it well. The more AM you put on a model, the more things there are for the judges to find wrong. Looking at this year's IPMS Nationals, nearly 1 out of every 4 category winners was an OTB build.

All in all, I think you'll find that the category layout and planning has been logically done for the Toronto contest. My feeling is that you shouldn't overly worry about these details. Go to the show and see how it's run. I think you'll end up having far more fun than you ever thought you would.

Enjoy your modeling...

Don't feel bad, at least they didn't refer the ship section to only one catagory as "floaty thingies".

I've competed in contests where Lego's outnumbered me 10 to 1.

Once got put into the "fine arts" catagory at a fair that had an IMPS show because I was the only sailing ship, that was interesting. For People's Choice award, my 17th century Man-o-war against a 3' nude sculpture of what I think was a lady washing her cat.

I guess I'm saying, don't feel too bad, go and enjoy the contest, they are all a little different based on "majority".

Ahh, to be a ship modeler.

Scott

Scott, did your Man O' War win? If not, I hope you unloaded a broadside into the nekid cat-washing statue as you passed...

I know how you feel.

There are few competitions where you can enter large scale figure kits too, and than you will mostly compete with nudes, movie and horror stuff. (ex. Chiller, etc)

One comp I once entered in Japan had 2 Categories: Gundam and NON-Gundam
Now how is that for a split, no sub-categories, etc.

I've seen it too. A friend entered a contest where there was only one category for ships.
He entered a beautiful, scratch-built model of a Nantucket ferry boat. It lost to a rather poor rendition of the Revell PT-109. These two didnt' even belong in the same category; but that was all there was.

I can relate to the ship stories, even though I have never built a ship model. I remember having to enter a model of Gargarin's Vostok capsule in the "Sci Fi" category at one contest. At the next contest I took it to, the contest people were in an arguement over which class it should be in. One claimed that it should be in 1/72 Military aircraft, the other thought it should be non military. They didn't even have a category for space. I ended up winning Misc. by default, as I had the only model there that wasn't a car, plane or tank.

At many smaller contests, Aircraft and automotive categories make up 75% or more of the show. At one show last year, I saw over 50 AC, just under 50 cars, 5 tanks, two or three figures, one ship and one Sci Fi model. The way to get more categories is to get more tank, ship and space models entered in shows.

I wouldn't worry about it.
Just build to the best of your abilities and resources, enter in the most appropriate category for you, and let the chips fall where they may. Getting "peeved" about it certainly won't help you win. Unless it gives you that "Eye of the Tiger" fighting spirit, of course!
Good luck with the contest, and let us know how you do. (Actually, after re-reading your post, is this even a contest you are planning on participating in? Hard to tell from your post.)

There are several local shows in my area (50 mile radius). One leans towards aircraft, the other towards armor and the last towards cars. You just have to "know" your audience.

The last show I went to was heavy in armor and as expected, the five armor categories were jam packed full of entries. I entered several armor kits as well as an LCM (boat), a sci-fi kit and a VW Beetle (ancient Airfix kit).

Since I am primarily an armor modeler and fairly well known tanker, there was quite a look of surprise on participants when I took second place in ships with my LCM Mk III and first place in cars (1/32 and smaller) with a 40 year old Airfix VW Beetle kit (and best OOB car kit).

Moral of the story is to vary your interests and you may just surprise yourself. I knew the armor competition was going to be tough. But, I never guessed I would have won a first place with the very first car I ever entered in a contest.

Having just finished our Orangecon in Fullerton CA, I can say that our club at least had a good turnout of Armor in our regional contest. We had five catagories of Armor and the number of entries rivaled that of the cars, with Aircraft being the most numerous. We also had a good showing of modern ships, with about 12 to 14 being entered in two catagories, as well as two or three in the "Sailed/Oared" catagory. I saw at least nine figures entered, as well as a dozen or so of Gundams in the Sci-Fi catagory. It was a good, well-rounded group of entries, even though there were less than we expected because of the near-sudden move we had to make with the closing of our usual meeting place. We all were pleased that we got as many entries as we did. It shows that simple things like closing businesses doesn't stop us modelers form gathering and showing our work when we really want to!

I'd say, go ahead and enter oyu models in the contest you have going on. Who knows, if more people up there see your work, and ask how you did it, there may be more entries the next year!

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like all modelling shows are centered on one type of model or another. I guess it pays to know your audience. I'm still very much looking forward to the show. It's this weekend, so it'll happen soon. If nothing else, at least I'm fairly certain I'll find some good deals on kits, and to see the stash grow is something that NEVER fails to make me happy

Going back to the first reply, unless it's an AMPS or specifically car or figure show contest, the organizers base classes on what has been coming in ove rhte years and not on a one year drought, since some people build to the thin categories to better their chances of winning. Some contests have many classes with an OOB award in them while others will have a stand alone OOB for several major categories an d others may hav no OOB, opting for a fourht place. That's waht makes going to these things interesting and fun.
As the others have said, bring your best efforts and have a great time!

Many of us feel that need to see how we measure up. I was going to contests all over the place. Winning here and there with my armor. I even have placed in a IPMS show or two. But, I found it started to slowly choke out my my love to just build. Man, I love to build! I would fuss and fret and do and redo for months on end for my next "People's Choice" award winner..... Never happened. Armor just doesn't excite but a select few of us. Doing armor for the glory won't work, I'm afraid..... Unless you're Shep Paine (one of MY modeling heros, by the way). I've given up the contests and just build because I love it. No pressure, (except striving to do my best), all fun and I don't miss the competition at all. I'm not saying to get rid of comp's. It's just the choice I've made. But welcome to the Armored Brotherhood, my friend.

We discussed this over in the Ship forum about the preferences for shows over contests. I agree, I get enjoyment and fulfillment out of displaying my work. I can't tell where most of the trophies, ribbons, and the big silver fruit bowl won dissapeared to because I rarely display them with the model at home, I just don't really have that ambition to compete, I go to see and to be seen.