IPMS Rules - quick question

Here are the IPMS Nationals rules: OUT-OF-THE-BOX entries will be governed by the following rules:
A. KITS. Any commercially available kit may be used. The number of categories incorporating Out-Of-The-Box awards will be determined by the host chapter and the National Contest Committee.
B. FINISH. All finishing techniques are allowed. Decals other than those included with the kit may be used. Insignia, markings, and instrument panels may be hand-painted instead of decaled. Weathering is permitted.
C. CONSTRUCTION. The modeler may fill seams and gaps; sand off rivets; drill out gun ports, exhaust pipes, or other appropriate openings; thin to scale such parts as trailing edges, flaps, and doors; add rigging and antennas; and add simple tape or decal seat belts in the cockpit of an aircraft or the interior of a vehicle (NO commercial or modeler manufactured hardware - e.g., buckles, etc.).
D. IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO: vacuform, manufacture, or replace any part, or substitute parts from another kit; cut or separate canopies, surfaces, hatches, doors, etc. (no major surgery); combine a standard kit with a conversion kit; add anything other than specified on the instruction sheet except as shown in Section C above.
E. INSTRUCTION SHEETS. Modelers must attach the kit instruction sheet to the entry form. Models entered without an attached kit instruction sheet will not be considered for an Out-of-the-Box award.B:

Thanks, Peridexion,

I saw that. But what about this or doesn't it apply ?

QUOTE: DETAILS Parts that are thick, over-scale, or coarse should be thinned, modified, or replaced. Weld marks should be simulated where applicable. Extra parts should be added if practical, with references used to confirm their existence on the actual vehicle. Such parts should be as close to scale as possible. Add (especially on conversion or scratch-built models) the small detail parts (rivets, nuts and bolts, etc.) usually found in standard injection-molded kits. Add tarps, bedrolls, chains, fuel cans, etc., but be sure to also add some method by which such items are attached to the vehicle (hook, rope, tie down). Jerrycans are not attached to real tanks with superglue. Aftermarket parts (photo-etched, white metal, resin, etc.) should integrate well with the basic model. Photo-etched parts that require forming should be precisely shaped, and any surfaces that require building up to a thicker cross-section should be smooth and uniform. Molded-on parts such as axes and shovels should be undercut or removed completely and replaced. This is especially true of molded screen, which should be replaced with real screen. Track "sag" on tracked vehicles should be duplicated where appropriate. Windshield wipers should be added where appropriate. Headlights and tail lights should be drilled out and have lenses added. Cable and electrical lines should be added to lights and smoke dischargers. Valve stems should be added to tires. Instrument faces on dashboards should have detail picked out and lenses added. Gas and brake pedals should be added to open-wheeled vehicles. Road wheel interiors should be detailed (this is especially necessary on the Hetzer). Molded grab handles and hatch levers should be replaced with wire or stretched sprue.

I'm no IPMS lawyer, but I think Item "D" answers that drilled and finished headlights would be a disqual for out of box. If you drill them, them you have to vacuform or buy an AM or use epoxy for a head light. I don't know, I hate rules. Maybe you should ask a rep from the sponsoring chapter.

I build my models to suit me. Then I enter them in contests, some IPMS, some not. They either place or they don't. I don't worry about it. Do what you want to your model, enter it and see what happens. Life's too short!

My two cents!
Glenn

QUOTE: Originally posted by 53ryder I build my models to suit me. Then I enter them in contests, some IPMS, some not. They either place or they don't. I don't worry about it. Do what you want to your model, enter it and see what happens. Life's too short! My two cents! Glenn

Good point, thanks

I nearly went cross eyed reading all those rules.

It would stress me out, which is sort of contrary to the point in my case!
I'm with Glenn. Make sure you are having fun.

Matt

These rules tell you all you need to know about the IPMS, really, don't they? Someone forgot that this is a hobby, and hobbies are suposed to be about having fun!

Yellowjasper-
Whatever you decide to do, please finish your model and go enter it at the contest! I would really hate to hear that I ever discouraged someone from entering any contest. Go have fun! Besides you never know what'll happen!

Glenn

yellowjasper,
Peridexion posted the official rules for out of the box. drilling out headlights would be detailing. As to the long list you included above, I can find no reference to them in any official IPMS rules listing. What it looks like is suggestions on how to super detail a kit .
IPMS still judges pretty much on basics (do all the wheels touch the ground, glue spots, etc). I have attended local, regional and national contests and the judging seems pretty consistant. I have heard of others having issues, etc but in over 25 years have never seen it.
That all said, what others have said above I agree with. Build the model how you want to. Enter it in a contest if you want and let it get placed where it may. Build for the fun of building, not winning. After all, It's just a hobby.

Thanks again for your responses.

All points have been informative and insightful. You've definetly changed my course of thinking on the matter

Thanks