Poll: What matters when judging armor in a competition

Exactly my point gjek, within any set of rules (for judgeing) there will be this latatude. An area is being judged (the armor area in this instance, not the ship area which is similar though). So now your judging art. What's better the Picasso or the Goya? The wreck panther or the factory fresh? Hey, maybe the guy used Fruil tracks in the wreck, did it have photoetch engine covers? Was the engine bay open so you could see the engine pack? There's a lot of modeling in a good wreck. Was the factory fresh panther sitting on the table? So who's to win (besides the two guys with the panthers, they wouldn't be built without fun in the mix)? If all visible things (seams etc.) are equal (or cancel each other out) on two models dosen't the judging have to go to the next level....the modeling of the base or crew? Then again you might pick up judgeing trends at one show or another, if the only tanks that win/place are buttoned up and on a table, then the next tank you take to that show should be buttoned up on the table. But then competition is fun too...........an the vendor tables. See ya at the show
G.L.

I to have lost with what I thought was a very good build and I guess that really sums it up. What I thought, what they thought. Judging is not so hard when all the contestants are all simular. However things can quickly become apples and oranges when someone enters something completely different than everyone elses. Example is the burned out panther in the pictures posted by someone the other day. Boy what a wreck! Does it have the correct shade of yellow, can't tell. Were they sloppy with any seams or glue, can't tell again. How can I compair this to a factory fresh panther with all the photo etch and indy tracks? The answer is to have a good set of judging criteria in place before the contest begins. That way everyone knows up front.

How can you ignore the base? Take a WW 1 tank for example, almost any picture you've ever seen shows them in a mud or dirt environment, the nature of the track layout throws the stuff all over the top of the vehicle; so the modeler smears some mud/dirt on his vehicle. Some judges don't like this as it may be an effort to hide a mistake/flaw. My point is great let the modler hide the flaw or mistake (with mud or anything else), how can what can't be seen be judged? As long as the model (model + base + crew) comes togeather, appears to be in scale, and is generaly accurate I think it should place higher than just a tank on a table . Just my opinion of course.
G.L. (Yeah, I know judgeing or the lack of it can be a "hot" issue among those who enter contests and I'm not really going there. its a philosophical thing )

On a side note, we usually are instructed to ignore the base totally. A good base makes a good model look better. A bad base takes away from what may be a good model.

I agree with all of the above. That being said you find that some models are placed on the table and others are on a base with some scenery and/or crew. Some have hatches open and insides created. All are entered against one another. Will you give extra credit for scenery/crew/open hatches? On the other hand do you subtract if my bush dosen't look like you would like? When you add a crew member you are really entering two models for judging, so that modeler starts at a disadvantage (more oppurtinunity to screw up). I suppose thats why you see so many tanks buttoned up and sitting on the table. But..... has anyone seen any real tanks sitting on a table? I think scenery (any scenery) bases should count more (two tanks being equal) as it attempts to recreate an environment..... a glimpse of reality, history , art if you will.
Please forgive the psychotic rambelings... I had a good tank and it lost (thats o.k. too) although several thought it shouldn't have. I now know what these judges "like" to see in a tank (buttoned up and on a table) and I'll win next year (or not). I love competition....... G.L.

1. Construction (is it well built)
2. How good is the finish?
A well built model should be top priority.
3. Add-on techniques and are they done well
Add-ons should only count if done well, sloppiness ruins the effect.
4. Decals
Should lay flat and blend into the vehicle.
5. Historical accuracy...as a group, we try to refrain from color arguments unless
a sherman shows up with a metal flake paint scheme.
The which OD (etc.) arguement is pointless and should be avoided.
A vehicle marked for the Marines shouldn't be in europe and vice - versa. Unless there is specific evidence of a particular vehicle in a specific situation I wouldn't worry too much, so much was done that it is almost impossible to know for sure what wasn't (except for generalities.)
These are just my opinions, I am no professional nor have I ever entered a model in competition

Oh and welcome to the Forum gderue!

Just dont get too picky about missing pieces or small inaccuriacies, I think it makes the Comp more fun but thats just me

If you want to be unbiased, why not just have visitors vote for several catagories of 'best of show'? It may not be a 'professional' judging, but the folks entering will get some feedback and you'll get to enjoy the show.

Ron