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Is It Cheating?

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  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Is It Cheating?
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Monday, September 5, 2022 4:46 PM

Hi Ya'll:

      I had a friend ask me an interesting question the other day. Why? Well, he was looking at my 1/200 Stockholm and Andrea Doria cardmodels, which are at the 95% stage in their builds. What the question was about was a Good question. "How do you justify P.E. and Plastic equipment in place of the Card model stuff included?"

     Good question right? Right! The answer I gave him, I think, was the correct one. "Well, ya see, Phil, if I was to enter either one of both in any I.P.M.S. Show/Contest, I would list them a Mixed Media Models." Why? Because they would be! Cardstock, Resin and P.E. and Plastic constitutes Mixed Media, Right? Any Comments would be appreciated. Because I do intend to enter them at the next event. The First time was Display only! and the Card modelers were surprised, that you got two ships in one kit,  and you got a whole set of Laser Cut Parts as an add on!

     I have already added, the P.E. generic Ship rails and Ladders and stairs. Along with, Vac-Forming the Life Boats, In two sizes, from a Pair of plastic ships that were the same size as the Cardstock ones, But, looked a whole lot better! That is one the shortcomings of Paper. Sometimes, due to the media, the boats have a Triangular cross section that definitely looks wrong to me.

     Now that said You can get in Cardstock(Paper), a whole lot more Military and Civilian vessels than you can get in plastic. The only place they fall short is in good models of Yachts and Powerboats for the Civilian Recreation Area! The Sailing Yachts are good.The Power-Yachts and  Ski-Boats definitely look like they came out of a Kiddie Book! Now, the sailing Warships are nothing short of amazing, and there's quite a few,Full Hull!

  • Member since
    January 2021
Posted by PFJN2 on Monday, September 5, 2022 7:15 PM

Hi,

For me, building a model means making a scale replica.  And if that means using all sorts of different materials together, I don't see that as being a problem.  Alot of times I use bass wood or balsa wood in plastics models (I find coating the wood in sanding sealer, modeling putty, and or a diluted mix of the two helps "seal" the surface).  And I know alot of people use Photo Etch on plastic kits.  So to me as long as some material seems to "meet your needs" I don't see any issue with using it. Smile

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 5:05 AM

Cheating only if you deceive the judges in a competition,otherwise makes no difference how someone builds.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 5:59 AM

It is worth remembering that there are vast numbers of life-long modelers -- no idea of the percentage, but I'm guessing it well tops 50% -- who have never been (and never will be) within 100 yards of a model contest. Hence 'judging criteria' may be of some academic interest...but hardly the live-or-die benchmark for their modeling work.

I solidly agree with PFJN2, that it's all about the replica thing. I enjoy building paper models for the challenge, and the occasional change-up of methods and skills...but have no qualms whatsoever about using PE railings and ladders, or styrene rod or tube stock for masts, gun barrels, etc. The 'purists' view it as some kind of heresy...and they're welcome to their opinions. It doesn't trouble me a jot.

I am my own judge for my models...hence the bar -- and the stress level -- is set comfortably low. Big Smile

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 6:02 AM

Since the early 2000s the International Plastic Modelers Society have added paper to the list of materials which may be used.   With the evolution of model manufacturers model kits containing mixed media (resin, turned metal, photoetch) they WERE allowed in Out of the Box categories.   Ships did have a single media OOB category.   

For the 2022 contest the contest committee changed the rules contest wide, doing away with the old OOB and implementing Single Media Only/Basic Kit Build.  Entries containing only the predominant material may be entered, plastic, resin, metal, or paper.  Otherwise they go to the standard categories.   

Local contests are free to change to National standards.   Many won't because it has always been done some other way  Few local clubs even followed ship's Single Media vs High Tech rules   
 

Your entry could not have been placed in either the old OOB category or the new BKB categories   Either, once you add something not included in the kit it disqualified from those categories.   They would have been moved to a standard category before judging

 

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 8:03 AM

Hi! Ed:

         I was wondering, Just because it's been a long time since I entered a contest. I do just like "Display Only" Because that seems to get more ooohs and aaahs than the regular tables where folks are afraid to get to close!

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 8:06 AM

Hi Greg:

       Thanks for putting my head back where it Belongs!

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 12:43 PM

Tanker-Builder

Hi! Ed:

         I was wondering, Just because it's been a long time since I entered a contest. I do just like "Display Only" Because that seems to get more ooohs and aaahs than the regular tables where folks are afraid to get to close!

 

it depends. Some contests do, most dont

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 1:21 PM

Use whatever material gets the job done in the best way you can do.  The only caveat is when a contest has rules that prohibit it.  If it is not destined for competiton, the sky is the limit, no shame or stigma.

I bought a bowl and chrome plated plastic fork for my spaghetti kit, and do not feel I cheated at all!  Big Smile

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 7:10 AM

Well!

    I have seen that kit assembled. Yours looks way more Realistic. Now where is the person holding the fork? Wouldn't it be neat if they gave you part of a Ghostly Clear hand holding that fork?

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 1:11 PM

TB,

The "phantom spaghetti hand" is a thing in Japan.  Most restaurants with a display wndow do it, perhaps for dramatic reasons.  Big Smile

And yes, I DID order the "Spaghetti Napolitan"!

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    August 2021
Posted by lurch on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 6:39 PM

Now you did it. I am craving homemade spaghetti now. "hey honey can we have your famous spaghetti tonight."

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