Yeah, there is that for sure. I guess I just feel it better to educate rather than criticize. I’ll make on last point. then be quiet. Years ago, when I started to build models as an adult, I frequented a hobby shop in Stratford, CT. During WWII, F4U Corsairs were built there, and today it’s the home of Sikorsky Aircraft. So if anyone built a model of these aircraft, they could count on immediate and very knowledgeable feedback. I’m happy to say 99% of that feedback was positive, these guys knew their stuff and were happy to share it with people new to the hobby. If they saw an error, they’d point it out and often provide guidence on how to correct it. That’s how you grow a hobby. This is supposed to be fun.
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And in the spirit of the above post:
I believe what the judges saw was at least two things-
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The knock out pin marks on the ramp.
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The roughness on the interior of the driver’s hatch opening.
I’m looking at the photos right now on my cell phone and those two things jump out at me. The Maglite Nazis surely will find more at a contest.
There was just a thread running last week about judging. I have not judged in over two decades because I found some of their practices a little ridiculous. But the fact is, given two models that are equally well done, it’ll come down to finding those little things - the not quite flattened spruce attachment point, the barely visible seam on the barrel, etc.
I personally find this to be a fantastic build. But at a contest it will probably get eliminated right off the bat, simply because they don’t even have to look hard to find those “mistakes.” Fix these and a few other things and you’ve got a winner for sure.
At a show with a People’s Choice award I bet it’s a winner every time.
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Hey JJC, was that Finescale Hobbies? I remember that place. I live about 20 minutes north of there. Where do you live now?
Fantastic job!
actually this reminds me of my backpacking days (back when i was young and everything was in black and white and there no internet…yes people actually talked to one aanother lol)
i was at Dien Bien Phu and scrapped up some soil which i used in a diorama i did based on a photograph i took of an old French tank that was there at Dien Bien Phu. i used the soil i took in the diorama. i didn’t get any award or runner up prize but i did catch up with one of the judges and asked him why i hadn’t got anything and he told me the soil was the wrong colour and should have been darker in colour!
I informed him of where i acquired the soil and had a picture of the actual tank next to my model and showed him in the picture where you could see where i had collected the soil from in front of the tank. he was adamant that i was wrong… go figure that one folks!
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So much for the “experts.”
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That’s ridiculous David lol…… but all too common I’m afraid at competitions.
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Seems to have been one of the true to the bone bona fide ‘experten’
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I appreciate the insights of the group on contest judging. I am fully aware of the pitfalls of “modeling for medals” type of mentality. I used to be one about 30 years ago. My friend and i would go to every contest on the circuit in Texas. I actually met 18Bravo there and saw some of his early work. Sometimes I won, most of the time I didn’t. Seems like German armor was always my nemesis. So I gave up. Plus i started RN school and then worked in an OR for 20 years.
About three years ago, I re-discovered modeling. I started building for fun and stress relief. I am a “model artist” as opposed to an OCD rivet counter type. It is important to me to present an interesting visual for the observer. Most people looking at models glance at them for 30 seconds then go on. I want them to stay and look longer and discover more and more stuff. I try to be accurate as possible without going to “blue print overboard” mode. 98% of people dont care or know if there are small problems. People seem more impressed with my “garbage pile” than some German “panzer-insert 27 letters- vehicle of which only 2 were made and never saw combat, but hey, it’s German WWII”. My stuff isn’t perfect, but at least it’s entertaining.
As for the contest last week. I entered the M106 into the “self propelled artillery” category. Now. none of the categories were divided by time period, just vehicle type. There were about 10 entries. After being closed for judging, I came back to find the M106 was moved to “Fully tracked vehicles” that had a HUGE amount of entries from all periods. They split this category SEVEN times. I don’t know which new category mine was put into. I think it was “Fully tracked, green, allied”. So, even against “green colored vehicles”, it was skunked out. I don’t remember there being a lot of green only, but , whatever. If they were going to move it, why wasn’t it moved to the open interior category? Seems more logical as it was the only OPEN vehicle in 30-40 entries.
My apologies for the long winded rant. When I went back going to shows, I told myself just go to show, awards didn’t matter. I wanted to talk with others with no expectations. i would be glad to explain why I did what I did and why. The sink holes on the ramps showed up after the weathering process, and i didn’t have time to hide them. The hatch opening was rough, and I was going to make it look like it was peeling, but ran out of time. Also was going to put a CVC helmet there but it dropped inside and now stuck under driver’s seat. The box with the pop flares was a new box, and not weathered on purpose.
Anyway, I put my heart and soul into this work. I am proud of it. If it just got some type of recognition, I would have been satisfied. It just hurts the ego, like being stood up on a date.
This little M274 vignette was put together the day before the show, and got a silver medal.
Anyway, thanks for all the wonderful comments and support. You guys are great.
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I posted this before sometime ago, but it might be sort of relevant (a bit):
Several years ago when I was exhibiting with a club, a fellow club member was a serving Army Air Corps Warrant Officer; he produced a series of exquisite helicopter models. A Lynx of his came under especial scrutiny from, how shall I say, a somewhat earnest member of the modelling public. Eventually, after looking this way and that, he opined, “I think you’ll find that this particular helicopter was not fitted with the dooberry-ferkin.” (forgive me but I cannot remember what component or piece of kit he actually mentioned.
Came the reply, from my oppo Tony, “Well, it was there yesterday when I flew it”. Boom!
(Apologies to those who’ve endured it already)
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Put another box/fuel can or something over the sink hole on the ramp and drape a rag or flak vest over the the rough cupola opening. No one will be the wiser. To be honest I probably would have dinged you as a judge for the ramp issue but would have have been very distressed to have to do so. Regardless you have put together a very outstanding piece so many positive elements as others have noted. Cover those blemishes and I bet you have a winner. 
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It’s still just as hilarious as the previous time you told it
I’ll look forward to seeing your work again in August in Arlington if you can make it.
That might be a warm time…
Thanks Robin - very gracious of you!
What’s going on in August? I am a bit out of the loop.
My mistake. SuperCom is actually in September.
There’s also Scalefest in June in Grapevine.
I am planing to go to Scalefest. I will be bringing the M106 there. Hope to see ya.
I’ll certainly try to be there as well. June is a busy month Army wise.
that looks to be way down south. So well used tracks in that photo. Perhaps near Dak To or Kontum. Looks pretty intense!
gary