It's great to see so much talented work even though it makes it that much harder to vote for only one. Excellent job by all the entrants

And I agree with Emre, would sure like to see more participation in the entry level.

Voted. Well done guys and good luck ................ another great gallery!!

A little harded this month than the past...votes in

Good Luck,
Joe

Wow, what a selection!

Nice group of entry's, and a winner, as usual, is quite a difficult choice to make...although there is that one special build that does stand out a bit more than all the rest............great modeling, and good luck to all the entrants!

Some great models, as always--but I'm kinda bummed out that nobody entered the Beginner's Class?
Is everybody getting that good?
We better start inviting in some new blood! LOL!

I suspect that the competition guidelines may account for the lack of entries in the beginners class. They suggest that any kit that's resin or that uses aftermarket parts is advanced. My entry was an all resin kit (although there's no opportunity for this to be taken into account by voters), albeit a relatively simple one. Because of that I entered it in the "advanced" class, even though I consider myself to have only Intermediate modelling skills. If I'd built the same model in plastic I'd have entered the beginner class, I think.


Sean

I've done my duty--although deciding was very difficult. Quite an outstanding crop! Good luck to all!

Duty done. Sooooo many outstanding builds and only one vote. Good luck to all.

556 people have looked at this thread, or at least clicked on it. Only 93 of those actually voted in the contest

Sean, your observation regards the lack of Beginner participation may be part of the reason, however, we needed to draw the lines somewhere and it was decided that the use of aftermarket goodies implies at least some level of advancement, and requires added skills. The beginners class was meant for just that, beginners, who wanted to enter models basic build with basic skills.
The distinction between Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced can be tricky and subjective at the best of times... throw in a (substantial) prize, and the potential for 'handbags' is obvious..

Cheers
Henk

Well, if beginer/advanced is not working out to everyone's wishes, how about a OOB and not-OOB set of categories? There may be more division and a desire to enter models based on those qualities instead.

A thought anyhow, not like there isn't a million other things to do...

Henk, you are quite right that defining who is a beginner and who is an advanced modeller is a potential minefield. My non-modelling friends and family think I'm advanced. I look at the builds on here and know very well I'm not!

Jacques suggestion of OOB vs non-OOB categories might be the way to encourage less experienced modellers to enter the competition?


Sean

I think OOB vs Non-OOB is definately worth trying out. I remember very well the the whole begginner / Intermdiate / advanced debates of the past and how it caused alot of heart burn for alot of people. I don't think it would hurt to try it out a time or two.

The OOB vs Non-OOB has been talked about and the major hick up we came up against was with kits made primarily by Dragon, which are basically kits with the AM goodies thrown in.

Sounds like a good idea I agree about Dragon but they almost always have styrene alternatives which I tend to use (BIG FINGERS BAD EYES) I might even try something like that Bob

True enough about Dragon kits, but I still think that the best way to divide catagories woudl just be on the OOB/Non-OOB lines. Yes, that means that someone who builds a DML Smart kit could possibly have an advantage over someone who builds, say, Tamiya's M3 Stuart, but it is only a initial possability. Then all those modelling skills need to be used to make either kit a presentable piece. How often have I seen older OOB kits that look LOTS better than people who have built kits with every concievable after market goodie? Too many if you ask me...

It just seems like a easier way to pull in the more entry level builders as OOB does not seem so scary and if they really get the desire to "win" they may try out a "goodie enhanced" DML kit and then want to jump up to the non-OOB level later. And there are far too many "advanced" modellers who, quite frankly, would have trouble just doing a OOB kit...like me! AMS is a harsh mistress. This could also be "our" chance to remember what it was like to just build a kit.

Seems like the benefits outweigh the problems...???

The OOB versus Non OOB is not a bad idea, and worth consideration.
Thanks for all your input.

Henk