BASIC
SKILLS:
Basic Skills are considered the
minimal criteria of a good model. These include the following: Seams
filled, Mold Release Seams removed, Sprue Tree Nubs removed, Mold Ejector
Pin Marks removed, no sink marks present, no gaps between surfaces, clear
pieces not marred or fogged, surfaces finished smoothly, glue marks or excess
glue do not appear, paint applied smoothly, decals applied with no silvering.
Manufacturer's logos, copyrights or other molded in identification
must be removed. All models shall meet these minimum criteria
to be considered for an award. These skills are considered the
essential building blocks towards creating skilled works of art and
are applicable to ANY type of model. There are no separate
Basic Skills for Aircraft, Armor, Automobile, Nautical,
Science Fiction, Figures, Dioramas or Juniors. Basic
Skills remain consistent from model category to model category.
If these skills are not achieved, the modeler has not mastered
the basics of model building, and advanced work will not be
well represented.
AIRCRAFT
(INCLUDES HELICOPTERS and REAL SPACE)
To be awarded Bronze, the
model must meet all the criteria of the Basic Skills.
In addition Wings and Horizontal Stabilizers must be straight.
Vertical Stabilizer(s) must be straight up and down or
if angled vertically such as on an F18, must be positioned correctly.
Landing Gear must be straight and aligned (if present);
Tires on gear (if present) must touch/contact the display
surface.
To
be awarded Silver, the model must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills and Bronze Award.
In addition, Dry-Brushing and Weathering techniques
are considered in the execution of detail and the exhibit's
finish. Detailing and/or aftermarket parts (Resin,
Photo-Etch, etc.) if included, must be applied following the same
Basic Skills criteria. Attention to detail is
judged on execution, such as gun barrel(s) drilled, antenna attached,
exhaust stubs drilled out, or any other details added to enhance
the model. The addition of aftermarket parts or extra
details does not automatically qualify the exhibit for a Silver
Award.
To
be awarded Gold, the model must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills, the Bronze and Silver Awards.
Conversions and scratch built items are judged on the execution
of skill and how well they are incorporated into the existing
pieces of the model/exhibit. The addition of aftermarket
parts, conversion or scratch built items, or any other extra
detail does not automatically qualify the exhibit for a Gold Award.
The number of hours taken to build the model is inconsequential.
An entirely scratch built exhibit does not automatically qualify for
a Gold Award.
ARMOR (INCLUDES
SOFT SKINS AND ORDNANCE):
To
be awarded Bronze, the model must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills. In addition, Road Wheels must
be level and have contact with the display surface. Gun
Barrel(s) must be round, no flat areas along the barrel where the
seam was removed. Individual Track Links or Continuous (Single)
Piece Tracks must be applied correctly. Tracks must
be applied facing the proper direction and Track tension must
be appropriate for the subject. In the event of Open Sponsons
(in the original kit) these shall be filled to prevent viewing
light or Tracks and/or Suspension components when viewing down
through the Upper Hull or Turret. If Engine Grilles are open
for venting or filled with screening than they shall be engineered
by the exhibitor to prevent light or interior parts of the subject
from being noticeable.
To
be awarded Silver, the model must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills and the Bronze Award. In addition,
Dry-Brushing and Weathering techniques are considered in the
execution of detail and the exhibits finish. Detailing,
Aftermarket Parts (Resin, Photo-etch, Turned Gun Barrels, Metal
Tracks, etc.) if included, must be applied following the same
Basic Skills criteria. Attention to detail such as Machine
Gun Barrels drilled, Antennas attached, Exhaust Pipes drilled
and any other extra detail that enhances the exhibit is judged
on its execution. The addition of Aftermarket Parts or
extra details does not automatically qualify the exhibit for
a Silver Award.
To
be awarded Gold, the model must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills, the Bronze and Silver Awards.
Conversions and Scratch built exhibits are judged on the
execution of skills and how well they are incorporated into
the existing pieces of the model. The
addition of aftermarket parts, conversion or scratch built items,
or any other extra detail does not automatically qualify the exhibit
for a Gold Award. The number of hours taken to build the model
is inconsequential. An entirely scratch built exhibit does not automatically
qualify for a Gold Award.
NAUTICAL (INCLUDES ALL
SHIPS FROM ALL ERAS):
To
be awarded Bronze, the model must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills. In addition the Hull seam must
not be apparent. Sides of Deck Houses must rest flat on
Deck Surfaces with no gaps. Mast(s) must be at the proper
angle, not bowed or bent. If rigged, rigging must not be
too tight or too loose. Ratlines do not sag. A Bowsprit
on a sailing ship must not be angled above or below its natural
plane. Yardarms do not bend upward or downward due to the rigging
being too tight. Railings must be vertical and not angled.
Propeller(s) are properly attached to shaft(s) at the correct
angle. Rudder is aligned. Deck Guns properly aligned
in their Carriage or Turret. For Submarines: Periscopes,
Masts, Snorkels are not bent or angled. Bow and Stern Diving
Planes are horizontal, not bent upward or down as opposed to the
dive angle. Stern Diving Plane Horizontal Stabilizers are
straight and level. Vertical Rudder Stabilizers are straight
up and down without leaning left or right.
To
be awarded Silver, the model must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills, and the Bronze Award. In addition
Dry-Brushing and Weathering techniques are considered in the
execution of detail and the exhibit's finish. Detailing,
Aftermarket Parts (Resin, Photo-Etch, etc.) if included, must
be applied following the same Basic Skills criteria. Attention
to detail such as Main Gun/Cannon Barrels drilled, Antennas attached
or, any detail added to enhance the exhibit will be judged on
its execution. The addition of Aftermarket Parts or extra
details does not automatically qualify the exhibit for a Silver
Award.
To
be awarded Gold, the model must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills, Bronze and Silver Awards. Conversions
and Scratch built items are judged on the execution of skill
and how well they are incorporated into the existing pieces of
the model. The addition
of aftermarket parts, conversion or scratch built items, or any
other extra detail does not automatically qualify the exhibit for
a Gold Award. The number of hours taken to build the model
is inconsequential. An entirely scratch built exhibit does not
automatically qualify for a Gold Award.
FIGURES:
To
be awarded Bronze, the figure must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills. In addition, the application of
paint, shading and blending of colors is considered. The effect
of light on the exhibit and how shadows and highlights are
accentuated will be considered. The figure should appear
to be standing firmly on the display base and not hovering above
it. If groundwork is part of the base it should appear
realistic to the exhibit.
To
be awarded Silver, the figure must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills and the Bronze Award. In addition Dry-Brushing
and Weathering techniques are considered in the execution
of detail and the exhibit's finish. Detailing and After- Market
Parts must be executed following the same Basic Skills criteria.
Attention to detail such as Plumes, Buckles, Belts, Horse Hooves,
Horseshoes and Horseshoe Nails added to Hooves, Gun Barrel(s) drilled
out and any other additional details will be judged on it's execution.
The addition of extra detail or Aftermarket Parts, does not automatically
qualify for a Silver Award.
To
be awarded Gold, the figure must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills, Bronze and Silver Awards. Conversions
and Scracthbuilt items are judged on the execution of skill,
and, how well they are incorporated into the existing pieces
of the figure. The addition of aftermarket
parts, conversion or scratch built items, or any other extra detail
does not automatically qualify the exhibit for a Gold Award.
The number of hours taken to build the model is inconsequential.
 An entirely scratch built exhibit does not automatically
qualify for a Gold Award.
SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY:
To
be awarded Bronze, the model must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills. In addition Hull seams must not
be apparent. Any Wings, Horizontal/Vertical Stabilizers
must be positioned correctly. Landing Gear must be straight
and not misaligned. Wheels/Tracks must contact the display
surface. Gun Barrels must be round with no flat areas along
the Barrel where a seam was removed. Individual Track Links
or Continuous Track is applied correctly. Tracks applied facing
in the proper direction and Track tension appropriate for the subject.
If Engine Grilles are open for venting or filled with screening than
they shall be engineered by the exhibitor to prevent light or interior
parts of the subject from being noticeable.
To
be awarded Silver, the model must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills and the Bronze Award. In addition Dry-Brushing
and Weathering techniques are considered in the execution
of detail and the exhibit's finish. Detailing, Aftermarket
Parts (Resin, Photo-Etch, etc.) if included must be applied following
the same Basic Skills criteria. Attention to detail such
as Main Gun(s) or Cannon Barrels drilled out, Antenna attached,
any details added to enhance the model is judged on its execution.
The addition of Aftermarket Parts, or extra detail does not automatically
qualify the exhibit for a Silver Award.
To
be awarded Gold, the model must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills, Bronze and Silver Awards. Conversions
and Scratch built items are judged on the execution of skill
and how well they are incorporated into the existing pieces of
the model. The addition
of aftermarket parts, conversion or scratch built items, or any
other extra detail does not automatically qualify the exhibit for
a Gold Award. The number of hours taken to build the model
is inconsequential. An entirely scratch built exhibit does not
automatically qualify for a Gold Award.
GAMING:
To
be awarded Bronze, the model must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills. In addition Hull seams must
not be apparent. Any Wings, Horizontal/Vertical
Stabilizers must be positioned correctly. Landing Gear
must be straight and not misaligned. Wheels/Tracks must
contact the display surface. Gun Barrels must be round
with no flat areas along the Barrel where a seam was removed.
Individual Track Links or Continuous Track is applied correctly.
Tracks applied facing in the proper direction and Track tension
appropriate for the subject. If Engine Grilles are open for
venting or filled with screening than they shall be engineered
by the exhibitor to prevent light or interior parts of the subject
from being noticeable.
To
be awarded Silver, the model must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills and the Bronze Award. In addition Dry-Brushing
and Weathering techniques are considered in the execution
of detail and the exhibit’s finish. Detailing, Aftermarket
Parts (Resin, Photo-Etch, etc.) if included must be applied following
the same Basic Skills criteria. Attention to detail such
as Main Gun(s) or Cannon Barrels drilled out, Antenna attached, any
details added to enhance the model is judged on its execution.
The addition of Aftermarket Parts, or extra detail does not automatically
qualify the exhibit for a Silver Award.
To
be awarded Gold, the model must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills, Bronze and Silver Awards. Conversions
and Scratch built items are judged on the execution of skill
and how well they are incorporated into the existing pieces of
the model. The addition of aftermarket
parts, conversion or scratch built items, or any other extra
detail does not automatically qualify the exhibit for a Gold Award.
The number of hours taken to build the model is inconsequential.
An entirely scratch built exhibit does not automatically qualify for
a Gold Award.
AUTOMOTIVE - CAR / TRUCK
/ MOTORCYCLE:
To
be awarded Bronze, the model must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills. In addition, Wheels and Tires must
be straight, not out of alignment and must contact the display
surface. Hood, Doors and Trunk Lid must be aligned.
Frames must be straight with no warpage evident. Chrome
pieces must not be crazed or marred. Front Windshield,
Rear and Side Windows must fit properly. When Bare Metal
Foil or similar products are used, they must be applied properly.
Clear Headlights and Taillights must be attached properly with
no fogging and no stress cracks. Tints applied to Windows,
Lights, or Sidelights should be finished properly with no fogging
and no runs or heavy spots.
To
be awarded Silver, the model must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills and the Bronze Award. In addition Dry-Brushing
and Weathering techniques are considered in the execution
of detail and the exhibit's finish. Detailing, Aftermarket
Parts (Resin, Photo-Etch, etc.) if included must be applied following
the same Basic Skills criteria. Attention to detail is
judged on its execution such as Exhaust Pipes drilled out, Engine
Wiring, Engine Hoses and Accessory Drive Belts, Brake and Steering
Components or any details added to enhance the model. The
addition of Aftermarket Parts or extra detail does not automatically
qualify the exhibit for a Silver Award.
To
be awarded Gold, the model must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills, Bronze and Silver Awards. Conversions
and Scratch built items are judged on the execution of skill
and how well they are incorporated into the existing pieces of
the model. The addition of aftermarket
parts, conversion or scratch built items, or any other extra
detail does not automatically qualify the exhibit for a Gold
Award. The number of hours taken to build the model is inconsequential.
An entirely scratch built exhibit does not automatically qualify
for a Gold Award.
DIORAMA:
To
be awarded Bronze, the Diorama must meet the criteria
of Basic Skills. In addition, the application of paint,
shading and blending of colors is considered. The effect
of light on the exhibit and how shadows and highlights are
accentuated will be considered. The figure(s) should
appear to be standing firmly on the display base and not hovering
above it. If groundwork is part of the base it should appear
realistic to the exhibit. Additionally the Diorama
must tell a story; the viewer looking at the exhibit
should be able to understand the story that is being conveyed.
To
be awarded Silver, the Diorama must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills and Bronze Award. In addition Dry-Brushing
and Weathering techniques are considered in the execution
of detail and the exhibit's finish. Detailing must be executed
following the same Basic Skills criteria. Attention
to detail such as individual Blades of Grass, Tree Leaves, Building
Rubble and Accessory Equipment is judged on its execution. The
addition of extra detail does not automatically qualify the exhibit
for a Silver Award.
To
be awarded Gold, the exhibit must meet the criteria
of the Basic Skills, Bronze and Silver Awards. Conversions
and Scratch built items are judged on the execution of skill
and how well they are incorporated into the existing pieces of
the Diorama. The addition of aftermarket
parts, conversion or scratch built items, or any other extra
detail does not automatically qualify the exhibit for a Gold Award.
The number of hours taken to build the model is inconsequential.
An entirely scratch built exhibit does not automatically qualify
for a Gold Award.
THEMATIC AWARD:
Each year, the Club
selects a Theme for that year's contest. Models
which fit that theme will be first judged in their respective
category. The best model from each category relating to that
theme will then be judged against each other to determine the
Best Theme Award. The winner will be announced at the Awards
Ceremony and receive a commemorative plaque in honor of their achievement.
JUDGE'S AWARDS:
The Gold Medal winners in each category will be
judged against each other by the individual category
judges to determine the Best in Category
Awards. Each of these winners will receive a plaque
in honor of their achievement.
Each of the winners of the Best in Category
awards will then be judged against each other by a majority
of the judges to determine the Best In Show Award.
In the case of a tie among the judges, the head judge will determine
the winner. The winner will receive a plaque in honor of their
achievement. All plaques will be presented during the Awards
Ceremony following the completion of judging.
PEOPLE'S
CHOICE AWARD:
All attendees to
the show will have the chance to vote for the People's
Choice Award. Only one vote per person please. Simply
fill out one of the ballots available on any of the show tables
and deposit your ballot into the "People's Choice Award" ballot
box located near the Raffle table in the vendor room.
A minimum of 50 total votes is necessary from attendees in
order to award the People's Choice Award. Ballots will be
totaled immediately prior to the awards ceremony. The entry with
the greatest number of votes will win! Please only one vote
per person (no ballot stuffing, even though this IS
Chicago).
JUNIORS:
It
is the Butch O'Hare Chapter's philosophy to encourage
Junior modelers to participate in the scale model building
hobby and reward the Junior modeler appropriately based on their
meeting Basic Skills criteria and extra effort that has been
put into their exhibit. We encourage parents to work with
the Junior modeler to make the experience a positive one.
We discourage the adult modeler from using their own modeling
skills to improve the Junior exhibit. All work presented
is to the sole work of the individual whose name appears on the
exhibit.
The
"Chicago Rules" Award Criteria is an addendum to the IPMS/Butch
O'Hare Chapter-Contest Rules.
