Ralph Nardone

That's a good point. At our local shows, the judges are instructed that the models are to be evaluated as presented by the entrant, i.e., no picking them up and turning them over to keep the entrant "honest". If you can't see it as the model is presented, then you don't consider it. We also encourage the use of bases. If we have to slide a model across a table, having it on a base is the better option than sliding it on the entry form. Keep in mind that we evaluate one model as an example of a modeler's body of work (as opposed to every model they display) at our shows, and we ask our entrants to place their one model submitted for evaluation towards the front of the table. Cheers! R

It is entirely possible that the judges moved the models--they judged the ones up front first, then moved them to the back so the ones in the back could get evaluated equally to the ones that were up front. You will have to find them and ask. Ralph

Here you go, from the 2023 National Contest Rules: D. Dioramas and Vignettes. In diorama categories, regardless of class, the number of subjects (vehicles or figures) will determine in which category an entry is placed. Entries with a single vehicle and/or no more than five figures will be placed into the Vignette (Small Composition) categories. Entries with two or more vehicles and/or more than five figures will be placed into the Diorama (Large Composition) categories. Dioramas are story-centric, specifically built to tell a story or convey a message. Storyline will be considered equally to construction and finish of the individual subjects, figures, and other presentation components. A technically well-done diorama with a weak story line will be at a disadvantage to one with a strong storyline. Vignettes may also tell a story or may simply depict a ‘moment in time/location’. A previous national contest winner may be used as part of a diorama, so long as it is not the primary focus of the diorama.

You can also use PowerPoint to make placards. If you happen to have Microsoft Publisher, that works, too. Cheers! R

Everything you have stated is true. The modeler who built the Phantom for the article did not remove the stiffener for whatever reason. No harm, no foul, nothing to get excited about... R

Gil: Exactly. To quote the Late, Great Al Superczynski, "Build what YOU want the way YOU want to." And I don't think anybody in this thread has stated otherwise. I think most modelers do this anyway--only a very few of my IRL modeling friends really care what others think of their models, they build for their enjoyment/satisfaction and nobody else's. I was merely pointing out things in case somebody reading *is* that guy who wants to be nut/bolt/rivet accurate. I know a few, and that's their kick. Not for me to say they are right or wrong. Pete: True, and it is especially true of ships--look at the "old" battleships that were damaged at Pearl Harbor--when some of them emerged from repairs and refits, they bore only a slight resemblance to what they were before (added armor, torpedo bulges, masts, armament). As new technology enters the fleet, the old stuff is removed and the new installed in its place. I've said it a million times--there are as many ways to enjoy this hobby as there are people enjoying it. Cheers! R

Usually, they don't. However, some USN/USMC F-4's had a rectangular doubler or patch in the same general area. And late in their service lives, some USMC aircraft did sport the arrowhead-shaped doubler--there is at least one photo on the interwebs showing it. IIRC, the debate was whether the stabilator came from a retired USAF Phantom or not, but no matter where it came from, it was clearly visible. As you say, if a modeler is a stickler for accuracy, always check those references. I've found that there are very few absolutes out in the world, there's always an exception to the rule. R

There are work-arounds to both. The race cars featured on the 2016 Columbia National Convention sheet were there because we asked for approval from the driver and race shop that built the cars. Hint 1: Don't do all the markings for a race car--only do the major markings to supplement the kit sheet. Hint 2: Don't do modern race cars. Find something from the era where the cars weren't festooned with a few dozen contingency logos. And, ASK. It's like getting a date with the head cheerleader--if you never ask, the answer will always be "No". How was Chattanooga able to feature Coca-Cola logos on the 2019 Convention sheet? One of two ways: Either they asked for permission OR they did it hoping to fly under the radar. And for the cop shields? Go to the Nebraska State Patrol website. At the top left corner is a full color badge. Any crook worth the title could rip that image for free. I'm actually surprised that the Wikipedia entry didn't feature a scalable vector image (.svg or .eps)... Also, are there no ships named after Nebraska cities? Does Omaha or Nebraska not have any armored units? All it takes is some imagination to come up with a diversified decal sheet that helps people forget the "International Plane Modelers Society" moniker. R

Yep. Out of the box, they were good kits, and Sheperd Paine showed what could be done to these "blank canvases".

Even if it comes out of a bottle and you thin/reduce it for spraying (or spray it straight), you need to wear the PPE. It doesn't matter if the paint thins with water or acetone, protect your lungs (and the rest of your body). R

Or a respirator, or both. Not a dust mask, not an N95, but a cartridge respirator. Respirators are cheap--big-box home centers sell them for around $35. Buy one. Use it. Your lungs will thank you. Cheers! Ralph

Since my two terms as Chief Cook and Bottle Washer in the Columbia chapter are over and I'm back in the peanut gallery, I'm not in a position to officially comment. The Columbia chapter is under new management, so anything is possible... Cheers! R

I used it to point out that the annual version of the rules aren't always ready on 1 January. Nothing else was intended or needed to be read into it. Whatever the reason, we were told that the rules are ready when the NCC says they are.

Beginning of the year at the earliest. If memory serves, the National Rules package for 2016 wasn't complete and ready to post until at least May, maybe later that year--I recall getting a lot of traffic on that subject, as in "When will the rules be released?" Our answer then, as it is now, is "That's the NCC's baby and when they release them, they'll get published". So, Jim is absolutely correct--This is nothing new. R

My thoughts exactly. When I saw the announcement, my first thought was "How long before the Philadelphia Lawyers come forth with all sorts of questions, having over analyzed these new rules for five minutes?" Just making observations...