A couple contest definition rule questions...

[TheMongoose]

I have Tamiya's F-15J in 1/32 scale and I have 2 questions:

1. It has no PE or resin in the kit but it does have white metal landing gear. Reading the rules I think this statement means it would still fit in this BKB class:  As a general guideline, kit parts that are necessary to complete and support the overall structure of the completed model are allowed. Can you let me know if metal gear that are included in the kit fit the intent of that statement?

2. If I were to build it in-flight will it be forced into the Elevated Aircraft Entries category? With respect to my 1st question it relates to whether I would buy aftermarket for it. I will build it in flight regardless, I just always had this question about that rule but it didn't mean anything to me until BKB came around. I definitely like setting up the build for BKB if I can. 

[gwaktek]

I hope someone who knows is watching this thread, because I have a contest question myself.

I plan to enter a Code 201 OOB military aviation subject to the Capitol Classic in Austin TX metro area this weekend but I have no idea what I need to do in advance of the contest- this would be my very first.  Is there anyone to e-mail in order to reserve table space, or do I just show prior to / when the Expo center opens up with my subject and the correct forms I downloaded, filled out to accompany the subject?

Thanks to anyone watching the forum who knows what I need to do.  I'll be checking...

[Dick Montgomery]

Contact Tim Robb. He is the Regional Coordinator for Region 6, and Austin is in that Region. Tim's email address and phone # are listed on the IPMS website but to save you some "search" time here they are:    Oh, and Tim is a member of the Austin club.

 

Name: 

Tim Robb

Email Address: 

timrobb90@gmail.com

Phone Number: 

512-214-9665

[BWScholten]

6 hours ago, gwaktek said:

I hope someone who knows is watching this thread, because I have a contest question myself.

I plan to enter a Code 201 OOB military aviation subject to the Capitol Classic in Austin TX metro area this weekend but I have no idea what I need to do in advance of the contest- this would be my very first.  Is there anyone to e-mail in order to reserve table space, or do I just show prior to / when the Expo center opens up with my subject and the correct forms I downloaded, filled out to accompany the subject?

Thanks to anyone watching the forum who knows what I need to do.  I'll be checking...

Go to the main IPMS website, under events find the show listing.

Click on the link to the show website.

It has rules, and the forms you need to enter your model.

Good luck.

[ghodges]

To start.... the BKB thing is GONE and IPMS is back to the Out Of The Box categories and the OOTB rules. Since your metal landing gear ARE kit parts (came in the box) they're allowable. However..... ANY aftermarket bought for the kit (except decals) would make it ineligible for the OOTB category.

If you build it in flight, it HAS to be placed in one of the "Elevated" (what used to be called "planes on poles") categories, which are divided by types and scales. Our judging group once had to rejudge our category after including a model in flight (that otherwise fit the category we were judging) and that model was moved to the proper Elevated category and THAT team had to rejudge their category to include that model that was moved.

As always..... be sure to read the 2026 Nats rules and categories once they're posted and have active links on the IPMS Ft. Wayne Nats website (the rules and category links are currently inactive). Hope this helps!

 

Gil 

[Highlander]

I haven't kept up with the eternal -- "Pray tell...what is out of the box?" -- debate.  Which always seems to morph into -- "If I (fill in the blank), is it still OOB?"

Leading, of course, to --" If I build and Eduard ProfiPack and someone builds an Eduard Weekend kit, can they both be entered into an OOB category/".  I thought that BKB was supposed to resolve all of that.

[CaptainAhab]

Unfortunately I need to correct Gil, the rules for OOB from 2025 (Madison) state that entries are limited to “plastic only”. I pasted the aircraft version below, sorry about the formatting that’s how it pasted and I was not able to figure out how to change it. I can tell you in armor we had a good 25-30% of the entries in OOB that had used the etch that came with the kit, which resulted in them being asked to move to a regular category because it would disqualify them, in the same way not having the instructions would. Honestly the rules have been simplified but it’s basically still BKB. I really don’t know yet if they will stay the same or change for 2026.

Now, for me personally I think it should be a true “out-of-box”, anything and ONLY what comes with the kit is allowed. If anyone thinks using a kit with etch metal somehow gives some kind of advantage they are either fooling themselves or unaware of what working with etch is like. I guarantee, in armor anyway, that the judges are not impressed just because you have etch metal, everything has to meet the same standard and most etch is more difficult to work with than plastic. 

This is all concerning the Nationals, questions about chapter shows needs to be asked of that shows host as they have their own rules.

H. OOB Categories: A. For aircraft models, “Out of Box” entries are limited to plastic parts, built in accordance with the kit's instructions. Vinyl/rubber wheels are acceptable. Out of Box entries must have the instructions displayed with the model.

Out of Box construction may include:

1. Filling seams and gaps

2. Add weight to make the model sit correctly

3. Sanding off rivets and other fine details

4. Rescribing panel lines lost during construction

5. Drilling out gun barrels, exhaust pipes, grilles and the like

6. Thinning down parts such as doors and trailing edges

7. Adding minor antennas (extensive rigging, antennas and radio masts are permitted only if specified in the instructions)

8. Adding simple seat belts (paper or tape).

9. Paint/finish may include brush, spray can, airbrush, metal foil, or natural plastic finish. 

10. Decals other than those included in the kit may be used and modelers may paint markings and details. 3D decals are not allowed anywhere on the model

11. Weathering is permitted but not battle damage.

12. Kit instruction sheet must be available for Judges.

[ghodges]

I'm used to being corrected..... after all, I'm married!  😁

 

Gil 

[Collin]

So bottom line everyone....build "in-flight" and all of this OOB/BKB goes out the window.

Cheers

Collin