amms judging guidelines

Any interested modeller may judge entries. Judging provides a great opportunity to meet and discuss how to improve your model through evaluating others. The more volunteer judges we have will help ensure the show ends on time, and make it more enjoyable for everyone.

Judges will not judge any category in which they themselves have entered a model. 

Judges should have Intermediate or Advanced Level skill and experience in order to properly judge the wide variety of entries and at least a working knowledge of various modelling skills such as construction, finishing, working with aftermarket parts, diorama groundwork, and scratch building.

Judges with specific expertise in identifying accuracy based details are encouraged to judge in Intermediate Level and Advanced Level categories. 

A Modeller’s Skill Level is based upon their sole desire, perceived skill level, past participation/entries, and comfort level. A Modeller’s skill level is not dictated by the complexity of the kit, or aftermarket parts he/she has used, but by level of experience they have with the hobby. Judges  or Show Coordinators may move entries between Skill Levels during the registration process, based upon the modeller’s previous entries and known Skill Level, or during judging based on the quality of the model entered in order to provide the best opportunity for all entrants.

Here are some guidelines that will help a Modeller chose which Level best reflects their skill and comfort level:

The Junior Level is the introductory Level for Modellers under the age of 18.  Junior Modellers under the age of 18 may choose to participate at the Basic Level at their discretion but without the perks of being identified as a junior entry (i.e. Junior prizes/awards). Once a Junior Modeller has reached the age of 18 he/she will be automatically moved into the Basic level of their desired category/categories, or to the Intermediate Level at their discretion. They not be exposed to the Olympic scoring system in the Junior Level as all Junior Modellers will receive awards.

 The Out of Box Entry Level provides a variety of options for Modellers with respect for finishing. Aftermarket parts, conversions, and scratch building are not considered Out of Box. The use of alternate markings, weathering techniques, and minor added details such as antennas, straps, or stowage items is acceptable.  

 The Detailed Entry Level provides a wide offering of options for the Modeller to make improvements, correct accuracy, convert the original kit, utilize aftermarket items, add extra details (super detailing), and use any manner of markings. 

Rarely has a “perfect” model appeared on the display tables at our show. Each and every model has areas for improvement no matter what skill level the modeller is at. The following criteria help the judges identify these areas to assist them in selecting the winning entries.  Also, please note that these are simply guidelines. 

The scale of a model or figure does not factor into the judging.

Basic construction techniques and clean-up of parts.

Basic construction techniques include:

•Mold seams and flash removal.

•Mold ejector pin marks filled / sanded and made good.

•Panels and Panel lines lined up.

•Gaps and seams filled where appropriate.

•Everything appears in proper alignment.

•Level set of all appropriate parts touching the ground

•Visible absence of glue marks

•Gun barrels drilled out

Military Figures

• Are all body parts in a realistic poise?
• Are weapons or accessories properly gripped in figure hands?
• Is there continuity between pieces? Clothing? Can you tell his arm was glued on?

Military Naval

• Are railings, propellers, and guns properly aligned?

Military Aircraft

• Are wings, rudders, flaps and machine guns in proper alignment?
• Do all wheels touch the base or ground?

Military Vehicles

• Is there a realistic track sag?
• Is equipment realistically mounted to and stowed on a vehicle or figure in sensible locations?
• Are vehicles and figures fully integrated with ground work? Ex: A 60 ton tank leaves an impression…it doesn’t float above the ground   

Dioramas

• Does the groundwork look realistic?
• Are vehicles, aircraft, ships, figures posed naturally and realistically?
• Is there a story that is easily identified?
• Do damaged buildings correctly reflect the amount of rubble that would be present?

Vignettes

• Military Vehicles, aircraft, ship, or figure effectively displayed on the base with groundwork?

Paint finish, decal and markings application, finish quality, as well as overall weathering consistency and quality. 

Finishing errors to consider include:

• Visible fingerprints
• Brush marks, blobs or runs, hits or smudges
• Lustre - flat or gloss finishes where appropriate
• Paint over spray, spitting, or “orange peel” effect
• Decals/Markings - alignment, silvering, milky outline, torn or disfigured
• Clear parts are absent of over runs, hazing, glue marks, and fingerprints.
• Consistent and logical weathering: 

1. If a vehicle is meant to be factory fresh there should not be a great amount of battle damage or rust present. If a vehicle is meant to have been well used and in action then the vehicle should be weathered more.
2. Logically a vehicle or figure representing one that was to have operated in very muddy or dusty terrain should demonstrate that they actually travelled through the terrain.
3. Does the model look like a scaled down version of the real thing?

In the case of vignettes and dioramas, attention will be paid to the overall consistency of the weathering of the base and groundwork elements matching that of the figures and vehicles.

 Added detailing, scratch building and aftermarket additions. 

•Added detail and additions must blend seamlessly with the basic model 

•All additions are to scale

•All criteria listed above will be applied to any and all added detailing

The accuracy of the model and/or subject matter will be examined at the Intermediate Level and Advanced Level. Modellers in the Advanced Level will be under additional scrutiny during judging and should include evidence; photographic, written, or otherwise of their additions, modification, etc.

Accuracy errors to consider include:

• Is the vehicle is the correct setting?

                        EX: A Japanese Tank in NW Europe?

• Does the vehicle align with the correct timeline?

                       EX: USS Missouri at the Battle of Midway?

•  Do the markings match the correct version or Mark of vehicle?

                         EX: Invasions Strips on a F4U-4 Corsair?

                         EX: British style harness on a German Bf-109 fighter

• Does the model have accurate parts? 

                        EX: A wrong sized gun on a tank.

Though accuracy is not the primary judging focus, Advanced Level category award selections may be affected if the accuracy issue is blatant and obvious.

Modellers in the Intermediate Level are encouraged but not required to include evidence, pictures or reference to support their additions, modifications, etc as a precursor to moving to the Advanced Level.