Quote:
Originally Posted by karmodeler2
There have been some great points made here and a few that I think were overlooked.
A great model is a great model. Doesn't matter if Randy Derr built it (who is a friend of mine) or if Mark Jones built it (who is a friend of mine)or Racer93 built it.(whom I don't know)
A great model is a great model.
Regardless of scale and/or materials used.
It's up to you to create/build that great model.
Case in point. I was in ATL for their NNL in 1999. I saw one of the most incredible models on the table I had ever seen. I had never seen this much detail in a car and it impressed me. I had brought 33 models and I wish I could count how many people wanted to know how I painted my cars so cleanly. They were impressed with my builds, but I went home with no trophies. The model that impressed me went home with 2 awards out of the 4 given (Best of show and Best detail...the other two awards were Best junior and theme award)
What I did go home with was a passion to build better models. When I saw the BOS car, it motivated me to build better models. I made a choice to become a better modeler. I did not make a choice to try and change the rules, categories or any other thing that might not be under my control. I said that if he could do it, so could I.
So I spent 7 months and countless hours researching/building the best model that I could and took it the next year to win BOS in ATL. I made a choice and everyone here can make the same choice. What type of modeler do YOU want to be?
And I, too, have had the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with IPMS on many levels. I don't agree with how they run things, therefore I don't go anymore.
At a regional show, I saw an OOB car take four awards including BOS. I felt that the scratch-built plane, with working features (skin was removed to show rigging and brass frame...you could reach in and move the stick and the ailerons and elevators moved!!!) should have been BOS because of the amount of work involved and the quality of the build. When I questioned the judges as to why, they said the car had no flaws and the plane did.
I disagreed. And I was the one with the car. Go figure. (and it had injector pin marks on the underside of the hood and the fenders of the car...WHAT?????? at an IPMS event......say it isn't so!!!!)
I say all this to tell you, that you will be the modeler you CHOOSE to be. It is totally up to you, not anyone on this board.
And remember, just because someone has "x" and you don't, doesn't make the playing field uneven. It makes you choose whether you want to get "x" and compete against them.
"X" can be a mill, casting equipment, airbrush, lathe, dremel, paintbrush, files, glues or whatever you want X to be. There is absolutely no one stopping you from getting "X" except you.
David Morton
And to add more fuel to the fire, I have won at the National and Regional levels at IPMS (First and Best Of for my class) and have won First and a Master award at GSL. I consider my NNL's from ATL to be the most honest and hardest fought ones I have earned. And they are the ones that are dispalyed and NOT in a box!!!
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Most people don't know me...anonymity is a great thing!
Thanks for the thoughts. There are a few other things that came into play that haven't been (and will not be) discussed that may change how this particular situation is viewed. My whole intention was not to try and "change the rules for one's benefit," it was simply to ask the question and have a discussion about it. Unfortunately, this has blown up far beyond what I expected...
That said, I completely agree with you about being driven by something you see to be better. I turned that corner about 2 years ago when I decided I would not settle for whatever came out of the building process. Now, if I'm not *totally and completely* satisfied, I strip it down and re-do it. This one thing has increased the quality of my builds incalculably.
I'm going to try and attend an NNL this year to see what it's all about. I've been told by several different people (even by the people who don't like NNLs) that the Atlanta show is one to go to. So, I may be putting that on the calender.
I wasn't saying the playing field is uneven because the lack of equipment. You can always buy turned parts or commission a friend with a mill and lathe to do some work. While I wish I could buy that set up, it won't happen for at least a year. In the meantime, I'll just have to be resourceful and also buy the turned parts I need. One of these days I'll be able to make all sorts of cool parts...
