CONTEST | ModelCon EagleQuest 2027

Judging

Introduction

First, all judging derives from the realization that all the possible permutations and rankings of flaws are impossible to define. Therefore, it’s similarly impossible to provide exact guidance for the system of “Open Judging”. This being stated, judges will be expected to use their in-depth technical knowledge, common sense, consistency, and experience when applying the below guidelines to judging an entry. The goal isn’t trying to narrow a field down to the top three entries but judging the entry on the standards of competition with the consideration being focused on promoting the hobby while providing constructive feedback when required. Our expectations are that judges are the subject matter experts who are tasked at looking for the same types of flaws and/or qualities required to determine the proper award level of a Gold, Silver, Bronze, or nothing.

Recommendation

Judges should make a cursory view of entries as defined as, to view the models from a casual viewing distance (2-3 feet) to determine the entries condition. Essentially explained as; when standing over the entry does any of the following visible to the judge;
- Visible seams, knock out holes, sprue tree ends
- Glue blobs
- Heavy orange peel
- Clear parts fogged
- Alignment issue with tracks, wings, wheels
- Decal silvering
- Other competition factors
This is not to suggest that after the cursory glance an entry is chosen or disqualified for an award, but that a closer inspection of an entry is required to determine its placing as judged against the award criteria defined in the awards section of this document.

Conclusion

The following award levels contained within this document are from various points of view based on decades of experience. The judging standards will be utilized equitably in all genres. Regardless of genre or entry class, an entries’ parts must be removed from sprues, cleaned up, properly assembled, seams filled, painted, properly decaled, etc. Weathering added items not contained in the original kit, bases, etc. should be considered, but are not a requirement for or disqualification for an award except for Vignettes or Dioramas. The judges are the “boots on the ground” and are entrusted with making proper and final decisions, keeping in mind that our competition is about the modeler and the hobby. Therefore, any “hair splitting” or “on the fence” decisions should be granted in favor of the entry.

Bronze Level

Bronze Medal reflects the modeler’s avoidance of any significant errors on the entry explained as follows:
- The entry has no glaring flaws in the finish or construction as seen from a casual viewing distance.
- Upon closer inspection, several minor flaws may be noticeable but are not concentrated in one area or indicate a lack of basic skills (for example, one decal, but not all, may be silvered).
- This level of quality indicates the modeler is competent, however needs to be more consistent in execution.
- Basic craftsmanship is good, but realism or attention to details may be lacking.
- Examples of flaws that would not drop a model from contention for a bronze award might be:
  - Slight misalignment of the landing gear, tracks, wheels, gear doors, etc.
  - Wings out of level, tires do not touch ground, roadwheels not touching tracks, etc.
  - Slight misalignment issues.
  - Note though that multiple misalignments should preclude a bronze score for construction as it should be clear that proper care wasn’t taken during construction.
  - Slight “orange peel” in the paint finish, paint missing or bubbling, etc.
  - Occasional decal silvering
  - Inconsistent detail repair (scribing, rivets, contours) following seam treatments.
- In general, the entry demonstrates the modeler has a solid grasp of the basics with construction, painting, and presentation with minor flaws.

Silver Level

A Silver Medal reflects the modeler exhibiting very few minor errors in construction, and a better grasp of finishing techniques. This applies to out-of-the-box kits as well as a high level of accomplishment with adding details not included in the kit. The entry has a higher level of craftsmanship in all areas of construction, painting, and presentation as defined as; minor flaws, finishes are realistic, basic techniques have improved appearance (exposed edgesare realistically thinned, gun barrels or exhaust stacks are drilled out, etc).
- Misalignments should not be apparent to the naked eye (if a measuring aid is required to demonstrate or prove misalignment, that element is done well enough to qualify for Silver)
- Paint finish should be uniform with only very minor irregularities around typical trouble spots such as wing roots, tracks, interior, raised detail, etc.
- Decals should be nearly perfect, with virtually no silvering and they should conform uniformly to both raised and recessed detail.
- Detail repairs such as re-scribing following major construction should be consistent and similar to the original kit detail and/or historically correct.
- Weathering, if present, should be consistent and in the proper scale.
- Detailing should be consistent. If the cockpit/interior is detailed, other areas such as wheel wells, stowage, engine, etc. should follow suit.
- Gun barrels, exhaust, drain ports, etc. should be drilled out
- Aftermarket detailing, stowage, photo etched brass, “add-on” should be cleanly incorporated and in the proper scale
- Canopies, windows, etc. should be free of glue glaze and masked properly.
A silver medal entry should demonstrate that the modeler has mastered the basics and has command of more advanced techniques.

Gold Level

A Gold Medal represents an exceptional level of craftsmanship. Practically flawless demonstrating a mastery of basic and advanced techniques with a near perfect finish. The entry represents the best practices for assembly and finish executed to the highest industry standard for competition. Furthermore, an out-of-the-box model can receive a Gold Award, but it must exhibit the highest standards as mentioned above. Essentially, the Gold Award recognizes that the modeler’s entry contains almost “zero-defects”.
- Misalignments should be nearly impossible to measure or determine.
- Tracks, roadwheels, tires, etc. should be touching and aligned correctly.
- Paint finish should be uniform, realistic, and historically accurate.
- Decals should appear painted on with clear film not apparent. Silvering is not present.
- Weathering should be applied to give markings, stowage, equipment, etc. the same worn appearance as the rest of the entry.
- Detail repairs following major construction, sanding, etc. should be imperceptible
- Weathering should appear completely natural in scale and be consistent.
- Aftermarket or scratch built detailing must be cleanly incorporated and scale appropriate.
- Gun barrels, exhaust, drain ports, etc. should be drilled out
- Aftermarket detailing, stowage, photo etched brass, “add-on” should be cleanly incorporated and in the proper scale
- Canopies, windows, etc. should be free of glue glaze and masked properly.
A Gold Medal entry should be as close to perfect. A small error should not eliminate a model from a Gold Medal, but two might. In many cases a Gold Medal entry will demand a person’s attention and draw people to it as it will equal parts artistry and technical achievement.

Scoring

Scoring is divided into three areas, construction, finish, and intangibles. Please note the tables provided are not inflexible RULES but are to serve as an equitable judging tool. They are meant as guidelines to aid the judges in applying their experience, judgment, and common sense while trying to preserve consistence and fairness in all genres.
Using alignment as an example, the intent is that a slightly skewed wheel will not knock an otherwise magnificent entry out of a Gold Medal. Additionally, an out of alignment road wheel shouldn’t push an entry out of Bronze.
However, and aircraft with a tail plane, a wing and a gear leg misaligned indicates a modeler who either hasn’t mastered or doesn’t fully understand the “basics”, and the enrty should be removed from consideration for an award.
Constructive feedback is an extremely important part of this contest as the goal of our show is to help the modeler improve. Judges are required to take a few moments while judging each entry to indicate where a modeler might improve their skill if required. We will be making the scoring sheets available to the modelers, so while the comments need to be honest, they also need to be constructive and fair.

Construction: 1-5 Points

This is where both basic and advanced construction techniques are evaluated.
- 1 pt - If the entry made to the table and is assembled, it gets 1 pt.
- 2 pts - Seams, glue marks, alignments issues visible from a viewing distance of 2-3 ft (casual viewing distance)
- 3 pts - Faint seams, rare glue spot, slight alignment issue visible on close inspection. Lost detail either not restored, or not well restored. Ejector pins/punch out marks may be present on close inspection
- 4 pts - Seams, glue only visible with aid of penlight. Alignment issues must be measured to verify. Lost details must be restored but may not be perfect. No ejector pins or the like visible. Level of detailing should be consistent through the model (i.e. tracks, body, wheel wells, etc.)
- 5 pts - Near perfect build.

Finish: 1-5 Points

This is where paint, decals, and weathering are considered.
- 0 pt – No paint, no exceptions.
- 1 pt – If the entry made it to the table and has paint/decals/stickers on it, it gets 1 pt.
- 2 pts - Issues with paint, decals, and/or weathering are visible from a casual viewing distance of 2-3 feet.
- 3 pts - Issues become visible on close inspection. Gloss finish may be slightly orange peeled. Rough texture may be present in trouble spots like wing roots, tracks, interiors, etc. Camouflage transitions are inconsistent or may show build up on masking edges. Occasional decal silvering may be present, or decals may not have settled into detail and recesses. Weathering, if attempted may not be consistent.
- 4 pts - Paint should be a consistent finish, with trouble spots only visible with a pen light. Camouflage transitions should be consistent, with no paint built up at masked edges. Gloss finishes should be smooth and totally free of orange peel. Decal silvering should only be apparent with a pen light. Decals should conform to all surface detail. Weathering should be consistent and realistic.
- 5 pts - Near perfect finish.

Intangibles: 0-1 Point

This is perhaps the most difficult and easiest point to explain. The judges can award a point (or partial point) and reward extra effort for such items as, but not limited to:
1) An entry the judges know to be a difficult kit to construct.
2) Addition of a significant amount of extra detail.
3) Significant corrections to an inaccurate kit.
4) Presentation (i.e. a very nicely weathered AFV on a realistic base)
5) Entry exhibits “something special”.
6) As noted, this is a point that MAY be added for an intangible that the judge feels is worthy of note. If a judge doesn’t see anything in an entry they, as a modeler and a judge, feels warrants the extra point, it simply isn’t awarded.

Partial Points

An important consideration is “partial points”. Generally, 5 points in either construction or finishing roughly equates to Gold Medal, 4 points to Silver Medal, and 3 points to Bronze Medal. However, judges may see a flaw that while worth noting, don’t believe they should drop an entry a full point value. Therefore, it is encouraged to use partial points should such a case arise. As an example; A very slightly visible seam, or just a hint of decal silvering shouldn’t equal a full 5-point score even on an otherwise perfect entry. Therefore, judges are permitted and encouraged to score it at a 4.75, or 4.8, or if it’s a slight flaw, perhaps a 4.9 or 4.95.

Scoring Breakdown

Construction: 1-5 Points
Finish: 1-5 Points
Intangible: 0-1 Point
Total Available Points: 11

Award Levels

Gold: 10 - 11 Points
Silver: 8.5 - 9.99 Points
Bronze: 7.25 - 8.99 Points
No Award: 7.24 and below