1. The IPMS/USA National Contest is open only to members of IPMS/USA or other national IPMS branches. Any current member of IPMS/USA or any other national branch of IPMS is eligible to enter any number of models in the National Contest. A member may also serve as a "proxy" to enter models for a fellow member who is not attending the convention. Entry fees for proxy models may be set at the discretion of the Host Chapter. All entries except chapter/group entries must be the sole work of the individual whose name is on the entry blank. Commercially built and/or finished models that do not require significant additional work by the modeler will be ineligible.

2. JUNIORS. Junior division categories are limited to members 17 years and younger. The Junior Class will be split into two age groupings: Pre-teen for ages through 12 years; and, Teen for ages 13 through 17 years. Junior members may, at their own discretion, enter their models in senior divisions; however models entered in senior divisions will not be eligible for special junior awards.

3. Models that have won First, Second, or Third place, or Out-Of-The-Box awards in any category of any previous IPMS/USA National Model Contest may not be entered in any subsequent IPMS/USA National Model Contest for awards except as provided in Section IV, rules 4, 5 and 6. Basically, previous award winners can be used as noted in collections, triathlon and group entries. Models that have won an award as part of a collection, triathlon or group entry may also be entered individually in subsequent National Contests. Models that have won individually, and then won as part of a collection, triathlon or group entry are not, however, eligible for subsequent National Contests.

4. "Test Shot" or pre-production examples of kits not yet commercially available may not be entered in any national competition for awards.

5. The Chief Judge will exclude/remove from competition any entry considered by Contest officials to be inappropriate or offensive to generally acknowledged standards of taste and acceptability.

A. The following are prohibited in competition and may not be placed on display at any IPMS event:

i. There shall be no depiction of excretory functions depicting any human being or animal.
ii. There shall be no depiction of sado-masochistic activity, equipment, settings or situations, to any degree, regardless of whether there are figures in the model and regardless of whether any figures present in the model are clothed.
iii. There shall be no depictions of explicit sexual conduct, bilateral or autoerotic, regardless of degree and regardless of the clothing-status of the participants, that involves the touching of the breasts or genitals or other erogenous zones of any depicted figure.
iv. There shall be no depiction of any nude human male or female figures where the genitalia of the figure is exposed where the clear intent of the same is to portray a sexual scene.

B. The following may be entered in the competition or put on display but can be presented only behind opaque screens or similar visual barriers and only where visitors are provided with a fair description, in written format, of the contents of the models behind the screen. This screened presentation covers competitors and the general public, but no person younger than 18 will be admitted except in the presence of an adult responsible for the young person, subject to the provisions of governing local law:

i. Depictions of any nude human male or female figure, subject to the provisions of 5A, above. ii. Models or dioramas of historic events (e.g., general dioramas or specific depictions of the result of the activities of the communist Cambodian Pol Pot regime, a Soviet Gulag, or a Nazi death camp) where the suffering of human beings, or the result of a pogrom, is depicted. Where the theme, content or subject matter of presentations is graphic or would violate any provisions cited above, then the presentation is prohibited in any setting.
 

6. Modelers entering pieces that exceed three feet in either width or length, or that require special power support or special placement, must notify the Convention Contest Chairman at least one month in advance of the Convention. The limited space for the Contest requires pre-planning for such entries. Failure to provide advanced notification for such models could result in their being unable to compete or inadequate special support.

7. Exhibitors are encouraged to leave their models in the display room until the awards banquet is over and the attendees have had the maximum opportunity to view them.
 

1. REGISTRATION. Models will be entered into the IPMS National Contest in accordance with minimum standards determined by the National Contest Committee and communicated to the local Convention Committee by the NCC. These standards will ensure, at a minimum, that: a. entry forms are standardized, in hard copy, and contain the entrant’s name, address, IPMS Number, chapter, region, and convention registration number, plus the entry’s registration number, category, scale, theme eligibility, and modeler’s comments. IPMS has standardized forms that will be used for this purpose. Space is available on these forms for the Convention Logo. Personal identification information, such as name, address, etc. will be located on the form in a fashion that allows it to be folded down and out of sight. b. entrant and entry registration numbers will be unique, sequential, and based on the entrant registration number; i.e., entrant number 3, with three models entered will have his models identified as entries 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3.

2. RECORDING. a. hard copy lists of entrant and entry registrations will be provided by the local Convention Committee to the IPMS National Contest Recording Team prior to the start of judging. Such lists, at a minimum, will include the following information: entrant’s name, city, and state; IPMS number; convention registration number; and, the entry number and entry name. b. contest results will be recorded by the judging teams on Judges Worksheets provided by IPMS. These sheets will be available to the Head Judges for distribution prior to the start of judging. The Worksheets will be used by the IPMS Recording Team to produce an official list of winners for the use of both IPMS and the local Convention Committee. c. the local Convention Committee is responsible for supplying a list of award sponsors for inclusion on these worksheets if they desire the sponsors to be identified as part of the awards announcement.

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS a. The local Convention Committee must provide plans for the announcement or notification of contest results to the attendees prior to the close of the convention. These plans must be approved by the National Contest Committee. Although this notification/announcement may take many different forms, the basic requirement is that a procedure be in place that ensures full notification of placement and award presentation is made prior to the close of the convention. b. Arrangements will be made by the local Convention Committee for the Contest Area to be open to the use of the IPMS Journal photography team, which is charged with recording the winners for subsequent publication in the Journal and notification to the general membership.

4. These requirements represent the minimum standard identified for the contest. Additional, supplementary, complementary or other systems may be employed, but their use must be approved, in advance, by the National Contest Committee, in particular the Chief of the National Contest Recording Team. Local Convention Committees are strongly encouraged to assign personnel to the Contest Recording Team both for purposes of efficiency and to ensure adequate backup and expertise over time. Computer, copier, camera, projector and related technical support should be considered in consultation with the NCC and specifically with the Chief of the National Contest Recording Team well in advance of the Convention itself. Any requests for exceptions or deviations must be submitted to the NCC at least six months in advance of the Convention, and must be approved for implementation.
 

1. JUDGING. Models will be judged for skill in construction, finish, realism, and accuracy. Additional criteria are considered for special categories such as dioramas, collections, conversions, and triathlon. Models are judged as three-dimensional objects and are examined in all aspects. Entries will be handled by judges both for proper table placement and for judging. Models in the Contest Room may be covered by cases while on general public display, but such cases must be removed from models for judging. Judges will not remove cases from models unless the modeler has given explicit, written, approval in advance. Models in cases will not be judged. The following is an exception to this rule. In instances where removal of a case could cause damage, and in the judgment of the respective Head Judge the case would not impede effective judging, the case may be left on for judging. This arrangement must be made prior to judging and noted in writing on the entry form by the Head Judge. The Head Judge will have the final and exclusive authority to allow or deny this exemption.

2. PLASTIC DEFINITION. For the National Contest "Plastic" is "any thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer, resin, or other materials which can be formed by heat, pressure, or vacuum forming". This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, polystyrene, ABS plastic, celluloid, polyethylene, vinyl, epoxy and polyester resins, fiberglass, acetates, acrylics, nylon, other synthetic and monofilament fibers, and other plastic modeling compounds. Neoprene rubber is also defined as a plastic for this contest. Glazes and body putties (e.g., "Green Stuff") are not plastics; however, when used for filling seams, improving contours, creating unusual surfaces (e.g. "zimmerit" on armor), etc., they will be considered plastic.

3. COMPOSITION. The use of plastic as set forth, above, is encouraged; however, the use of other modeling materials is allowed as the builder sees fit. Judging standards of finish, attention to detail, and authenticity will be the same, regardless of the materials used.

4. SCRATCHBUILT models may incorporate parts from other kits, but these should be generally unrelated to their original identity, except for minor parts such as wheels, guns, etc. Models determined to be scratchbuilt must be entered in the proper scratchbuilt category.

5. CONVERSION category entries must represent a version different from that provide by the basic kit. The conversion must contain significant structural modifications to the basic kit involving extensive changes in contour or configuration. These changes must be the work of the entrant. In addition to the normal judging criteria common to the entire contest, judges of the Conversion Category will give special consideration to the complexity of the conversion. A conversion accomplished with primarily commercial aftermarket parts will be at a disadvantage, therefore, against a conversion accomplished primarily by the builder’s craftsmanship - assuming both are finished to similar standards. Simple conversions may be entered in regular categories. More extensive conversions, however, must be entered in the appropriate conversion category. The builder must detail the conversion changes made to the base kit on the entry sheet or accompanying documentation. Judges have the ultimate authority to determine a model’s category placement, and such decisions by judges will be final.

6. FIGURES Class entries will not be classified as dioramas by the inclusion of accessories supplied in the figure kit.

7. MARKINGS. In aircraft and vehicle Classes, markings will determine the category in which a model is entered. For example a C-47 in military markings would normally be placed in the Large Prop category, but if in airliner markings it would be placed in an Airliner category. A Shuttle, either by itself or attached with fuel tank and booster, goes in Real Spacecraft, while a Shuttle on the back of a NASA Boeing 747 goes in civil Aircraft

8. MISSILES. When the missile's transport vehicle or launcher is the predominant portion of the system (e.g., SCUD, Patriot), the model will be entered in the appropriate Armor category. Military launch vehicles (e.g., V-2, ICBM, IRBM), civilian launch vehicles (e.g., Scout, Saturn), and military launch vehicles modified for civil missions (e.g., Atlas/Agena, Jupiter C) will be entered in the Real Spacecraft category.

9. JETS. Jet Aircraft categories include manned, rocket-powered aircraft such as the Me-163, X-1, X-15, X-24, etc.

10. BASES/DIORAMAS. Bases will be allowed in all categories and will not be considered in the judging except in the Diorama classes. A base may simulate the natural surface on which the prototype would be found; however, nothing other than that surface may be used. Aircraft and vehicles may rest on simulated ground or paving, and aircraft that need beaching gear or dollies may be so equipped. Ships may be displayed in water (no drydocks). The base must not be the predominant feature of the entry and must be of a size proportionate to the model. The Contest Chairman and Judges reserve the right to exclude oversize bases. The model may include primary crew figures. The addition of any other figures or equipment outside, or not attached to, the model (e.g., support equipment, foliage, shell splashes, or buildings) will make the model a Diorama, which must then be entered in the proper Diorama category. Dioramas are judged not only on the technical merit of their construction but also on the strength of the theme or story they present, so that if two dioramas were technically equal the one having the stronger theme or story would win.

11. JUDGES. A Chief Judge must be chosen and he must brief all judges before the contest judging. The Convention Contest Committee chairman will choose Judges from the list of Qualified National Judges. Only Judges fully registered at the Convention are eligible to join judging teams. Junior members may not serve as voting judges, but may be assigned to judging teams as participating observers. Judges may not judge a category in which they are entered. Judging teams will be composed of an odd number of judges, preferably representing different regions. Strict impartiality will be observed, and violators will be removed from judges' lists for future National Conventions. Judges will be provided with a special ribbon or other device to allow their easy identification during the convention. Specially designated judging teams will monitor the contest room prior to judging to ensure models are in the proper categories for judging. They will also move models to accomplish the “splits” required in the larger categories.

12. ALL JUDGES' DECISIONS ARE FINAL. Contest registrars will help determine proper entry categories for models during registration, but final category placement is at the discretion of contest judges. Judges may also combine or split categories during final judging.

13. The Host Chapter of an IPMS/USA National Contest may not add or delete contest rules or categories without the consent of the Executive Board and the National Contest Rules Committee. The Host Chapter will provide a sufficient number of trophy packages to account for all categories and preplanned splits. It may also add provide up to, but no more than, 15 trophy packages for additional, unplanned splits at the Convention. At its discretion, the Host Chapter may also add up to five additional splits to insert “experimental” or local interest categories into the contest for that year only. These splits must be announced at the preceding Convention.

14. No liability for loss or damage to contest entries is assumed by IPMS, the Host Chapter, the convention hotel, or the contest judges.

15. The Chief Judge may waive any rule if circumstances warrant.
 

1. OUT-OF-THE-BOX entries will be governed by the following rules:

A. KITS. Any commercially available kit may be used. The host chapter and the National Contest Committee will determine the number of categories incorporating Out-Of-The-Box awards.

B. FINISH. All finishing techniques are allowed. Decals other than those included with the kit may be used. Insignia, markings, and instrument panels may be hand-painted instead of decaled. Weathering is permitted.

C. CONSTRUCTION. The modeler may fill seams and gaps; sand off rivets; drill out gun ports, exhaust pipes, or other appropriate openings; thin to scale such parts as trailing edges, flaps, and doors; add rigging and antennas; and add simple tape or decal seat belts in the cockpit of an aircraft or the interior of a vehicle (NO commercial or modeler manufactured hardware - e.g., buckles, etc.).

D. IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO: vacuform, manufacture, or replace any part, or substitute parts from another kit; cut or separate canopies, surfaces, hatches, doors, etc. (no major surgery); combine a standard kit with a conversion kit; add anything other than specified on the instruction sheet except as shown in Section C above.

E. INSTRUCTION SHEETS. Modelers must attach the kit instruction sheet to the entry form. Models entered without an attached kit instruction sheet will not be considered for an Out-of-the-Box award.
 

2. HUMOR (Category 810). Models entered in the Humor category will be judged on both their humor content and the degree of modeling skill which they represent. Entries must be not only funny, but also well done.

3. HYPOTHETICAL (Categories 820, 821). In general, models that do not represent a factual, physical prototype will be entered in one of these hypothetical categories. Each Class has its own definition of hypothetical, dependent upon the tradition and practice within that Class. Class Head Judges will determine whether models will be judged within the regular Class categories or moved to one of the Hypothetical categories. Entrants may chose to enter their model in either the overall Hypothetical categories (820 and 821), or in the regular categories in their Class (armor, aircraft, etc.). Final placement, however, will be determined by the Class Head Judge. Models placed in category 820 are based on kits, with the hypothetical component being the result of markings, finish, etc. Models placed in category 821 are hypothetical as a result of being scratchbuilt or kit bashed.

4. TRIATHLON (Category 830). Three models of different classes grouped and displayed as a single entry. The models will be judged as a group, with overall quality determining placement. Credit will be given for diversity of entries. Entries must be composed of three models selected from three of the following classes: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and categories 800, 820, 821, and 860. No more than one of the three models comprising this entry may have won as an individual entry in a previous National Contest. To be eligible for an Out of the Box award, all three models must be Out of the Box. Models constituting this entry may not, simultaneously, be competing in other parts of the contest. Models comprising a winning triathlon entry may subsequently be entered individually if they were not, themselves, previous winners.

5. COLLECTIONS (Category 840). A collection is any group of five or more closely related items. Past National Contest winning models may be included as part of a collection, if they comprise no more than 40 percent of the collection. The entire collection must be the work of one person. The closeness of the relationship within the collection is a significant factor in judging. For example, a collection based on variants of a single airframe is a tighter relationship than one of different aircraft operated by a unit. Models comprising a winning collection may subsequently be entered as individual entries if they were not, themselves, previous winners.

6. IPMS CHAPTER/GROUP ENTRY (Category 850). The Chapter/Group entry shall be the only exception to the rule calling for the work to be done by a single individual. The intent is to provide a forum for displaying a project that is too extensive or complex for a single individual to complete in a reasonable time. It is also intended to provide a vehicle for an IPMS chapter or a group of IPMS members to exhibit a project that may have been prepared for an event or display other than the IPMS/USA National Contest. Subject matter, time frame, scale, location, etc. are open. Models comprising a winning chapter/group entry may subsequently be entered individually if they were not, themselves, previous winners. First place in this category will be acknowledged by a “Special Award,” presented in addition to the normal category award. This will be a rotating award: the winning group or chapter will have its name engraved on the award and retain it until the next convention. At that next convention, they may defend the award with another entry, or turn it over to the next winner in rotation. The original winners will retain the normal category award. This rotating award is intended to promote club activities and a healthy competition.

7. Where space and finances permit, conventions are encouraged to add a Class IX, “Display Only.” This should be open to any model by any registered entrant, regardless of its having won or not at a previous convention. No awards will be given in this class, nor will it be judged. It will serve to exhibit the full range of work accomplished by IPMS modelers. Space restraints could limit or eliminate this option, which should not impinge on the space required for a full and safe contest.

8. Special this year: Photography Contest. IPMS will host an experimental photography contest to determine its popularity and feasibility. The following rules will govern this contest: A. The principal subject of the photo MUST be a model or models entered in the 2006 IPMS/USA model contest. B. The model builder and the photographer need not be the same person. Both the photographer and the modeler, however, must be registered at the convention. C. The photo must be in compliance with IPMS/USA's restrictions governing eligibility and will be subject to any other applicable IPMS/USA rules. D. The photo MUST be 8"x 10" (portrait or landscape) and dry-mounted. NO FRAMES OR MATTING! Framed or matted entries will be disqualified. E. A 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place award will be presented. F. The winners will be selected by popular vote of the registered entrants at the convention as well as the paid general public.
 

1. No awards associated with placement in the contest will have any intrinsic monetary value beyond the cost of their materials and production. Monetary awards, certificates and scholarships tied to placement in the contest are expressly prohibited.

2. First, second, and third place awards will be given in each category. Out-Of-The Box awards will be given in categories so noted in the category list. Individual contestants are eligible for only one award per category entered, i.e. no “sweeps.”

3. Premiere Awards. Modelers who have never previously won a First, Second, Third, or Out-Of-The-Box award at an IPMS/USA National Contest in the Class in which they are entering are eligible for a Premiere Award. Modelers who earn First, Second, Third, or Out-Of-The-Box at this contest will not be eligible for this award. The award will be given to the best modeler, per category, meeting these criteria. Qualification is retroactive: any placement at any previous IPMS/USA National Contest makes the modeler ineligible in that Class. Violation of eligibility criteria will result in disqualification from all future IPMS National Contests.

4. Additional theme awards (“Specials”) may be presented at the discretion of the host chapter. The host chapter is encouraged to make use of incentive awards or other non-trophy items as it sees fit, to develop and encourage participation in the junior categories. The host chapter may add up to five theme special awards for its convention only. These additional theme special awards must be identified to and approved by the Executive Board at the initial bid presentation for that Convention.

5. Special awards may be named in honor of individuals, with the approval of the National Contest Committee. Such awards will remain named for a period of three years, after which they will either revert to a generic name, or be renamed in honor of another individual. Selection criteria will be very high and named awards will remain the exception.

6. Besides the Judges Grand Award and Popular Best of Show, "Best" awards will also be presented for each class in the contest and are listed below. The “Best” entries in each class will be determined by a vote of the judges assigned to that class, lead by the Class Head Judge. The Judges Grand Award will be chosen from among the Class Bests by vote of the Class Head Judges, lead by the Chief Judge. Models entered in senior categories by junior members are not eligible for special junior awards. The Judges Grand Award must be the final award presented at the Awards Ceremony.

7. The following "Best Awards" will be presented at the National Convention:

1. George Lee Judges’ Grand Award
2. Popular Best of Show
3. Tom Kolk Best Junior Model
4. Best IPMS Chapter/Group Entry
5. Best Aircraft
6. Best Military Vehicle
7. Best Figure
8. Best Ship
9. Best Automotive
10. Best Spacecraft
11. Best Diorama
12. Best Miscellaneous
13. Best Canadian Subject
 

8. MANUFACTURER'S/SIG AWARDS. Various manufacturers or organizations and interest groups present other awards each year. As the screening for these awards is not accomplished by the IPMS/USA judging teams, they will be chosen while the contest room is open to normal viewing and the awards made prior to the banquet at the convenience of the sponsor. Any awards expected to be announced by IPMS at the Convention or in its Journal must be accompanied by sponsorship of at least one regular trophy package.

2. Judges will be provided with ribbons or other devices to allow their easy identification during the convention. This is particularly important when they are moving models for proper category placement or creating splits prior to judging.

3. Entrants are reminded that they can choose to enter hypothetical models in regular categories, but that the Class Head Judges will determine final placement.

4. The 1st place entry in the IPMS Chapter/Group Entry category (850) will also be awarded a rotating trophy

5. Out-Of-The-Box awards will now be included in the “no sweeps” restriction.

6. Provision is made for a Class IX, Display Only, where space and other considerations permit.

7. Special awards added for the convention will be designated “Theme” awards, differentiating them from the 13 annual “Best Of” awards.

October 2005