2005_classes

Rules

I. ELIGIBILITY

1. The CASM Model Contest is open to all modelers. Modelers may enter any number of models in the Contest. A modeler may also
serve as a "proxy" to enter models for a fellow member who is not able to attend the Contest. 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.

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 or Regional may not be entered.

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.

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.

II. CONTEST DEFINITIONS AND JUDGING

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 scratchbuilds. Models are judged as three-dimensional
objects and are examined in all aspects. Entries will not be handled by judges or any other person except where and when
absolutely necessary. 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 scratch built must be entered in the proper scratch built
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.

III. SPECIAL CATEGORIES

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

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.

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.

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.).
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.

100 Aircraft
110 - Biplanes (and others predominantly fabric, struts, and rigging) all scale

120 – Single Propeller (All types) *
121: 1/51 to 1/99
122: 1/33 to 1/50

130 – Multi-Propeller (All types) *
131: 1/51 to 1/99
132: 1/33 to 1/50

140 – Single Engine Jet
141: 1/51 to 1/99
142: 1/33 to 1/50

150 - Multi-Engine Jet
151: 1/33 to 1/99*

160 - Large Scale - 1/32 and Larger all subjects

170 - Small Scale - 1/100 and Smaller all subjects

180 - Rotary Wing All Scales and Eras

190 - Vacu-Formed, Conversions, and Scratchbuilt All scales and eras

200 Military Vehicles
210 - AFVs (including tanks, assault guns, self propelled guns, and artillery)
211: Through 1945 1/48 & larger*
212: Post 1945 1/48 and larger

220 - Half-tracks, armored cars, and soft skinned (all eras & types) 1/48 and larger*

230 - Small Scale 1/49 and smaller (All types and eras)*

240 - Vacu-Formed, Conversions, and Scratchbuilt All scales and eras

300 Ships
310: All scales all types, including Submarines

400 Automotive
410 - Factory Stock/Production (unmodified chassis & drivetrain, including tires & wheels) 1/31 to 1/20

420 - Street Rods and Street Machines (all scales)
421: 1948 and older body 1/31 to 1/20
422: 1949 and newer body 1/31to 1/20

430 - Competition 1/31 to 1/20*

440 - Commercial All Scales

450 - Other Scales
451: 1/32 and Smaller
452: 1/19 and Larger

460 - Other Automotive
461: Lowriders & Customs 1/31 to 1/20
462: Slammers & Curbsides 1/31 to 1/20

470 - Vacu-Formed, Conversions, and Scratchbuilt All Scales and Types

500 Real Spacecraft, Missiles, and Vehicles (inc. scratch-built and conversions) All Entries

600 Science Fiction and Fantasy All Entries*

700 Figures
710 - 53mm and smaller Dismounted and Mounted (all eras)

720 - Dismounted (all eras)
721: 54mm to 70 mm
722: 71mm and larger

730 - Mounted (all eras) 54mm to 70 mm

740 - Science-Fiction and Fantasy All Entries All Scales

750 - Busts All Entries

800 Dioramas
810 - Aircraft (All Entries)

820 - Military Vehicles (All Entries)

830 - Figures
831: Vignettes (5 or fewer figures)
832: Dioramas (6 or more figures)

900 Miscellaneous (Any subject, except dioramas, not provided for elsewhere)
910: All entries except Dinosaurs
920: Dinosaurs
930: Paper Models* (All types & Scales)

1000 Hypothetical (Any subject, except sci-fi and fantasy (inc. Luftwaffe ’46))
1010: All Entries

1100 Junior Categories (Entrants 16 years and under)
1110: Aircraft (All Entries)
1120: Vehicles (All Entries)
1130: Space & Sci-Fi/Fantasy (All Entries)
1140: Dioramas (All Entries)
1150: Miscellaneous (Any model not falling into one of the other Junior classes)

1200 Box Stock
1210: Aircraft
1211: 1/50 & Smaller
1212: 1/48 to 1/33
1213: 1/32 & Larger

1220 - Military Vehicles & Equipment
1221: 1/36 & Smaller
1222: 1/35 & Larger

1230: Automotive
1240: Ships
1250: Space & Sci-Fi

SPECIAL AWARDS
Judges’ Best of Show; Herman Hankin’s Memorial People’s Choice; Lawnie Wilson Best Pacific
Theater Subject; Best Aircraft; Best Military Vehicle; Best Ship; Best Automotive; Best Figure;
Best Space & Science Fiction; Best Diorama; Best Junior

* All classes are subject to be expanded as necessitated by the number and types of entries. Those classes marked
with an * (asterisk) are the ones we consider most likely to require expansion.