Trophies, plaques and medals/ribbons

[Nacho Z]

Here is a topic that I do not recall ever reading about here on MCM.  I'm sure this topic is going to get a few off-topic comments and elicit a few unnecessary comments, but I would really like to hear some serious answers too.  For those of you who compete regularly in model contests, and are fortunate enough to have your models place, you normally get a trophy, a plaque or a medal/ribbon.  If you have competed for a number of years and keep placing, you could wind up with quite a few trophies, plaques, medals/ribbons.

My question to you is...what do you do with all of those trophies, plaques, medals/ribbons?  Do you display them forever?  Do you keep them on display for a few years and then store them?  Do you never display them?  Do you give them away?  Let's hear from the masses.

[Tom Geiger]

I have my share of hardware from 'back in the day'.  It seems back when I started winning at contests back in the 1990s shows gave out trophies. In my old model room I had one small wall next to the closet that I had plaques up on, and the top shelf of over my roll top desk held the trophy collection.  When I moved I boxed them up, and haven't unpacked them in the six years I've been in Pennsylvania.

Since then I've won occasional awards at shows even though I don't seek to compete anymore.  The current trend is small tasteful plaques. I have a few of those standing up in the back of my model car showcase. I hope the era of trophies the size of a floor lamp are good and gone!

At NNL East we give out small tasteful plaques.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I've been building for over 40 years.

I entered my first ever contest last summer only because my wife & daughter talked me into it.

I won first place in the stock category so now I have one trophy.

Quite possibly the only one I'll ever have.

 

Steve

[Dann Tier]

I use to compete a lot, and ive never displayed my trophies or plaques. They are packed-up in a box somewhere. Competing just got boring to me, so I havnt done it since 2002.

[High octane]

I used to compete fro trophies, ribbons, & plaques in my younger years and have a box full of trophies (dust collectors) that are in the crawl space, and I haven't seen them probably for 20 years. I currently and have been displaying my recent builds at club meetings and at NNLs and have a lot of fun.

[espo]

I am fortunate to have a few trophies, In my "room" I have a couple of book cases with adjustable shelves where I can display built models and keep reference materials. I display the trophies on the top along with a couple from Super Chevy Magazine shows years ago for a 1:1 Monte Carlo. I'm the only one that ever sees them, but it is kind of reassuring to look at them at times.

[Harry P.]

I've never entered a model contest in my life. Never will.

[Ace-Garageguy]

One of mine got a second place ribbon once. I keep it in the clear box the model that won it is in. It makes the little car happy. 

[Daddyfink]

I have won a few and quite honestly, they are in a box somewhere. And yes, they are not all first place! LOL! 

[blunc]

I kept my best in show trophy for a long time (should have turned it into a lamp)...I no longer have it due to how many times I've had to move.

other awards have been used for drink coasters...

[Ramfins59]

I've competed at various model shows since 1994 when I originally lived in New York on Long Island and I enjoy competing whether I win something or not.  I've won plaques, trophies and ribbons.  When we moved to western PA all of them were packed into boxes for the move and about 90% of them are still packed in those boxes in the basement.  The main reason is that I don't have the room or the wall space to display and/or hang them.  The newer awards that I've won at shows here in PA are displayed on top of the display cases that hold my built models.  It's not an ego thing, but I enjoy seeing the awards along with seeing my models.  I'm proud of the work that went into the winning models and am very appreciative of the recognition of that work that the awards which were given by my peers in the hobby represent. 

[berr13]

I entered two models once, and I doubt I'll do it again.  On the other hand, I do have a "K stock" class winner trophy from Irwindale Raceway I won back in 1967, around here somewhere.

Edited March 29, 2016 by berr13

[Lunajammer]

Back in the 90's I could count on placing at some level, but the trophies never really got put on display. Not sure where they are now. I enter maybe one show a year now, but the quality of building has gotten so far beyond me now that I haven't won an award in years. Doesn't matter, I still enjoy competing. It inspires me to keep exploring new territory.

[Jantrix]

I do local contests, about three to four a year, since about 2003. I have won some awards. Most are plaques, a few trophys, a few medallions and one certificate award. About 25 all told I guess. Most are in a box in the closet. I keep a few out, some of the nicer ones or the most recent ones. I keep one award and a model in my cubicle at work so that when I tell my boss, "I need the weekend off for a model contest", he or she knows what I'm talking about. 

I always wonder about displaying the awards, at what point does it stop being a nice humble display of your skills, and become a wall of narcissim? I guess it's for each of us to decide.

If I had my choice, I wish more clubs would switch to ribbons. They are simple, small and easy to keep with the model that won them. 

[crazyjim]

If one of my builds garners an award at a contest, I build a clear case for the model and display the award next to it.  That model will then be on permanent display at home, probably never to be seen in public again.

[Agent G]

If one of my builds garners an award at a contest, I build a clear case for the model and display the award next to it.  That model will then be on permanent display at home, probably never to be seen in public again.

What he said.

I also have a few trophies from back in the day that have been boxed up now for over a decade. 

G

[Ramfins59]

Actually, what is better than winning plaques, ribbons or trophies is getting your model pictured in a magazine .   I've been lucky in that respect several times over the years.   

[Greg Myers]

Sadly, the bling last longer than the models they represent.  

[cmfowler]

I have entered contest since 2010 when I really got back into modeling, I have won my fair share from the contest I have entered, I have won Plaques and medals, Which I much prefer over a trophy as to me they would be easier to display, which one day I eventually will.  I have a dedicated space in my hobby room for the awards I do have, just have yet to get around to displaying them, they are currently all stacked up.

 

Actually, what is better than winning plaques, ribbons or trophies is getting your model pictured in a magazine .   I've been lucky in that respect several times over the years.   

As nice as awards are, I have to 100% agree with this one, I like the feeling of placing at a contest, but the one time I have had my model in a magazine is better than all of my awards combined.

[gtx6970]

I used to do the contests thing. did ok I guess.  Over the years they started to stack up. On a whim one day I took them to a local model club and donated. Some I donated to a local  boy scout troop to get rebadged .

 

The only one I've kept is my 1st place plaque I received at the Mopar Nats about 15 years ago. ,,,maybe even closer to 20 years ago.

 

The contest thing really does nothing for me . I think I've only entered one in the past 15 plus years

[CFMgarage]

I have zero model kit trophies, but have a decent collection from my autocross and road racing days on one display shelf in the living room, and both my wife and I have a sizeable collection of bodybuilding and fitness trophies that are on a display shelf above our fireplace.

If I end up becoming good enough to have the privilege of winning an award or trophy for one of my model kits, I'll most likely create a small diorama for it and put it in a glass case like others have said and keep it in there for good next to it's trophy.

[Scale-Master]

The unique and special awards (and Best Of's) I keep.  Most of the plaques can't be recycled so I keep them too, unfortunately many get put into storage due to space in the display cases.

Many/most of the "regular" trophies I donate back to the show (after I carefully peel off the engraved plaque and save) so they can reuse it next time with a new engraving. 

I don't need them, and if it helps make the show more affordable, all the better.  Win-win.  (Or would that be Win-win-win ?)

[Earl Marischal]

I've never entered a model contest in my life. Never will.

+ 1

steve

[om617]

Once when i was around 14 or so,won second place and the price was the 70 AAR Cuda from Revell. 

Have to point out there where only 20 models or so on the table lol. 

[Edsel-Dan]

For a Few years Parkley, Va. Spring & Fall festivals included a 

"Model Contest"

I had been showing for a couple year Before, so "Participated"

I was the ONLY Contestant. All built models shown were Mine!!

Naturally I won

Prize was a Check for $15.oo

Edited March 29, 2016 by Edsel-Dan