The masters challenge.

[Brian Fishburn]

I fail to see how such a contest would "push the envelope" It seems to me that the guys capable are doing just that without the need for any such contest.

That said, if you wanna have the contest, go for it! If it's close, I'll go. If it's not- I'll be drooling while waiting for the pictures. Hopefully get a few ideas to make my building more fun and maybe even better.

This is a hobby, it's supposed to be fun. There are some guys that take it WAY too seriously. But that is only my opinion, and opinions are like turds- everyone has them, and they all stink. Except mine

Wait, maybe taking it too seriously is what makes it fun for the people who do. If that's the case, then they win, too.

To me, a model contest is for seeing old friends, making new ones, seeing what everyone's been up to at their benches, and maybe scoring something cool at the swap meet. But, that's just me. I think I've already covered the opinion thing.

And, in a sense- this forum is a LOT like a contest.

[Modelmartin]

I fail to see how such a contest would "push the envelope" It seems to me that the guys capable are doing just that without the need for any such contest.

This forum is a LOT like a contest.

A major contest is a big motivation for "serious" builders. We get our jollies from competing. It gets our juices flowing. I am building my '11 entry for GSL right now. If I didn't have that in mind, I don't know if I would be nearly as motivated. I won't subject a major build of mine to a popular vote. Popular votes are fine for shelf models and such(which I build, too). Most NNLs do not reward the best models. Sometimes they do if it is a spectacular build but the "quiet" high quality builds are often ignored. They won't be at a reasonably well judged contest.

So who wins on the forum?

Edited December 2, 2009 by Modelmartin

[Jeff Sauber]

I've never won any awards, so I'm not sure what all this competitive hubbub is all about....

[LoneWolf15]

I've never won any awards, so I'm not sure what all this competitive hubbub is all about....

I dunno , Jeff ,

Seems to me , this time of year is a very bad time to be telling big fibs !

The Old Man

[Jeff Sauber]

I dunno , Jeff ,

Seems to me , this time of year is a very bad time to be telling big fibs !

The Old Man

well, thats probably true

I've only got a few weeks left to try and clean up my act, or else there may be a large pile of coal under the tree on Christmas morning......

Happy holidays, Donn.

Edited December 3, 2009 by J. Sauber

[Corvette.Jeff]

well, thats probably true

I've only got a few weeks left to try and clean up my act, or else there may be a large pile of coal under the tree on Christmas morning......

Happy holidays, Donn.

why does that sound familiar??

[MikeMc]

What???? No BEER an CHIPS??? Jeeeze, For that much I'd expect MICHILOB and FRITOS!!!!Yeeesh, wat cheepniz!!

What No fire brewed Strohs?????????

[LoneWolf15]

well, thats probably true

I've only got a few weeks left to try and clean up my act, or else there may be a large pile of coal under the tree on Christmas morning......

Happy holidays, Donn.

Merry Christmas to you also , Sir !

I would be careful reaching into the stocking this year , Big Guy ! Word on the street ..... Santa is bringing the coal , a Triaxle , by the way ! Also , the reindeer are getting in on the act ! Hence , the warning about the stocking ! In the words of one of my favorite Looney Tune characters ," You've been a baaad, baaad , boy "!

[Brian Fishburn]

For a serious contest modeler, (which I am not BTW), the competition is a big part of what is fun & is what motivates them to "push the envelope", much as Andy stated.

While I am not into contests, & I have a lot of fun in my building, I take my hobby very seriously. Other than NASCAR, (& getting to be scant little of it), & some other racing, I don't care about, participate in, nor follow sports. Besides the races on TV I watch, & some movies/DVDs, I watch 2-3 hours of TV a week tops. I read, do some community theatre, occasionally play video games, build models & spend time with my wife. Model building is my hobby, my stress reliever & my creative outlet. You can place money on the fact that I take it damned seriously. Being a serious modeler & taking the hobby seriously doesn't take away one bit from the fun I have & the pleasure I get in building. It actually enhances it.

If I didn't take the hobby seriously I wouldn't be on here, learning things that help me get better at the hobby, nor giving help, tips & advice to enable others to improve their skills & abilities. I wouldn't be using aftermarket parts, (resin, turned aluminum, photetched & other material), to create more detailed models &/or to build something that's not kitted for the mass market. I wouldn't have a small fortune in tools & supplies that make me better at this. I wouldn't be doing some scratchbuilding, (simple though it may be), to enhance my models. Heck, if I weren't a serious modeler, why would I even bother painting them or building cleanly?

You better believe I take my hobby & my love of it very seriously. And I still have a lot of fun doing it!!

Mark, I think I may have worded my thoughts in a misleading way. Perhaps I should have said Some people take winning contests way too seriously.

I assure you, I take it seriously, too. But, I take anything that's fun seriously. But I know guys who get so fixated on winning at contests, that they don't seem to have much fun.

If that works for them, then good for them. It's just not my cup of tea.

The only model I ever see as competition that I must beat is the last model I built. I constantly work to improve, and I'll suck up as many good ideas from other builders as I can. Sometimes, I'm lucky enough to come up with something worth sharing with them, too.

And I almost never show up at a contest as a spectator only. I'll always bring something along to compete. Sometimes I win, but usually, I'm just fill- among the better models, but not one of the top dogs. Ain't no lyin'- I like it when I win, but it's not going to ruin my day if I don't, and it's not going to be the high point if I do.

That is my approach for maximum enjoyment. I have no misconception that it is the correct approach for everyone, because I KNOW that it isn't. Everybody knows whether or not they're having fun, and that's all that matters with hobbies.

[Modelmartin]

Some people take winning contests way too seriously.

But I know guys who get so fixated on winning at contests, that they don't seem to have much fun.

If that works for them, then good for them.

We had a guy in our club who was like that. He was actually a very good builder but for someone who was as serious about contests as he was, he didn't go about it very well. He was always going to little contests here and there where the judging wasn't very good or to IPMS contests that also weren't judged very well. He was always getting agitated when he didn't win and I don't think he actually won much despite being a good builder. He brought his best model to an IPMS show where another guy just happened to build a 1/12 Ferrari F1 loaded with machined parts and of course he missed out on winning that one due to bad timing. That model would have won many other contests but I don't think he ever brought it out again. I tried to talk to him about contests but he was in the middle of a "Red Mist" episode. he didn't hear a word.

The difference is that some people love to win and some people hate to lose . Those who love to win don't mind if they don't win but the ones who hate to lose aren't even happy when they win! All they did was avoid personal shame at not losing .

I recommend therapy!

[Modelmartin]

Learning & trying out new ideas & techniques also gives me great satisfaction, & is an integral part of the building experience for me.

Me, too! I can build quite well but I am still trying newer and more advanced tehniques. Several years ago I finally tackled wire wheels for a 1/12 Motorcycle. I had known for some time how it was done but had not sat down and done it. I just decided one day to sit down and figure out the details and do it. When they were done it was the greatest feeling! An equally good feeling was when said model won 1st in Motorcycle class at GSL in '09. My next trick will be some 1/25 wires - bring them down in size!

I plan on pushing the envelope until I kak!