How many of you participate in contests ?

[cobraman]

Hi guys ? Just wondering how many folks here enter their builds into any contests. Do others ( outside of us here ) get to see your finished works ? I myself have not in many years. I guess I kind of feel mine would just not measure up. Seems like it could be fun however. Also if it is not or has not been a topic maybe posting your contest winners would be interesting.

[Eshaver]

Generally, I'll do two shows a year , Tidewater Automotive Modelers - ( T A M S ) and I P M S old Dominion Open in Richmond Virginia . I'd like to do more. I have a very sick wife to take care of and a son who has disabilities .

[Jantrix]

I do about three locals hows and that's about it.

[jrherald420]

Just did my first one today. As long as i have something new to show ill go to every one i can afford to!

[Ace-Garageguy]

A couple of my models have been at the ACME NNL South in Atlanta this year and last, at a couple of hobby shop events, and I put one in the Revell online contest the first year. That's it, though I sometimes entered LHS contests when I was an early teen.

The overall build quality at the ACME events left me feeling I have a long way to go if I ever seriously want to take any hardware home from a judged contest.

Edited November 17, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy

[DumpyDan]

I try to enter 3 contests a year, only because there are only 3 shows with in 2 hours drive, and working rotating shifts of 12 hours makes it even more difficult. But participate in contests oh ya, it is a blast. And like James said as long as I have built something new. I do plan on NNL East next year.

[customsrus]

I try to hit most of the local shows every year. Like DumpyDan I work rotating shifts, so it does make it hard to go to all of them.

Edited November 17, 2013 by customsrus

[Ramfins59]

I enjoy competing at contests. I participate in several local shows and sometimes my models do well and win awards. It all depends on the judging... a model may do great at one show and do nothing at the next. I also attend the NNL East show every year which is a GREAT show for displaying your latest work. There is no competing and I get to see great models and meet all the modeling friends I've made over the years in this great hobby. Plus I get to buy new stuff from great vendors.

[rmvw guy]

In all of my 63 years I have participated in 3 shows. The first one our club hosted so, our models were for display only. The second small, first time show I participated in I was surprised to return to the table and find a first place plaque by my model. The third larger show made me walk away feeling inadequate. I do enjoy the vendors and looking at other people's work though. Two local shows a year I will continue to attend. I enjoy looking here, displaying my finished work, and reading all the comments. Our club has failed so this is my club for now.

[jrherald420]

What i found the most gratifying today (keep in mind this was my first ever show) was not winning a 1st and 2nd medal, but seeing how many people took pictures of my builds. Dont get me wrong it was sweet to win but for some reason seing that made me feel so much better! Meeting and talking to so many fellow modelers made for a great day. Buying cheap kits that ive wanted for years was nice too! lol I also learned what i need to work on to step up my building skills.

Edited November 17, 2013 by jrherald420

[Tom Geiger]

  On 11/17/2013 at 4:06 AM, Ramfins59 said:

I also attend the NNL East show every year which is a GREAT show for displaying your latest work. There is no competing and I get to see great models and meet all the modeling friends I've made over the years in this great hobby.

  On 11/17/2013 at 5:15 AM, jrherald420 said:

What i found the most gratifying today (keep in mind this was my first ever show) was not winning a 1st and 2nd medal, but seeing how many people took pictures of my builds. Dont get me wrong it was sweet to win but for some reason seing that made me feel so much better! Meeting and talking to so many fellow modelers made for a great day.

Two guys who get it! I don't build models for competition, but I always bring stuff out to show. I like to show my stuff to guys from the boards who sweated through the build with me and wanted to see it in person.

The NNL style shows are friendly places to bring out your models and share them with folks. I always enjoy people's reactions to my models and meet new friends with common interests that way. It's like a cruise night for models. Nobody is there for a trophy, and nobody will judge your models. I spend most of my time at shows just talking to people. Sometimes until I'm hoarse!

I encourage folks here to display your builds on the board as well. I notice that there are a bunch of folks here who post daily but never have posted any of their models, or builds in progress. And guys who posted in another thread that they went to shows recently but didn't display anything.. we'd like to see what you're into!

[azers]

I enter the local shows and hobbystore shows. I try to go to a few out of town as my job allows.

[W-409]

I try to participate in as many shows as possible. Though I don't think them as Contests, for me they are more Shows. The best thing is to see other new builds, meet fellow modelers and talk with them. Also shows are a great place to get tips and tricks, and usually there is a great Swap Area, too. Then if I win anything that's just a bonus.

[zenrat]

I take builds to 2 or 3 NNLs a year. I won't take the same build to the same show twice and I won't be judged by judges.

I view these events as the chance to actually meet the people I banter with on line and to meet others who while not sharing a forum share my interest in plastic models.

I'll also attend the Australian Model Expo as a visitor.

[Guest]

I did contests in the mid 90's. Now, I mainly just do the NNL North when I can, or just diplay at club meetings.

[checkmate]

We (wife,kids and I)attend as many as we can both judged and NNL, I've done alright when it comes to winning stuff but the friendships we've made are the real prizes to us.

I also run and organise the NSW NNL Titles so I sought of have to show up to it.

[James2]

NNL Toledo, Shenago Valley Model Club and Columbus. Half what I use to do. I find more enjoyment in the picture taking and meeting of fellow builders than any amount of trophy hording can do.

[vintagercr]

I used to do one or two a year and then got away from it. This year I got to go to NNL East and took some to display.

[mustang1989]

I haven't gone to one in YEARS but want to. I went to a couple of IPMS shows while I was around the Dallas area and had a blast. I entered in a build but it lacked the skills that I have gained in the last couple of years and I'm sure it was passed up for that reason but it didn't stop me from having fun. I look forward to it again, maybe in the San Antonio area this time. To my knowledge there are no modle shows here in Corpus. No LHS either.

Edited November 17, 2013 by mustang1989

[crazyjim]

For the past 3 years I've entered contests that are within 3 hours of home. That's about 4 or 5 contests a year.

[lordairgtar]

i take a build or two to the NNL Milwaukee and that is pretty much it, unless a car show has a mode contest too. I chair a model show for my own car club's annual Corn Roast on Labor Day Weekend. If I take a model to that, it's not eligible for voting. Would not look good if the Chairman took a trophy home, now would it. My stuff generally isn't up to the highly detailed standards of most. I just like to get opinions from others at the NNL, as I try and do something unusual or different or off the wall. This year I am thinking of a FUSO truck and auto hauler with a load of JDM vintage cars. A fictional collector car transport company based in Japan as it were.

[Matt LeBlanc]

I have entered but enjoy meeting and talking to old and new friends.

[Dave Van]

I did the contest thing big for many years. I traveled all over the East and then some to enter contests.

When I got a 2nd place at the Hot Rod Nationals at Indy I figured I had done all I could do.....plus contest building had burned me out....I wanted to put the fun back in.

Only NNL types shows now.

[charlie8575]

I go to my club's show (MassCar) and Classic Plastic, and I make NNL-East as frequently as possible. Some year, I plan to do NNL-West, too.

I went to LIARS this year, and despite a massive accident that wouldn't allow me to make it until 1:30, I still had a great time. I'll definitely go again next year if I can.

I've never entered anything aside from a 3rd place entry from MassCar's in-house contest (your worst modeling disaster- and boy, was it a duesy!) But, this year, I would like to enter something in MassCar, and will probably start working on it in earnest this winter.

Charlie Larkin

[Tom Geiger]

  On 11/17/2013 at 4:47 PM, charlie8575 said:

I went to LIARS this year, and despite a massive accident that wouldn't allow me to make it until 1:30, I still had a great time. I'll definitely go again next year if I can.

It was nice meeting you at LIARS Charlie! I saw a guy sitting at a table loading real film into a camera. I said to myself, "That has to be Charlie!" and introduced myself!