Monthly Archive for May, 2010

Peter & Partner is arguably the largest scale model retailer here in Jakarta (maybe Indonesia). Except for last year, they ran a yearly competition that covered all genres of the hobby. Incidentally, I joined the one in 2008 (my first) with 2 entries: my F-16C ’414th CTS’ (which hasn’t been uploaded to this site) and PGM-79 Powered GM. I didn’t win anything, but I came out of the competition having learned that besides a well-made model kit, there needs to be other considerations which are just as important.

This is the entry form:

The basic points:

• Registration begins April 25, 2010 to July 18, 2010 at the shop
• Submission dates are July 23, 24 and 25, 2010
• Display will commence July 25, 2010 to August 8, 2010
• Winners announcement on July 31, 2010
• Collection of entries begin August 9, 2010

Pretty standard. Most of the rules are also the same as 2 years ago. You submit your kit and choose a genre to enter. Depending on the number of entries, they might merge or expand categories (ie. 1/48 and 1/72 aircraft into one category or vice versa). The rules are pretty much the same as IPMS rules. Now what’s interesting is this year, instead of OOB (out of the box) and Expert (whatever’s added to make the kit NOT out of the box) categories, they have decided to categorize them as ‘All Plastic‘ and ‘Multimedia‘.

The reasoning behind this is simple enough. There are many kits in the market nowadays that come will all the bells and whistles like resin and PE parts which enhances the look of the kit compared to a straight injection plastic kit.

Some thoughts on this rule change:

• I like this new rule. It levels the playing field somewhat. It also rewards effort. I could submit a kit with all the modified parts made of plastic (doable though will be very difficult) and still enter into the ‘All Plastic’ category.
• Alternatively, a multimedia kit will go up against other folks’ kits which have aftermarket parts tacked on. Enhanced details vs. enhanced details. Effort will also be rewarded here as the more things you throw into a kit (especially different branded ones), the harder it is to fit everything.
• I assume that if I added aftermarket decals, an ‘All Plastic’ kit would be upgraded into ‘Multimedia Kit’ which is fair. Which will also encourage me to enhance the kit beyond just slapping on an interesting color scheme.
• Consequently, scratchbuilt seatbelts for ejection seats with anything other than plastic will make the kit a ‘Multimedia Kit’.
• The same advise I got from the judge 2 years ago still applies. If I wanted to add aftermarket parts, go all out. Otherwise, just straight OOB.

I felt I could have done a lot better 2 years ago so this year, I’ll try my best to submit at least 1 kit. Now the question is what kit. 2 months isn’t a long time (for me), but I think if I keep it simple, it should be doable.