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How to best categorize awards - 8/21/2012 12:43 PM   
butlern


 

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From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Status: offline 		Looking for opinions:

We're hosting a Military and Vintage Civilian (pre-1950) event at our club towards the end of the year, and we're currently discussing and organizing participation awards. We've since gotten into a discussion about how to best define categories, or whether the categories should be defined at all.

My opinion is that there should be categories. For example, someone with a super detailed 1/7 model may not think he/she was judged fairly because it's a smaller plane. And I think it's true that huge models, no matter how crudely detailed, always garner more attention. For this reason I suggested there be two groups within the Military and Civilian categories: Giant (IMAA legal) and Sport (less than 80" mono-wing etc).

The problem with Giant versus Sport, in my opinion, is that there is a certain negative connotation associated with "Sport." That is, sport implies (for some) that the model is stand-off scale.

I'm hoping to avoid this, so I'm looking for suggestions to replace the word "sport."

I was thinking "Giant scale" and "Fine scale" so that the categories would be as follows:

1) Giant Scale Military
2) Fine Scale Military
3) Giant Scale Civilian
4) Fine Scale Civilian

Any other suggestions for a replacement for the term "sport?"

Any other thoughts regarding the categorization of participation awards for an event focused on Military and Vintage Civilian models?

Thanks, everyone.




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RE: How to best categorize awards - 8/23/2012 10:01 PM   
rcphotog



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quote:

ORIGINAL: butlern

Looking for opinions:
I think it's true that huge models, no matter how crudely detailed, always garner more attention.




This,sadly, is so often the case. I've seen many mid-sized scale models that are much more detailed ( and correctly so ) than the GAINT ones. A good friend, who builds "mid-scale" models, made the coment at a recent Scale Rally...."it's all about the BIG" for the spectators ( and many scale builders ).

I think what he was saying is ... it's more important to some people about the size rather than scale fidelity.

In my 35+ years in this hobby, I would say that the majority of very large scale models ( in this country* ) are not as well "put together" as the more "mid-scale" ones ( with some exceptions ). Size does impress at first glance, however, at close examination many giant scale models lack surface details or the outline is not correct. Just my opinnion. I have also noticed that some builders of very large scale planes make very little effort to ensure the "scaleness" of the surface details or the weathering / patina. Sometimes I wonder ...has this guy even looked at a book, documentary or the "real thing". Rivets in the wrong place or the incorrect type of rivets used. Paint chips in arbortrary places.

Re: "Sport" means, to me, stand-off scale. "Fine" implies quality rather than size.

My friend used to host an annual "Mid-Scale" contest / fun-fly whereas the size had to be smaller than IMAA- Giant scale. This was a very popular event for a couple years but without club support and lacking in promotion outside the local area, it died off. I still think it was a good idea.

So if you're going to have different classes based on size, maybe use a term that is more descriptive like "Mid-Scale" and "Giant-Scale"
I like where you're going with your event and wish you luck. Just don't get discouraged by nay-sayers or a low turnout the first time.

Ken Young.
ps; the phrase ( participation award ) makes me think that I will receive something just for showing up

(*) I've seen some pretty awesome GIANT scale models from across the pond. ( U.K. )

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RE: How to best categorize awards - 8/23/2012 10:23 PM   
butlern


 

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From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Status: offline 		Well put, Ken!

I very much appreciate the feedback!

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RE: How to best categorize awards - 8/24/2012 4:55 AM   
countilaw



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Status: offline 		What bothers me is that  contestants that show up with a   foamy   or a  RTF  and  expect to compete with the  scratch built  scales.      Even if they  add some  detail to the outside of the model,   I don't think   they  (the ARF, RTF)  should be allowed to compete in the same category as the  scratch built scale. 

Frank



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RE: How to best categorize awards - 8/24/2012 11:27 AM   
rcphotog



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quote:

ORIGINAL: countilaw

What bothers me is that  contestants that show up with a   foamy   or a  RTF  and  expect to compete with the  scratch built  scales.      Even if they  add some  detail to the outside of the model,   I don't think   they  (the ARF, RTF)  should be allowed to compete in the same category as the  scratch built scale. 

Frank


Depending on the budget (*) for trophys and turn-out projections, you can break it down as far as you want and we often seperate the ARFs from the kit-built and scratch-built models.

For example, catagories such as: ( assuming this is a Scale Fun-Fly event and not a AMA rules contest or Masters qualifier )

Best Military WWI / Best Military WWII
Best Jet
Best Military Multi-engine
Best Civilian: single-engine / multi-engine

Best EDF
Best Biplane
Best Scale Aerobatic
Peoples Choice
Most Outstanding Craftsmanship
Most Realistic Scale Flight
Best Detailed ARF
Best Electric

The one that means the most to me is the "Craftsmanship" award as it is a special recognition of building skills ... which is a dying art.

(*) The budget concerns. One way is to hold off having your trophys or plaques made untill after the event. That way you'll know how many to make AND they can be more personal with names and pictures as well. Just mail them out later. You can hand out in-expensive paper certificates to the winners so they have something untill their trophys arrive.

I think that the "Craftsmanship Award" needs to be extra special. Maybe just bigger than the rest or a completely different type of award. We all complain at times, that "nobody builds anymore" ... so this special award just might help to motivate a few people to build a kit or from a set of plans.

It sounds like you will have a great event because your concerns and approach tells me that you appreciate all the aspects of scale modeling and you want to celebrate this great hobby.
Best of luck !
Ken.
ps; one more category might be ... something that recognizes the younger members / flyers. Like a "Young Eagle Award" or something like that. And maybe a Best Mentor Award.
You can "Award" or "Recognize Achievements" for anything that you want ! Don't be afraid to break from tradition.

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Producer of model airplane calendars~"Masters of SCALE R/C" new for 2013

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RE: How to best categorize awards - 8/24/2012 12:16 PM   
butlern


 

Posts: 1300
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From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for all the feedback.

Yes, budgetary issues will limit our "awards" to printed certificates. But we'll try to get them in some simple frames from the local "Dollar Store."

Even though they'll just be certificates, we feel it is important to have those who have built truly nice models (and fly them well) receive some recognition.

Regards,

Noah

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RE: How to best categorize awards - 12/9/2012 3:18 PM   
Bryan McLarty



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Status: offline 		Noah:
I am the CD for West Texas Warbirds in Lubbock.  We presented five trophies this year:
Best WWII, Best WWI, Best Modern, People's Choice (voted by spectators during noon time line up) and Best Scale Flight. 

All of them, with the exception of the People's Choice award are chosen by my assistant CD, my event coordinator and me.  They are highly subjective and most often are given to event participants who are from out of town. Since this isn't really a competition by any means, It's really a special thank you for some individuals who we'd really like to see back next year.

If you are more serious about your event and the competition is intended to be of a higher, more serious level, then I would suggest you have a talk with your judges.  After all, they are the ones who are making the decision and can overlook the "bigger is better" trap that you are referring to.  Instead of worrying so much about the categories to have, work on developing a fair system of scoring points similar to what really goes on at scale competitions.  You don't have to get that technical, but some work on standardizing the judging will keep the size issues, ARF vs. kit or scratch-built issues and other factors out of the way and make it more of a fair event.  Also remember that if you are giving out trophies, those things COST MONEY, so making up additional categories just to make more planes fit can get rather expensive.  Consider a budget on awards.  You might even post the rules or judging criteria on your website prior to your event so participants will know what to expect and what is expected from them. 

Short of all that, my recommendation would be to just have fun with it and use it to promote your event for more participation.

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CD, West Texas Warbirds, Lubbock, TX

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RE: How to best categorize awards - 12/24/2012 12:18 AM   
Ed


 

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Status: offline 		No special consideration should be given to any one type of aircraft. For example: Biplanes, Twin engine, Aerobatic, and Jets, etc, should have no special categories, they should all compete in the same category, either Military, or Civilian. You simply have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in Best Military Aircraft, Best Military Flight performance, and Best Civilian Aircraft, and Best Civilian Flight Performance. That's a total of 12 plaques to be awarded, and that's going to make a lot of people happy. All models must fly to be eligible for an award. The finely detailed stuff will appeal to the judges in the Best Civilian, or Best Military Aircraft categories, and those that perform outstandingly, will shine in the the Best Civilian, or Military Flight Performance categories. It works !

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RE: How to best categorize awards - 12/24/2012 12:36 AM   
countilaw



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Status: offline 		That's sounds good Ed,   I would also throw in two more.    One  was mentioned by  Ken,   Best Craftsmanship and  include an award for "Most distance travelled".      I have used this in the past to attract contestants from a larger area.  

Frank



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RE: How to best categorize awards - 12/24/2012 2:10 AM   
Ed


 

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Status: offline 		That's fine Frank, and if you can afford 14 plaques, then go for it. We cover the "Craftsmanship" thing here in the non-flight performance category. But still, all must fly to qualify for an award, and in our case it's all Giant Scale. To be clear >>>


Best Civilian Aircraft - 1,2,3 Includes Craftsmanship.

Best Civilian Flight Performance - 1,2,3 Scale Flight only.

Best Military Aircraft - 1,2,3 Includes Craftsmanship.

Best Military Flight Performance 1,2,3 Scale Flight only.

Total = 12 plaques.

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RE: How to best categorize awards - 12/24/2012 3:34 AM   
Bryan McLarty



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Status: offline 		 From that list you should just just have a Scale Masters qualifier. 

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RE: How to best categorize awards - 12/24/2012 5:10 AM   
Ed


 

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Status: offline 		Sorry ....... Our events are Giant Scale Fun-Fly only ! We don't get involved with requiring documentation, or static judging, that's all for someone else. Sorry, but our criteria is on having the most fun with a minimum effort, and it works.

( And no profiles or foamies are allowed )

< Message edited by Ed -- 12/24/2012 5:34 AM >

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RE: How to best categorize awards - 12/24/2012 12:37 PM   
butlern


 

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Status: offline 		Still some activity here, and I'm glad to hear all the feedback still. Our event was held on November 3, 2012:

I ended up printing seven certificates on heavy paper and using a high-quality color laser printer. Adobe Illustrator software enabled me to add nice boarder detail and special scipt top the certificates, so they turned out pretty nice. Certificates were framed using inexpensive materials from a craft store. $16 total in expenses, with only about an hour of time required to get them finished and ready for the event.

We went with

First Place Military
Second Place Military
Third Place Military

First Place Civilian
Second Place Civilian
Third Place Civilian

Best of Show

We had a great turnout, so it was easy to remain focused on the large number of kit- and scratch-build models, without having to recognized someone for assembling a simple ARF.

Overall I received good feedback, and award recipients were happy to have their building and flying skills acknowedged.

The only negative in my estimation, and alluded to above, was that we did not specifically recognize a fellow who came from sever hundred miles away. I agree that those individuals who really make such an effort to attend should be acknowledged, too.

Here are some pictures from the event with emphasis on the award winners:


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RE: How to best categorize awards - 12/24/2012 4:45 PM   
Ed


 

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Status: offline 		Your framed certificates are just fine, and the quality of the planes in your photos are A-1. Nice job !

Ed


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RE: How to best categorize awards - 12/24/2012 5:30 PM   
Bryan McLarty



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Status: offline 		 Well, If Holland shows up with that Corsair and Neiuport, you can rest assured he's gonna win something.  
They are beautiful!  He and Sharon are great people!

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