Mike, I definitely see where you're going with the "builder of the model" rule, but I also agree with the points Rusty made in that many of the models we see flying these days are a collaboration of many different variables. That's why individuals vote. If one person thinks the modeller should have to build his own model to qualify, he won't nominate a model that wasn't. Since, from what I understand, anyone participating at the Nats will be able to vote for (nominate) whatever 2 planes they want, their own personal opinions are able to come into play. They can give greater consideration if the model was a one-man project from concept all the way through execution (which I believe is the ultimate level of crafstmanship) just like your Black Magic, or Hebert's prototype Shinden. Rusty just doesn't want to remove from consideration an airplane where the owner may not have been completely involved in the contrsuction or finishing. This way the voters decide what they want rather than being forced to choose from a narrowed field. It's my belief that the award is fine the way it is, let the voters decide. I know being from Dixie in Baton Rouge, I'm biased towards the Shinden, but even if it wasn't Bryan's design or build, it's a really cool airplane. The little details he threw in there like the "exhaust" pipes coming out the side of the fuse behind the cheek cowls or the "wire mesh" on the air intakes just show the attention to detail in a project like this. That's also not to say that next year maybe someone could get a composite (or wooden? ;-) ) Shinden kit and come up with something else to take what Hebert did and kick it up another notch. Would you want to preclude one of those composite aircraft from consideration because it wasn't completely built and painted by the owner?

My 2 cents,