WWI Model Contest with Cash Prizes

[SL DIII]

Hello all,
World War I Aero has announced a model contest in its current issue (#191). Here are the details:

The WW1 AERO - Charles “P o p” Dickinson
AEROPLANE MODEL CONTEST
Recognizing that WW1 AERO, the Journal of the Early Aeroplane, provides unique, factual, often arcane, information to builders of model aeroplanes & that Charles “Pop” Dickinson made unique & important contributions to aviation & aeroplane modeling during the early 1900’s.

TOTAL of SIX Prizes, THREE in Each Category:
A) Pre - WW1 AEROPLANES Jan. 1800 to Jul. 1914
B) WW1 AEROPLANES Aug. 1914 to Dec. 1919
TWO $500 FIRST PLACE PRIZES
Two Second Place Prizes - WW1 AERO 2-year subscription
Two Third Place Prizes - WW1 AERO Pin & Portfolio of 11 Anderson WW1 AERO Covers

-The RULES -

The AEROPLANE MODEL MUST:
- a) depict actual AEROPLANES or period designs for AEROPLANES, whether flown or not
- b) be static display objects (no digital models) built expressly for THIS CONTEST
- c) be scratch-built - d) be between 1/72nd & 1/16th scale - e) be fully finished - f) NOT include dioramas or display stands - g) NOT include representations of humans - such as Aviators, Mechanics or Bystanders - h) NOT be of wrecked or damaged Aeroplanes

The AEROPLANE MODEL MAY:
- a) be made from any appropriate material - b) be “weathered” BUT weathering must not obscure details of interest to JUDGES

The ENTRIES:
JUDGES will use Color Photos provided by entrants to choose prize winners - up to 10 photos, overall & detail, per entry, 8 copies of each photo must be submitted. Photos (glossy, 4x6 or 5x7) must not be modified or altered. Digital photos (300 d.p.i., “jpg” format, RGB mode) must be on CD useable on mac (OS 9 & OSX) &/or PC¹s & must not be modified or altered. Submission of photos of actual aeroplanes &/or modified or altered photos is prohibited & shall disqualify the Entrant.

ENTRIES, must also include Entry Statement with Entrant's Name & Contact Info., Model Scale, & a History of the Model’s Subject (250 word min. & 1,000 word max., written by Entrant) & must specify substantial use of plans &/or information from WW1 AERO &/or the WW1 AERO Master List.

Contest Closes Midnight May 1, 2006

Mail Completed Entry Statement, Model Subject Histories & Photos to :

WWI AERO - Charles “Pop” Dickinson MODEL CONTEST
15 Crescent Road ,
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Winners to be announced in the November 2006 issue of WW1 AERO. Submissions not returned.
Models remain entrants’ property. Submissions may be published in WW1 AERO.

[Old Man]

I will dedicate a future build to this.

[StephenLawson]

The AEROPLANE MODEL MUST:
- a) depict actual AEROPLANES or period designs for AEROPLANES, whether flown or not. (1914-1918?)
- b) be static display objects (no digital models) built expressly for THIS CONTEST.
- c) be scratch-built. (That may drastically narrow the field of competitors.)
- d) be between 1/72nd & 1/16th scale.
- e) be fully finished. ( I assume this means fully rigged?)
- f) NOT include dioramas or display stands. (When photographed what should the background or area be? A mirror?)
- g) NOT include representations of humans - such as Aviators, Mechanics or Bystanders.
- h) NOT be of wrecked or damaged Aeroplanes. (Does this mean no open cowlings as well?)

[cfgray]

Hi, Stephen,
Excellent questions, only too glad to provide answers...

The AEROPLANE MODEL MUST:

- a) depict actual AEROPLANES or period designs for AEROPLANES, whether flown or not.
PRIZES OFFERED IN TWO Categories, Pre-WW1 Aeroplanes (January 1800 to end of July 1914) and WW1 Aeroplanes (August 1914 to December 1919)

- c) be scratch-built. (That may drastically narrow the field of competitors.) WE'LL GIVE SCRATCH-BUILT A TRY FOR THIS YEAR AND SEE HOW IT GOES.

- e) be fully finished. ( I assume this means fully rigged?)
FOR AEROPLANES WHICH ARE RIGGED, YES.

- f) NOT include dioramas or display stands. (When photographed what should the background or area be? A mirror?)
IF YOU THINK A MIRROR WOULD HELP SHOW YOUR MODEL TO ADVANTAGE, THEN USE A MIRROR. OTHERWISE A NEUTRAL BACKGROUND< PREFERABLY UNCLUTTERED - THE POINT BEING TO SHOW YOUR MODEL TO BEST ADVANTAGE.

- h) NOT be of wrecked or damaged Aeroplanes. (Does this mean no open cowlings as well?)
NO, IT DOES NOT. OPEN COWLINGS AND PANELS ARE ACCEPTABLE. MISSING PANELS OR COWLINGS WOULD NOT BE. ALL PARTS SHOULD BE BUILT AND VISIBLE IN THE PHOTOS. THE POINT IS, SHOW US YOUR STUFF!

GLAD TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THAT MAY COME UP.
GOOD LUCK... CONTACT!

cfgray
Chair, World War 1 Aeroplanes, Inc., publishers of WW1 AERO and SKYWAYS journals

[StephenLawson]

Thank sir for the kindly response.

How strict are the scratch-built rules? Can you use pre-manufactured things like guns, engines, wheels, etc.?

[StephenLawson]

While I am not connected to this contest except as a possible participant most scratchbuilding rules includes; fabricating from plastic or uncoloured paper sheet stock, metal or wood items all components. If you use an aftermarket engine or photoetch parts such as guns and etc it is not considered scratchbuilt but rather a "kit crash." Yet any components you manufacture and then you duplicate from pouring resin copies is considered a scratchbuilt. Normally the builder must fabricate all components.

[cfgray]

Hi, All,
We're using the normal bread-and-butter definition of "SCRATCH BUILT" - just as Stephen L. stated, all parts are to be built by the modeler, NO pre-fab parts. Pre-fab parts can, however, be used as guides from which to make scratch-built parts - of course, you wouldn't want to make casts of the pre-fab part, that wouldn't be scratch building.

There are, of course, reasonable exceptions - rigging material does not need to be "made" by the builder (no need to manufacture wire or silk thread for rigging), likewise "O" rings can be used for tires, although a really serious builder would probably want to make detailed wheels and detailed tires.

Manufactured materials (brass sheets, plastic sheets, model veneer/plywood, etc.) are, of course, all permissible.

The simple guideline should be that if you can reasonably make it yourself, then do so. If you cannot, then tell us in your written statement.

Likewise, no one will be disqualified for using decals, but then a modeler who paints their scratch built beauty might have a definite advantage.

You'll also notice that we didn't place any age restrictions on the contest, kids and seniors are welcome to enter - we'll be taking the totality of the entry into account, including the degree to which the modeler uses information and material from our publication, WW1 AERO, and/or our Master Materials List, and including the statement which is to accompany each entry.

And, obviously, really poor photos of a really great scratch built aeroplane are going to lessen the chance for that entry to win.

Hope you all enjoy the contest, no one is out to play "gotcha" with the entries - we just want to encourage and reward some great model building of early aeroplanes.

I'll be bouncing back here, almost every night, to check on comments or questions.

Best of luck!

cfgray
Chair, World War 1 Aeroplanes, Inc., publishers of WW1 AERO and SKYWAYS journals

[Chambersaviator]

"ENTRIES, must also include Entry Statement with Entrant's Name & Contact Info., Model Scale, & a History of the Model’s Subject (250 word min. & 1,000 word max., written by Entrant) & must specify substantial use of plans &/or information from WW1 AERO &/or the WW1 AERO Master List."

What exactly is an entry statement? Also I guess I would have to be a member of the WW1 Aero to enter this contest?
Thanks,
Nathan Dodds

[StephenLawson]

Again not having anything to do with the rules or the contest except as a possible entrant. Strict interpretation says;

Entry statement is the info you usually fill out at IPMS contests. It says basically. what scale, what designation is to be used...Fokker Dr. I Triplane, Sopwith Camel F.I and etc. what materials were used and how. I find that the usual contest forms are too limited to do what is asked in this case.

Here is my usual type of entry statement attachment, if the contest hosts find it acceptable please feel free to use it as a guide;

"The Albatros D.Va was the factory’s return to the earlier Albatros D.III wing control design. The aileron cables ran through the lower wing to a point below the upper wing aileron. There the cables rose from the lower wing to the upper wing. Keeping the Alb.D.V oval cross-sectioned fuselage and the now strengthened lower wing, the Albatros D.Va had the Mercedes D IIIaü 180 hp motor installed as a standard.

This is the 1/48 Eduard kit #8030. Rigging is monofilament. The Cockpit is detailed with “Tom’s Modelworks”brass fret #210 and Eduard kit items and some scratch building to include structure and equipment. National Markings are from the kit. The damaged Propeller is a laminated wood item. The emergency and main fuel tanks are scratchbuilt. The interior was detailed using Tom’s Modelworks brass etch set #210 and the Eduard nickel coated aftermarket etched metal set #48218.

This kit represents Albatros D.V 2042/17 first served with Jasta 15 and later was assigned to training duties at Lübeck-Travemunde and is known to have been destroyed in a landing in July 1918. Its pilot Ltn. Wegener is listed as KIC. Photos show this machine to have taken a hard landing and the fuselage snapped in half."

Also since they have offered it to the members there can be no restriction for "WWI Aero members only" as our host would certainly have exception and nullify the offer as would exclude many Aerodrome members. This is the way for them to advertise the organization. By the way Leo Opdyke is a great fellow and the original owner operator of WWI Aero. I have donated to their pages as has Dan San Abbott, Peter Grosz, Col. Roy Houchin and many more WWI aviation enthusiasts. I can highly recommend their magazine for modelers and serious research fiends.