The return of the Model of the Month Competition.

[Steve Zuleski]

Roger that, T, and no, no whining taken, I understand what you're getting at now. Ya know, when this site was boomin before the Spacebook anomaly I never did even enter, let alone pay attention to any contests on this site. I actually didn't know there was any, cause I was interested in specific builds, etc. So ya, I hear what you're saying. Lack of attention to detail if I missed that one.

I'm thinking this has been presented as a fun addition to the site. You know the guys here, they're pretty squared away and many have come here to get away from the debacles taking place elsewhere, so I personally think they all have this in mind. And as for the trophy killer, a gentleman would have bowed out and let someone else make a go for the prize. Friendly, gentlemanly competition is a good thing amongst brothers. And I'm in the same boat as you, T. Not many of my kits are adorned with aftermarket add-ons, mostly scratch built. Personally, my kit buying days are at an end because if I don't build what I've got, my wife will give me a swift kick on the backside, HA!

I'm hoping you'll like what you see once they get up and running. Thanks for taking the time to clear that up, T.

[406 Silverado]

Jul 18, 2024 11:36:10 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Jul 13, 2024 18:00:11 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

  This is something that Brian and I have been talking about for a while now. We were both here 10 years ago when all models were accepted into the MoM regardless of genre.  I can attest personally to how discouraging it was to submit one of my auto entries only to get beaten out by something in another genre month after month. After a while, I just stopped participating and I'm a patient guy. It's like comparing apples to oranges and didn't seem very fair. We've both put a LOT of thought behind this as well as sought input from some of the rest of the staff members to come up with the present-day plan.  

The comparison is not going to go away it just tightens up a bit more. There are "specialist" builders that are going to blow the competition out of the water in their genre month after month and many of the "generalists" amongst us will never stand a chance so why even bother? 

Are we losing the "Social" part of this forum in an effort to make it more attractive to the hard core builders?

 Forgive me for being late to this Tony. I'll answer that question directly by saying "no-siree".  We already have hard core builders here who are among the most helpful, encouraging and friendly folks seen anywhere and our forum is not social by title only ....it is our culture. Our goal is simply to give even more modelers access to this great forum so that they can enjoy the good atmosphere too.

   I'll go into the "specialist" builders a little more tomorrow as it's late right now but I'll only address the social aspect of this forum tonight.  You're one of many good members that we have here bud and we'll be sustaining the social culture that we have between each other. I can promise you that not only because myself and the rest of the staff will continue to maintain the social aspect of MSC but also because we have a core of fabulous members like yourself will help to protect and promote it as well. Modeler's Social Club will continue onward as the most friendly and helpful place on the net.....I can guarantee you that. 

[dean48ws]

This has certainly raised a few issues and a bit of feeling. I can see both sides and am honestly not sure how I feel about it. The key part of this for me is that there is an active core of moderators here trying to advance the forum. This can only be a good thing. I honestly feel that most of my builds are below par compared to the rest on this site but there is also a heap of blokes here willing to share their expertise and there are ideas to 'borrow'.
I think I'll just keep posting as I do here and just message someone when the appropriate category comes up and ask if it's in or out. When it comes to voting, I know bugger all about military or aircraft or boats, most stuff in general really, so I'll be voting for what I like the look of and living in ignorant bliss about its accuracy. Unless it's a truck then I fully intend to put my 2 cents worth in!!!!

[TJ]

Hey Tony tcoat. The guy who is the master on 109's. If its who I think it is, you're right, he is a guru when it comes to them. His initials wouldn't happen to be B.N. would they?

[tcoat]

Jul 19, 2024 4:33:11 GMT -5 TJ said:

Hey Tony tcoat . The guy who is the master on 109's. If its who I think it is, you're right, he is a guru when it comes to them. His initials wouldn't happen to be B.N. would they?

Don't remember his name but it is something northern European. I believe he actually comes over from Michigan or Ohio. 

[themongoose]

I can understand where T is coming from. I find it a mixed bag based on my personal experience. One of the clubs i have belonged to for a few years (6 or 7 now i think) hold a monthly competition at their meeting. There are 2 categories to enter, theme build (like "King of Battle" where are you armornutti lol) and the open category. I first joined when I was getting back into the hobby and it was a bit disappointing to bring a model and not "win" anything...believe me there were so many great builders there a number of us newbies were put out. What happened though was we got to see what was being voted as 1/2/3 each month. A number of us asked questions and the experienced guys were for the most part open to helping and giving advice. Like anything some people are better teachers than others though. It was a year before I got a 3rd i think. When I did though I was super excited. Now I'd asked one of the guys to give me a lesson in armor weathering. He had me stop over one evening and he spent the night showing me the colored dot technique. We can't exactly do that here but we do something similar alot in threads where we explain a method to people who ask, with close up pics to help out. 
T has me thinking about my experience and I'm wondering if maybe we could ask winners to detail out 1 aspect of their build that someone is interested in? No requirement to do that. And maybe even it could be anyone that could weigh in on a technique? The idea being that the contest is a way for people to improve, to learn something new, and maybe make a new friend who gives advice.
So just a lot of spitballing here. Rub it around the glove and see if anything sticks 

[Mike]

Jul 22, 2024 17:58:58 GMT -5 themongoose said:

I can understand where T is coming from. I find it a mixed bag based on my personal experience. One of the clubs i have belonged to for a few years (6 or 7 now i think) hold a monthly competition at their meeting. There are 2 categories to enter, theme build (like "King of Battle" where are you armornutti lol) and the open category. I first joined when I was getting back into the hobby and it was a bit disappointing to bring a model and not "win" anything...believe me there were so many great builders there a number of us newbies were put out. What happened though was we got to see what was being voted as 1/2/3 each month. A number of us asked questions and the experienced guys were for the most part open to helping and giving advice. Like anything some people are better teachers than others though. It was a year before I got a 3rd i think. When I did though I was super excited. Now I'd asked one of the guys to give me a lesson in armor weathering. He had me stop over one evening and he spent the night showing me the colored dot technique. We can't exactly do that here but we do something similar alot in threads where we explain a method to people who ask, with close up pics to help out. 
T has me thinking about my experience and I'm wondering if maybe we could ask winners to detail out 1 aspect of their build that someone is interested in? No requirement to do that. And maybe even it could be anyone that could weigh in on a technique? The idea being that the contest is a way for people to improve, to learn something new, and maybe make a new friend who gives advice.
So just a lot of spitballing here. Rub it around the glove and see if anything sticks 

I'd definitely be down to try and describe anything I do and I'd be very happy to so.

I'm not competitive by nature and I've entered a few contests over the years and haven't won anything yet, but I've been more than inspired by every one of the winners I've competed against.

I know what I want to see when I vote and I'm sure it might be a surprise to most of you, but I'll be looking for something I haven't seen yet. Some trick, or technique brilliantly applied. Or maybe some effort I haven't seen from someone before that shows they're really giving it an honest effort.

I've seen a lot of excellent models that make my jaw drop, but I'll vote for the little guy any day, because I've been that guy and I want them to know that they've got a chance too. So I know what I'll be looking for and I think that makes it more fun. To know that even a beginner can compete with the best is as encouraging as we as a community can get.

Just my 2 cents on the subject.

[castelnuovo]

Where are the models of the months and how to vote?

[kyledehart5]

Aug 2, 2024 23:56:47 GMT -5 castelnuovo said:

Where are the models of the months and how to vote?

Here is the voting thread with the entries!

modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/16844/july-2024-model-month-voting

[castelnuovo]

Super, thanks

[kyledehart5]

Aug 3, 2024 0:28:45 GMT -5 castelnuovo said:

Super, thanks

you’re welcome!