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2009 Austin Scale Model Show Categories & Rules

Below are the categories for the 2009 show:

100: Young Modelers
102: Beginners (age 6 & under)
103: Pre-Teen (age 7-12)
200: Aircraft
201: Junior Aircraft - All (age 13-17)
202: Box Stock (See Rule #5)
203: Scratch-built / Vacuforms
204: Civilian, All Types/ Eras/ Scales
Military Aircraft -1/144 Scale and Smaller
210: All Types/All Eras
Military Aircraft -1/72 Scale
221: Small Prop. (Single engine or up to 50' wingspan)
222: Large Prop. (Multi-engine or greater than 50' wingspan)
223: Jets - All Types/All Eras
Military Aircraft -1/48 Scale
231: Allied Small Prop. (Single engine or up to 50' wingspan)
232: Axis Small Prop. (Single engine or up to 50' wingspan)
233: Large Prop. (Multi-engine or greater than 50' wingspan)
234: Jets - All Types/All Eras
Military Aircraft -1/32 Scale
240: Prop. - All Types/All Eras
241: Jets - All Types/All Eras
Rotary Wing
250: All Scales/All Types/All Eras
Biplanes / Aircraft with Struts, Fabric, and Rigging
260: All Scales/All Types/All Eras
300: Armor
301: Junior Armor - All (age 13-17)
302: Box Stock (See Rule #5)
1/72 Scale and Smaller
310: All Types/All Eras
1/48 Scale
320: All Types/All Eras
1/35 Scale and Larger
330: Armored Cars and APC's
331: Artillery, Towed & Carriage Mounted
332: Open Topped Vehicles & Open Topped SPA
333: Soft Skins
334: Fully Tracked Vehicles, Origins to 1959, Single-color
335: Fully Tracked Vehicles, Origins to 1959, Multi-color
336: Fully Tracked Vehicles, 1960 to Present
400: Automotive (See Rule #7)
Click here for more information on Automotive Rules
401: Junior Automotive - All (age 13-17)
402: Box Stock (See Rule #5)
403: Street Rod (1950 & earlier)
404: Street Machine (1951 & later)
405: Factory/Showroom Stock
410: Competition

430: Commercial Vehicles, Light Trucks
441: 1/32 Scale and Smaller
450: Curbside
460: Custom
480: Motorcycles

500: Ships
501: Sailing and Civilian Ships
502: Surface Naval Ships
503: Submarines
600: Science Fact / Fiction
601: Science Fact: Spacecraft, Land and Research Vehicles
610: Science Fiction: Land, Sea Vehicles and Suits
611: Science Fiction: Flying and Space Vehicles
700: Figures
701: Junior Figures - All (age 13-17)
702: Historical Figures, Smaller than 80mm
703: Historical Figures, 80mm and Larger, and Busts (All)
720: Horror Figures and Creatures
721: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Figures/Creatures
722: Comic Book/Super Hero/Villain
731: Dinosaurs, Reptiles and Mammals
800: Collections
801: Collections (see rule #12)
802: Triathlon (see rule #13)
900: Dioramas
901: Aircraft
902: Armor
903: Automotive
904: Figures
905: Other
1000: Miscellaneous
1001: Junior Miscellaneous (age 13-17)
1002: Humor
1003: Miscellaneous (All Other Subjects)


The following special category and contest awards will also be awarded:

Category Awards Contest Awards
  • BEST JUNIOR
  • BEST AIRCRAFT
  • BEST ARMOR
  • BEST AUTOMOTIVE
  • BEST SHIP
  • BEST SCI-FACT / SCI-FICTION
  • BEST FIGURE
  • BEST DIORAMA
  • BEST FINISH (All Entries)
  • BEST ENGINE (All Entries)
  • BEST INTERIOR (All Entries)
  • ROAD LESS TRAVELED AWARD* - Presented by Phil Brandt
  • ON HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE AWARD** - Presented by Eric Choy
  • BEST WWI COMBAT AIRCRAFT - Presented by the Pioneer Flight Museum
  • CONTEST THEME AWARD: "THE EAGLE HAS LANDED"
  • JUDGES BEST OF SHOW

*For most unusual or hardest to build aircraft subject, as selected by sponsor Phil Brandt.

**For the best model of materiel in service to the British Crown since 1952, as selected by sponsor Eric Choy. (See Award)


Below are the rules for the 2009 Austin Scale Model Show:

  1. Entries must be the sole work of the entrant.
  2. All entries will be judged by the committee system.
  3. Entries may be of any composition.
  4. Entries by proxy are welcome. Please provide the builder's name at registration.
  5. Models in the box stock categories must be accompanied by the kit instructions. Without the instructions, the model will be entered into an appropriate category.
  6. Scratch-built models must not have been significantly derived from an existing kit.
  7. Pre-painted models (PPM) are eligible in the Young Modelers categories (102, 103) ONLY. The contestant MUST designate the entry as PPM on the contest sheet. Does not include aftermarket items , i.e. photoetch.
  8. Any model may be entered unless it is a previous Austin Scale Model Show or IPMS/USA National winner. (See Rule #13).
  9. Non-diorama entries may include a base and a crewmember. Neither will be judged!
  10. Final category placement is at the discretion of the judges. Judges' decisions are final!
  11. ASMS reserves the right to split contest categories at their discretion.
  12. Collections are defined as: any group of five or more closely related entries. The same person must build the entire collection. The closeness of the relationship within the collection is a factor in judging.
  13. An entry for the triathlon category must include three models from different major categories, all built by the same modeler. Previous winners in solo categories are eligible in this category only. (See Rule #8).
  14. Road Less Traveled Award: For most unusual or hardest to build aircraft subject, as selected by sponsor Phil Brandt.

Contestants are encouraged to place their models on bases. The judges will make every effort not to touch the models, however, category splits and category crowding often make this impossible.

No model will be assumed to be attached to the base!

Because this is a family oriented event, Austin Scale Modeler's Society requests that participants do not display entries that depict extreme violence, sexual acts, nudity or other offensive subjects. While we feel that all models are works of art, we must remain sensitive to accepted societal standards and norms. Please keep this in mind.

Additional Clarification of Automotive (400) Categories

401 Junior Automotive: All (age 13-17)

402 Box Stock: Kit instructions must accompany the model. The model must be built from parts supplied in the kit and each part must be used in the way the kit manufacturer intended. Design flaws may not be corrected. Removal of parting lines or injection points, filling of sink holes, rechroming of flawed chrome, use of replacement parts from an identical kits and paint, foil, flocking or decals from any source will be allowed.

403 Street Rod (1950 & earlier): Any non-factory stock street legal vehicle 1950 and older.

404 Street Machine (1951 & later): Any non-factory stock street legal vehicle 1951 & newer. No Slicks Allowed.

405 Factory/Showroom Stock: Any car, truck, van or 4x4 with the level of detailing that is street worthy. Must have factory stock chassis and tires. Factory Stock Engine, dress up kits allowed, No Body changes and No other modification from factory stock is allowed.

410 Competition: Any open, closed wheel competition vehicles. This class will also include straight line racing vehicles.

430 Commercial Vehicles, Light Trucks: Any commercial vehicle, must have a logo on the door or side panel or a commercial license plate, or any Police or Fire and/or rescue vehicle, or any light truck vehicle, ½ to ¾ ton.

441 1/32 Scale and Smaller: Any model 1/32 scale or smaller. Any level of detailing is allowed. (Head Automotive judge reserves the right to split the class into 1/32 Scale and Smaller Curbside and 1/32 Scale and Smaller High Detail.)

450 Curbside: Any model can be entered into the class. No open hoods, doors or trunk lids! Interior may be visible and any level of detailing is allowed. Blowers, Carbs and injectors visible through a hood will be allowed, no additional engine parts may be seen. No mirrored bases and any chassis detail will not be judged.

460 Custom: Any vehicle that has body alterations so that it is no longer stock in appearance. Any engine and/or interior modifications are allowed. Vehicle does not have to be street legal. Factory concept or experimental cars will be included in this class. Mirrored bases are allowed and any chassis detail will be judged.

480 Motorcycles: Any motorcycle detail to any level.


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