TORCAN CONTEST RULES

1. The contest is open to all registrants. IPMS membership or membership in Peel Scale Modelers is not required, but encouraged.
    
2. Models which have won first prizes in Canadian or U.S. competitions prior to May 1, 2009 are not eligible for entry in competition.
    
3. Entries can be constructed of any materials.
    
4. Models must be entered under the name of the builder(s). Any person who knowingly enters models built by another person in his/her own name will be disqualified from all competition.
    
5. The number of models entered by a builder in each category is unlimited.
    
6. It is the modeller’s responsibility to identify eligibility for any special or theme awards as indicated on the model forms. Models that are not identified as such by the builder prior to judging will not be considered for those special or theme awards.
    
7. A single model on a base with figures and/or accessories that is entered in a non-diorama category will only have the model itself judged.
    
8. Model bases/mirrors of appropriate size are allowed and encouraged as judges will not be handling the models for the purposes of judging. Entries may be handled by the judges to ensure proper table placement.
    
9. Gold, silver, and bronze medallions will be awarded in each category. Honourable mention ribbons will be awarded at the judges' discretion. Ties may be allowed at the judges’ discretion. Sweeps (winning 1st 2nd 3rd) are allowed.
    
10. No reference materials may be placed on the tables but should be available upon request. Building/modification information should be confined to the entry form. One photo album of in-build photographs (no larger than 4”x8” album size) is also permitted.
     
11. The Head Judges may expand, or consolidate categories at their discretion.
     
12. It is the responsibility of the contestant to remove any cases on their models prior to judging.
     
13. No liability for loss or damage to contest entries is assumed by IPMS Toronto, Peel Scale Modelers, or the CNIB Centre.
     
14. Pre-built models (ex. Dragon, Corgi, Forces of Valour) are not allowed. Re-painted pre-built models may be allowed in separate categories at judge’s discretion. The exception is Modified Die-Cast in the Automotive category.
     
15. Mature Subjects: Models depicting nudity and those containing excessive violent or "adult" subject matter will not be accepted for entry.
     
16. The Head Judge’s decisions are final in all matters.
     

DEFINITIONS

1. AFV: "ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLE", wheeled or tracked, with armour plate to protect its crew.
    
2. Collections: Defined as five or more models with a single theme. Past contest winning models may be included as part of a collection, if they comprise no more than 40% of the collection. The entire collection must be the work of one person.
    
3. Conversion: Any model that represents a version different from that provided by the basic kit. A “MAJOR” conversion should contain complex structural modifications to the basic kit involving extensive changes in contour or configuration. A “MINOR” conversion should contain simple structural modifications to the basic kit.
    
4. Modified Die-Cast: Any die-cast cars/vehicles that are customized with added detail, revised paint schemes, modifications, etc.
    
5. Dioramas: One or more models with associated buildings, accessories, or figures which form a complete design and story. Figure dioramas are defined as 6 or more single figures, which form a complete design.
    
6. Vignette: Defined as between 2 to 5 single figures and no more than one piece of equipment which form a complete design and story.
    
7. Intermediate Level: The purpose of this category is to encourage new modellers who are not ready to engage in the field with experienced modellers and should be considered a stepping-stone to further competition. This category is only open to those new to competition, recently out of the junior ranks, just getting into modelling or attempting a new modelling gendre for the first time. Entrants may not enter models in both INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED levels in the same subject categories. For example, you cannot enter an aircraft model in an INTERMEDIATE category and another aircraft model in an ADVANCED category. Entrants are, however, permitted to enter both INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED levels in different subject categories. For example, you may enter an aircraft in an ADVANCED aircraft category and a ship model in an INTERMEDIATE ship category.
    
8. Scratch-Built: A model that predominantly incorporates parts from other kits, but these parts should be generally unrelated to their original identity, except for minor parts such as wheels, guns, etc. Parts may also be made from primary materials such as plastic, wood, resin, metal, or epoxy. In order to be defined as “scratch-built”, a model must be comprised of such parts, including the majority of the main structure (aircraft fuselage, tank hull etc.). Models determined to be scratch built must be entered in the proper scratch built category.
    
9. Conversion: Entries must represent a version different from that provided by the basic kit.
    
10. Turret Category: A model that represents a “Gun Turret” as the main subject. Note that turrets that are a smaller portion of another larger structure (e.g., tank hull, ship) are not eligible. While there will only be one “Turret” category that is listed within the armour categories, turreted models from other subjects such as aircraft or ships, are also eligible for entry in this category.
     
11. Substantial Interiors Category: This category is for those armour models with a “substantial” amount of interior detailing. “Substantial” means the extent of the interior that is detailed, and the complexity of the interior detailing. Models with interior detailing may be entered in the regular categories, but will not have their interior detailing advantageously weighed during judging.
     
12. OUT-OF-BOX:
     
    KITS. Any commercially available kit may be used. Only parts that are included in the kit may be utilized.
     
    FINISH. All finishing techniques are allowed. Weathering is permitted. Decals other than those included with the kit may be used. Insignia and markings may be hand-painted instead of decaled.
     
    CONSTRUCTION. The modeler may: fill seams and gaps, sand off rivets, drill out guns, gun ports, exhaust pipes or other appropriate openings, add rigging and antennae, thin to scale such parts as fenders, trailing edges, flaps, hatch covers and doors.
     
    IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO: substitute parts from another kit, vacuform, manufacture or replace any part, cut or separate canopies, surfaces, hatches, doors, etc., combine a standard kit with a conversion kit, add anything other than specified on the instruction sheet.
     
    INSTRUCTION SHEETS. Modelers must attach the kit instruction sheet to the entry form. Models entered without an attached kit instruction sheet will not be considered for an Out-of-the-Box award.
     

JUDGING CRITERIA

1. WORKMANSHIP: Evaluation of how well a model is assembled and finished. Assembly criteria includes: parts fit, seam and joint treatment, parts alignment, removal of flash and rough finish, decal application, uniformity of gloss/matte finishes, unpainted parts, application of metal-skin or metallic finishes, etc.
    
2. CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES: Evaluation for the modelling methods used to create an authentic and/or realistic subject. This criterion is particularly applicable to conversions and scratchbuilt models and in diorama constructions. "Credit" for hand lettering and custom marking is considered a construction technique.
    
3. AUTHENTICITY & ACCURACY: Evaluation of the structural outlines and contours of a model, the colours, textures and patterns of its finish, and the correctness of the model’s markings. Kit corrections and "accuratizing" are evaluated as part of this criterion. Note: While “historic” accuracy is an important part of the judging criteria, it is considered secondary to other criteria.
    
4. DETAILING: Evaluation of both internal and external details created by the builder. The incorporation and treatment of kit furnished details is evaluated with the "workmanship" criterion.
    
5. COMPLEXITY: Evaluation for the inherent difficulty of assembly or finish determined by the intricacy of the subject being modelled, or the difficulty factor of the kit used.
    
6. SCOPE OF EFFORT: Evaluation for the total amount of work required, (e.g. a major conversion would "score" higher than a minor conversion).
    
7. THEME: An evaluation of the story, plot or situation being portrayed. Considerations are human interest and historical accuracy.
    
8. REALISM: An evaluation of how realistic a diorama appears. Considerations are unity, colour and shading, scale and perspective, texture and animation.
    
9. PRESENTATION: An evaluation of the techniques used in displaying a model, collections or dioramas. Considerations are bases, backgrounds, context, titles and labelling, etc.