Static Judging Question

[Flyfast1]

I have a static judging question that I have been thinking about and hope that someone can answer.  Are deductions made for features that are included on the model but not depicted in the three view drawings?  For example, suppose that a modeler finds that an inspection panel was sometimes included on the particular aircraft, but the particular inspection panel is not depicted in the modeler's three view drawings.  The modeler likes the idea of having the particular inspection panel on their aircraft and goes ahead and includes it.  Will a deduction be made?  Suppose further that the modeler includes in their documentation package separate documentation for the particular inspection panel?  If a deduction will be made, which judge will make the deduction?  Also, which section(s) of the USSMA Competition Guide control?

Thanks and Happy Holidays,

-Ed B.

[j_whitney]

Ed, I would have to dig out the Guide to tell you what section governs, but if it is not in your documentation it should not be on your model (unless it is your personal preference and don't care).  HOWEVER - photos take precedence.  If you include in your package photographic proof of the panel on your subject then you are good.  Make a note on the 3-views of the discrepancy and point the judge to  the supporting photo.
Since it is an outline issue, if any points are deducted it would be by the outline judge.  Craftsmanship would only downgrade/comment on how well the panel was executed, not whether or not it should be there.

[j_whitney]

I lied:
Section 3.2, page 15 in my version
Outline consists of a ll major geometry features (location and proportion) of the full size aircraft including features of the cockpit or cabin that may be visible from the side view such as headrests, gun sights, etc. Other major geometric features, that may be located inside of the aircraft's profile, include control surfaces, wheel wells, exhaust stacks, pods, air louvers, gun troughs, windows, and doors. The Outline judge will compare the outline profiles from the provided three-or-more view drawings (from an approved source) with the features on the model that include the outline of landing gear, tail wheel outline, and other profile features that show on the drawings. Any surface detail features of the aircraft shall NOT be considered when scoring Outline features such as panel lines, inspection panel doors, and methods of hinging, connector detail, or any other feature listed for Craftsmanship in 10.3 herein to avoid double jeopardy. If no three-or-more view drawing exists, photos of the actual aircraft modeled may be used that are sufficient to show the outlines of the aircraft in side, front, and plan (top) view details. For optimum score, drawing/s and or photographs used for 3-views need to be taken from 90-degree angles to the side, front and top view to show true outline. Landing gear shall be considered only for size, angles and outline. Additional items such as panel lines, brake lines, jack points, fill ports, and tie-down hooks or any other detail features described under paragraph 10.3 for "Criteria for Craftsmanship" shall only be considered under that separate scoring category to avoid double jeopardy. Computer generated drawings or computer printed photos will be allowed if they have not been altered from their original published form. If any alterations have been made from published sources to reflect greater accuracy they must be approved by a Scale Board Member or other recognized authority with supporting documentation for those changes made. If no proof of Outline is presented, no points can be awarded for Accuracy of Outline (see criteria for Accuracy of Outline in paragraph 10.1).

3.4 Craftsmanship consists of judging the quality of workmanship on the model that is being presented. The Craftsmanship judge will judge no closer than four feet distance from the model surface to still permit definitive scoring of details. The judges should consult with each other to ensure an item is not double downgraded (once by the Outline or Finish judge and once by the Craftsmanship judge). The quality of panel lines, brake lines, jack points, fill ports, inspection panels, tie-down hooks or any other scale detail feature will be considered by the Craftsmanship judge. Items such as non-scale exposed control horns would be a source of downgrade for craftsmanship.
Craftsmanship will be separately itemized on the score sheets for wings (10 points), fuselage (10 points), and Tail Group (or their equivalent by design) (10 points) and Landing Gear (5 points). Emphasis is placed on how well the modeler created the illusion of scale detail on the model as compared to the documentation (NOTE: Close proximity photos or other documentation of the full-size aircraft may be beneficial to include for emphasizing applicable subtle features. Published 3 views may lack sufficient detail that may otherwise benefit a contestant's craftsmanship effort). See criteria for Craftsmanship Section 10.3 on page 42.

[Flyfast1]

Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the reply.  I too noticed that in Section 3.2, surface details are not considered during the Outline judging, but instead when the craftsmanship of the aircraft is judged.  But, the Judging Fundamentals section on Page 41 of the Guide instructs judges to determine whether elements in the documentation are on the model, but not the other way around.  The flow chart on Page 41 and the supporting text on Page 42 instructs judges to start with the documentation, find an element in the documentation, determine whether the element in the documentation is represented on the aircraft, make any applicable downgrades, and then proceed to the next element on the documentation.  I can't locate anything in the Guide that instructions judges to determine whether elements on an aircraft are supported by the documentation. 

Strangely, Page 42 states "There will be times when there is no documentation is provided.  No score can be given for that element."  This seems to imply that scores are given for features on the plane, but that would be at odds with the other parts of the Guide that instruct the judge to start with a score of 10.  So, this is a little confusing.

-Ed B.

[rcphotog]

Ed,
Remember also, that the judges are looking at the score sheet for their specific charge.
Eg; - an outline judge will use the score sheet as a "guide" to point him from one section (element) to another in an attempt to 
evaluate the outline in the same order on each model so he doesn't miss anything. Of course not all static judges will use the same
methods or procedures. 
The issue of - "no documentation presented" is really referring to - the modeler did not provide "proof" for his choice of details or lack thereof 
for a particular area of the model. So if you replicate a detail but provide no proof of the size,color,placement etc., then the judge may place
a zero in that section on the score sheet. Remember that the plane is broken down into sections. Each with a total possible point value totaling
40 for OUTLINE, 25 for COLOR & MARKINGS, 35 for CRAFTSMANSHIP.

For the OUTLINE portion: it is divided into four groups - for a total of 10 points for each.
Wings:
Fuselage:
Tail group:
Landing gear:

I hope this is clearer than mud. 
-Ken.