GB Rules Version 2

Firstly, regarding the annual One Week GB. This will basically continue in its current format, although there may well be some small tweaks to the rules in order to reflect changes to the general GB rules which equally apply to them.

However regardless of the final decision regarding the inclusion of part started models within the main GB's these will not be allowed in the One Week GB.

Secondly, we will be trialling the idea of an annual "Shelf Queen GB", and I'll be posting suggestions/ideas as to how this will be organised in the fullness of time. Hopefully this will be a shortly after we conclude the current Rules discussion and probably sometime around the start of the next GB season.

Now to the meat of the discussion. I have been carefully weighing all of the points raised by the membership regarding the current GB Rules and if I'm honest I have changed my original position slightly as I've come to realise that what the rules say and what we actually allow/do are not necessarily the same thing.

So, here's my second attempt at setting forward an acceptable set of rules for the GB's. Hopefully I've managed to reflect and accommodate as many points of view as possible within them, without altering the basic ethos behind idea of the GB's.

Draft GB rules v.2 :

1.  The (insert name of GB) begins 00:01 xx/xx/xxxx  and ends 23:59 xx/xx/xxxx (all times local).  An extension may/may not be considered/granted according to demand,

2.  Physical models of any scale, profiles, and/or stories are eligible, but they must be whiffery.  Entries can be as simple or as complex as you wish. If in doubt as to what is included in the GB then please PM the Moderators. (This is the rule which will include the definition of what is covered by the specific GB)

3.  You may build, draw or write as many entries as you like (good luck!).  The posting of in-progress pictures is encouraged as always. When posting your finished models in the Finished Builds Thread can you try and stick as closely as possible to the following format.

Title : By (entrants user name) : a brief description backstory/explanation (100 characters or so) : and a maximum of three pictures with a link to the build/progress thread. This will also apply to profiles/images.

Where members have written a story for their GB entry, they should post it in the Finished Builds Thread as normal.

Can members also refrain from posting any comments regarding entries within the Finished Builds Thread but use the link to the main build/progress thread page for these. This makes the Moderators task when it comes to organising the poll much simpler.

4.  Preparation work is allowed prior to the start of the GB but is limited to removal and cleaning up of parts from sprues, casting blocks or cutting out vacform parts from their backing sheet, even designing and printing your own decals.  Anything involving modification of parts, test fitting, pre-painting and actual assembly is not allowed prior to the start of the GB, but see Rule 5 below.

5.  Part-started models may be used purely at the discretion of the Moderators providing they are not to close to being finished, and this will be the Moderators decision. You should send pictures of the model you intend to use in the GB, along with a rough idea of what your plans for it are via a PM and their decision will be final. However, they must have been started prior to the current GB Season's themes being announced. We will be relying on the integrity of the membership to uphold this rule. If using a part started kit then this should be clearly stated at the beginning of your build thread.

Scrapped models that have been reduced to component parts or sections can be used, although you should check with the Moderators if you are not sure about the eligibility of those you intend to use.

6.  No rule 6 - is there ever a rule 6? It's one rule or another so from now on it's 6.

7.  Moderators are X and Y. Thank you, gentlemen.

8.  The completed entries thread will be locked at the end of the GB and only those items posted prior to it being locked will be eligible for the vote. shortly afterwards the poll will be set up.  The number of votes per forum member will be based upon a ratio of one vote per three entries, rounded up or down to the nearest whole number.

In the event of a tie there will be no run-off. We will simply have a joint first place and then a third place (no second) this is to preserve the three into the Whiffies as detailed in Rule 9. Similarly, a three way tie will mean there is no second and third. (Please don't ask me about a four way tie !)

9.  The first three placed entries in the Group Build will automatically be nominated for a Whiffy in a new, specific Group Build Class.

So there it is gentlemen, I'm sorry it's taken so long but I really did have to try and get my brain looking at this from a neutral rather than slightly biased (in relation to maintaining the status quo) viewpoint. Your comments/suggestions are welcome.

Chris

That looks pretty darn good Chris, and covers all eventualities as far as I can see. 

Well done at thinking through that minefield and coming out the other side with a reasoned result.

This seems pretty comprehensive to me.   I'm very grateful for the amount of effort you have put into this.

Thanks for all the effort, Chris! It really is appreciated!  

However!

Quote from: NARSES2 on April 30, 2023, 06:20:34 AMGB Rules Version 2

5.  .......[snip]...... You should send pictures of the model you intend to use in the GB, along with a rough idea of what your plans for it are via a PM and their decision will be final.

May I suggest that the emboldened phrase above, from Rule 5, should read "You must send pictures of the model you intend to use in the GB, etc., etc.", this makes it much easier on the moderators who don't have to try to visualise what has been done, especially if they happen to be unfamiliar with the kit(s) in question?

Nice one Chris! 

Combined with a Shelf Queen GB in due course, those look generally fine to me.

I would endorse Old Wombat's suggestion about changing 'should' to 'must' with regard to sending pics of part-started builds to the moderators, however.

Quote from: Weaver on April 30, 2023, 08:14:56 AMNice one Chris! 

Combined with a Shelf Queen GB in due course, those look generally fine to me.

I would endorse Old Wombat's suggestion about shanging 'should' to 'must' with regard to sending pics of part-started builds to the moderators, however.

For anyone new or computer challenged is there a thread for posting pictures? I'm sure that anyone unfamiliar with it can ask and several folks will jump in to help. I'm thinking of perhaps a new member seeing the GB who wants to dive in might need some assistance. Should there be a line referring such person to picture posting instructions?

Rule 5.

Good as far as it goes but I can't see how it covers started parts of a kit (which is different to part started kits).  By this I mean a specific sub assembly taken from a kit which may have already been assembled and which the whiffer wants to build into the GB entry.

Take the upcoming re-engined GB for example.  I have 1/25 car engines which I have built but not used in a model (so they do not fall under the scrapped clause).  I would want to build one into a 1/35 tank chassis.  Would I be allowed or would I be forced to build a different, completely new engine from previously unassembled parts and use that?
The part started kit part of the rule doesn't cover this as it seems to refer to the actual GB build being partially built, not separate components of it.

While having been advocating a more lenient approach to general use of shelf queens in general GB's,  I feel that the rules as presented are the way to go for now. Using prebuilt components shouldn't be a big problem if the case is properly presented to the mods in advance and while the Shelf Queen GB as such won't cover the general lack of focus many of us routinely battle, it's at least a start.

Thanks a lot for your thorough considerations, Chris, and let's now move on.

Personally, I find the passage concerning shelf wrecks a bit over-done. I do not "suffer" from this problem, because I tend to finish a project once I start it, but if there's a rotting corpse that can be re-purposed to fit under a GB theme and eventually find a "life purpose", I would not be too restrictive.

I also agree to zenrat's argument, when you have some pre-built components or body donors from old wrecks - do they REALLY have to be green-lit? This gives me a bit of a "serious modeler contest" feeling?

Right gentlemen.

I'll rewrite Rule 5 to reflect Old Wombats well thought out point 

I'll also have a think about Zenrat's and Dizzy's comments re rule 5. I'm minded to be flexible about part started kits because I don't want to go down the model contest route, but to stay within what to me is the whole ethos about GB's. They are there so that people can show their own particular take on a idea and so that we can enjoy the models we all produce. So I'll probably suggest we allow them on the basis that if, using Zenrat's example of an engine, what's the difference between one that's been built and stored away and one that's simply been taken from a started kit ? As long as it's made clear in your preamble ?

I'll try and get things sorted by the end of this week, beginning of next

Chris

Quote from: kerick on April 30, 2023, 09:59:55 AMFor anyone new or computer challenged is there a thread for posting pictures? I'm sure that anyone unfamiliar with it can ask and several folks will jump in to help. I'm thinking of perhaps a new member seeing the GB who wants to dive in might need some assistance. Should there be a line referring such person to picture posting instructions?

Very valid point

There are a couple of threads which explain the use of Photobucket (which I wrote for myself more then anything else  ), and one other system, but those photo hosting sites have changed multiple times since the original posts were made.

Now that we can post direct from our pc's I'll draft up some notes on how to go about it and get someone to go through it for me.

Does that sound ok ?

Chris

All sounds good to me.  Thanks for all the work Chris!

Maybe a link in the GB Instructions to the photo thread?
Otherwise sounds great.

I've read thru the new or modified rules and they sound pretty on the money .

Rule 5 concerning scrapped or prestarted builds was covered rather well...in Fred's case using a already made engine.  myself I wouldn't consider it to be that much of a already started build mainly because it's like 5 percent of the overall build..it's so small a part to me it wouldn't be a worry.
As for the model being ripped apart for parts off it to be used in a build that doesn't seem a issue which is great for blokes like me 

Awesome work Chris and thanks a heap for all your hard work on this matter 😄 👍

I concur to the new rules,  it's down to the Moderators decision. I don't know what the rules are if they don't agree on a proposal. I'm sure that will be resolved.