I think the idea of a wheathered van/coach competition including a proper photographic background is a good idea.

Though upnick has already set the standards... very good work.

While thinking about how this could be exceeded I found this: http://www.stromlinie.eu/02_Modellbau/03_Rollendes/gwagen.html
A finescale brass kit of a burnt van with lasercut pieces of actually burnt planks. Weird, pricey, but excellent modelling. At 40 pounds, you would expect it to be ready to run and pretty intact, but it isn't

Matthias

Quote from: Ollie3440 on April 12, 2011, 07:11:37 PM
Not sure lol
i think one that involves building a small layout is always fun but then not everyone can justify building another layout. So then maybe a building/rollingstock one would be better.
What does everyone think would be a good one to have?

Ollie

Oh My Word!!!! I must be so thick!! looking back at the thread, I mis understood the meaning of competion!!! (more embaressed!!)

I've only just sussed the competion would involve building and making stuff N gauge related!

Thicko-me thought it would be like general knowledge stuff like 'what year was the battle of Hastings?' (answer 1066)  and 'what year did Neil Armstrong land on the moon?' (answer 1969) Am I the only one to mis-understand the meaning of this competition???

If it comes to making or weathering stuff then count me out, Im rubbish at making things hence why I leave it too the RtR experts: Dapol and GraFar!!!!!!!!
Im struggling with my own layout!!!!

Owl - this is why I would prefer to have it as a project rather than a competition, and I should make it clear that I am speaking as a modeller not a mod here.

My reasons are these; if we start doing competitions, people can quickly get disheartened if they see the same folks 'winning' all the time and ultimately the numbers of people having a go, quickly dwindle, also there can be a tendency for folks not to share information quite as readily in a competitive environment.

Whereas in a collective project environment, everyone, irrespective of their skill levels, can get involved, people freely share ideas on materials, ways of doing things and ideas, and generally are able to give constructive criticism.

My idea then would be to perhaps have a mutually agreed quarterly project where a theme is chosen, members detail their methods, materials and share their knowledge to the benefit of all members, not just a few who can.  And to be honest your comments back this up, currently you don't appear to have the confidence to enter a competition, but you might have a go at a project, where you could learn techniques from others without the pressure of having to produce 'a winner'.

As I said, these views are my own personal views but I do think they share common ground with the whole ethos behind this forum and if I may quote from the Code of Conduct

"The N Gauge Forum hopes to: Promote N Gauge rail modelling in all of its forms, discover & progress through innovation in the hobby and develop skills in all areas of the hobby"

Okay, you can all open fire now 

BANG 

I agree 100% it would be fun to all have a part in this at every level.. but im not sure how we could all share a curly wurly 

Quote from: Lawrence on April 13, 2011, 10:53:11 PM
Owl - this is why I would prefer to have it as a project rather than a competition, and I should make it clear that I am speaking as a modeller not a mod here.

My reasons are these; if we start doing competitions, people can quickly get disheartened if they see the same folks 'winning' all the time and ultimately the numbers of people having a go, quickly dwindle, also there can be a tendency for folks not to share information quite as readily in a competitive environment.

Whereas in a collective project environment, everyone, irrespective of their skill levels, can get involved, people freely share ideas on materials, ways of doing things and ideas, and generally are able to give constructive criticism.

My idea then would be to perhaps have a mutually agreed quarterly project where a theme is chosen, members detail their methods, materials and share their knowledge to the benefit of all members, not just a few who can.  And to be honest your comments back this up, currently you don't appear to have the confidence to enter a competition, but you might have a go at a project, where you could learn techniques from others without the pressure of having to produce 'a winner'.

As I said, these views are my own personal views but I do think they share common ground with the whole ethos behind this forum and if I may quote from the Code of Conduct

"The N Gauge Forum hopes to: Promote N Gauge rail modelling in all of its forms, discover & progress through innovation in the hobby and develop skills in all areas of the hobby"

Okay, you can all open fire now 

I feel even more stupid now!! Not only did I think the competition was a general knowledge round, I just got a lecture from Lawrence about competitions promoting the impending doom of the site...LoL(joke) ........The good thing though is that THIS IS THE BEST SITE ON THE NET AND YOUR ALL MY MATES
Competion or no competition we are all winners being members on this site. Thank You Lawrence and Tank plus all the background forum guys whom keep this site going from strength to strength

I like owl's idea of a general knowledge quiz!!!  I knew both those answers and I'm a bit of a novice at modelling.

But, if it has to be modelling then I would still have a go, just to try to make something as well as I could and take a good photo.  I do think it's the taking part, and also seeing what others can do that you can learn from.  We just have to be constructive and kind, like it seems in all the threads so far.

Quote from: Lawrence on April 13, 2011, 10:53:11 PM
Owl - this is why I would prefer to have it as a project rather than a competition, and I should make it clear that I am speaking as a modeller not a mod here.

My reasons are these; if we start doing competitions, people can quickly get disheartened if they see the same folks 'winning' all the time and ultimately the numbers of people having a go, quickly dwindle, also there can be a tendency for folks not to share information quite as readily in a competitive environment.

Whereas in a collective project environment, everyone, irrespective of their skill levels, can get involved, people freely share ideas on materials, ways of doing things and ideas, and generally are able to give constructive criticism.

My idea then would be to perhaps have a mutually agreed quarterly project where a theme is chosen, members detail their methods, materials and share their knowledge to the benefit of all members, not just a few who can.  And to be honest your comments back this up, currently you don't appear to have the confidence to enter a competition, but you might have a go at a project, where you could learn techniques from others without the pressure of having to produce 'a winner'.

As I said, these views are my own personal views but I do think they share common ground with the whole ethos behind this forum and if I may quote from the Code of Conduct

"The N Gauge Forum hopes to: Promote N Gauge rail modelling in all of its forms, discover & progress through innovation in the hobby and develop skills in all areas of the hobby"

Okay, you can all open fire now  

I agree - a 'project' is a great idea. I would not take part in a competition but would be happy to take part in a project.

Quote from: cupoftea on April 13, 2011, 07:01:28 AM

Quote from: moogle on April 12, 2011, 08:40:49 PM
Weathering an item of rolling stock, as opposed to a wagon, might get more people interested.
And no Curly Wurlys for me. I'm on a diet!

Hi Moogle

If you win can I have your Curly-Wurly?

Sure! But I think you might have to share it with other forum members...

Quote from: Lawrence on April 13, 2011, 10:53:11 PM
Owl - this is why I would prefer to have it as a project rather than a competition, and I should make it clear that I am speaking as a modeller not a mod here.

My reasons are these; if we start doing competitions, people can quickly get disheartened if they see the same folks 'winning' all the time and ultimately the numbers of people having a go, quickly dwindle, also there can be a tendency for folks not to share information quite as readily in a competitive environment.

This is so true. They have competitions on another forum I go on occasionally and the same folks do seem to always win and this does do the above.
There's even been threads about exactly that on it, some quite nasty if I recall so whilst fun, maybe competitions are not the thing for this forum.
But, if we do have one and I win, PLEASE SHARE THE CURLY WURLY! 

I`m with Lawrence on this.
Its going to exclude many struggling (me included) newbies if you pit them in a competition against modellers who have become 'masters' of the modelling art over many years.
Thats not being disrespectfully to newbies or experts but purely a fact of life.
In some ways I can here the backstabbing knives being sharpened at the very thought of it   

I also agree with Lawrence and he is currently planning something which will appear on here soon.

Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2011, 10:08:45 AM
I also agree with Lawrence and he is currently planning something which will appear on here soon.

I believe this is snippet from the beginning of Lawrence's idea....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXdjbdw4FDs
Just wait till we get to see the main event. (The Scottish accent seems a bit strong to my southern ears) 

Quote from: jonclox on April 16, 2011, 03:58:16 PM

Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2011, 10:08:45 AM
I also agree with Lawrence and he is currently planning something which will appear on here soon.

I believe this is snippet from the beginning of Lawrence's idea....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXdjbdw4FDs
Just wait till we get to see the main event. (The Scottish accent seems a bit strong to my southern ears) 

Well I wont be russian in to anything yet and want to scotch any rumours of curly wurly's being handed out

Stop Press!  New project Department Launced today, check out the first project at
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?board=58.0

I know im thick and stuff but me-thinks even I can manage this count me back in, Thanks Lawrence for organising this

That is a very good result. I like the way the lettering has faded.