1. General

1.1
For the purposes of these Rules, the term “WASMEx” means the event published as the “WA Scale Model Expo” or “WASMEx”; WA Scale Model Expo Inc; and the WASMEx Organising Committee, its members or nominees.

1.2
By the submission of a completed official Entry Form, all entrants to the WASMEx Competition agree to be bound by these Rules and any related decisions or amendments made by the WASMEx Organising Committee, its members or nominees from time to time.  All such decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

1.3
All reasonable care will be taken with the entries, however no responsibility will be accepted for any damage sustained to the models entered.  The WASMEx committee  reserves the right to handle the models and relocate models on the judging tables or from one table to another or to a photographic stand should the need arise.  Judges may on occasion handle the models for close inspection.  

1.4
Prizes in the Competition will be awarded during a presentation ceremony at the conclusion of WASMEx.

1.5
All models entered are to remain on display in the Competition Area for the duration of the event. Entrants are responsible for removing their entries following the award presentations at the conclusion of WASMEx. Out-of-town entrants may collect their entries earlier by arrangement with the WASMEx Organizing Committee at or before the time of entering.

1.6
Entries may be photographed by WASMEx.  Such photographs are the property of WASMEx and may be used to promote future shows or used in other promotional activities.  Entrants not wishing to have their work photographed must inform WASMEx at the time of entering their work.

1.7
Subject to Class entry numbers, the WASMEx Organizing Committee reserves the right to combine or split the listed Classes, or to create additional Classes where appropriate.

2.Suitability for Public Display

2.1
WASMEx reserves the right to refuse entry to any item that it deems to be offensive or otherwise inappropriate for public display. Reasons for refusal may include, but are not limited to:  Nudity or lewdness; political or ethnic/racist insensitivities; gratuitously graphic depictions of violence or the aftermath of violence.

2.2
Where an entry is rejected as unsuitable for public display, it shall be removed immediately from the venue.

3.Acceptance of Entries

3.1
Entries will be accepted between the times & at the location  advertised by the WASMEx Organising Committee from time to time.

3.2
All entries must be present in the designated Competition Area prior to the advertised closing time for lodgment of entries.  Entries that are physically present with the entrant and a completed entry Form in the Competition Area at the advertised closing time, but that have not been registered, may be accepted at the sole discretion of WASMEx, provided that judging has not commenced.

3.3
Entries will only be accepted on receipt of a completed official entry form , which must be completed in full. For WASMEx 2024 no entry fee will be charged.  WASMEx will gratefully accept any voluntary donation that entrants may wish to make to cover the cost of trophies and competition administration. 

4. Refusal and Disqualification of Entries

4.1
WASMEx reserves the right to refuse to accept entries, or to disqualify entries, where the Chairman or Chief Judge are given reason to believe, consider, or suspect that any circumstances that contravene these Rules including, but not limited to, the following may exist:
   a. An entry is considered to be unsuitable for public display, per Rule 2.1.
   b. An entry is not the sole work of the named entrant, per Rule 5.3. The only allowable exception to this rule is if the entry is in Category 14 (Cooperative Build).
   c. An entry has been entered in a lesser Class (e.g. a "Modified" entry into "OOB", Senior into Junior or Intermediate) with intent to deceive the Judges.
   d. The model does not fulfil the definition of a kit, per Rule 5.1.
   e. The model is pre-assembled and/or pre-finished and does not fulfil the requirements of Rule 5.2.
   f.  The model has won a place in the same Class at a previous WASMEx Competition, per Rule 5.5.
   g.  Any diorama with a base that exceeds 60 cm in width or length that has not been notified to WASMEx in writing (email to [email protected] is acceptable) at least seven calendar
days prior to the Competition so that display space can be planned.
   h. Attendees to WASMEx have voted more than once in the "People's Choice" or "Best Display" ballots.

4.2
Entries that have been refused or disqualified shall immediately be removed from the Competition Area or from the Venue as directed by WASMEx Officials.

4.3
Fees paid with respect to entries that are disqualified are not refundable.
​
5.Eligibility of Entries
 
5.1
All entries shall be static scale models, comprising at least one scale model kit.  A kit is defined as a set of commercially produced parts or 3D printed components that require assembly and painting or finishing by the modeller to produce a scale model.  Only “Scratch-built” entries as defined in Rule 6.4 are exempted from this definition.  Entries in the “Busts” Classes are exempted from the requirement for assembly.
 
5.2
Models that are pre-assembled and/or pre-finished are not eligible unless the entrant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of WASMEx that a level of disassembly, reassembly, modification, and finishing equivalent to assembly and finishing of a kit has been performed.
 
5.3
With the exception of Category 14 (Cooperative Build), all models entered in the competition must have been constructed by, and are to be the sole work of, the entrant.  There is no limit to the number of models that an entrant may enter in each Class, but each model will be eligible for that one Class only.

5.4
Entrants in the Competition may supply supporting reference material for their models if desired, but this is not mandatory except as required by Rule 5.2.

5.5
Entries that have won any award in any previous WASMEx are not eligible to be re-entered in the same Class.  They may be entered in another appropriate Class.

6.Competition Class Definitions

6.1
Entry Classes in the Competition are listed elsewhere. Classes are based on combinations of subject and scale.

6.2
“Out of Box (OOB)”Classes:
OOB Classes must be built using only those parts included in the single kit, as per the instructions, with the exception of minor additions/modifications as per 6.3. Photoetch and resin components included in the original kit may be used.  Kit parts may be modified to produce alternative versions where this is described in the kit instructions.  Any 3D printed model that is either bought commercially as a ready to build kit, or is purchased as a commercially available .stl file from an external source and printed by the modeller fall under the category of Out of Box. Any further additions/modifications to said file will cause it to be reclassified as "Modified".

6.3
Acceptable changes for OOB:
Models entered in the OOB classes may have additional minor work performed on components to improve accuracy or appearance. For example:
   a. Guns, exhaust outlets, intakes, etc, may be drilled out.
   b. Minor re-shaping of contours of kit parts to improve accuracy, provided that cutting/regluing or remolding or thermal reshaping are not performed.
   c. Over-scaled parts such as flaps and doors may be thinned, but parts that are molded “closed” may not be “opened”.  Control surfaces may be repositioned.
   d. Minor additions are permitted:  Rigging and aerial wires may be added.  Basic plumbing and wiring may be added to engines, undercarriages, cockpits, etc.  Paper, tape or photoetch seatbelts and other minor details.
   e. Stance corrected, provided that significant modification of kit parts is not required.
   f. Class 3 models may have items such as simple rollbars added.
   g. Replacement of significant kit components, or addition of significant components, including but not limited to seats, cockpits, tracks, wheels, control surfaces, glazing, etc from alternative sources is
not permitted.
h. The model may be finished in the colors / markings contained in the kit or from third party sources.
i. If the model kit comes with resin, photoetch and other additional detailing in the box, this model will be eligible for the relevant OOB category, but MUST be demonstrated by the entrant that this is the case. Failure to do so will result in the model being entered into the higher “Modified” category.

 6.4
Modified Classes:
Models that include enhancements or modifications in excess of those described in Rule 6.3 shall be entered in the appropriate “Modified” sub-class. This includes such additions as aftermarket resin, photo etch or scratch-built components in either traditional construction methods or 3D designed and printed parts. Any major structural or shape changes, including opening of panels, replacement of wheels or tracks, changing to a different version from that in the kit, etc, will fall into this category. The total modifications to the model must be less than 70% of the original kit, otherwise it will be recategorized as “Scratch-built”. If the modeller requires clarification as to which category their entry belongs in, they may either contact the WASMEx committee before the day or check with the Chief Judge/scrutineers on the day of the competition.

6.5
Scratch-built Classes:
All scratch-built models are to be entered into the Scratch-built sub-classes.  A scratch-built model is defined as comprising at least 70% components that are not commercially available model kit parts or STL printer files. The method and material used to create the model is irrelevant to the entry as long as it fulfils the primary requirement of a minimum of 70%. For example, the modeller may build their entry from wood, plastic, metal or other materials (or a combination of multiple materials) using what would be classed as traditional methods, or they may design 70% or more of their build digitally using a CAD software package, then print those components utilising a 3D printer. Alternatively, they may wish to construct using both 3D printing and traditional scratch-building methods. 

6.6
Class 1 Aircraft:
All civil and military lighter-than-air craft, powered and unpowered aircraft.  Includes subjects that reached mock-up or bona fide design study stage.  Excludes “Science Fiction and Fantasy” flying machines (Class 5) and “Spacecraft” (Class 9).

6.7
Class 2 Military Vehicles:
Equipment and AFV's": All military vehicles, civilian vehicles in military or paramilitary service, field artillery, SAM's and other short-range missiles this category includes equipment that is used in a static position but is readily made mobile - for example towed equipment.

6.8
Class 3 Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles: 
All civilian vehicles, including ex-military vehicles in civilian use. Excludes restored military vehicles carrying civilian registration for private on-road use (to be entered in Class 2). Entrants to Sub-class 3.10 "Diecast – Modified" should note the requirements of Rule 5.2.

6.9 Class 4 Figures and Busts:
   a. (4.1) Small, (4.2) Medium, (4.3) Large Scale Figures True-to-life representations of humans, being models of an identifiable real person or of a "typical" real person wearing the clothing and bearing the accoutrements of an identifiable historical event or period. Includes true-to-life representations of actors portraying historical persons provided that the model is identified as the actor in character, not as the person portrayed. 
   b. Additionally, representations of mythical or imaginary humanoid beings, and characters from television, movies, books, comics and other media also fall into this category. Any anthropomorphic robot figures (such as C-3PO from Star Wars) also fall into this category, as long as they are clearly human in form. 
   c. Sub-classes 4.7 “Busts” is for figure models that do not extend below the upper torso, primarily comprising head and shoulders of a single subject, finished by painting and/or other means, and requiring minimal or no assembly.
   d. Any Historical Gaming Figures entered into the WASMEx competition will be entered into category 4.1 Small Scale Figures.

6.10
Class 5 Science Fiction and Fantasy:
   a. Any model of a fantasy, comic book, movie, or television non-humanoid being.
   b. Any model of fantasy, comic book, movie, or television equipment, vehicles, etc.
   c. Any Mecha from comic book, movie, TV, artwork, etc.
   e Sub-class 5.7 Fantasy Gaming Vehicles and Equipment – Open: Any vehicle or piece of mechanical equipment used in fantasy game playing.

6.11
Class 6 Ships:
All forms of seagoing vessels.

6.12
Class 7 Dioramas:
A scene including multiple models and scenic effects to illustrate a story or event or simply a moment in time.  Sub-classes by scale are defined by the scale of the figures in the scene as defined for Class 4, or in the absence of figures by the scale of the principal component model.

6.13
Class 8 Vignettes:
A scene including no more than three human figures with livestock and/or personal equipment on a simple scenic base.  Sub-classes by scale are defined by the scale of the figures in the scene as defined for Class 4.

6.14
In Diorama and Vignette entries, all models and materials attached to the display and / or contained within the perimeter of the base shall be judged as a single entity. 
 
6.15
Class 9 Real Space:
Spacecraft, satellites, landers, and associated rocket propulsion units.  Intercontinental and long-range ballistic missiles. Includes subjects that reached mock-up or bona fide design study stage. Excludes "Science Fiction and Fantasy" flying machines (Class 5).

6.16
Class 13 Gundam:
Any kit of any scale that is of the Gundam genre will be entered into this category. The specific category for any Gundam model will be determined as laid out in the category descriptions as per categories 13.1 to 13.4

6.17
Class 10 “Intermediate” Classes:
ntermediate modellers are those between the ages of 13 and 17 (inclusive) at the time of the Competition judging.
   
6.18
Class 11 “Junior” Classes:
Junior modellers are those 12 and under at the time of the Competition judging.
  
6.19
Junior and Intermediate modellers may choose to enter a higher age Class if they wish, this situation should be clearly recorded on the entry form to avoid entries being reclassified.

6.20
Class 12 Miscellaneous: Models that are not adequately described by other Classes.

6.21
Class 14 Co-operative Build: The Co-operative build is the sole category within WASMEx that allows more than one builder on a project. This category is aimed at encouraging modellers of different skillsets and abilities to collaborate on a single project. This class is open to all age groups and skill levels, WASMEx requests that if anyone involved in the project is within the junior or intermediate age groups that this information be passed to the competition coordinators during registration as information is potentially relevant to judging. There is no distinction between a single model entry or a diorama with multiple models on a base. Any genre is allowed to complete in this category, be it cars, aircraft, armour, sci-fi, etc. To qualify for class 14, the entry must have a minimum of two builders, although there is no limit to the maximum number of entrants for each project. Due to the possibility of a team having an advantage over a lone builder, models in this class will not be eligible for judges best in show.  

6.22
The WASMEx Organising Committee reserves the right to reclassify entries at any time prior to commencement of judging of the relevant Classes.

7.Judging

7.1 
Judges will be appointed by the WASMEx Organising Committee to decide the Competition.

7.2
Judging will take place on Saturday evening after closure of the Expo to the public, or as otherwise directed by the WASMEx Organising Committee.

7.3  
Entry to this Competition is open to the people involved in its administration or judging, however no entrant may judge their own work.

7.4
Each entry will be viewed by a judging panel who will adhere to WASMEx's published judging guidelines which can be viewed HERE.  

7.5
The Chief Judge shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that each judging panel contains a mix of persons who are able to judge a given Sub-Class impartially.  Any judge who considers for any reason that they are not able to render an impartial verdict for a particular Sub-Class shall recuse themselves and a replacement shall be appointed.

7.6
A Competition "Judges Best of Show" will be decided from the individual Class winners by majority vote of the Judges (excluding Class 14 'co-operative build').

7.7
A Competition "Peoples Choice Award" will be made by count of a popular vote.  Participation is open to all attendees to WASMEx, however each attendee is entitled to one vote only.

7.8  
Other special awards may be made as deemed appropriate by the WASMEx Committee from time to time.

7.9  
Judge’s decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into. Where exceptional circumstances are believed to exist, the matter may be referred to the Chief Judge and his or her adjudication will be final and no further correspondence will be entered into.
 
​A condition of entry to the WASMEx competition and displays is that models may be photographed for later promotional use by WASMEx, including posting to this web site. These images are copyright by WASMEx Inc. and must not be used by anyone else for any purpose, except as allowed by the Copyright Act, without the express written permission of WASMEx Inc.