The Big Mouth Competition

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THE BIG MOUTH CONTESTS These are annual events, judged every January (Auto), April (Aircraft), July (Armour), August (SciFi), November (Naval) that focuses on basic model building skills. IPMS rules for “Out of the Box” models apply. Scales for the "Big Mouth" are usually dictated by popularity. For example aircraft are usually in 1/72 and 1/48. The winner is chosen by voting and get to dictate the subject for the next year. This is your chance to show your buddies what a great modeler you are. 

Below are the rules we go by for “Big Mouth” competition. Note these are our show rules for OOB as well. 

Out of the Box
is meant to provide a forum for modellers who do not wish to make alterations or add additional details to a model. 

Out of the box means that you have built the kit using only the parts in the box without alteration or addition, following the assembly instructions provided by the kit manufacturer. 

OUT-OF-THE-BOX entries will be governed by the following rules: 

A) KITS. Any commercially available kit may be used. 

B) FINISH. All finishing techniques are allowed. 
Decals other than those included with the kit may
be used. Insignia, markings, and instrument
panels may be hand-painted instead of decaled. 
Weathering is permitted. 

C) CONSTRUCTION. The modeller may: 
- fill seams, gaps, sink holes or ejection pin holes. 
- sand off rivets and imperfections in the moldings
- drill out gun ports, gun barrels, air intakes, vents, exhaust pipes or other appropriate openings
- thin to scale such parts as trailing edges, flaps, hatches and doors, etc. 
- add rigging and antennas
- add simple tape or decal seat belts in the cockpit of an aircraft
or the interior of a vehicle (NO commercial or modeller-manufactured hardware
e.g., buckles etc.). 

D) IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO: vacuform, manufacture, or replace any part, 
or substitute parts from another kit; cut or separate canopies,
surfaces, hatches, doors, etc. (no major surgery); 
combine a standard kit with a conversion kit; add
anything other than specified on the instruction
sheet except as shown in paragraph C above. 

E) INSTRUCTION SHEETS: Modellers must attach!
the kit instruction sheet to the entry form to provide evidence of compliance with the rules of the category. 

2026