Modelling competitions (and competitions in general) bring out the best and worst in people.

I find that building for a competition gives additional motivation to build at a higher-than-normal quality; with more attention paid to getting it right. Perhaps this extra "expense" of effort causes a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde syndrome in some people.

Many lose sight of the purpose of the event; a gathering of like-minded people, displaying their models, gawking at other people's work and sharing ideas.

I would believe that is the real intention of people who organise modelling events. The competition aspect is but the spice on the dish, the icing on the cake.

These lost souls eye the gleaming trophies on display, focusing all their attention and hopes on winning the largest, most impressive one, for five minutes of glory on stage.

We have all met the Disgruntled Loser whose model did not catch the fancy of judges, thus going home empty handed. Sometimes, Mr D L would actually start spreading rumours and unproven allegations of shady dealings, unfair practices and favouritism.

I sincerely hope these people never return to competitions, for they have proven to us their inability to handle "not-winning". I did not write "losing", for one never truly loses at modelling competitions. Unless their sole purpose of entering is to win.

You see, if winning a trophy were the goal, then statistically speaking, you have a higher chance of not-winning. Might as well not bother entering.

Besides, judges are human too. And scale models are more art than science. There is no scale or rule to measure one entry's superiority over another. Whichever entry appeals more to the judge would naturally rank higher on his score sheet.

Spouting nonsense and unwarranted accusations just reeks of bad sportsmanship, and poor upbringing.

If indeed it can be proven that a judge unfairly awarded the Gold to his buddy, ranting about it would not cause that award to be transferred to you. Ask yourself, would winning through such means be honourable?

I hope, for all our sake, that we participate in modelling events and competitions with the correct mind-set. Winning that shiny (plastic) trophy is not the real indicator of a good modeller.

I would define a good modeller as one who not only displays great skill in making scale models, but also one who freely shares his experience and knowledge, handles not-winning like a gentleman, and continually strives to be a better modeller.

Model on...