Here's a suggestion for the appearance point judging issue: How about just having the pilots place their models in the appearance point area, and then have the judges just look at the tops of the models.
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I know this has never been done before, but then we've not had anywhere near the extraordinary circumstances that we have this year.
Hey, don't shoot the messenger...
Bob Hunt
Hi Bob,
Brings back memories from "several" years ago. Two people (who you know) were doing the appearance judging. When they came up to one model, it had a striking, attractive and well executed and buffed out color scheme. This was the impression until the model was turned over. The bottom had not been polished and color lines needed to be cleaned up to name a few of the problems. The model was placed among the "average, so-so" models. The pilot had received the Concours award the year before. He got a bit upset and submitted a protest. The judges showed the Event Director the problems with the inconsistent finish and the ED upheld the judges' score. The pilot took his model and went home. Evidently, he was used to models at local contests only being judged without the bottoms being looked at.
Yes, times are different with the Nats this year. I would suggest that the appearance judges this year not handle the airplanes at all.
Note to Dave Trible: There is nothing in the Judges' Guide about appearance judging. You have a good idea to have the pilot turn the plane over on a carpet or blanket for the judgess to look, without the need to touch it.
Keith