AIRCRAFT

1/144 = 1/2000 to 1/101
1/72 = 1/100 to 1/60
1/48 = 1/59 to 1/40
1/32 = 1/39 to 1/1

1. Biplanes and Rigged Types - 1/72 & smaller
2. Biplanes and Rigged Types - 1/48 & larger
3. Single Engine Prop - 1/72
4. Single Engine Prop - 1/48 - Allied
5. Single Engine Prop - 1/48 - Axis
6. Multi Engine Prop - 1/72
7. Multi Engine Prop - 1/48
8. Jet Aircraft - 1/72
9. Jet Aircraft - 1/48
10. All Except Civil - 1/32 & larger
11. All Except Civil - 1/144 & smaller
12. Civil & Civil Use - all scales
13. Rotary Wing - 1/48 & smaller
14. Rotary Wing - 1/32 & larger
15. Scratchbuilt & Major Conversions - all scales
16. Out of Box - All Aircraft - all scales

MILITARY VEHICLES

1/48 & larger except as noted

17. Fully Tracked - 1/72 & smaller
18. Softskin, Wheeled Vehicles, Personnel Carriers, Cargo Carriers, Unarmored Vehicles - all periods - 1/72 & smaller
19. Fully Tracked, Closed Top AFVs - Allied - pre 1946
20. Fully Tracked, Closed Top AFVs - Axis - pre 1946
21. Fully Tracked, Closed Top AFVs - Modern - post 1945
22. Fully Tracked, Visible Interior/Fighting Compartment AFVs - Allied - pre 1946
23. Fully Tracked, Visible Interior/Fighting Compartment AFVs - Axis - pre 1946
24. Fully Tracked, Visible Interior/Fighting Compartment AFVs - Modern - post 1945
25. Softskin, Halftracks & Armored Wheeled Vehicles - all periods
26. Ordnance & Prime Movers Under Tow - all periods - all scales
27. Major Conversions & Scratchbuilds - all periods - all scales
28. Out of Box - All Military Vehicles - all periods - all scales

AUTOMOTIVE

all scales except as noted

29. Factory Stock
30. Custom & Show Cars
31. Street Rods & Hot Rods, 1949 & older
32. Hot Rods & Street Machines, 1950 & later
33. Competition, Open Wheel
34. Competition, Closed Wheel
35. Dragsters, including Funny Cars & Pro Stock
36. Light Trucks, Pickups, SUVs, Car-based Police & Emergency Vehicles
37. Heavy Trucks, Commercial; Heavy Fire, Rescue & Emergency Vehicles
38. All 1/32 & smaller
39. All 1/20 & larger
40. Motorcycles
41. Out of Box - All Automotive

SHIPS

42. Oars and Sail - all scales
43. Powered - 1/401 & smaller
44. Powered - 1/400 & larger
45. Submarines - all scales
46. Out of Box - All Ships - all scales

FIGURES

47. Foot & Mounted - 30mm & smaller
48. Foot - 31mm to 90mm
49. Mounted - 31mm to 90mm
50. Foot - larger than 90mm
51. Mounted - larger than 90mm
52. Busts - all scales
53. Fantasy, Science Fiction, TV, Movies & Comics - 200mm tall & smaller
54. Fantasy, Science Fiction, TV, Movies & Comics - larger than 200mm tall
55. Vignettes - Figures Only, No Vehicles - all scales

SPACE & SCIENCE FICTION

56. Science Fiction, Fictional Subjects, including Spacecraft, Hypothetical, and Powered Suits - all scales
57. Real Space, Real Spacecraft, Vehicles and Equipment - all scales

DIORAMAS

all scales

58. Military Vehicle Dioramas
59. Aircraft Dioramas
60. Ship Dioramas
61. All Other Dioramas

COLLECTIONS

62. Collections - Five or More Related Subjects - all scales

MISCELLANEOUS

63. Miscellaneous - All Other Entries Not Included Above - all scales

HUMOR IN MODELING

64. Humor in Modeling - all scales, all subjects

MASTER MODELER

65. Master Modeler - Models which have been first place winners at previous BuffCons

JUNIOR ENTRIES

66. Bantam (ages 10 and under) - all entries
67. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Aircraft
68. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Military
69. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Automotive
70. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Other Subjects

MODIFIED DIE-CAST

71. Modified / Customized Die-cast - all scales, all subjects

FANTASY WARGAMING AND SCI-FI

New Categories for 2016

72. Fantasy - Single Model (up to 40 mm)
73. Fantasy Unit - Collection 2-10 models (up to 40 mm)
74. SciFi - Single Model (weird WW2/near future/SciFi)
75. SciFi - Collection 2-10 models (weird WW2/near future/SciFi)

CONTEST RULES

1. This contest is open to all registrants. IPMS membership is encouraged, but not required.
2. Neither Niagara Frontier Chapter, the proprietors of the contest site, or the judges assume liability for loss or damage to entries.
3. Models which have been First Place winners at previous BuffCons may ONLY be entered in the Master Modeler category. Please do not abuse this rule. We like to see new models!
4. Models may be displayed on simple bases. Except for Diorama categories, bases will not be considered during judging.
5. The Chief Judge may combine or split categories prior to judging. The Chief Judge is responsible for all judging issues. All decisions of the Chief Judge are final.
6. Models built to scales other than those listed shall be placed in the nearest appropriate scale category.
7. Out of Box entries (including "Hi-Tech" kits) are to be constructed from the contents of the kit per the kit instructions, with the following exceptions: you MAY fill seams; sand off rivets and panel lines; restore lost surface detail; drill out guns, exhausts or other appropriate openings; thin edges; add rigging, antennae and simple tape or decal seat belts; and choose alternate color schemes and decals. Weathering is permitted. You MAY NOT make or replace any part; add details; or separate such parts as doors, canopies, surfaces or hatches; except as listed above. THE KIT INSTRUCTION SHEET MUST BE DISPLAYED WITH YOUR ENTRY.
8. Entries made from commercial vacuform kits shall be registered in the appropriate standard category.
9. Conversions must constitute a major change of version, model or mark. Conversions must be accompanied by a description of the changes involved. ENTRIES THAT USE A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CONVERSION KIT (OR KITS) WILL BE PLACED IN THE APPROPRIATE NON-CONVERSION CATEGORY.
10. A scratchbuilt model shall comprise 25% or less of commercially available or kit supplied parts, with the remainder fabricated by the modeler.
11. Bantam and/or Junior modelers may enter Adult categories.
12. All disputes will be referred to both the Category Coordinator and the Chief Judge for resolution.
13. All awards must be picked up at the contest.
14. Die-cast models - Out of the box die-cast models are not allowed in any category. Modified or customized die-cast models may only be entered in Category 71. Models in this category will be judged only on the extent of the modifications/customizations as described in detail on the entry form and on the related workmanship. ENTRIES IN THIS CATEGORY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR BEST IN SHOW.

HANDLING OF MODELS

1. It may become necessary for IPMS Niagara Frontier members (under the direct supervision of the Chief Judge) to adjust placement of models on the display tables due to the varying amount of entries received in the contest categories.
2. During judging, some judges may find it necessary to pick up a model to inspect its underside. If a modeler does not want his/her model to be handled by the judges, he/she is to note this on the entry form that accompanies every model in competition.
3. Although not required, it is strongly recommended by IPMS Niagara Frontier that models be firmly attached to a base.
4. Handling of models by contest personnel will be kept to an absolute minimum.