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 - 1/72
9. Jet - 1/48
10. All Except Civil - 1/32 & larger
11. All Except Civil - 1/144 & smaller
12. Civil & Civil Markings - all scales
13. Rotary Wing - 1/48 & smaller
14. Rotary Wing - 1/32 & larger
15. Scratchbuilt, Vacuforms & Major Conversions - all scales
16. Out of Box - all scales

MILITARY VEHICLES

1/48 & larger except as noted

17. Fully Tracked - 1/72 & smaller
18. Softskin, All Except Fully Tracked - 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/Open Top AFVs - Allied - pre 1946
23. Fully Tracked, Visible Interior/Open Top AFVs - Axis - pre 1946
24. Fully Tracked, Visible Interior/Open Top 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 periods - all scales

AUTOMOTIVE

1/20 - 1/25 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 - all scales
41. Out of Box - all scales

SHIPS

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

FIGURES

(Also see Wargaming Categories below)

47. Foot - 30mm to 90mm
48. Mounted - 30mm to 90mm
49. Foot - larger than 90mm
50. Mounted - larger than 90mm
51. Busts - all scales
52. Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Movies & Comics - 8-1/2" high or less including base
53. Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Movies & Comics - over 8-1/2" high including base
54. Vignettes - Figures Only, No Vehicles - all scales

FANTASY AND SCI-FI WARGAMING (Figures & Equipment)

up to 40mm

55. Fantasy - Single Model, Alternate History/Steampunk/Pure Fantasy
56. Fantasy Unit - 2-10 Models, Alternate History/Steampunk/Pure Fantasy
57. SciFi - Single Model, Weird WW2/Near Future/SciFi
58. SciFi Unit - 2-10 Models, Weird WW2/Near Future/SciFi

SPACE & SCIENCE FICTION

all scales

59. Factual Spacecraft, Vehicles and Equipment
60. Fictional Subjects, including Spacecraft, Steampunk, Powered Suits

DIORAMAS

all scales

61. Military Vehicle Dioramas
62. Aircraft Dioramas
63. Ship Dioramas
64. All Other Dioramas

ALL OF THE REST

all scales

65. Collections - Five or More Related Subjects
66. Miscellaneous - All Other Entries
67. Humor in Modeling
68. Modified/Customized Die-cast - all kinds
69. Master Modeler - Models which have been first place winners at previous BuffCons

JUNIOR ENTRIES

all scales

70. Bantam (ages 10 and under) - all entries
71. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Aircraft
72. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Military Vehicles
73. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Automotive
74. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Other Subjects

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.
   PLEASE MARK ON YOUR ENTRY FORM IF MODEL IS NOT ATTACHED TO BASE.
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 local 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; re-scribe overall; 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. Conversions must constitute a major change of version, model or mark, and 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.
9. A scratchbuilt model shall comprise 25% or less of commercially available or kit supplied parts, with the remainder fabricated by the modeler.
10. Bantam and/or Junior modelers may enter Adult categories.
11. All disputes will be referred to both the Category Coordinator and the Chief Judge for resolution. Their decisions are final.
12. All awards must be picked up at the contest.
13. 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 68. 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 an entrant does not want the entry to be handled by the judges, note this on the entry form.
3. Although not required, it is strongly recommended that models be firmly attached to a base.
4. Handling of models by contest personnel will be kept to an absolute minimum.