Contest Categories & Awards - Armor Modeling & Preservation Society

AMPS is all about armor modeling and the preservation of armor and mechanized heritage.

AMPS 2024 International Convention
Thu Apr 11, 2024 to Sat Apr 13, 2024
Century Center, 120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

Time Left to Finish Your Models:

If you have any questions concerning eligibility for a category or award, please contact David Vickers, Chief Judge for this show.

Click here for the AMPS Judging System Rules & Guide

Show & Theme Awards

The following special awards will be presented at the show.
These awards represent the best models present, as decided by a team assembled by the Chief Judge.

Best Russian/Soviet

This includes all Russian/Soviet-marked entries, regardless of time period
Sponsored by Wanamaker Hobbies / Hobby Link and Mikkel Petrich

Best Commonwealth

This includes all of the British Commonwealth-marked entries, regardless of time period
Sponsored by Chuck Rothman and Jeffrey Nelson

Best German

This includes all German-marked entries, regardless of time period
Sponsored by Sooner AMPS and Modeling Insanity Podcast

Best United States

This includes all U.S.-marked entries, regardless of time period
Sponsored by Hudson & Allen Studio and NMMA (Northeast Military Modelers Association)

Best Small Army

This includes entries marked for all other armies, regardless of time period
Sponsored by MiniArt and Rick Carlson

Best Figure

This includes only the entries in Category XI. Entries in this category will not be eligible for any
Sponsored by MiniArt and Boomers' Books & Empire Models

Best Junior

This only covers the entries in Category XV (Juniors).
Sponsored by Plastic Model Store Ukraine and Brian Eberle

Best Vignette

Sponsored by Custom Dioramics and Chuck Willis

Best Diorama

Sponsored by Microworld Games LLC and AMPS Chicagoland

Andy Smith Best Basic Model

Awarded to the highest scored BASIC skill level entry in the manner of the other "Best of" awards
Sponsored by Mike Petty and Microworld Games LLC

Best Master

This award is based on the Masters voting on which of their pieces is considered the best on the table at the time of our International Convention. If there is a tie in the votes, the Chief Judge will make the final decision on the “Best Master.”
Sponsored by AMPS Central VA and AMPS Upper Valley Model Club

David Harper Best Marine Corps Armor

This award is presented for the best Marine Corps armor in all categories except figures. Any nationality or era can be modeled as long as the armor has Marine Corps/naval infantry markings. All skill levels are eligible for this award. This award is presented by David Vickers.

The Tom Gannon Award

This award is presented for the best Sherman or Israeli subject. It is open to all skill levels and

Best 1919-1939

Best Specialty Armored Vehicle

Defined as armored vehicles (1917 to present) specially designed (or purposely modified) to ensure freedom of movement / maneuver to friendly forces; or to restrict the enemy's ability to do the same. Open to Intermediate and Advanced skill level entries. This award is presented by Three Rivers AMPS.

Best WWI Model

Any WWI-era vehicle is eligible. Open to all skill levels.

Best Braille Scale

This award is presented to the best 1/72 scale and smaller model. All skill levels are eligible for this award. This award is presented by Central Pennsylvania AMPS.

Theme Award

This is given to the model that most appropriately represents the theme selected for the convention.
Sponsored by Northern Virginia AMPS (NOVAMSP) and John Lewis

Peoples Choice

This award is given to the entry that receives the most votes from the model registrants and visitors to the show. All entries except category XVII (Display Only) are eligible. The awardee is determined by the most physical votes in the ballot box at 3 PM on the day of the show.
Sponsored by Chuck Aleshire, AMPS 2VP Midwest Region and Chuck Willis

Dave Lockhart Judges Best of Show

The "Dave Lockhart Judges Best of Show Award" is selected from each category "Best of" winners.
Sponsored by AMPS and AMPS

Contest Categories

AMPS Judging Philosophy:
"Models are not just technical scale miniatures of their prototypes, but also artistic representations of historical, hypothetical, or imaginary subjects. While mechanical precision and fidelity to detail are highly desired, there are few other absolute rights or wrongs with most of the aspects of our builds. There are many different construction and finishing techniques and methods that can be employed to create the artistic representation of our subjects. These combine to create each model-builder's unique "style." Although judges are expected to assess and score the models, they are also expected to do this within the context of the individual modeler's style and not their own."

Most categories contain three skill-levels. The exceptions are those where major conversions or scratch building is required; these are not basic skills, and it is unfair to both the modeler and to the judges to expect one to be so entered.