AIRCRAFT

1/144 = 1/101 to 1/2000
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 Aircraft Except Civil - 1/32 & larger
11. All Aircraft Except Civil - 1/144 & smaller
12. Civil & Civil Use Aircraft - all scales
13. Rotary Wing - all scales
14. Scratchbuilt & Major Conversions - all scales
15. Out of Box - All Aircraft - all scales

MILITARY VEHICLES

small scale = 1/49 & smaller
large scale = 1/48 & larger

16. Fully Tracked AFVs - small scale
17. Softskins, Halftracks & Armored Wheeled Vehicles - all periods - small scale
18. Fully Tracked Closed Top AFVs - Allied - pre 1946 - large scale
19. Fully Tracked Closed Top AFVs - Axis - pre 1946 - large scale
20. Fully Tracked Closed Top AFVs - Modern - post 1945 - large scale
21. Fully Tracked Open Top, Open Hatch (with interiors), Open Fighting/Crew Compartment (interior treatments will be judged) - Allied - pre 1946 - large scale
22. Fully Tracked Open Top, Open Hatch (with interiors), Open Fighting/Crew Compartment (interior treatments will be judged) - Axis - pre 1946 - large scale
23. Fully Tracked Open Top, Open Hatch (with interiors), Open Fighting/Crew Compartment (interior treatments will be judged) - Modern - post 1945 - large scale
24. Softskins, Halftracks & Armored Wheeled Vehicles - all periods - large scale
25. Ordnance & Prime Movers Under Tow, Including Siege, Fixed & Railway Artillery - all periods - all scales
26. Major Conversions & Scratchbuilds - all periods - all scales
27. Out of Box - All Military Vehicles - all periods - all scales

AUTOMOTIVE

28. Factory Stock - all scales
29. Custom (Show) Cars - all years - 1/32 to 1/20
30. Street Rods - pre 1960 - 1/32 to 1/20
31. Competition Cars - Open Wheel & Dragster - all scales
32. Competition Cars - Closed Wheel - all scales
33. Street Machines & Pro Street (including Muscle Cars) - 1/32 to 1/20
34. Pickups, 4x4s & Monster Trucks - all scales
35. Commercial Vehicles, Fire, Rescue & Emergency Vehicles - all scales
36. All Automotive - 1/43 & smaller
37. All Automotive - larger than 1/20
38. Motorcycles - all types - all scales
39. Out of Box - All Automotive - all scales

SHIPS

40. Oars/Sail - all scales
41. Powered - small scale - 1/401 & smaller
42. Powered - large scale - 1/400 & larger
43. Submarines - all scales
44. Out of Box - All Ships - all scales

FIGURES

45. Foot & Mounted - 30mm & smaller
46. Foot - 31mm to 90mm
47. Mounted - 31mm to 90mm
48. Foot - larger than 90mm
49. Mounted - larger than 90mm
50. Busts - all scales
51. Figures - Fantasy, Science Fiction, TV, Movies & Comics - all scales
52. Vignettes - Figures Only, No Vehicles - all periods - all subjects - all scales

SCIENCE FICTION & REAL SPACE

53. Fictional Subjects and Equipment, including Spacecraft, Hypothetical, and Powered Suits - all scales
54. Real Spacecraft, Vehicles and Equipment - all scales

DIORAMAS - ALL SCALES

55. Military Vehicle Dioramas
56. Aircraft Dioramas
57. Ship Dioramas
58. All Other Dioramas

COLLECTIONS

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

MISCELLANEOUS

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

HUMOR IN MODELING

61. Humor in Modeling - all scales, all subjects

MASTER MODELER

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

JUNIOR ENTRIES

63. Bantam (ages 10 and under) - all entries
64. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Aircraft
65. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Military
66. Junior (ages 11 to 17) - all Automotive
67. 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 Best of the Master Modelers 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.

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.