This is one of the hardest things to get across to people who judge at model shows. No two aircraft are going to look the same. The Air Force tends to keep their planes cleaner than the Navy or Marines, But then again the Air Force doesn't have to fight salt water and so on. I did an F-4J Phantom and man is she dirty. But as I made note of in my description, during "3 a days " by the Marines in 'Nam, the crews didn't have the time to make them pretty, just re-arm, re-fuel and get 'em up. The judges said it was over weathered. (Haven't seen many Navy and Marine aircraft up close). What are your views on this subject? Mavrick1124 The "Mud Marines" weren't worried about how nice their brothers looked as long as they brought plenty of heat.

Not seeing your aircraft, I can't tell if it's over weathered. I have passed that judgment on a couple aircraft I judged in tha past, even knowing that Navy A/C can get pretty grundgy and even look that way at airshows.

When presenting anything uncommon at a contest, it's always a good idea to present documentation. Scan a picture of the original and print it on your info sheet to the judges. I always prepare comment sheets to attach before going to a contest. If you have access to registration sheets online, fill the information in and print them out ahead of time. Include a reference photo here. Either way, you'll save time at the registration table (more time to spend at the vendor tables LOL), you'll have all the information you want the judges to consider and if you have a reference, they can see how well you've replicated your original.

Thanks for the advise Al. Will do for the next show. My Phantom is pictured in the models gallery here in the aircraft section. Thanks, Mav

If a judge gigged that airplane for being overweathered than that judge has obviously never seen any USN/USMC aircraft during heavy sortie operations.
I actually believe it's not weathered enough
Great lookin' bird!!!!!

Lambertjr, Thanks for the coments. You hit the nail on the head. Heavy sorties. The pictures are not that clear. At least not enough to show a clear look. She is very weathered and dirty as hell. Just the way she should be. Mav