Unfamiliar Territory: An IPMS Contest

I built a 1:200 scale Space Shuttle recently, so I thought it would be a good idea to take it for judging at an IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Society) contest.  Our modeling brothers in IPMS have great skill in replicating subjects completely different than cars.  They do tanks, ships, airplanes, monsters-just about everything.  I noticed that the judges carefully consider the context of a model in judging its realism.  For example a tank used in the Pacific theatre of WWII should be faded due to the sun and a tank used in Viet Nam should have reddish mud on the tracks.  On the other hand, they look for the same quality build techniques that car modelers have always strived for like removal of flash and ejector pin marks, no glue spots, and good decal alignment.  They also award medals as reward for build quality, independent of the competition.  You may not win a class, but your model may be awarded a bronze, silver, or gold medal for its own merits.  OK, since you asked, the Shuttle wound up with a bronze medal, The Better Idea ski boat won a silver and Best Ship, and the Quadravan won a gold medal, Best Automotive, and Best In Show.  I like those IPMS guys.