Nathan Dempsey
Dackelbauch

James C
Good choices, but my vote would be for the 110 😉👍

Rui
Bf.110 Dackelbauch...?
I can't count myself as a "competition" guy, but as a spectator, I can tell you I would be more interested in Bf.110 Dackelbauch followed by that single float Ar.196. I've seen too many Sturmoviks to count, so the uniqueness of the other two would draw my attention. Good luck btw.

Andrea Morris
Thanks for the input gents. So, the Sturmovik is eliminated and we are down to two. The 110 is from Dragon, the 196 is Revell. Any more votes?

David Taylor
196

Andrea Morris
Thanks David. Things are even, so I need really need more input! Come on folks, chip in!

Rui
I checkout out both the 110 and the 196 and now think you should do the 196. That radial engine looks like a lot of fun?

David Taylor
Only 196 I have seen is Lodes and thats in 1/350

Alexander Grivonev
110 for me👍

Robert Podkoński
I would suggest Bf 110 with one engine displayed (covers removed), and there is much more to show inside the cockpit, yet the 196 with exposed and detailed engine and all that is behind would be equally eye-catching for judges imho.

Andrea Morris
Oh wow, late in the day the Bf110 guys rally to the rescue 🙂 I have retrieved the Bf110 from the stash room. I have looked at both, they are superb. Amazing that Revell 196 cost me £35 and the Bf110 cost me £90. Clearly Revell gives you more bang for the buck! You can all see that I have a shed load of AM to throw at both of them. Opinions are welcome for a while yet as I have a few things to do to clear the bench. I tend to rush things, so I want to take my time with this so I feel confident putting it into (my first) competition. I'm so grateful for your input, it means a GREAT deal.

Andrea Morris
Bump! Anymore input?

Rui
I still would like to see that Arado ?

Alberto Bianchi
For me without a shadow of a doubt: Arado 196. Unused subject that if put in a well contextualized can make the difference.

Andrea Morris
According to SM, the Ar196 is in 135 people's stash and 20 or so have been built. 61 people have the Bf110 in their stash with just one being built. Food for thought that has me in a quandary! 🙂

Urban Gardini
Even if the Bf110 is a great choice I believe that the Ar196 with a single float is the best option. I've seen it built and it's a stunner. BTW I'm not into competition myself so this is just my thoughts on the matter.

Andrea Morris
Thanks Urban. I've never entered a competition before. After four years back into the hobby I am curious as to how my skills match up. People here on SM are so supportive and non judgemental that I want to see what's out there. Hope that makes sense!

Urban Gardini
Sort of, sort of not as I personally have never understod the competition bit. Either a build attracts me or not.

Alberto Bianchi
SM is a thrill of the modeling scene, in my opinion at a modeling exhibition there are many factors to evaluate, for example if I build an F-14 (there will be many modelers who have this subject in their stash, I have at least four and I don't have any I have ever built one recently) in scales such as 1/72 and 1/48, most likely it will be one of the many already seen, it is an exploited subject (Masterpieces are obviously an exception).

Rui
Still hoping to see a single float Arado 196 ??

Robert Podkoński
I agree with Alberto here, even though I have never entered any contest. But I suppose the potential number of models of the same airplane is an important factor. Unusual subject presented in an unusual livery and/or unusual way will surely attract the attention...and will be not compared to other planes... As far as I know one Arado is preserved in Bulgaria, so maybe this would be a good idea to paint it differently - Bulgarian, Romanian or Finnish?

Andrea Morris
Thanks Robert. But now I have decals for an alternative for the Bf110 (Greece) I don't have any for the Ar196!?

David Taylor
Do both?.

Robert Podkoński
You're welcome - a Greek Bf 110 seems attractive as well (I have not known that there were any in Greek service)

Andrea Morris
@David That's a nightmare... Or is it?. @Robert Not in Greek service but based in Argos Greece during the occupation.

Alec K
A bit late here but hopefully some useful info. I have been going to competitions in the US since 2015, mostly run by the IPMS-USA rules (I.e gold/silver/bronze per given category). The judges are generally a cadre of experienced club members who judged contests before, with lots of modelers volunteering to judge who have never done it before. What is judged is the craftsmanship, not the uniqueness or even historical accuracy of the subject. More complexity to the build, the higher the points given (there generally also are separate categories for models build OOB). So not really sure if the subject you pick matters. That said, there are usually separate awards like "best of show" that do play to the "caught my eye" sentiment, but the field for these is usually very broad (I.e. to win one of those is tough).

In any case, contests are a great way to see other's work and to test one's skill. The issue with the current judging system is that if the entries in the given category are few, they all can get awards (I.e the one sub in the "1:72 scale post-1945 submarines" category gets the gold, regardless of how well built it is). One basically competes against what's on the table during the competition. Works as long as there are enough entries. Most contests refer to the judging rules somewhere, so I suggest you read that.

So, my advice is: pick what you like, pack it with detail, pay attention to clean and accurate technique and have fun. The best of all contests is, in any case, the vendor room… 😉 👍

Rui
I think Alec K summed it up nicely. Just have fun.
Now build me that Arado ?

Andrea Morris
Oh, so, no pressure then! 🙂 Thanks Alec, that was very incitefull. I have both kits in front of me and they both scream build me! I'm not going to rush into this, I have a couple of kits to clear off the bench, it's mostly painting now. Continued contributions welcome.

Rui
Oh the suspense is killing me ?

Andrea Morris
@Rui It's killing me too ? 🙂 🙂

Alec K
Rereading this thread, here are a few more observations:

At least in the US and in my experience, local contests are generally attended in large part by same modelers. Bringing something not entered in a past contest may be an advantage. Assuming you know what contest you are planning to attend, see if you can find a past contest's photo library to see what makes the rounds (there may be a "110 guy" who ALways brings at least two…)

Give yourself enough time to complete the entry. It's a real modeling mojo killer to rush the finishing work a week before the contest just to be able to enter the contest, not to mention that this is often the critical phase that can ruin a build.

Know that going to a contest is a game changer. Once you enter, there is no going back. In going to a contest you make a decision to compare your work with others'. Modeling is a hobby, and many modelers are very satisfied with their builds no matter how they stack up next to others. A contest may shatter this satisfaction and can be a very depressing experience.

In any case, no matter what you decide, I look forward to it. Be sure to post a link to the album here once you get started 👍. With that, I vote for the Arado 😉

Andrea Morris
Thank you Alec. Even more insight, I'm grateful. There is a number of things going on here. I'm not going to get crushed by not winning ? But after four years I should be able to hold my own? Folks criticism of my builds is that I don't do much in the way of weathering, but that's what I'm happy with so I don't take it personally. I take your point about time scales. I am a serial offender for starting a build and then stalling at some point, with a competition there finish point that creates a deadline that, hopefully, focuses my mind! I have 26 builds on hold and 11 in progress!!!!!!

Alec K
Good to hear. Having a deadline can be good for getting project finished, which in itself is a satisfying part of the hobby. I think no matter how well you do, just attending a contest and seeing other modelers' can be very motivating. Cheers.

Andrea Morris
Okay, the Arado wins out. Album created and I've uploaded the sprue shots.

David Taylor
YEY.

Andrea Morris
@David I haven't forgotten your suggestion to build both. I have both boxes open near me. There is so much PE involved that going from one to the other is appealing, more gluing, less inhaling CA glue!!!

Rui
I thought sniffing glue was part of the hobby's attraction ?

Andrea Morris
@Rui It is, but like any addiction, you build up a tolerance 🙂 🙂 🙂

Rui
@Andrea Morris... LMAO ?