VMX 2025 Rules

Eligible Models

All models you enter in VMX 25 must be your own original work. You must have done all of the assembly, customization, painting, and finishing yourself. Junior modellers are allowed to receive assistance from an adult, but at least 80% of the total work must be their own. 

The base model itself may be a plastic, resin (poured or printed), plaster, metal, or wood, whether in kit form or cast/printed/carved as a single piece. A 3D printed model may have been printed by the entrant or by someone else.

MWB retains sole discretion for determining the eligibility of an entry.

Counterfeit kits and recast figures are not permitted and will be disqualified.

Subject Matter

MWB believes in promoting all legitimate forms of creative expression and acknowledges that some modelling genres often include subjects that may upset some people (e.g. nudity, violence, political commentary, religious themes, etc.). 

MWB is committed to supporting freedom of expression, but any models deemed to be blatantly offensive will be disqualified. Grounds for such disqualification include (but aren’t limited to):

  • Clear depiction of sexual acts
  • Promotion of hatred against any racial, ethnic, or religious group
  • Gratuitous violence or gore

We recognize that there is some subjectivity in drawing lines between legitimate art, political commentary, or the depiction of historical events versus inappropriate mature content or the incitement of hate. We are committed to weighing each creation on its own merits and making the most reasonable determination possible.

MWB retains sole discretion for determining the suitability of an entry.nts versus inappropriate mature content, gratuitous violence, or the incitement of hate. We are committed to weighing each creation on its own merits and making the most reasonable determination possible.

Key Dates

Registration opens at 0001 hours GMT on August 1st, 2025, and closes at 2400 hours GMT on August 15th, 2025.

Results will be announced in October 2025 on a date to be determined.

Display vs. Evaluation

Each entrant has the option of submitting up to five models for evaluation. Any models not identified for evaluation on the entry form will be entered for display

Triage

Judges will select one model submitted by each entrant in each class for evaluation.  

Skill Levels

All models entered for evaluation in a class will be entered at the same skill level. Entries in other classes may be entered at different skill levels. If models are entered at different skill levels in the same class, the model selected by the judges for evaluation will be evaluated at the highest skill level from among those entered.

Model Types

Model Type refers to the primary material and/or manufacturing technique used to produce the model. Model types for VMX 25 include:

Injection moulded. More than 80% of the original model’s parts were manufactured through the injection moulding of styrene or similar material.

Cast/Printed (< 10 parts). The original model consists of 9 or fewer parts and 7 or more of its parts were manufactured either by the casting of resin, metal, plaster, or other castable material or by 3D printing.

Cast/Printed (10 + parts). The original model consists of 10 or more parts and 80% or more of its parts were manufactured either by the casting of resin, metal, plaster, or other castable material or by 3D printing.

Wood. More than 80% of the original model’s parts were manufactured through the cutting (manually, by machine, or by laser), shaping, joining, or carving of wood.

Metal. More than 80% of the original model’s parts were manufactured through the machining, stamping, shaping, joining, or etching of metal. The model may include cast metal parts, but the primary structure of the model cannot be cast.

Scratchbuilt. At least 75% of the finished model must \be an original creation of the entrant. An original scratchbuilt entry must include at least one photo clearly documenting the scratchbuilding process. 

Sculpted. (Figure class only) 75% or more of the figure must be an original creation of the entrant. An original manual sculpt entry must include at least three photos documenting its creation. An original 3D sculpt entry must include at least two screenshots documenting its creation in the 3D software used. 

Evaluation

VMX 25 Judges will evaluate entries in accordance with the rules published here and with MWB’s proprietary evaluation standards. All judging decisions are final and MWB will not participate in, or influence, evaluation.

Awards

MWB’s award system rewards deserving creations based on the quality of the finished model and the skill level of the entrant. Following the conclusion of evaluation in October, entrants whose models receive scores high enough to qualify for an award will be sent their award in the mail. 

There are no award quotas for VMX 25. Each entry is evaluated against MWB’s evaluation standard in its class, and the numbers and types of awards given will reflect the quality of the entries. Awards for VMX 25 include:

  • Certificate of Merit. A good result at its skill level, worthy of being rewarded.
  • Bronze. An above average result at its skill level.
  • Silver. A result significantly above average at its skill level.
  • Gold. A perfect or near-perfect result at its skill level.

Classes

Each model entered in VMX 25 must be entered in one of the following classes:

  • Aircraft
  • Military Ground Vehicles and Equipment
  • Automotive
  • Dioramas
  • Figures
  • Mecha
  • Railroad
  • Real Space
  • Sci-Fi
  • Ships
  • Wargaming Minis

MWB is working to create an exhibition system that accommodates virtually every subject and type of model. For VMX 25 though we’re limiting entries to the most common model subjects. As we move forward, we’re looking forward to adding more classes and model types. 

Models entered in an incorrect class may be moved to the correct class or may be disqualified from evaluation at the discretion of MWB. 

Class Definitions

Aircraft

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Construction
  • Finishing
  • Detailing (Intermediate and Advanced skill levels)
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Weathering
  • Decals and Markings

Crewed and uncrewed military and civil aircraft of any type designed to fly within the Earth’s atmosphere from the past and present, including those that saw service as well as those that were planned (at least to the blueprint stage). 

Aircraft capable of low Earth orbit or of leaving the Earth’s atmosphere belong in the Real Space class. Imagined aircraft are part of the Science Fiction class. Only the model is evaluated. Bases, figures, scenic elements, and structures are not evaluated.

Military Ground Vehicles and Equipment

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Construction
  • Finishing
  • Detailing (Intermediate and Advanced skill levels)
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Decals and Markings
  • Weathering

Ground vehicles and ground-based military weapons and equipment from the past and present, including those that saw service as well as those that were planned (at least to the blueprint stage). Vehicles and equipment capable of moving over, through, or under the water, but which perform their primary function on land, are part of this class. 

Vehicles in military use with designs similar or identical to civilian vehicles should be entered in this class. Imagined ground vehicles and equipment are part of the Sci-Fi class. Only the model is evaluated. Bases, figures, scenic elements and structures are not evaluated.

Automotive

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Construction
  • Finishing
  • Detailing (Intermediate and Advanced skill levels)
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Decals and Markings
  • Weathering

Civilian ground vehicles and ground-based equipment from the past and present, including those in production as well as those that were planned (at least as blueprints or manufacturer’s concept art). Futuristic civilian ground vehicles and equipment not based on planned or in-production vehicles (e.g. a Blade Runner’s Spinner or Michael Keaton’s Batmobile) are part of the Sci-Fi class, but fictional subjects based on recognizable production vehicles belong in this class (e.g. the Back to the Future DeLorean or Mad Max’s V8 Interceptor). 

Trailers or equipment towed by the vehicle will be evaluated together with the vehicle. Civilian vehicles and equipment capable of moving over, through, or under the water or through the air, but which perform their primary function on land, are part of this class (e.g. a DUKW in civilian service or James Bond’s Lotus Esprit). Civilian-pattern vehicles and equipment in military use should be entered in the Military Ground Vehicles and Equipment class. Only the model is evaluated. Bases, figures, scenic elements and structures are not evaluated.

Dioramas

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Construction
  • Finishing
  • Composition
  • Storytelling (The Idea)
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Storytelling (Narrative)

To quote Sheperd Paine, a diorama is “any scene executed in three dimensions”. There is no distinction between what others call “vignettes” or “dioramas”. The narrative storytelling component is optional, but the diorama must have an identifiable idea – something is happening, something already happened, or something is going to happen. 

The subject(s) (figures, vehicles, machines, animals, etc.) can be from any modelling genre and are displayed on or in some sort of environment (scenery, structures, groundwork, etc.). Box dioramas are also evaluated on qualities unique to that medium.

Figures

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Preparation
  • Painting
  • Presentation
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Sculpting

A figure depicting a human or bipedal humanoid being at a scale larger than 35mm (larger than 1/48 scale). The figure may depict an historical character or a fictional one from any genre (historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, etc.). Figures at 35mm (1/48 scale) and smaller belong in the Wargaming Minis class. A figure riding a mount may be entered in this class, in which case both the figure and the mount will be evaluated. Entries with two or more figures belong in the Dioramas class. 

Figures that include at least 75% original manual or 3D sculpting may be evaluated under the optional “Sculpting” criterion. An original manual sculpt entry must include at two photos documenting its creation. An original 3D sculpt entry must include at least two screenshots documenting its creation in the 3D software used.

Mecha

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Construction
  • Pose
  • Finishing
  • Detailing (Intermediate and Advanced skill levels)
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Painting (Junior and Beginner entrants may enter unpainted models)
  • Decals and Markings
  • Weathering

Piloted mechanical suits four metres or larger in height/length (actual size) with identifiable human-like or animal-like features (legs/arms, head, face, etc.). Power armour and other smaller suits that are worn (not piloted) belong in the Sci-Fi Class. All robots (controlled by programming or its own intelligence) belong in the Sci-Fi Class. 

Sea, air, land, or space vehicles from Mecha IP belong in the Sci-Fi Class. Dioramas featuring Mecha subjects belong in the Diorama Class. Figures of characters from Mecha IP belong in the Figure Class. Junior and Beginner modellers may enter unpainted models if the model kit is designed to be built without paint. There are no restrictions on using parts of any material or from any manufacturer.

Railroad

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Construction
  • Finishing
  • Detailing (Intermediate and Advanced skill levels)
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Weathering

Model kits of rolling stock and any other vehicles designed to travel on one or more rails from the past and present, including those that saw service as well as those that were planned (at least to the blueprint stage). Imagined and fictional rail equipment is part of the Sci-Fi class. 

Only the model is evaluated. Bases, figures, scenic elements and structures are not evaluated. Scenic displays that show “something going on” should be entered in the Dioramas class. Ready-built models that have only been repainted/weathered are not permitted.

Real Space

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Construction
  • Finishing
  • Detailing (Intermediate and Advanced skill levels)
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Decals and Markings
  • Weathering

Vehicles and equipment of any type from the past and present capable of operating outside the Earth’s atmosphere, including those that saw service as well as those that were planned (at least as an official artist’s rendering or blueprint). Imagined vessels and equipment from fictional works are part of the Sci-Fi class. Only the model is evaluated. Bases, figures, scenic elements, and structures are not evaluated.

Sci-Fi

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Construction
  • Finishing
  • Detailing (Intermediate and Advanced skill levels)
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Decals and Markings
  • Weathering

Imagined vehicles, equipment, weapons, or other objects of any type, except for crewed fighting suits having human or animal form, which belong in the Mecha class. A Sci-fi subject can originate in any era, as long as it portrays a futuristic use of technology (e.g. Verne’s Nautilus or the flying machines from the Hindu epic The Ramayana). Human or humanoid Sci-Fi figures belong in the figure class. Only the model is evaluated. Bases, figures, scenic elements, and structures are not evaluated.

Ships

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Construction
  • Finishing
  • Detailing (Intermediate and Advanced skill levels)
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Decals and Markings
  • Lighting and Scale
  • Weathering

Vessels and marine equipment from the past and present designed to travel over, through, or under the water, including those that saw service as well as those that were planned (at least to the blueprint stage). Vessels and equipment capable of moving over or on land, but which perform their primary function under, on, or above the water or at the water’s edge, are part of this class. Includes kits, scratch-built models, in-frame models, cross-sections and half hulls. 

Marine equipment, armament, and other subjects that do not include a boat or a ship as the primary element are not eligible. Imagined vessels are part of the Sci-Fi class. Only the model is evaluated. Bases, figures, scenic elements, and structures are not evaluated.

Wargaming Minis

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • Preparation
  • Painting
  • Presentation
  • Artistic Merit (Advanced skill level)

Optional Criteria: 

  • Squad

A figure depicting a human or humanoid being at a scale smaller than 35mm (smaller than 1/48 scale) designed primarily for use in a wargame. The figure may depict an historical character or a fictional one from any genre (historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, etc.). A figure riding a mount may be entered in this class, in which case both the figure and the mount will be evaluated. The Mini must be mounted on its original base finished with some sort of terrain features. Up to 6 Minis may optionally be grouped together on a larger landscaped base as a Squad. 

Human or bipedal humanoid figures larger than 35mm scale (1/48 scale) belong in the Figures class. Vehicles and equipment (tanks, aircraft, spacecraft, etc.) designed for use in wargames should be entered in the corresponding class (Military Ground Vehicles and Equipment, Aircraft, Sci-Fi, etc.).