Right here's the first draft of the Rules for your consideration.

1. The Lunar Vehicles/Spacecraft GB begins 00:01 01/07/2025  and ends 23:59 30/09/2025 (all times local).  An extension may/may not be considered/granted according to demand.

2.  Physical models of any scale, profiles, and/or stories are eligible, but they must be whiffery.

The entry should be of a subject that operates in outer space, including moon or planetary environments other than Earth (it may launch from or land on Earth but it shouldn't be the primary operating environment).

Entries can be as simple or as complex as you wish. If in doubt as to what is included in the GB then please PM the Moderators. (This is the rule which will include the definition of what is covered by the specific GB)

3.  You may build, draw or write as many entries as you like (good luck!).  The posting of in-progress pictures is encouraged as always. If you are unsure as to how to post pictures of your build on site then please contact Narses2 by Personal Message and he will go through it with you.

When posting your finished models in the Finished Builds Thread can you try and stick as closely as possible to the following format.

Title : By (entrants user name) : a brief description backstory/explanation (100 characters or so) : and a maximum of three pictures with a link to the build/progress thread. This will also apply to profiles/images.

Where members have written a story for their GB entry, they should post it in the Finished Builds Thread as normal.

Can members also refrain from posting any comments regarding entries within the Finished Builds Thread but use the link to the main build/progress thread page for these. This makes the Moderators task when it comes to organising the poll much simpler.

4.  Preparation work is allowed prior to the start of the GB but is limited to removal and cleaning up of parts from sprues, casting blocks or cutting out vacform parts from their backing sheet, even designing and printing your own decals.  The design and printing of 3D parts is also allowed, but no assembly. Anything involving modification of parts, test fitting, pre-painting and actual assembly is not allowed prior to the start of the GB, but see Rule 5 below.

5.  Part-started models may be used purely at the discretion of the Moderators providing they are not too close to being finished, and this will be the Moderators decision. You must send pictures of the model you intend to use in the GB, along with a rough idea of what your plans for it are via a PM and their decision will be final. However, they must have been started prior to the current GB Season's themes being announced. We will be relying on the integrity of the membership to uphold this rule. If using a part started kit then this should be clearly stated at the beginning of your build thread.

Scrapped models that have been reduced to component parts or sections can be used, although you should check with the Moderators if you are not sure about the eligibility of those you intend to use. You can also use a completed sub-assembly taken from a kit which may have been previously assembled and which the whiffer wants to build into their GB entry. If in doubt, then as usual contact the Moderators with as much information as possible.

6.  No rule 6 - is there ever a rule 6? It's one rule or another so from now on it's 6.

7.  Moderators are Mossie and McColm.

8.  The completed entries thread will be locked at the end of the GB and only those items posted prior to it being locked will be eligible for the vote. shortly afterwards the poll will be set up.  The number of votes per forum member will be based upon a ratio of one vote per three entries, rounded up or down to the nearest whole number.

In the event of a tie there will be no run-off. We will simply have a joint first place and then a third place (no second) this is to preserve the three into the Whiffies as detailed in Rule 9. Similarly, a three way tie will mean there is no second and third. (Please don't ask me about a four way tie !)

9.  The first three placed entries in the Group Build will automatically be nominated for a Whiffy in the specific Group Build Class.

Thanks for sorting it out Chris. 

Right here's the Rules v.2. Only change is to Rule 2

1. The Lunar Vehicles/Spacecraft GB begins 00:01 01/07/2025  and ends 23:59 30/09/2025 (all times local).  An extension may/may not be considered/granted according to demand.

2.  Physical models of any scale, profiles, and/or stories are eligible, but they must be whiffery.

The entry should be of a subject that operates in outer space, including moon or planetary environments other than Earth (it may launch from or land on Earth but it shouldn't be the primary operating environment). Entries may also include research vehicles used to test concepts and proposals intended for use in outer space or on other planets. If so then the backstory must explain what the ultimate intended use of the vehicle was.

Entries can be as simple or as complex as you wish. If in doubt as to what is included in the GB then please PM the Moderators. (This is the rule which will include the definition of what is covered by the specific GB)

3.  You may build, draw or write as many entries as you like (good luck!).  The posting of in-progress pictures is encouraged as always. If you are unsure as to how to post pictures of your build on site then please contact Narses2 by Personal Message and he will go through it with you.

When posting your finished models in the Finished Builds Thread can you try and stick as closely as possible to the following format.

Title : By (entrants user name) : a brief description backstory/explanation (100 characters or so) : and a maximum of three pictures with a link to the build/progress thread. This will also apply to profiles/images.

Where members have written a story for their GB entry, they should post it in the Finished Builds Thread as normal.

Can members also refrain from posting any comments regarding entries within the Finished Builds Thread but use the link to the main build/progress thread page for these. This makes the Moderators task when it comes to organising the poll much simpler.

4.  Preparation work is allowed prior to the start of the GB but is limited to removal and cleaning up of parts from sprues, casting blocks or cutting out vacform parts from their backing sheet, even designing and printing your own decals.  The design and printing of 3D parts is also allowed, but no assembly. Anything involving modification of parts, test fitting, pre-painting and actual assembly is not allowed prior to the start of the GB, but see Rule 5 below.

5.  Part-started models may be used purely at the discretion of the Moderators providing they are not too close to being finished, and this will be the Moderators decision. You must send pictures of the model you intend to use in the GB, along with a rough idea of what your plans for it are via a PM and their decision will be final. However, they must have been started prior to the current GB Season's themes being announced. We will be relying on the integrity of the membership to uphold this rule. If using a part started kit then this should be clearly stated at the beginning of your build thread.

Scrapped models that have been reduced to component parts or sections can be used, although you should check with the Moderators if you are not sure about the eligibility of those you intend to use. You can also use a completed sub-assembly taken from a kit which may have been previously assembled and which the whiffer wants to build into their GB entry. If in doubt, then as usual contact the Moderators with as much information as possible.

6.  No rule 6 - is there ever a rule 6? It's one rule or another so from now on it's 6.

7.  Moderators are Mossie and McColm.

8.  The completed entries thread will be locked at the end of the GB and only those items posted prior to it being locked will be eligible for the vote. shortly afterwards the poll will be set up.  The number of votes per forum member will be based upon a ratio of one vote per three entries, rounded up or down to the nearest whole number.

In the event of a tie there will be no run-off. We will simply have a joint first place and then a third place (no second) this is to preserve the three into the Whiffies as detailed in Rule 9. Similarly, a three way tie will mean there is no second and third. (Please don't ask me about a four way tie !)

9.  The first three placed entries in the Group Build will automatically be nominated for a Whiffy in the specific Group Build Class.

Thanks again for your support and negotiation skills Chris for sorting out the rules.

If propellers are banned, as was stated elsewhere, then shouldn't it say that in the rules?

Quote from: zenrat on June 22, 2025, 05:44:52 AMIf propellers are banned, as was stated elsewhere, then shouldn't it say that in the rules?

This subject has been discussed at length and the overwhelming conclusion was that propellers are banned from this build, however I will allow unmanned rotors as planetary probes but not helicopters or tilt rotors or gyroplanes.

Quote from: zenrat on June 22, 2025, 05:44:52 AMIf propellers are banned, as was stated elsewhere, then shouldn't it say that in the rules?

I'd tend to agree with that too. Chris, shouldn't they be updated?

Quote from: McColm on June 22, 2025, 12:04:56 PM

Quote from: zenrat on June 22, 2025, 05:44:52 AMIf propellers are banned, as was stated elsewhere, then shouldn't it say that in the rules?

This subject has been discussed at length and the overwhelming conclusion was that propellers are banned from this build, however I will allow unmanned rotors as planetary probes but not helicopters or tilt rotors or gyroplanes.

Banning helicopters would ban the NASA helicopter that's just been flying on Mars in real life. It was stated in the discussion thread that moons with atmospheres were allowed. If the atmosphere is thick enough (and Mars's atmosphere is WAY thinner than Earth's) then helicopters and propellor-driven craft would be a reasonable way to get about.

Right I'm typing this from the Eurostar Terminal at St P and I'm not a happy bunny. No where in my advice did I suggest banning propellers,  I did however suggest amending the rules to be more specific regarding atmospheres however.  This is one of the main problems with this GB, is it or is it not a Sci Fi GB ? I didn't understand the idea of the previous GB and I certainly don't understand this one.  Maybe the site has moved beyond me ?

I'm seriously considering suspending the Threads until I get back.

Right this threat is temprarily suspended until the Mods have considered their approach.

Chris