Painting parts underneath/behind tank side skirts. Yes or No? How much?

[seadude]

For those who have built any type of tank that has side skirts to it, How much did you paint underneath/behind the skirt, if you did?
 Is it really necessary to paint EVERYTHING under there? Or can some items be omitted since they'll be hard to see by spectators and/or judges, etc.?
Below are some example diagrams showing highlighted items and areas that I am talking about.

[The Rat]

Or can some items be omitted since they'll be hard to see by spectators and/or judges, etc.?

Judges pick up models and look over and under and outside and inside. Not a square millimetre escapes their eyes. They even use little flashlights to inspect difficult areas.

[Steel Penguin]

for a " basic model" for myself / wargaming, the undersides will get a suitable base coat and the insides of the side-skirts, the same,  ( or just black if it dosnt make a difference for the bottom )
for a display model id probably try to get some colour pics of the area and match,  but i dont really do display / competition models so the less said the better, 

[kerick]

Shows I've been to nobody picks up someone else's model. IPMS rules I believe. Not trying to start a discussion on that, just my experience.
I'll paint the area behind the skirts when painting the rest of the model but I don't worry about details. The Weasel and Badger projects have Plastruct parts holding the skirts in place and the tracks are tied together with long thread as the tracks didn't fit right anymore. If someone wants to get picky about it I'd say, "Stop looking under the skirts you weirdo!" But that's just me. Lots of folks build and paint stuff perfectly that no one will see. Up to you I guess.

[Old Wombat]

I do paint the undersides & under/inside the skirts, generally in the base green of the vehicle, & I muddy/dust up in/under there, too.

What they don't get is the camo scheme (if I'm doing one - which I usually am) nor the light "fading" coat of (extremely thinned) Tamiya TF-55 Deck Tan that goes over the top of the vehicle before weathering.

This means that the undersides paint looks slightly darker than the uppers - which it usually does in Real Life.

[Andrew Gorman]

I always paint the insides. Bare plastic just ain't right.

[zenrat]

If building for a competition then fully detail paint everything.  Take photos and include them in your reference material.
That way the judges can see you've done it even if they can't see that you've done it.

I don't bother painting what can't be seen.

[Supertom]

It really is up to you. My rule of thumb is, if they can't see it, leave it be.

Incidentally, my other rule is, if they can't see it, hide it there–which is why I always make sure that my rubber tracks always end up on top, so I can hide it under some piece of side skirt!
 
In model contests, judges aren't supposed to pick up the model, so you should be OK. I have a friend who doesn't even bother to paint the underside of his tanks–just black primer.

[The Rat]

In model contests, judges aren't supposed to pick up the model, so you should be OK.

I stand corrected, I thought they were allowed to. But I'm sure I've seen some using dental mirrors, might be wrong.

[zenrat]

In model contests, judges aren't supposed to pick up the model, so you should be OK.

I stand corrected, I thought they were allowed to. But I'm sure I've seen some using dental mirrors, might be wrong.

I think that may depend on the show and the judge.  After all, why do they kick everyone out when the judges are doing their thing? I've long suspected it is because they like to play with the models.
And, if they are not allowed to pick things up then why do entrants feel the need to add labels saying "model not attached to base"?

Tips for building "contest worthy model cars" I have read recently included make sure every square inch of the plastic is painted.  If a judge can see bare naked plastic then he wil froth at the mouth like a victorian curate glimpsing and ankle deduct points from the model.

And yes, it did say he.  I doubt they had considered allowing 'mere' women to judge.

[PR19_Kit]

And yes, it did say he.  I doubt they had considered allowing 'mere' women to judge.

I was once asked to assist the judging at an Avon Model Club Show back in the 90s. I ended up judging the FIGURES Class (!) helping out a fearsome woman judge. I know NOTHING about modelling figures, but I do know about modelling. She let some crass errors in filing and PSRing go by and judged them all on just the painting! Never again..............

[Rick Lowe]

And, if they are not allowed to pick things up then why do entrants feel the need to add labels saying "model not attached to base"?

And why do the contest rules state that models will be disqualified for not being attached to the base?! (yes, Voice of Experience - one reason why I don't enter nowadays)

After all, why do they kick everyone out when the judges are doing their thing? I've long suspected it is because they like to play with the models

I've heard that it's so the modellers can't hear their creations being critiqued.
Though some judges can use the 'Harsh' Stick too much and too often, so... YMMV

[NARSES2]

Probably find most contests whilst using the same basic framework for their rules differ in the details.

I think that may depend on the show and the judge.  After all, why do they kick everyone out when the judges are doing their thing?

Can you imagine the attempts to sway the judges opinions if entrants were allowed in ? I was asked to help out at a minor show many years ago and one of the judges was making massive attempts to sway the judges when it came to one of his friends entries. It was actually quite funny to watch, and needless to say his mate didn't win 

When it comes to attempts to sway judges, have you ever been to a dog show ? It can be hilarious, especially if the owners prize pet isn't being co-operative