At the IPMS West Central Missouri/Show Me State Modelers contest on Sat. Sept 17th, 2005 and annually each year, there will be a trophy awarded to the aircraft model that is the "best built, classic aircraft". It will be called the Dick Clay Memorial Trophy (DCMT, in text below)

THE TROPHY is dedicated to Dick Clay, not only to honor the memory of a departed friend and mentor, but also to foster the dedication to the hobby and to fellow modelers, as well, that Dick always encouraged. Most modelers have a style that identifies them from their peers. Dick’s was his determination to make every detail of the kit he was building, be there in the finished model. Long before photo-etched and resin, he would open any and all panels, scratchbuilding their interior details. In years past, we called it “Super-Detailing”. He was a master of that technique!

Above, Photo of Dick Clay, circa 1975. Right, the Dick Clay Memorial Trophy will be awarded on Saturday, September 17th, 2005. The trophy is approximately 23 inches tall with a square base 6 to 7 inches wide.

But more importantly, Dick Clay was a modeler’s modeler. He had the patience of an older brother, a best friend's sense of humor; he was a treasure trove of modeling wisdom and lore. He always had a word of encouragement for beginning modelers, young and old, and was more than willing to provide construction tips, or advice, when it was solicited.

4. The Head Judge will have the final word as to an entry meeting the criteria for the DCMT competition. To avoid any misunderstanding based on eligiblity, it is strongly recommended that the builder contact Rick Brownlee in advance to learn if the entry meets the established criteria. Rick's contact information is listed below.

5. As mentioned, the category rules for the DCMT are somewhat different than a regular IPMS contest category. Also, degree of difficulty is strongly considered by the judges. By that, the following example may explain: There is a 1:32nd Revell P-47D Bubbletop entered next to a Monogram1:48th B-29 four engined Super Fortress. If both models are of equal craftsmenship in all aspects of model construction, painting and decal application, the B-29 would usually score higher since it is much more difficult to build. The degree of difficulty factor for that B-29 is much higher than for the P-47.

6. Any model that has won at the IPMS Nationals, even the judges grand award at the Nationals is eligible to enter the DCMT competition. Any previous winner at any kind of modeling event is eligible. And, there is NO entry fee.

7. If you enter the DCMT category one year and do not win, you may bring the very same model back the next year and enter this category, once again. You may also enter one or more recent builds as well, as long as those recent builds also qualify under the rules;i.e. a kit originally released in 1980 or before.

8. The main reason for this liberal approach is that a modeler can only win the DCMT once. That winner will be asked to be a DCMT judge in following years; as is the case with our first winner, Bill Pettyjohn and our second winner, Kelly Quirk.

CONTACT: Rick Brownlee, 6229 Hadley; Merriam, KS 66202-2953; Phone: 913-236-8438 email:

1. TO QUALIFY, the entry must be an aircraft kit, and it must have been originally released in 1980 or before. A kit that was, or is subsequently reissued will qualify also, but its original issue date must be verifiable. The entrant is required to provide documentation that will satisfy the kit's age requirements. Box art and/or kit instructions showing release date are two examples considered as good documentation. In most cases, DCMT entries can compete in regular aircraft categories as well.

2. The kit can be any scale, and can be of any composition. In other words, it does not have to be a plastic kit. But, it must be a kit. Wood kits that are re-fabricated, i.e. plastic parts substituted for the wooden parts will also qualify. Entries that are completely "scratchbuilt" will not be eligible for this category.

3. Entrants may use the latest after-market products in the construction of their entry to include, but are not limited to the following:Decals, resin cast/photo-etched parts, scratch-built parts of any material composition (wood, metal, etc.) and vacu-formed plastic. This would also include conversion kits