Each model entered into the competition should be entered into one of the following 9 categories:
- Juniors (modeler is under 18 years old)
- Aircraft
- Armor (includes soft skins)
- Ships, Boats, & Submarines
- Automotive
- Space & Sci-Fi
- Figures (includes fantasy)
- Miscellaneous (includes railroads, collections, dinosaurs, and animals)
- Dioramas
In addition to a Gold, Silver, or Bronze in the above categories, one Special Award will be given for each of the following:
- Best Junior
- Best Aircraft
- Best Armor
- Best Ship/Boat/Submarine
- Best Figure
- Best Automotive
- Best Diorama
- Best Space/Sci-Fi
- Best Miscellaneous
- Best Adversary Aircraft
- Best US Navy/Marine Jet Aircraft
- Best US Navy/Marine Prop Aircraft
- Best US Navy/Marine Rotary/Tilt Aircraft
- Best NAS Patuxent River Subject (show theme) — Includes Test and Other
- Best Former Nationals Winner
There will be two major special awards:
- People’s Choice — Voted on by all attendees
- Best in Show — Judges decision