TÜRKIYE CHALLENGE – 23 APRIL SPECIAL EVENT

Starting April 23rd | Deadline: August | Obligatory tag: Turkey

Why April 23rd Matters

23 April is the day that the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye was founded in 1920. The national council denounced the government of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed VI and announced a temporary constitution.[2] During the War of Independence, Grand National Assembly met in Ankara and laid down the foundations of a new, independent, secular and modern republic from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. Following the defeat of the Allied invasion forces on September 9, 1922 and the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, 1923, the Turkish Government started the task of establishing the institutions of a state.[2]
23 April was declared "National Sovereignty Day" on May 2, 1921.[3] Since 1927, the holiday has also been celebrated as Children's Day.[4] Thus, Turkey became the first country to officially declare Children's Day a national holiday.[5] In 1981, the holiday was officially named "National Sovereignty and Children's Day."

Turkish National Assembly

To honor this monumental day, the Türkiye Challenge celebrates Turkish innovation, engineering, and culture through your creativity in SimplePlanes.

Rules

• Build something Turkish (can't be earlier than Seljuk period) suitable for a category below.

• Your build must function properly in-game.

• Both replicas and fictional designs are welcome.

• It must be submitted as a successor to this post.

• Mods are prohibited.

• Minimum 50 and Maximum 1000 parts. If your build exceeds this limit, at least 3 person at least gold rank has to judge your design to participate in the challenge (1 to 10 for each criteria).

• Each participant can submit up to 3 entries.

• Please avoid politics here as stated in the forum rules.

Challenge Categories

1) Aviation

History Brief

Turkish air force in Cyprus War 1974

Türkiye’s aviation history began as early as 1911 with the Ottoman Empire’s military pilots. After the Republic’s establishment, Türk Hava Kurumu (Turkish Aeronautical Association) was formed in 1925 to support aviation efforts. In modern times, Türkiye has developed significant aerospace projects like the TAI Hürjet, TF-X Kaan, Bayraktar and ANKA drones, contributing to both civil and military aviation industries.

Judging Criteria – Air Force (Military)

• Aircraft Design

• Weapon Design

• Engine and Speed

• Takeoff & Landing Behavior

• Aerodynamics and Maneuverability

• Operational Features

• Paint Scheme / Livery

• Cockpit Realism

• Post Presentation

Judging Criteria – Civil Aviation

• Aircraft Design

• Passenger / Cargo Functionality

• Engine and Speed

• Cockpit Realism

• Aerodynamics and Maneuverability

• Paint Scheme / Livery

• Operational Features

• Takeoff & Landing Behavior

• Post Presentation

2) Ground Vehicles

History Brief

Altay MBT

Türkiye has been developing its own land systems for decades. From the early FNSS vehicles, Otokar Cobras, and BMC trucks to the new-generation Altay main battle tank, Türkiye has become a prominent armored vehicle exporter and innovator in military and civilian mobility.

Judging Criteria – Army Vehicles

• Vehicle Design

• Weapon Systems

• Movement Performance

• Crew Functionality

• Armor Design Accuracy

• Interior Design

• Controls & Driving Experience

• Paint & Camouflage

• Post Presentation

Judging Criteria – Civil Ground Vehicles

• Vehicle Design

• Functionality (cargo, bus, car, etc.)

• Detailing (lights, doors, interior)

• Movement Accuracy

• Driving Experience

• Operational Features

• Performance and Stability

• Suspension and Other Systems

• Post Presentation

3) Naval Vessels

History Brief

TCG Anadolu LHD

Turkish naval power dates back to the Ottoman fleet, with iconic victories such as the Battle of Preveza. In the Republic era, Türkiye modernized its navy with indigenous ships like MILGEM-class corvettes, TCG Anadolu, and plans for a growing blue-water navy with destroyers. Civil maritime innovations also thrive in ferry, cargo, and shipbuilding industries.

Judging Criteria – Navy (Military)

• Hull Design

• Superstructure Design

• Weapon Systems

• Operational Features

• Maneuverability

• Armor Design Accuracy
• Driving Experience

• User Interactivity

• Post Presentation

Judging Criteria – Civil Naval

• Realistic Hull Design

• Superstructure Design

• Operarional Features

• Maneuverability and Handling

• Driving Experience

• User Interactivity

• Deck & Interior Details

• Aesthetic Realism

• Post Presentation

4) Culture

History Brief

Sultanahmet Mosque

Turkish culture is a rich blend of Anatolian, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern influences. From architectural marvels like Palaceces and Mosques to dishes like kebaps, baklava or ayran, Turkish traditions, art, and crafts remain vibrant and deeply respected today.

Judging Criteria – Food Builds

• Visual Representation

• Creative Use of Materials

• Ingredients Realism

• Color Use

• Cultural Symbolism

• Complexity

• Presentation Style

• Animation / Special Features

• Post Presentation

Judging Criteria – Architecture

• Structural Realism

• Period Accuracy (Seljuk, Ottoman, Modern)

• Ornamentation & Detail

• Interior / Exterior Balance

• Cultural Elements

• Functionality (doors, domes, etc.)

• Damage Dynamics

• Realistic Scale

• Post Presentation

Judging Criteria – Tradition & Crafts

• Authentic Representation

• Detailing

• Historical Accuracy

• Symbolism

• Animation / Motion

• Presentation

• Creative Use of Materials

• Artistic Value

• Post Presentation

Awards & Categories

There will be two types of winners:

Overall Challenge Winners

1st – 50 Upvotes
2nd – 30 Upvotes
3rd – 20 Upvotes

Category Winners

(One winner per main category: Aviation, Ground, Naval, Culture)
Each earns 10 Upvotes

Note: You can’t win both overall and category prizes to keep things fair!

If there is a tie in points, i will decide who will win.

Deadline: August 2025

Let your creativity fly and celebrate Turkish heritage across all forms—land, air, sea, and spirit!
Looking forward to seeing your work!