IPMS NSW runs a range of competitions throughout each year – a main “End of Year” competition across all model categories, as well as several “special competitions” run on certain dates.
There are no fees charged to enter any competition (apart from the end of year competition - for non-members of the club only), and in general no references are required. All that is needed is for you to bring your model in on the day. Judging is done by experienced members of the club. Though there is no requirement to participate, everyone is encouraged to enter as often as they would like.
Details about the various competitions are shown below.
End of Year Competition
This is a general competition held in November each year and is the largest single event on the club calendar. All types of models are represented, and all club members are free to enter as many categories as they wish. Non-members are also welcome to enter, at a cost of $3 per kit. Competition categories are as follows:-
- Military Aircraft – WW2 & Prior - large scale (1:32nd and larger)
- Military Aircraft – WW2 & Prior - medium scale (1:48th and similar)
- Military Aircraft – WW2 & Prior -small scale (1:72nd and smaller)
- Military Aircraft – Post-WW2 - large scale (1:32nd and larger)
- Military Aircraft – Post-WW2 - medium scale (1:48th and similar)
- Military Aircraft – Post-WW2 -small scale (1:72nd and smaller)
- Helicopters – large scale (1:48th and larger)
- Helicopters – small scale (1:72nd and smaller)
- Civilian Aircraft – all scales
- Military Vehicles – WW2 & Prior - large scale (1:35th and larger)
- Military Vehicles – Post-WW2 - large scale (1:35th and larger)
- Military Vehicles – medium scale (1:48th and similar
- Military Vehicles – small scale (1:72nd and smaller)
- Cars – Street and Custom – large scale (1:18th and larger)
- Cars – Street and Custom – small scale (1:20th and smaller)
- Cars – Competition – large scale (1:18th and larger)
- Cars – Competition – small scale (1:20th and smaller)
- Trucks - all scales
- Motorbikes – all scales
- Ships – large scales (1/450th and larger)
- Ships – small scales (1/500th and smaller)
- Figures – large scales (1:16 and larger)
- Figures – small scales (1:18 and smaller)
- Dioramas & Vignettes – all scales
- Real Space – all scales
- Science Fiction & Fantasy - all scales
- Gundam & Mecha - all scales
- Open - Including Scrathbuilt - all scales
- Open - 3D Printed models - all scales
Junior categories (for entrants 16 or under)
- Junior - Aircraft - all scales
- Junior - Open - all scales
Models which have previously won a place (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in the End of Year Competition may not be entered again. All categories will be run provided there is at least one entry.
Wing Commander Connolly Memorial Training Aircraft Competition
Run once per year – this competition has training as its theme, specifically multi-seat trainging aircraft capable of carrying an instructor and at least one trainee. Any aircraft used in this role, no matter the scale or era, is eligible to enter.
Club Group Build
Each year the club runs a “group build”, where everyone builds the exact same model kit. The group build is a fun way to test your skills against fellow model-makers on a level playing field as well as to compare techniques.
There are four categories for 2023:-
- Aircraft - Mig-21 (all versions and scales)
- Military Vehicles - Half-tracks - any scale
- Civil Vehicles - VW Beetle
- Ships - 1/6350 WW2 Destroyers
IPMS Warbirds Memorial
The IPMS warbirds memorial competition is run in honour of former members who have contributed to the club. Each year a particular "warbird" - a fighter from WW2 - is selected as the subject. For 2023, the subject is the Hawker hurricane.. All scales and types of kit of the warbirds subject are permitted to be entered, provided they have not won a place in a previous year's competition.
Wood, Wire & Canvas
The subject for this competition is any aircraft used in World War 1, or biplanes from later eras built using “traditional construction” – i.e. wood, wire and canvas. All scales are permitted. Unlike other IPMS NSW competitions, reference material is encouraged and forms part of the judging criteria.
