IPMS anno 1963

The International Plastic Modellers' Society is an international association, unique in its kind, striving to regroup the fans of plastic modelling. Its motto is "By modellers, for modellers". All the aspects of modelling are cared for: aircraft's, AFV's, ships, cars, motorcycles, figures, arms, dioramas, science-fiction, ...

The "Society" was born in 1963 in Great Britain. A bunch of enthusiast gathered together to chat about their hobby, to exchange ideas and tips. Their club was called the "British Plastic Modellers' Society". Very rapidly, the BMPS saw its ranks filled by adepts from all around the world and the name was changed to "IPMS, International Plastic Modellers' Society" to reflect this international nature. Today, there are national branches in nearly every country where plastic models are to be found. Most of these branches are editing their own periodical bulletin. The members doing themselves the research or specializing in a particular aspect of plastic modelling write the articles. The activities of the Society are manifold: meetings during which an old hand explain his tricks, slides presentations, 1exhibitions, competitions, ....

IPMS Belgium anno 1968

The Belgian branch was founded in 1968. It's one the most important in the world. IPMS Belgium is an "association sans but lucratif" (association without any lucrative purpose) runned only by volunteers - not by professionals - not being paid for their work. The publications are produced and distributed by modellers giving some of their time and their energy and the association is runned following the same principles. IPMS Belgium is managed by modellers for modellers and is not associated to any model producer.

Sections or Affiliated Clubs.

IPMS Belgium counts about 20 sections or affiliated clubs at the moment. These clubs provide, at least once a month, a meeting place where new contacts can be established between members of these clubs, of other clubs or even on international basis. They also prepare exhibitions, competitions, swap meets, guided tours of museums or military bases,...

The clubs already in existence can, of course, apply for a membership to IPMS Belgium. And if there's no local section in your neighbourhood, all you have to do is to find 5 IPMS members to create a new one.

Publications

The first magazine was edited in Great Britain under the title "The IPMS Magazine". It was distributed to all IPMS members. As the time passed by, the various national branches launched their own magazines. In Belgium, IPMS publishes the quarterly magazine "KIT" since many years. In it, you can find articles written by members about very precise subjects and illustrated by drawings, plans and photos, the central interest being models sporting Belgian colours. That does not mean that other subjects are excluded. The "KIT" is distributed freely to the members and some of the older issues are still available.

How To Become A Member

If you build models and if you are interested in decorations and details of aircraft's, AFV's, trucks, ships, figures or any other subject, if you are interested in seeing what other modellers are doing, if you want to build better models, if you want to meet friends, then join IPMS Belgium.

There are two ways to become a member:

You pay a normal fee and you are registered as an "independent" member. You will receive the last KIT published and during the year you will receive the next three KIT's . Some shops are also giving discounts if you show them your member card. And you also receive a discount at the organized events of IPMS Belgium.

If there is a local section in your neighbourhood, we urge you to affiliate through it. Your membership fee can, in some cases, be a little higher, but you will benefit of many additional advantages: regional news bulletin, more meetings, less informal contacts,... You can also opt for another section or you can launch your own.

You have made up your mind? All you have to do is to print the application form, fill it in, send it back and pay your membership fee. Your member card will soon be in your letterbox.