Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Almost time to schedule next years vacations at work....curious if the dates for Telford 2007 are known yet?

Dates also published in the IPMS mag previously.

Out of interest, how many of you are IPMS members and how many read The Magazine?

Link to post
Share on other sites
Dates also published in the IPMS mag previously.

Out of interest, how many of you are IPMS members and how many read The Magazine?

I'm not in the IPMS - other than free entry to the Nats, there's nothing in it for me. I am a member of several SIGs tho.

Link to post
Share on other sites
I'm not in the IPMS - other than free entry to the Nats, there's nothing in it for me. I am a member of several SIGs tho.

Not sure I entirely agree with that view but it is a strong argument nevertheless. It would be interesting to hear why people do and do not join. Apart from the occasional mention on this site and Telford i would not know IPMS exists. Is it for the elite one might ask??

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi

If IPMS was for the elite then I'd not be allowed in. Get fingerprints on everything, lose parts, don't always hide seam lines very well. The list could go on, on the other hand I do get other things from IPMS and I don't have to be elite,

Regards

Paul Hughes

Link to post
Share on other sites
Not sure I entirely agree with that view but it is a strong argument nevertheless. It would be interesting to hear why people do and do not join. Apart from the occasional mention on this site and Telford i would not know IPMS exists. Is it for the elite one might ask??

Definitely NOT for the elite.... in fact, in my experience, the vast majority of members are down-to-earth modellers who enjoy the social side of belonging to a community of like-minded people.

That's just one of the other benefits of joining IPMS. There is also the fact that the membership is a huge resource of experience and mixing with those people brings advice and helps improve your own modelling skills.

As well as free (and additional) access to SMW, members can also often get in free at other IPMS shows, can get discounts with certain kit retailers and can seek advice from the IPMS technical advisory services. There are branches meeting all over the country (and abroad) to which all are welcomed.

To me, that more than covers the cost of membership but the magazine (published 6 times a year) is pretty good these days, too.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Definatly not for the elite or they would not let me in either :wave:

I joined lat year at Telford as I knew I would be going this year as well. However membership is not only about getting into telford for free. I think it is about supporting your hobby, IPMS membership helps your club (if you are in one) as to be IPMS affiliated they need so many members, the same is said for any Special Interest groups you belong to.

The mag is a nice addition, as I dont buy any others it is nice to read, also the IPMS web forums can be helpfull as well to find out whats happening.

Julien

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you Honeybee, GR3A and Julian - perhaps you should all be on the IPMS PR Team - as I said I would not have known it existed had it not been for sites such as this. Clearly like a number of things it depends upon the local chaps rather than the "Committee" on high, as to whether or not it is for you. There does not seem to be a branch in my locality. Like this site demonstrates the majority of the majority of modellers are ordinary friendly helpful folk with no complexes.

Link to post
Share on other sites
There does not seem to be a branch in my locality.

Hi,

I think there are a couple in Norfolk, one in Spalding, & one in Huntingdon, and there is always us lot in Ipswich. Depends where you are, PM me and hopefully I can hook you up with some guys in you locality.

Julien :taunt:

Edited by Julien (UK)
Link to post
Share on other sites
I've never myself felt the need to join IPMS, especially when forums like these provide people with all the tips, advice and techniques they will ever need.

I guess it is something I just don't see the point in, pretty much anyone who spends their money on a model product of any description is already supporting the hobby in the best possible way.

I guess in the days before the internet, it made a lot more sense ?

I think you're right to an extent... the online communities are very useful (although judging by some of the threads on a certain forum, they can also be quite damaging. Enough said). Useful advice can be had.

Tell you what, though. There's nothing quite like sitting down with an experienced, seasoned modeller and getting him to show and explain exactly how he achieved that fantastic finish, or created the superb detail of the model that is 'parked' on the table in front of you.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Hi,

I think there are a couple in Norfolk, one in Spalding, & one in Huntingdon, and there is always us lot in Ipswich. Depends where you are, PM me and hopefully I can hook you up with some guys in you locality.

Julien :taunt:

That is kind - will send you an email - both Spalding and Huntingdon are a bit far - at least an hour plus and Ipswich (nice town I recall with a good football team I am told) is a bit further.

Yes Skii I think you have it - Ihave always been content with solitary pursuits but on the occasions I have allowed myself to become gregarious it has added to the pleasure. It must depend entirely on the "community". However I have to say I prefer solo (be it Duxford or like Telford) visits to "shows". Undoubtedly as I have said before this site does provide the "Club" facility and atmosphere admirably.

Edited by miduppergunner
Link to post
Share on other sites
By the way, meant to ask Nev..... when you say you're a member of several SIGs, do you mean IPMS SIGs?

If so, then you should technically be a member of IPMS!

Not so...

A SIG will have to have at least 5 fully paid-up IPMS Members in order to become an Official SIG. After that, anyone can join the SIG and not be an IPMS member.

However, being a member of a SIG will still not grant you free entry to SMW...you have to be an IPMS member for that.

That said, having a SIG gives you the opportunity to join in at SMW in a way that is really special and other benefits of IPMS(UK) membership include access to a decal bank and a host of more specialist expertise.

I joined up earlier in the year and, to date, have been quietly impressed with what I've received in return for my membership fee.

Best Regards,

Bruce

Classic British Kits IPMS(UK) SIG

http://gregers.7.forumer.com/index.php

Link to post
Share on other sites

The only reason I joined is for the competition. I don't take it too seriously though, its a bit of fun, the more people who enter the better the whole thing I reckon. I like the free/early entry into SMW however.

I belong to IPMS Avon but was a non IPMS member for years.

I'm not a huge fan of the mag to be honest. It tends to be full of comittee meeting minutes, not very interesting :thumbsup: . If they have to publish all that blah they could do it on paper as an insert and free up more space for Bf 109 articles and the like! :worship:

Link to post
Share on other sites
The only reason I joined is for the competition. I don't take it too seriously though, its a bit of fun, the more people who enter the better the whole thing I reckon. I like the free/early entry into SMW however.

I belong to IPMS Avon but was a non IPMS member for years.

I'm not a huge fan of the mag to be honest. It tends to be full of comittee meeting minutes, not very interesting :blink: . If they have to publish all that blah they could do it on paper as an insert and free up more space for Bf 109 articles and the like! :D

Have you looked at the Mag recently? It's definitely better than it was... some interesting articles. The society business has to go somewhere I suppose and, if you look at recent issues, they're certainly not 'full of committee reports'. Just looking at Issue 4/2006 - 2 pages of business plus a 4 page insert re. SMW rules, classes and entry form. A reasonable spread of informative articles (mainly aircraft and armour in this case) and some good reference pictures!

Not bad at all. No Bf 109s though (you could always write something....). :banana:

Link to post
Share on other sites

I also had planned on joining IPMS but what put me off was the snobbish and verging on arrogant attitude displayed by members of an IPMS group up this way (not naming which one). Not only that but they were also very unhelpful with regards to modelling skills and not complementary regarding building skills of prospective members.

I know that not all IPMS members are like that (having been to SMW a few times now) but it does kinda put you off joining in a way.

But my beret off to all those IPMS members I've met whilst attending Telford, most if not all were friendly, respectful and very willing to help an average modeller.

Stevie

Link to post
Share on other sites
I also had planned on joining IPMS but what put me off was the snobbish and verging on arrogant attitude displayed by members of an IPMS group up this way (not naming which one). Not only that but they were also very unhelpful with regards to modelling skills and not complementary regarding building skills of prospective members.

I know that not all IPMS members are like that (having been to SMW a few times now) but it does kinda put you off joining in a way.

But my beret off to all those IPMS members I've met whilst attending Telford, most if not all were friendly, respectful and very willing to help an average modeller.

Stevie

I do not think it is confined to "up that way" - there has been a little demonstration on this site I feel.....and there may be a difference between "members"(modellers who are just modellers) and the hierachy of IPMS. Sadly you will in any organistation get those who are on an ego trip - they quickly identify themselves and can be ignored, however - the good guys are I am sure in the majority - they just don't advertise it!!!!

Link to post
Share on other sites
By the way, meant to ask Nev..... when you say you're a member of several SIGs, do you mean IPMS SIGs?

If so, then you should technically be a member of IPMS!

Yes, I am a member of the TSR2 & What If SIGs, but as explained earlier, as a non-IPMS member. I don't have a local IPMS branch, the nearest one is in Lincoln which is an hour away, and I couldn't justify the time and expense of that to Mrs Nev. Plus I work shifts so I wouldn't be able to attend the majority of the meetings.

Like Skii said, I can get most things the IPMS offers online. So I stand by my remark that for me, the only thing IPMS membership offers me is free entry to the nats an hour earlier. I only make 2 or 3 shows a year dependant on my shift pattern - Doncaster, Huddersfield and Telford, so its not like I'm one of those guys who spends every other weekend trawling the show circuit, they tend to be the single, childless blokes! :blink: ;)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey Nev baby, I'm not single or childless but I take the wife along too if I can to model shows....she's very useful at curtailling impulse buys and extremely useful for carrying boxes of models.

IPMS member? We both are....just one big happy family. :D :cheers::pray:

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...