Southend Model Club




Welcome to IPMS Southend Model Club
Welcome to IPMS Southend Model Club, your local hub for passionate plastic modellers! Affiliated with the International Plastic Modellers’ Society (IPMS), we're dedicated to fostering a vibrant community where enthusiasts can gather, share their craftsmanship, and revel in the joy of scale modelling. At IPMS Southend Model Club, we embrace the artistry and precision that goes into every build, whether it's recreating historical aircraft, crafting intricate dioramas, or assembling detailed scale replicas of your favourite subjects. Our monthly meetings provide the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow modellers, exchange tips and techniques, and showcase your latest creations. But our enthusiasm doesn't stop at our monthly gatherings. Throughout the year, we proudly participate in various events and exhibitions, showcasing the collective talent and creativity of our members to a wider audience. Whether it's displaying our models at local shows or engaging in collaborative projects, we're always eager to share our passion with the community. Whether you're a seasoned modeller or just starting out, IPMS Southend Model Club offers a welcoming environment where hobbyists of all skill levels can come together to learn, inspire, and grow. So, join us on this journey as we celebrate the art of plastic modelling and forge lasting connections within our community. Come be a part of our club – where every build tells a story, and every modeller finds a home.
Definition of a Diorama
IPMS Southend Model Club has produced its own definition of a diorama utilising IPMS guidance.
A "Diorama" shall be defined as one or more items (not necessarily from the same class) on a scenic base 210mm x 297mm (A4 paper size) or greater, with or without figures, conveying a specific theme or real-life situation. Any scenic base with more than 1 vehicle and/or 6 or more figures shall also be classed as a "Diorama" regardless of the base size.
NOTE:- Any model on a scenic base that falls outside of the definition of a Diorama may still be entered into the Diorama class should the builder so wish.
Finals Night
The model clubs competition finals night was an astounding success. With nearly 50 attendees present, the event showcased incredible talent and camaraderie among participants. Everyone enjoyed the excitement and spirit of competition, making it a memorable evening for all involved. Huge thanks to IPMS Hornchurch for their difficult job of judging.
Competition Class Winners 2025
Best Aircraft 1/73 & Smaller
Steve Lester
Best Aircraft 1/72 to 1/49
Stephen Snares
Best Aircraft 1/48 & Larger
Steve Bailey
Best Military Equipment 1/36 and Smaller
Christian Richards
Best Military Equipment 1/35 and Larger
Andy Wright
Best Non-military Vehicle
Stephen Snares
Best Figure
Steve Peglitsis
Best Ship
James Cater
Best Diorama
Christian Richards
Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Steve Lester
Best Junior
Anya Laker
Best Miscellaneous
Jim Smith
Model of the Year Club Champion Trophy
1st Ken O’Brien
2nd Andy Wright
3rd Steve Bailey
Club Member of the Year Trophy
Gary Daisley
Key Model World Show
This was our first time attending the Key Model World show (now in its second year), after hearing good things about it from other clubs who had attended last year. The show is organised by Key Publishing (who already run two railway-only shows each year at the NEC), and this show has a broader range of models on display. There was approximately a 50/50 split between railway and scale models, plus some RC models also in attendance. This year’s show was already in a larger hall than last year, approximately the size of one hall at Telford, and the organisers are hoping to increase the size of the show with more scale models in the future. The five of us who attended all had a great time at the show, with plenty of superb models on display and interesting people to talk to. The Club stand comprised four tables in a line, loaded with models. As you’d expect with such a large display, much attention was grabbed by it, particularly Steve Bailey’s Hellcat, Ken O’Brien’s wonderful ship dioramas, and Mark Bellamy’s V-bomber force. Steve was also fortunate enough to win a medal from the Large Scale Planes SIG for his Hellcat, as well as having it photographed by Airfix for their social media sites. While the bigger-name traders we’re familiar with in the scale modelling world weren’t in attendance at the show, there were still plenty of trade stands covering all modelling genres and lots of bargains to be had. There was also the opportunity to buy accessories that we don’t normally see at scale model shows due to the variety of traders, which was very nice indeed. All in all, this was a very enjoyable show and an extremely busy one for a show that’s still in its infancy. The show certainly has promise for the future with the potential to develop into a very significate show in the calendar. It’s very likely the Club will be attending again next year. At IPMS Southend Model Club, we embrace the artistry and precision that goes into every build, whether it's recreating historical aircraft, crafting intricate dioramas, or assembling detailed scale replicas of your favourite subjects. Our monthly meetings provide the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow modellers, exchange tips and techniques, and showcase your latest creations. But our enthusiasm doesn't stop at our monthly gatherings. Throughout the year, we proudly participate in various events and exhibitions, showcasing the collective talent and creativity of our members to a wider audience. Whether it's displaying our models at local shows or engaging in collaborative projects, we're always eager to share our passion with the community. Whether you're a seasoned modeller or just starting out, IPMS Southend Model Club offers a welcoming environment where hobbyists of all skill levels can come together to learn, inspire, and grow. So, join us on this journey as we celebrate the art of plastic modelling and forge lasting connections within our community. Come be a part of our club – where every build tells a story, and every modeller finds a home.


Latest News - Airfix Trip Update
It is not too late to put your name down for the trip so if you are interested please speak to Christian at the next meeting.