THE International Plastic Modellers’ Society (IPMS) Durban branch will be hosting their annual ModelCon event on July 24 at Collegians Rugby Club – just opposite Kings Park Rugby Stadium and across the road from Moses Mabhida Stadium.
IPMS Durban is a non-profit club where members who build plastic model kits gather to discuss, demonstrate and showcase their skills and techniques. The IPMS was founded in Great Britain in 1963 and is more than 60 years old.
According to the IPMS chairman and Glenwood resident, Dudley Stilwell, IPMS Durban has hosted the ModelCon event for the past six years. “The event allows model kit builders; war gamers; Warhammer enthusiasts; miniature painters and crafters; die-cast collectors, and remote control car and aircraft fans from the entire KwaZulu-Natal province to publicly display and demonstrate their hobbies.”
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Stillwell, who has been a member for about 20 years, said his passion for plastic models started when he was nine years old. “My brother bought me a model aeroplane when I was nine, and the bug just bit. A lot of us who have this hobby think of ourselves as amateur historians – I’ve always been fascinated by history and military history. From the time I got my first model, I started having planes all over my room as a child, and I’m 49 years old now so it has stuck with me since then.”
Stillwell says he has moved on from building and keeping aeroplanes to building figures of people and armoured vehicles. “You get a box of blank plastic parts, you cut them up, clean them up and glue them all together. My preferred scale is 1:35, but some guys do 1:72, which is very small, and then, there is a bigger scale of 1:16. A lot of these models, for the most part, are historically accurate, and so, along with this passion, you learn a lot and educate yourself to ensure you’re staying true to history.”
The local resident encourages the community, especially young people looking for a new hobby, to attend the upcoming event. “This event is open to persons of all ages. The entrance fee is R10, and proceeds are donated to the local organisation, Lost Souls – Animal Rescue.”
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“There will be tables displaying models of aircraft; military vehicles; commercial cars and motorcycles, and historical, sci-fi and fantasy figurines as well as some impressive dioramas. Radio Control aircraft and car enthusiasts will also have a stall where visitors will have the opportunity to try out their RC simulator. Visitors will also be able to purchase a miniature figure and receive guidance from experienced artists on how to paint it like a pro with the free-to-use paints and paintbrushes at the tables. During the course of the day, there will be various demonstrations and discussions on various aspects of the hobbies,” said Stillwell.
The Durban Association of Miniature Enthusiasts (DAME) will also be at the event displaying their creative and accurate miniatures of everything from furniture, kitchen appliances, plants and flowers to food, cakes, toys and many other items.
“For those who wish to get started in one of the hobbies, they can find and purchase kits, tools, paints and other items at the vendor tables. Food and beverages will also be on sale from the Collegians Club kitchen,” said Stillwell.
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