An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | BY PAT MCGRATH PHOTOS BY PAT MCGRATH, MICHAEL KEENAN AND DERMOT MORIARTY A MODEL ARMY – IPMS IRELAND T he Republic of Ireland branch of the International Plas- tic Modellers' Society (IPMS), known as IPMS Ireland was formed in 2008. Their current membership stands at almost 100 members from across the island of Ireland and overseas, including some past and present members of the Irish Defence Forces. "We are all about scale modelling and enjoying this great hobby and we build anything from basic model kits right up to super scratch-builds, mostly using plastic." The hobby covers building scale models of aircraft and vehicles both civilian and military, ships and submarines, historical figures and busts, dioramas and science fiction / fantasy subjects. We recently held our National Show and Competition, on the 5th and 6th October in the Plaza Hotel, Tallaght. A total of 274 models were entered this year, along with a number of IPMS branch displays. There is always a strong showing of Irish subjects at the National Competition every year as there are two special awards for Irish Subjects: S2 IPMS Ireland Aviation Trophy - for any Irish themed aviation subject and S3 IPMS Ireland Non-Aviation Trophy - for any Irish themed non-aviation subject. The following are some of the Irish subjects entered: Keith Donnelly built Takom's new kit of the Panhard AML 90 rep- resenting a vehicle from the 11th Cavalry Squadron parked outside the old armour sheds in Cathal Brugha Barracks. This won the Gold Medal in the Modern Armour Class. Paddy McGannon scratch built a 1/35 scale Unimog APC, again representing a vehicle from the 11th Cavalry Squadron, which won the Gold Medal in the Military Vehicles Conversions / scratch-built class and the IPMS Ireland special award for the best Irish themed non-aviation subject. Roy Kinsella built and painted Shamrock Miniatures Modern Irish Soldier in 1/35 scale as a Military Policeman as well as a trio of Irish Hurricanes from 'The Emergency' period. Eoin Ryan built Roden's Rolls Royce Armoured Car as Sliabh na mBan in 1/35 scale, which has a special place in Irish Military history as it was present at the fateful Béal na mBláth ambush. Dermot Moriarty built a 'retired' Dauphin from the old matchbox kit which won the IPMS Special Award for Irish Aviation subjects and a bronze medal in the Rotary Wings class. IPMS Ireland welcomes new members and we have three very active branches. The Dublin meetings take place in The Lab, Foley Street, Dublin 1, usually on the third Saturday of each month from 11am-1pm. The next meetings are Saturday 23rd November 2019 and Saturday 21st December. The Mid-West Branch, typically meet on the first Saturday of every month at the Atlantic Air Adventure Centre in Shannon Town, Co Clare. It is located at Hogan's Cross as you come in on the old road - not the dual carriageway. Meetings start at 2.30 pm. The North Midland's Branch meet in Feericks Hotel, Rathowen, Co Westmeath - see their Facebook page www.facebook.com/ groups/406263723413627/ for dates. Meetings generally have a show and tell element, and sometimes a demonstration of modelling techniques, kit swopping and trading, and most importantly we always have free biscuits. "Drop-in we'd love to see you." Any questions, please go to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ groups/128545347164792/ or visit our forum at https://ipmsireland.com and ask away. Keith Donnelly's Panhard AML 90. Roy Kinsella's Irish Hurricane from 'The Emergency' period. Dermot Moriarty's 'retired' Dauphin helicopter. Eoin Ryan's Rolls Royce Armoured Car as Sliabh na mBan

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