An Cosantóir

11 IPMS Ireland, which represents the Republic of Ireland within the worldwide International Plastic Modellers Society (IPMS), has announced a special award to commemorate 100 years of the Irish Air Corps. The award will be presented for the best scale model of an aircraft of the Irish Air Corps at the Society's annual Model Show and Competition which takes place this year on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September at the Lucan Spa Hotel, Dublin. IPMS Ireland is delighted to welcome back its annual national model show which is the first to be held since the Society's previous show in October 2019. The biggest scale modelling show in Ireland, the 2019 event, attracted more than 220 model entries in competi- tion across 34 different categories. These categories cov- er scale models of aircraft and vehicles, both civilian and military as well as ships, submarines, historical figures. dioramas, science fiction and fantasy subjects. This year, the Society is awarding a special trophy to coincide with the centenary celebrations of the Air Corps. Chairman of IPMS Ireland, Joe Moran, commented: "It's great to see our show is back again after a two-year absence due to Covid-19. The hobby of plastic scale modelling experienced a huge resurgence in Ireland during the pandemic. For many of us in the hobby, we had much more time on our hands at home and scale modelling was a productive and creative way to pass that time. It was also helpful for people's mental health and mindfulness during that time. We also welcomed back lots of people to the hobby who hadn't built a scale model since their childhood, and they've rediscovered a vibrant and passion- ate community of hobbyists in Ireland. We're excited to be able to meet up again at our annual show and welcome friends in the hobby from Ireland, the UK and around the world. "For this year, the Society has introduced a special award at our national competition to celebrate the centenary of the Irish Air Corps. Ireland has a rich aviation history and this has long been a source of interest to modellers both here and around the world. In the case of the Air Corps, we look forward to seeing scale models of subjects ranging from the earliest biplanes to more recent jets and heli- copters that have served our country with distinction and professionalism throughout the past 100 years." IRISH AIR CORPS 100TH ANNIVERSARY TO BE CELEBRATED IN MINIATURE IPMS logo (L to R) Martinsyde F.4 Buzzard (1922-1929); Gloster Gladiator 1 (1938 – 1944) and Hawker Hind 1 (1940 – 1944) (L to R) Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC (1940 – 1947) and Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9 (1951 – 1961) (L to R) Beechcraft Super King Air 200 (1977 – 1991) and Aerospatiale Alouette III (1963 – 2007) two Westland Lysanders II (1939-1947) (L to R) Siai-Marchetti Warrior (1977 - 2006) and Aerospatiale Fouga Super Magister (1974 – 1999) (L to R) Aerospatiale SA.365 Dauphin 2 (1986-2006) and Eurocopter EC-135T2 (2002 – present day) IRISH AIR CORPS 100TH ANNIVERSARY TO BE CELEBRATED IN MINIATURE. IPMS IRELAND ANNOUNCES SPECIAL AWARD TO RECOGNISE CENTENARY OF THE AIR CORPS By Dermot Moriarty As well as a special scale model display of Irish Air Corps subjects, the IPMS Ireland annual show is also a great day out for the family and includes displays of scale models and other hobby related attractions including scale model retailers, a 'kit-swap' and a raffle with model-themed priz- es. The show includes the national competition which is open to both members and non-members of IPMS Ireland and has two categories for junior modellers aged 16 and under. Awards are presented in more than 30 categories with the public also getting to vote for the 'People's Choice' award. Entry to the show is just 5 euros and is valid for the entire weekend while entry for children under 14 is free, accom- panied by an adult. IPMS members get free entry to the show For more information about this year's show, visit www.ipmsireland.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by searching 'IPMS Ireland'. You can also email us at ipmsireland@gmail.com

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