IPMS NSW runs a range of competitions throughout each year – a main “End of Year” competition across all model categories, as well as several special competitions run at other times during the year.
End of Year Competition
This is a general competition held in November each year and is the largest single event on the club calendar. All types of models are represented, and all club members are free to enter as many categories as they wish. Non-members are also welcome to enter, at a cost of $3 per kit. The End of Year Competition uses a Gold/Silver/Bronze award system, with an additional award for the first place in each category.
This year (2026) the End of Year competition will be held on Saturday 27th November.
Program
A competition entry form is available to download, print and fill in by hand.
Competition categories are as follows:-
- Military Aircraft –1935 and prior - large scale (1:35th and larger)
- Military Aircraft –1935 and prior - medium scale (1:48th and similar)
- Military Aircraft –1935 and prior - small scale (1:72nd and smaller)
- Military Aircraft – 1936 -1945 - large scale (1:35th and larger)
- Military Aircraft – 1936 -1945 - medium scale (1:48th and similar)
- Military Aircraft – 1936 -1945 - small scale (1:72nd and smaller)
- Military Aircraft – Post 1945 - large scale (1:35th and larger)
- Military Aircraft – Post 1945 - medium scale (1:48th and similar)
- Military Aircraft – Post 1945 - small scale (1:72nd and smaller)
- Helicopters – large scale (1:48th and larger)
- Helicopters – small scale (1:72nd and smaller)
- Civilian Aircraft – all scales
- Junior - Aircraft - all scales
- Artillery - large scale (1:35th and larger)
- Artillery - small scale (smaller then 1/35th)
- Military Vehicles – WW2 & Prior - large scale (1:35th and larger)
- Military Vehicles – Post-WW2 - large scale (1:35th and larger)
- Military Vehicles – All eras - medium scale (1:48th and similar
- Military Vehicles – All eras - small scale (1:72nd and smaller)
- Military Vehicles – All scales - Junior
- Cars – Street and Custom – large scale (1:18th and larger)
- Cars – Street and Custom – small scale (1:20th and smaller)
- Cars – Competition – large scale (1:18th and larger)
- Cars – Competition – small scale (1:20th and smaller)
- Civil Vehicles - all scales - Junior
- Trucks - all scales
- Motorbikes – all scales
- Ships / Submarines – large scales (1/450th and larger)
- Ships / Submarines – small scales (1/500th and smaller)
- Figures – large scales (1:16 and larger)
- Figures – small scales (1:18 and smaller)
- Real Space – all scales
- Gundam - all scales
- Mecha - all scales
- Gundam & Mecha - all scales - junior
- Science Fiction & Fantasy - all scales
- Open - Including Scrathbuilt - all scales
- Open - 3D Printed models - all scales
- Junior - Open - all scales
- Dioramas – all scales
- Vignettes – all scales
Models which have won a place (Gold, Silver, Bronze) in previous End of Year Competitions may not be entered again. All categories will be run provided there is at least one entry.
A few notes on competition categories
Cars – Competition: Refers to cars which took part in formal motorsport competitions of some kind, for example Formula 1, NASCAR, hillclimbs, rallys, drag races etc.
Dioramas: A Diorama is two or more models of different classes* on a scenic base. A Diorama should depict an event or story. There is no limit to how many classes of models or how many models of any of class can be included (subject to any size restrictions that the Club may impose).
* Classes of model includes vehicles, figures, aircraft, watercraft and buildings etc in any combination.
Vignettes: A Vignette may be one or more figures but less than 5 subjects in total (including figures with riders either mounted or dismounted) on a small scenic base, all of the same class. Scenery may include, walls, fences, parts of buildings or structures, animals and/or natural features, including water, but not including vehicles or other models of another class. The size of the base should be directly proportional to the scene depicted.
Figures: A Figure may be placed on a base or not with or without with scenery. However, it is limited to a single figure only. It may have an accompanying subject (I.e. A figure on a horse or Motorcycle or Bicycle).
Real Space: Portrays actual vehicles and equipment which were used or are in use as part of any nations' space program.
Science Fiction & Fantasy: Portrays non-real figures, vehicles and equipment of any kind or genre. Note: there are special categories for Gundam and Mecha, see below.
Gundam: Any vehicle from the official Gundam universe. Gundam may be either built out of the box, or customised.
Mecha: Large, humanoid vehicles controlled by a pilot, typically from an anime setting, but can also include subjects such as Battletech mechs.
Open, including scratchbuilt: Intended for models that do not fit any other category. This can include models constructed from scrap plastic and parts from multiple other kits
Open, 3D printed models: Intended for models which are wholly or substantially made up of 3D printed parts.
Wing Commander Connolly Memorial Training Aircraft Competition
Run once per year – this competition has training as its theme, specifically multi-seat training aircraft capable of carrying an instructor and at least one trainee. Any aircraft used in this role, no matter the scale or era, is eligible to enter.
Club Group Build
Each year the club runs a “group build”, where everyone builds the same model kit. The group build is a fun way to test your skills against fellow model-makers on a level playing field as well as to compare techniques.
There are 6 categories for 2027:-
- Aircraft - 1/48th scale BAe Hawk
- Military Vehicles - Tamiya 1/35th Sd.Kfz 222/223
- Civil Vehicles - Cars from the DDA model range, Open wheeler competition vehicles (2 group builds)
- Ships - 1/350 Submarines
- Real Space - Any real space subject
- Sci-Fi - Flying Saucers
IPMS Warbirds Memorial
The IPMS warbirds memorial competition is run in honour of former members who have contributed to the club. Each year a particular "warbird" - a fighter from WW2 - is selected as the subject. For 2026, the subject is the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. All scales and types of kit of the warbirds subject are welcome.
Wood, Wire & Canvas
The subject for this competition is any aircraft used in World War 1, or biplanes from later eras built using “traditional construction” – i.e. wood, wire and canvas. All scales are permitted. Unlike other IPMS NSW competitions, reference material is encouraged and forms part of the judging criteria.
