IPMS Silverwings - International Plastic Modelers Society

About IPMS and the Silverwings
The International Plastic Modelers Society is a unique, world-wide organization of hobbyists who enjoy scale modeling, run on a voluntary basis, by modelers, for modelers.

The Society originated in 1963, when a small group of hobbyists in England met to discuss the hobby and to exchange ideas, news and views. They called their organization the British Plastic Modeling Society. It wasn't very long before word of the Society made its way to all corners of the world, and, as membership grew, the name was changed to IPMS in order to reflect the new International aspect. The United States branch was founded by Jim Sage, of Dallas, Texas, in 1963.

Visit IPMS U.S.A. at www.ipmsusa.org.

The Sacramento, California Chapter of IPMS was formed in 1965 through the efforts of four northern California modelers. Mike Dario and Pete Pankratz of Sacramento, Stan Staples of Chico, and Ben Hughes from Red Bluff. The newly recognized chapter of IPMS met at first on the grounds of McClellan AFB, transitioning soon thereafter to the Happy Steak restaurant near McClellan AFB. The ranks of Chapter modeler attendees at meetings grew fairly rapidly thereafter. Our first IPMS Sacramento Chapter President was Mr. George Stammerjohan. In October 1972, a roster was prepared, indicating 47 members:

George Aros, Frank Baumgartel, Richard Berkenpas, Arthur and Cleve Brakefield, Terry Bunfill, Ken Clawson, John Clements, Dennis Cross, John Davis, James Gilkison, Bob Grinsell, Ardeth and William Hampton, Robert heale, Richard Hernandez, Don Hislop, Bill Hollis, Ben Hughes*, Roger Hutchison, Jim Ireland, Walter Jacque, Adrian Jewell, Tom Kangas, Bob Martin, Larry Meidinger, Dave Menard, Lonnie Miller, John and Ed Murray, Russ Niles, Max Norris, Bob O’Brien, Dan and Allen Osborn, Pete Pamkratz, Larry Pryor, Jim Reynolds, Mike Schaecher, Joe Sinz, Scott Sommerdorf, George Stammerjohan, Stan Staples**, Dennis Trimble, Steve Utt, Neil Wokoun, and John Youngerman***

Notes: *Director, **Contest Director, ***Past President

Regular monthly contests were held with categories such as 1/72nd airplanes, 1/48th airplanes, 1/48th armor, 1/35th armor, and ships. A military miniatures category was included from time to time. There were often more than 20 –30 models entered in the various contest categories, showing how active Chapter members were in those days in terms of building models. Chapter members also attended Regional and National IPMS model contests and often acquitted themselves well at those events. An example was the 1974 national IPMS convention in Seattle, where Chapter members amassed about 15 – 20 trophies for their contest winners and runners-up. Chapter members also occasionally provided displays of model aircraft at area air shows and at malls, although this activity was fraught with danger for the models as the inevitable “little kids” wanted to “just touch” the models. This usually caused severe stress for our intrepid modelers.

An occasional attendee in those early days was Recruiting Sgt. David Boksanski from Napa, whose modeling skills and output were prodigious. “Bo” particularly liked to “kitbash”, using parts from several kits cut at strategic spots and assembled into a remarkable model of an airplane for which no one had ever produced a plastic kit. Un-fortunately, “Bo’s” career was cut short by illness and he passed away at a very early age, which was a great loss to this Chapter and to modelers everywhere. A good friend of Bo’s was Mike Dario, who also enjoyed scratch building aircraft and whose modeling skills had to be seen to be appreciated. Mike was a part of the Sacramento/Silver Wings Chapter for many years, passing away in early middle age. We mourn the untimely passing of these two excellent modelers.

Three of our chapter members have been IPMS Region IX Coordinators—they are: John Youngerman, Ben Hughes, and James Ireland.

After a failed bid for the 1982 national IPMS convention, the SilverWings Chapter under Jim Reynolds as President hosted the IPMS national convention and model contest in Aug of 1986 at the - then, Red Lion Inn. The members worked hard and cooperatively to make this national convention a success.

The Chapter publication was the monthly newsletter “The Tech Order”, first published in February 1985. The first editor was James "Jim" Ireland, who held that post for several years. Features of The Tech Order included the President’s message, model of the month, The Field Observer, and Modeling Tips. Chapter President in 1985 was Jim Reynolds; Vice President, Dennis Trimble. According to the Tech Order, chapter membership was up to 40 in 1986. In 1986, Russ Niles became President, with Pat Lipscomb Vice President. Jim Ireland became Region IX Coordinator. In 1988, the chapter hosted the Region IX convention at Howard Johnson Motor Lodge, once again a rousing success. According to the Tech Order, nominal chapter membership had increased to 60-70 by 1990, but actual participation in meetings and activities had dropped severely to only a few. Membership dropped about 50% in 1991, and Dana Meinders took over as editor of The Tech Order in January 1991. In December 1991, Mike Fosgett took over as Editor of the Tech Order, and 1992 membership was back up to about 39 members. Membership was up again in January 1993 to 48, but it was lamented that almost no new models, books, decal sheets, or kits were showing up at meetings. By 1994, membership was down to 36 and Dave Shreeve took over as Tech Order editor, with Scott Bell elected Vice President. By April 1997, the new editor of The Tech Order became Rick Ewing, who was able to perform the function only until July 1998, when Ryan Suetta took over. Attendance at meetings was down at that time to about 15. In 1998, the chapter voted to eliminate the June contest and to only hold an annual December contest. The Tech Order ceased publication in 1998.

Meeting sites changed quite a few times over the years. Venues included Happy Steak Restaurant, Pizza Hut, Encino High School, Florin Mall, Arcade Library Branch, Member Ed Burhans office, Cocos Restaurant, the SMUD Training Center, and finally to the current venue, the SMUD Custer Service Center.

Other IPMS chapters have been formed in northern California as “offshoots” of the Sacramento chapter. The IPMS Superior California Chapter was formed in about 1974 through the efforts of Stan Staples and other modelers from the Chico/Red Bluff area. The IPMS Dambusters Chapter was formed by Rich Carlson and modelers from the Redding area at a later date as the drive down to Sacramento or Chico was too onerous in those days before the highways were upgraded.

Over the years, most of the “original” 47 chapter members cited above have dropped out of modeling and attending IPMS meetings, though many are still located in the Sacramento region. Some have returned after long absences to rejoin the Chapter and to share their modeling activities with current day Chapter members. Current (2006) chapter membership is approximately 31:

Scott Bell**, Jay Bishop, Paul Brown, Terry Bunfill, Randy Canova, Rick Ewing, Mike Fosgett, Kevin Golden, Tick Hansen, Nelson Howard, Bill King, Dennis Mayhugh, Larry Meidinger, John Middlesworth, Pete Moeszinger, Ryan Morris, Bob Mueller, Scott Nelson, Russ Niles, Ben Palomo, John Pouch, Clarke Ramsey, Tim Reynaga, Jim Reynolds, Michael Scott, Art Silen* John Stankosky, Dennis Trimble, Howard Weaver,John Youngerman

Notes: *President, **Past President