Bolton IPMS – The Friendly Model Club

Bolton IPMS at Scale ModelWorld 2025

We meet on the second Wednesday of every month at The Den, Cunningham Road, Westhoughton, BL5 2AN. 7:30pm until 10:00 pm.

Bolton IPMS’s participation in Scale ModelWorld 2025 was a resounding success, introducing several new concepts and approaches.

This year, the club focused on a single overarching theme: “Maritime.” The theme encompassed all subjects related to the sea, including naval aviation, seaplanes, submarines, and ships.

A key highlight was the introduction of a new display method—a three-tier stepped arrangement designed to provide unobstructed views of all models. This innovative approach was well received and will be adopted for our upcoming January exhibition. Public feedback on the overall presentation was overwhelmingly positive.

The Competition Area featured more than 800 entries. We are proud to report that two of our members were invited to serve as judges, and, in addition, our Chairman was awarded a silver medal for his HMS Sheffield diorama entry in the Diorama Ship Class. The Best in Show accolade went to an exceptional Hellenic Air Force F-4 Phantom, crafted by international modeller Kostas Dimitriadis.

Although time constraints limited opportunities to explore the show fully, online coverage provided excellent insights. Bargain hunting for many members was high on their agendas, with a new Revell 1/32 Gulf War Tornado to be had for only £20 from one trader.

Our Chairman also spent time with other members as part of the Beyond the Box Art team, engaging with podcast listeners and hearing firsthand how the hobby continues to inspire and connect enthusiasts. Special recognition goes to Paul Pendleton-Brown for spearheading this podcast initiative that has since become part of the IPMS (UK).

Finally, sincere thanks to the setup team and all members who contributed to the display or attended the event. Scale ModelWorld 2025 reaffirmed that our hobby grows stronger each year.

We now look forward to welcoming you to the Bolton IPMS Model Show 2026.

You might also like