PLASTIC SURGEONS

IPMS Plastic Surgeons, established in 1994, is an eclectic group of modelers in Central Iowa.

The club is comprised of thirty members whose interests range from automotive to armor to aircraft to figure modeling and everything in between. Sharing of techniques and ideas is the centerpiece of our bimonthly meetings. As a result, or in spite of it, members have consistently been awarded trophies at local, regional and national competitions.

Outside of our little world of plastic IPMS Plastic Surgeons interacts with the real world as well. For the past fifteen years, the Surgeons have sponsored an annual model contest. This event attracts participants from seven states and generally features over 250 entries. This contest promotes youth participation. There are no entry fees for juniors and everyone in the class wins a trophy and gets a hobby shop gift certificate. Additionally, the contests’ Grand Award honors a U.S. Marine WW II veteran who modeled with us until the end of his life.

IPMS Plastic Surgeons has held several Make ‘N take events over the years. Many times the members have gone beyond the normal snap together kits and reached into their own pockets to provide a variety of kits, paints, glues, and tools for the young modelers.

Since modeling as come to the forefront during the war in Iraq, the Surgeons have sent over one hundred kits to troops in the combat area. In addition, we have included paints, glues and tools to aid these modelers in the military.

Other projects which have military connections involving the Plastics Surgeons include raising money for the WW II Submarine Memorial at the Iowa State Capital and building models for display at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge.

Promotion of modeling has been undertaken by way of public displays and public open building sessions most recently at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines.

In 2009, IPMS Plastic Surgeons was awarded the 2008 IPMS/USA Region 5 Chapter of the Year award.

In 2010, IPMS Plastic Surgeons was awarded the 2009 IPMS/USA Region 5 Website and Newsletter of the Year awards.