by Martin Waligorski and Anders Isaksson

Welcome to IPMS Open 2003

IPMS Open is the national modelling competition of IPMS Sweden. This year’s event was held on the weekend of 29-30th March in Solna, a northern suburb of Stockholm.

Competition highlights

This year’s event exceeded the expectations in that the quantity and quality of competing models seemed to be better than ever. This remark applies especially to the armour classes which featured many world-class models, the judges having to work long way through the evening to elect the winners.

Another display of excellence was the figure table, with many busts and 54mm figures finished to breathtaking standards.

1/72 and 1/144 aircraft which had appeared in decreasing numbers during previous years have returned – and that with a vengeance, with large variety of models and subjects on display.

Ship and spacecraft categories are slowly but steadily gaining presence at the Swedish nationals, the latter undoubtedly thanks to the persistent work of the Spacecraft SIG.

On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in the area of Film and Fantasy figures.

Figure Freaks of Norway, please come back to Stockholm next year!

The tour

Here is the complete virtual tour of IPMS Open 2003. Even if not every participating model found its way to this photo essay, I think this photo collection covers most of it. The tour contains several hundred images – so sit back, relax, and enter the show…

Figures, All Scales
I finally got grip of photographing figures on shows, so let’s start with the figures table!

Military Vehicle Models, 1:72 and 1:76
This group was small in scale and number but not quality.

Military Vehicle Models, 1:35
The 1/35 armour was a real wasps’ nest this year. I’m glad I didn’t have to judge these.

Artillery pieces, 1:35
Artillery pieces formed an own class.

Military Vehicle Models, larger than 1:35
There were also a few models in 1:24 and 1:16 scales.

Aircraft Models, 1:144
Airliners and other aircraft in this tiny scale

Aircraft Models, 1:72
This year marked a real comeback of 1/72 aircraft in terms of popularity.

Aircraft Models, 1:48
Quarter-scale aircraft modelling is just as popular as ever.

Aircraft Models, 1:32 and 1:35
There were only a few objects, but check this scratchbuilt J29 Tunnan…

Car Models
Cars and trucks in 1/24 and 1/25 scales, plus a few construction machines.

Dioramas
Dioramas in all scales.

Spacecraft and Sci-Fi
This category has been slowly but steadily growing during recent years

Ship Models
A smaller category but one with some amazing models.

Collections and theme displays
Collections, SIG tables and the ”Armour of the Eastern Front” exhibition.

All pictures (c) 2003 Martin Waligorski and Anders Isaksson. Used by permission.