A Special Interest Group (SIG) is a community of people who come together around a shared interest and are passionate about sharing knowledge and improving their skills. They often cross geographical and professional boundaries and are self-managed by community members. IPMS/USA encourages the creation of SIGs and offers these guidelines to support new and existing SIGs.
SIG Guidelines (as of 6/2024)
- The SIG’s point of contact is expected to be a member of IPMS/USA and provide complete and current contact information.
- The SIG’s title (name of group) should briefly describe the group's purpose. Groups that advertise sales or trading are excluded.
- The SIG's information should include details on group activities, resources, and rules for participation.
- The SIG’s website or social media account (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) should be provided for publication in the IPMS/USA Special Interest Group webpage and in the IPMS/USA Journal publication.
- SIGs without activity for over a year will be marked inactive but remain posted on the IPMS/USA Special Interest Group webpage. It will be removed from the IPMS/USA Journal.
- SIGs are considered dormant if their URLs are outdated or their point of contact is no longer a member of IPMS/USA.
- The IPMS/USA Secretary will review SIGs periodically to validate activity and contact information.
- Any issues or concerns should be directed to the IPMS/USA Secretary.
Ready to get started with your SIG? Have an update to an existing SIG? Send an email to the IPMS/USA Secretary.
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Anime-Manga Scale Modelers | A special interest group for scale modelers inspired by anime and manga. |
| Arsenal of Democracy - M4 Sherman SIG | This SIG group is focused on modeling the M4 Sherman tank family in all of its many configurations. |
| Asian Air Arms SIG | Focusing on Post-1945 aviation research and modelling for 34 Asian countries from Japan to Indonesia and Iran to the Philippines |
| Black Swamp Modelers | Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, Dinosaurs, etc. |
| Blue & Gray Scale Modelers | Focused on modeling any American Civil War subjects. |
| Cold War Aircraft | Dedicated to the scale modeling of aircraft used during the Cold War. |
| Formula One Modeling | A group for those wishing to learn more about modeling Formula One race cars. |
| Historical Space Models | Focus on real spacecraft, satellites, space probes, rockets, launch vehicles, research aircraft (X-planes) and related subjects. |
| Maschinen Krieger/SF3D Special Interest Group | Promoting the modeling of the science fiction property created by Kow Yokoyama. |
| Middle-Earth SIG | Figures and scale models inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's storeis, e.g. The Lord of the Rings. |
| Paper Modelers | Paper 3D models from 2D printouts |
| Philadelphia Ship Modelers Society | Promoting the building of ships. |
| The SubCommittee | A group of submarine model enthusiasts, interested in submarine engineering, history, and submarine models, both display models and R/C working models. |
| Tom Daniel's Collectors | Focusing on displays of every Tom Daniel’s model kits at the 2024 IPMS National Convention. |
| Vacuform and Resin Kits | To promote the building of vacuformed plastic and resin kits of all types, to share tips and techniques, and to help solve construction problems. |
| War in North Africa: Modeling the D.A.K., British, Italian and American Vehicles in WW2 | Modelling the D.A.K., British, Italian, French and American Vehicles in WW2. |
| WarWheels | A special interest group focusing on armored cars and wheeled fighting vehicles. |
| What-If SIG IPMS/USA | The What If SIG supports letting your imagination run free. If it flies, floats, crawls or rolls but never did in real life then it is welcome here. |
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| C.A.M.M.O. | Dedicated to the building and presentation of wheeled and tracked military models of any scale. |
| Classic British Kits | Classic British Kits, including Airfix, Matchbox & Frog -- merged into IPMS(UK) CBK SIG. |
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Carrier Builders | US Naval Aviation Forum |
| Captured Aircraft | Aircraft in Captured Markings |
| Heavy Haulers | Commercial Trucks |
| HMMWV In Scale | Focused group previously a one stop shop for information and photos. |
| Middle East Wars | Dedicated to the Middle East Wars from 1948 to the present day. |
| Racing and Record Aircraft | Racing and Record Aircraft |
| Scale Firehouse | Emergency Vehicle Models |
| South Atlantic | Modeling subjects in the South Atlantic from the days of sail to the jets of today, including armor. |
| Two Wheeled Modelers | Motorcycles |