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Post by NoelSmith on Jan 31, 2013 17:28:41 GMT
Whilst I was rummaging amongst some old modelling info the other day I came across a list of our IPMS Trophy Competitions for 1988. Many 'Old Timers' in IPMS like myself will remember some of these, and I was quite surprised at how many trophies have disappeared over the years. What also surprised me was that some of the trophies were given to IPMS as returnable trophies and sadder still, a number of Memorial Trophies no longer seem to be with us. Understandably some trophies will get dropped when no longer supported by a defunct business or magazine for example, and this is to be expected. It would be interesting to find out what has happened to many of them over the years, as the majority of them as far as I can recall are returnable trophies. Maybe there are members out there who still have some of these trophies sat on their shelves where they simply have been forgotten about, both by the member and IPMS. Or worse, the society may have tried desperately to chase them up and failed to get them back. Here is the list; John Edwards Memorial Trophy, R.C (Bob) Jones Memorial Trophy (who I believe was one of the founder members of IPMS), The Presidents Trophy, Barton Holmes Trophy, Borg Warner Novices Trophy, Scale Aircraft Models Trophy, Humbrol Trophy, Military Modelling Trophy, Scale Models Trophy, Non Conformist Trophy, Ted White Memorial Trophy, Bob's Models Memorial Trophy, Wings and Wheels Trophy, Originality Trophy, Matchbox Trophy (Senior and Junior), Esci Trophy, Gloy Trophy, Davies Trophy, Roy Cochrun Trophy, Modeldecal Trophy, Riko/Tamiya Vehicle Trophy, I.A.T. Trophy, Branch Diorama Trophy, Windsock Trophy, and most surprisingly in view of their presence with a large display stand at SMW each year the Revell Trophy (Senior and Junior). It is quite sad that these 24 trophies in all no longer appear to be with the society. Maybe some one knows of the whereabouts of some of these or maybe has one sat on their shelf for years. So perhaps by listing the missing trophies, some of them may eventually see their way back to their spiritual home in IPMS.
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Post by John Tapsell on Jan 31, 2013 21:44:19 GMT
Noel,
Some of them have disappeared, but others were got rid of when they fell apart or were no longer supported by the sponsor or donor.
That's the primary issue. A 'returnable' trophy is all very well, but the Society has to supply a 'replica' (usually a standard small plaque with the name of the trophy) that the winner keeps permanently. The replicas cost money as do any repairs to existing trophies or full replacements. Some of the older cups would have required a complete re-plating to make them presentable.
Starting in my time as Comp Sec (1999-2002), we audited the existing trophies, tried to contact the original donators and quantified what it was costing us each year to support the trophies we had. Add to that a steady influx of new trophies year on year and we had reached an unsustainable level of expenditure. Where we could identify the original donors and talk with them, we did so. Some were willing to support a continued awards programme. Others chose to retire the award rather than fund any repairs or replacements to damaged trophies.Others we were unable to contact at all and we took a decision to stand their trophies down.
So - for example, the Matchbox Trophy was retired as the manufacturer no longer existed (ditto Esci). The Gloy Trophy (long gone before my time) surely has no relevance in 2012? The Riko Trophy (no more Richard Kohnstam - ergo no more Riko Trophy). Revell no longer sponsor a trophy and I see no reason for IPMS to award a trophy with a commercial name on it if that company are not willing to support it. Ditto for the SAM Trophy, Military Modelling, Scale Models and Bob's Models Trophies.
Others have changed - the President's Trophy is now the Civil Aviation Trophy. Why? well the theme was chosen by an incumbent president and subsequent presidents had little interest in that area and felt it inappropriate to award a trophy for something they knew little about.
The 'Memorial' Trophies are in a similar position. The Society cannot fund these in perpetuity, especially as new ones are proposed almost every year. They have to be self-sustaining. Yes, they often commemorate significant personalities within IPMS but how many of those can we bankroll - and for how long?
IPMS has to move on and develop. We have many new trophies available to replace the older ones. The overseas IPMS Trophies are a good example of an area that has developed in the past decade. New manufacturers and publishers are offering new awards each year, so as older trophies slip away, new ones are arriving to replace them.
Regards, John
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Post by tony on Feb 2, 2013 11:53:56 GMT
It was interesting to see the names of trophies that were contested at the nationals or ScaleModel World now. Having entered into the competition myself over the years it is sad to see so many old trophies that have disappeared due to one reason or another. Also there has been trophies that do not get supported as well as they should and then the sponsor withdraws these, I can think of the Trumpeter trophy that was sponsored by Pocket-bond and they were given away a trip to china as a prize and the first year that was offered there were only a few entries into the trophy.
But as John says we move on with the society and we develop new trophies and new categories for these trophies. It is also interesting to note that many of the trophies that Noel mentions are aircraft based and the competition now is more diverse with more of the other genres being represented with awards. This is still not ideal as I’m sure fans of Sci-Fi would love to see an award for the best Sci-Fi model. That’s what made last year’s national champion so popular I believe.
But it is great to reminisce and to see how this society over the last 50 years has developed and evolved not only with the competition, but with the modelling side as well. Tony.
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Post by hazmod on Feb 2, 2013 14:42:24 GMT
Sadly, existance trophies can't bring on previous years, I know Tony Wollett trophy, When Tony Wollett was passed away, after no more trophy. I got his trophy for my name on 1994. No more sponsorship trophies can't bring, Donington Thistle Hotel 1994-97, was ceased, because move to Telford on since 1998. True existance trophies can't bring. I got an existance trophy from Scottish Nats Model Show 2002, no more name of this trophy called "AMC Motors Trophy, Best civil Vehicles" replaced to Stirling trophy on now, and I know existance trophy was missing, replaced new Norman Douglas Best modfeld car & Motorcycle trophy shield on 2007 at Scottish Nats Model Show, since 2000 . no more existance trophies at Scale Model World and Scottish Nationals Scale Model Show
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Post by NoelSmith on Feb 4, 2013 17:53:52 GMT
John Thanks for taking the time and trouble to explain the where's and why's as to what has happened to many of the older trophies. Your comments will probably enlighten many of us as to why many of the older trophies are now defunct. Also, fair comment regarding existing companies that no longer wish to sponsor trophies for the show. I did not suggest for one minute that IPMS should award any trophies with a commercial name on them. It is up to the company concerned. I think that in my original post I already covered natural attrition of trophies due to sponsors and organisations that no longer exist.
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perdu
Sprue Cutter
Posts: 34
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Post by perdu on Feb 6, 2013 0:15:33 GMT
I actually won the Barton Holmes Trophy the first year it was given to the club. It was a very good painting of a warship in rugged seas, did that get taken away or was it simply "lost" because a winner was reluctant to part with it after "his year"? I noticed it missing from the lists after returning to the fold after many years away. I agree however that loss of sponsors should result in the same for their trophy, things have changed immensely round here these days since '85 Bill Mohan
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Post by NoelSmith on Feb 16, 2013 17:30:23 GMT
Bill. Yes, I can remember the Barton Holmes Trophy being a painting. It could well still be hanging in pride of place on someone's wall! John Tapsell may be able to throw a bit of light on this one, as it has probably been retired out of necessity along with a number of other older trophies.
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Post by John Tapsell on Feb 16, 2013 21:21:30 GMT
The Barton Holmes Trophy was retired as it was no longer in a fit state to present to winners. The picture frame had been damaged and the whole picture therefore needed re-framing.
We obtained quotes to have that done professionally, but they were too expensive for us to consider. We were also approached by someone (can't remember who) asking about how much it would cost to support the trophy. When we explained the condition and the likely cost of refurbishing the picture, they were unwilling to do so.
I think (again, speaking from memory), we awarded it one last time on a non-returnable basis. I'll try to sort back through my paperwork and find an definite answer for you.
Regards, John
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perdu
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Post by perdu on Feb 19, 2013 10:54:32 GMT
Thanks for clearing that up John and Noel
I might have tried to repair the frame but it's probably for the best if it is with someone that likes it.
I remember it as a quite impressive work in greys, I appreciated the honour of winning it though.
Especially "the first time" round.
It was my whaling diorama that won that, Nantucket Sleigh Ride, wasn't half bad that one
I remember I gave it to our branch sec Gordon Griffiths, also long gone now. Great bloke.
Anyway cheers
b
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Post by NoelSmith on Feb 20, 2013 17:31:12 GMT
Bill, I actually can remember your 'Nantucket Sleigh Ride Diorama'. Also, I can remember Gordon Griffiths....He always appeared to be the late 'Mac' Kennaugh's sidekick many years ago. As I can recall, he was the society's treasurer at one time, and disappeared off the modelling scene quite suddenly.
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perdu
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Post by perdu on Feb 20, 2013 23:15:26 GMT
Yes Noel, Gordon and Mac were often around at the same time I was amazed to meet Mac at branch when his was a name I'd read about. If I close my eyes I can still visualise him holding forth at the meetings. I think Gordon passed away a year or two after the time I had custody of the Barton Holmes Trophy, Mac went a while later I recall. Two incredibly nice blokes and between them there were some tales to tell. I'm always amazed when people say they remember the"whatever" model though I was particularly chuffed with that one, everything came out "just right" at one shot. How often can I say that now Nowadays when scratchbuilding I have to make some items several times, just to get a fit Oh well, must be getting old(er) b
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