For over 45 years, International Plastic Modellers Society (Malta) has played a defining role in transforming scale modelling on the islands from an undervalued past-time to a respected artistic and technical discipline.

In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, founders Aldo Chetcuti and Anton "Tony" Bajada reflected on the club's origins, its impact, and its legacy, as preperations continue for Minjatura 2026, the annual scale model exhibition taking place from 6 to 10 February at the MCAST Campus in Paola.

Founded on 15 January 1981, IPMS Malta was created to fill a clear gap in the local modelling scene. At the time, Malta had no dedicated scale modelling club. According to Chetcuti and Bajada, the few organisations with a modelling element did not adequately serve enthusiasts. One short-lived group focused mainly on armoured vehicles while another - the Malta Aircraft Enthusiasts - tended to sway more towards photography than modelling as a club, shaped by Malta's former role as a British military base until 1979.

Although the aircraft enthusiasts' club included a small but active modelling section, its competitive nature discouraged learning. "Because you were competing against each other, people didn't share information," Chetcuti recalled. "Sometimes you'd even be given the wrong advice". There was little effort to mentor younger modellors, and knowledge was often guarded rather than passed on.

The vision for a new club was therefore clear: to create a modelling society based on openness, education and shared experience. "There was a saying," Chetcuti said, "that the secret to our success was that fact that we had no secrets about modelling." Techniques, references, and skills would be shared freely, particularly with younger members, and modelling would be promoted as a serious craft and art form rather than a casual pastime.

Political realities in early1980s Malta also shaped the club's early identity. At the time, legislation prevented non-government organisations from using the word "Malta" in their official name. As a result, the founders adopted the temporary title Society for Scale Modellers (SSM) while maintaining informal links with the International Plastic Modellers Society. Although the law was later repealed, the name SSM had by then become firmly embedded locally, although the official name of the Society is IPMS Malta.

What was initially intended as a small group of around a dozen members grew rapidly. By the end of its first year, membership exceeded 200, most of them teenagers. Weekly meetings became central to the club's identity, supported by photocopied circulars and a bi-monthly magazine at a time when photocopying itself was still relatively new. Despite limited finances, the club remained active, resourceful and highly organised.

In January 1982, just one year after its founding, IPMS Malta held its first major exhibition at the ballroom of the Hotel Phoenicia, displaying more than 800 models. The choice of venue immediately elevated  the club's profile and challeneged prevailing stereotypes about the hobby. A further milestone followed in 1984, when the club organised its first national championships at the Hotel Excelsior.

That event proved pivotal in changing public perception. The Minister for Education and Culture at that time, initially hesitant to associate himself with what he assumed was "men playing with toys", ended up spending over two hours touring the exhibition. "These aren't toys," he had reportedly remarked. "These are works of art." The comment marked a turning point in how scale modelling was viewed nationally.

As membership grew, IPMS Malta secured its own premises - a rare achievement for voluntary organisations at the time. Although modest, the space allowed the club to expand its activities and develop a strong social dimension. A football team, hikes and social events complemented the weekly modelling meetings, and many teenage members remained involved into adulthood. Several are still active today as judges, organisers and mentors.

International exposure further strenghtened the club's standards. Affiliation with IPMS UK and other competition event organisations enabled Maltese modellers to compete abroad, initially in the United Kingdom and later across Europe and the United States. Accroding to current IPMS Malta President Mario Mifsud, this experience was crucial. "Competing overseas allowed members to benchmark their work against international standards," he said "This raised the level of modelling locally and helped our members succeed internationally."

That international outlook continues today through Minjatura, IPMS Malta's flagship exhibition. The 2026 edition, running from 6 to 10 February at the MCAST Campus in Paola, represents a significant step forward while the move was prompted by refurbishment works at the Malta Maritime Museum, Mifsud believes the new venue offers a valuable opportunity to reach a younger audience by situating the exhibition within an educational environment.

Visitors can expect a wide range of high-quality exhibits covering aircraft, armour, ships, cars, figures and science-fiction subjects, spanning a wide historical period. In addition to the displays, the exhibition will feature talks and demonstrations on techniques such as airbrushing, 3D printing and digital design using Autodesk Fusion.

A key feature of Minjatura is the Open System contest format, widely used in international competitions. Unlike traditional ranking systems, it allows multiple awards at each level, with models judged against a defined standard rather than against one another. "It encourages participation at all levels and helps modellers measure their own progress," Mifsud explained.

Despite rising costs and an ageing demographic, IPMS Malta remains committed to its founding principles. Weekly meetings continue to offer hands-on guidance and face-to-face learning that complements - and often surpasses - online resources. As Chetcuti noted, "Nothing beats seeing something done in front of you."

More than four decades after its founding in 1981, IPMS Malta's greatest achievement may not be its exhibitions or awards, but the generations it has influenced. Built on shared knowledge rather than withheld expertise, and a common love for the modelling pastime, the club stands as an enduring testament to how a small community can leave a lasting national legacy.