The Iraq Model Network

In support of the IPMS/USA initiative to provide model kits, supplies and reference materials to our servicemen and women serving in combat zones in Iraq, we've elected to provide a single distribution point for these products. Our Point Of Contact is SFC Steven DeLong. The Iraq Model Network will receive all inbound donations from IPMS chapters, individual contributors, and industry supporters. If you are the POC for an existing hobby club at one of the larger bases, or you are an individual interested in getting a local club started, please contact SFC DeLong to get on board. Kits and materials may be shipped to:

Baghdad Hobby Club
c/o SFC Steven DeLong
HQ, MNC-I (FSC)
18th Airborne Corps
APO, AE 09342

You can contact SFC Delong via E-Mail at: steven.delong@iraq.centcom.mil

Thanks to all our members and supporters who make this program a success!

Dave Morrissette
First VP IPMS/USA

Read the Latest News (Updated 7/15/08)

If  you or your Chapter has participated, please send a description of your contribution (with or without a photo) to the Internet Coordinator. Scroll down to see some of the contributions our members have made so far...

Click here for Info regarding how to ship supplies via U.S.P.S.

Learn more about the Military Hobby Groups we are supporting:
 

Click the name of the Club for more details about them!

IPMS/USA also encourages any Hobby Companies, Manufacturers, Distributors and/or Vendors who wish to participate in this program to please contact IPMS/USA 1st VP Dave Morrissette.
We would also like to thank the following companies who have made contributions so far:

Cobra Company
Minicraft
MRC/Academy
Revell-Monogram
Squadron Mail Order
 

The following IPMS/USA Chapters and Members
 have supported the "Hobbies for Heroes" Program:

Tom Butz #7015

Lake Forest, CA
6/27/2008

I first heard of the need for plastic model kits by the troops in Iraq when a note was placed in the IPMS Journal and I thought that it was time to “thin out” my accumulation of  kits. I have now confirmed the arrival of about sixty  boxes of kits, decals and cement to the troops in Iraq.  This was all handled via referral through the IPMS  Hobbies for Heroes program. Contained in the boxes were 1,383 kits. I received the "Bagdad Hobby Club" newsletter and mention as "Contributor of the Month" including photos of some of the boxes...

Read the Full Story of Tom's outstanding donation (MS-Word)

IPMS/Long Island
Scale Modelers Society

The Long Island Scale Model Society actively promoted and solicited kit donations to the troops at its March 29 RepLIcon show in Freeport. The welcome reception and generosity of the public is apparent in the attached photo of the boxes now going overseas.

Courtesy of Matthew Stahl
 

IPMS/Dayton

Dayton Area Plastic Modelers

In late 2005, IPMS/Dayton responded to a request for help from Capt David Wallace, stationed at Tall Afar, Iraq.  He was trying to set up a modeling club there and sent an appeal to IPMS/USA for kits, supplies, materials and anything else that a trooper would need to build a model.  We established contact with him to see what he needed.  He said that at that time they had plenty of kits headed their way, but lacked tools and supplies.  The chapter decided that instead of kits, we would send those tools.  A $200 order was placed with Squadron Shop for knives, blades, tweezers, other small tools, fillers and glues to cover their current foreseeable future and needs.  Squadron Shop was gracious enough to cover the cost of postage and for that we are grateful.  Member Mark Young sent two boxes filled with kits, tools, an airbrush and compressor, how to books and anything else he could fit into the boxes.

In behalf of the troops, Capt Wallace let us know how appreciative of our donations they were.  They really enjoyed all the items they had received from us and all the other chapters participating.  Apparently, things were a little busy at that time and the troopers did not get much time off, but several troopers made use of a little modeling room they had set up as much as they could.  Capt Wallace also let it be known that some of the Iraqi troops that were working with the US forces were getting interested in modeling.  Perhaps one day there will be an IPMS/Iraq branch!

In an effort to spread our support around, in December 2006 our $200 contribution was to the Blue Star Mothers and not to the Iraqi Modeling Network.  This national group puts together personal item care packages for the troops and can always use donations to help purchase supplies and cover postage.

In June 2007, we contacted Squadron and the Bahgdad Hobby Club. LTC George J. Salerno. We funded a $200 line of credit with Squadron so that they could order what they need.

 Courtesy of Mark Young
 

I am just dropping you a quick note to thank you for putting this website together. I had approx. 30-35 aircraft models that have had gathering dust for many years. I was just going to put the entire bunch up on eBay, however, I stumbled on to your site and I contacted LTC Salerno over in Iraq to see if he'd like them all instead - He responded right away and off the box went this week. It was a pretty good size box to hold those 1/72 and 1/48 planes but mailing is pretty cheap - under $14.00. It seems to be the least that we can do for these folks who are sacrificing so much for us. Anyway - thank you for your site and I encourage others to help out our guys too!

Stephen

Webmaster's Note: Stephen is not an IPMS/USA Member, but contributed to our effort anyway! Thanks, Steven!
 

I just wanted to let you know that when I had the C-46 release and donation event at King's Hobby in Austin for the C-46. I wrapped in the Hobbies for Heros project and left a collection box at King's for a week, and they collected kits and accessories- which I continued to get for a bit after too. I had so many kits to send, it filled 5 large boxes, and I threw in some C-46's as well, along with a special C-46 poster for the troops that artist Robert Karr made for me and we sent around to everybody who was involved with the release process- the artist, decal designer, box printers, decal printers, machinist, mold maker, post office folks, kit packagers, King's Hobby folks, the event planner who arranged the refreshments for the release party and donation event, and me- of course. All to show support from a truly All American kit company- (everyone involved is in the US). My shipment went to the troops in Iraq and included a good selection of armor, planes, ships, and vehicles. Anyway, if people want to do more- I'd advise sending more water based type paints and maybe more tools. I would think they are short on paints more than anything. We had lots of kits, and glue- some tools, and very little paints.

Sincerely, 
Daniel J. Brett, President
Williams Brothers Model Products
 

The Three Rivers Model Club, a Pittsburgh, PA based area modeling group joined in supporting the Hobbies for Heroes program by sending over 420 various models and modeling supplies to the soldiers located in Iraq. “We hope we can offer a small amount of support to a group of military personnel who are serving their country and missing out on many of the luxuries we take for granted at home.” Bill Dedig, member of Three Rivers IPMS and Product Manager in the Respiratory section, broached the shipping request to the president of Draeger Safety, Wes Kenneweg, and he immediately agreed to assist with the logistics and pay for the shipment.” With this information in hand, the members of the club reached into their kit supplies and modeling tools and came up with a surprising 420 kits!” One member, David Veres donated an astounding 260 kits from his collection. Not only models, but over 40 bottles of paint,15 containers of glue, and many assorted hobby supplies were included. The items were collected at a recent club meeting and delivered to Draeger Safety for shipping. The shipment,16 boxes , went out thru the week of July 9 2007 from Draeger Safety to Sgt Michael Belue contact for Camp Falcon Hobby Club.  See more photos in the Report from Three Rivers...
 

IPMS Mid-Michigan (Mid Michigan Model Makers) have sent 20+ boxes (space available parcel post--less than 60 inches girth x length) of kits to the Iraq model network (LTC Salerno) this year.  This is now up to approximately 100 new & second hand kits plus supplies and modeling magazines

The kits were a combination of kits donated by club members, kits donated by attendees at our local contest and kits purchased with club funds.  Many of the purchased kits came from a dealer in 2nd hand kits: Dean's Hobby Stop in Flushing, Michigan. 

The last series of kits were purchased with funds provided by a club member who recently left the army.  Jim Brandt stated that after his two tours in Iraq---he knew what it was like to be bored without a lot to do.
 

IPMS/Georgia Mountain Modelers

The IPMS/Georgia Mountain Modelers did a Hobbies For Heroes donation drive to collect supplies to send to the troops. Our local Hobby Town where we meet let us set up a table outside and offered discounts to any purchases made for the donation box. We did much better than we had imagined we would and collected over 40 kits and bags full of supplies as well as over $100 in cash donations to use for shipping and additional items.

     Central Jersey IPMS club has sent kits over on 3 separate occasions so far. Donations have come from club members, Jackson Hobby Shop and The Game Room here in New Jersey. We have sent over approx. 12 cases of kits and supplies so far and we will be taking another collection up this fall. We even had an article in the Journal about a year ago about our donations. Thanks for the recognition. We enjoy giving them a little slice of home.

John Stark
IPMS/CNJ
 

Every December, IPMS/SLC collects model kits from the members to support several local organizations including the Veterans Association Hospital and Primary Children's Hospital. Last December we collected close to 100 kits. Since one of our members had been instrumental in setting up the Baghdad Hobby Club, 3 boxes of kits were forwarded on to our troops in Iraq. We found out that these were split among 2 groups and we got a lovely thank-you card from HM2 Connor for the kits they received which were snatched up by a multi national group of modelers. Attached is a photo of the card.

Phil Peterson
Chapter Contact IPMS/SLC
 

The members of IPMS Memphis recently sent four large boxes in response to a plea from J P Myers of the Bagram Hobby Club in Afghanistan. The shipment contained one small compressor and hose, three Paasche airbrushes, a wrench, several sanding sticks, several hobby knife handles, a box of #11 blades (100), eyedroppers, mixing cups, squeeze bottles, rags, tool kit boxes, sand paper, a self-contained drill set, 20-something jars of acrylic paint, and 26 model kits. J P Has responded that the shipment arrived in good order, and goes a long way to re-establish the Bagram Club. The members of IPMS*Memphis are happy to support out troops in southwest Asia, and only wish there was more we could do. We look forward to seeing news of the Bagram club members' models in future postings and articles - and their safe return home.

IPMS*Memphis encourages other chapters to support our troops as well - perhaps to even "out do" our efforts. ;-)

-- Joe Vincent
 

In response to a shipment of 4 large boxes of Modeling Materials,  IPMS/Fame Cities received the following note from Maj. Duke Samouce of the Ft. Speicher Group:

The participation in the model group has been huge, all of the kits and supplies sent by your chapter are being utilized by the soldiers and airmen. I have also received a lot of thanks and gratitude from the soldiers and would like you to pass it on to your members. Especially thanks for the Chapter Membership, means a lot to me and the group. Here are a couple of links to some publicity on the model group:

http://www.blackanthem.com/News/military_2006030208.html

http://www.happynews.com/news/372006/Soldiers-building-models-for-kids.htm

Thanks again for the outstanding support from you and your members!

Dear Sir

 My name is Matt Frederickson. I am a Blackhawk pilot with the 101st Airborne Division.  I found your e mail in the box of a 1/72nd scale P-47 I just had the opportunity to build.  I wanted to thank you for donating the model and to convey how grateful I am as well as the other builders are. Having the opportunity to be able to build while we are away from home has given us not only some thing to look forward to but also refuge from the often boring and sometimes dramatic events here in Iraq.  I have attached a few photos of the completed P-47. This is the first model I have built in many years and it turned out even better then I expected. Thank you and I hope to be able to have more updates on successful builds in the future. Thanks

 Matt

I am Hank Lapa, the DC Chapter's Raffle Coordinator, R2 Hack, and Default Troop Supporter.  I wanted to advise you that the 883d Medical Company (Combat Stress Center) at LSA Anaconda, Iraq, is forming under the leadership of Maj. Ed Moschella, OIC, himself a modeler.  I have sending packages directly to him for a few months.  They will also be sharing in a cookie collection courtesy of the DC members and a local Junior Girl Scout Troop.  Efforts to have modeling events at Walter Reed AMC and maybe later NNMC Bethesda are being worked. 

I will be an amateur vendor at the NoVA Chapter's Model Classic next Month (March 2006), and expect to gather more good stuff at that event.  I wanted you to know that the caring and sharing is strong at the grass roots level.  My local Land Rover dealer recently ponied up $300 to buy all the types of Land Rover kits I could find, and some tools and supplies as well.  This goes beyond hobbyists.  It's about Americans, plain and simple.  Capt. Wallace's seminal Thanksgiving email has been inspiring and demonstrates that the rewards are greater than the efforts.  Thanks for sharing that. 

As far as I can see, there is no problem in keeping this up for the long haul -- whatever it takes!  If you can keep us up to date with the clubs and the direct contact information, we will keep spreading the styrene.  The bonds between Allied and indigenous personnel is strengthened by the efforts back home, and this is not just a good investment in the hobby, but in peace, now and in the future, hardly a trivial matter.  There is no such thing as too much effort for many of us gratefully sleeping under real roofs. 

OK, I've gone outside the chain-of-command emailing you directly, with the hope that you are regularly re-energized in your helping all modelers. 

Fly NAVY,
Hank
 

Dave Wallace
Ft. Tall Afar Hobby Club
January 2006
 

Email To
1st Vice President John Noack from Doug Carl
Regarding Fort Tall Afar

I  sent four boxes of models and supplies to CPT Wallace on Oct. 29.  Followed up with an email on Monday morning (Oct  31) listing package and insurance numbers.  On Tuesday morning  received a reply; unfortunately a supply convoy was  ambushed  by IED, one of his men lost a leg and three were wounded.  He was very grateful that the boxes were on their way, hoping this would  improve his troops morale.   I am still checking with our club members and local hobby shop, they did gave me a discount on paints and cement as well as threw in several model magazines .    I am hoping they let me place a container donations for the next two months- missed the owner twice and last two days - he been home ill.  WAC will meet Nov. 13, my hope that additional kits and supplies will appear for another shipment after Thanksgiving. I will let you know when CPT Wallace received the packages. I wanted to get the first series of packages to Tall Afar as soon as possible, since they are located  mid-point between Mosul and the Syrian border, to let them know there are not forgotten.

Respectfully, Doug  Carl
 

The following generous people sent donations to our little Hobby Group in Diego Garcia: Steve Frost, Washington Armor Club, Paul Link, Mike O' Malley, Skip Samples, Elbert Cook, Jerry Davis – MMCL, Harry Batey, Bob Taylor And Friends From IPMS/Space Coast, Todd Rauch And Family, Ben Ballenger.

From the Diego Garcia Modeler's Group we say "Thank you for the generosity each of you have shown to our little but active group here in the remote island of Diego Garcia".
 

At the 2005 National Convention in Atlanta this past July, SSgt. Dave Roof presented US Flags (carried on actual combat missions in Iraq) to a number of individuals, organizations, and IPMS/USA in appreciation for their support in the "Hobbies For Heroes" program. Accepting the presentation on behalf of the Society are (L. to R.) John Noack, IPMS/USA 1st Vice President, and Dave Morrissette, IPMS/USA President.

IPMS/Space Coast
Melbourne, FL

 

In a letter to Sgt. "Panama Jack" Quimbiulco (Kandahar Modelers) the members of IPMS/Space Coast wrote: Today our club with the permission of Dave Ginsberg (owner of Space Coast Hobbies) a box was placed in his shop for donations. I have attached a couple of pictures. Enjoy... Remember you may be far from home but you are remembered everyday by your modeling friends here in Fl. God Bless & keep you all safe.

A hearty Well Done!! 
to the guys at IPMS/Space Coast!!

From Maj. Bryan Ross: The Twin City Aero Historians, an IPMS chapter in Minnesota, recently sent a great box of hobby supplies including a couple of books I wish I had before I started building kits!
 

Updated June 2005: The Bay Colony Historical Modelers Association started our clubs support for our GI’s on February 14, 2004 and since then have sent to them, at various times, the following total: 106 assorted models, 47 pieces of HO gauge rolling stock, 65 assorted tools and supplies and have just allocated an additional $100.00 from our club treasury towards supplies. We are committed to our GI’s hobby endeavors and will continue our shipments of models and supplies as long as needed.

John J. Gisetto Sr. - “Hobbies for Heroes” Coordinator
Bay Colony Historical Modelers Association
 

The North Olympic Peninsula Modelers Society (NOPMS) Chapter has sent more than 80 model kits plus paints, tools and supplies to Iraq this month. Click HERE to read all about their efforts...

Floyd Werner Jr. and the IPMS/Baltimore Chapter has sent about ten boxes to Sgt. Donna Ring at Fort Endurance in Iraq, but they could use more. Read all about it in Floyd's recent Email.
 

In October of 2004 the members of IPMS Niagara Frontier, under the leadership of President Tony Gliszczynski, decided to make a Holiday modeling donation to the overseas military modeling clubs in Baghdad and Diego Garcia. Our initial donation was going to be $600 out of the club treasury.
     We decided to take advantage of the Squadron Shop donation program. Instead of sending models an account is opened up at Squadron on which the various model clubs can order hobby materials against the account. The Squadron Shop is even so generous as to match the donated funds 100% for the clubs located in combat zones, Baghdad and Bagram. We contacted Squadron Shop, Chuck Haransky of The Squadron Shop was very gracious in helping us set up the account. We had planned to get the accounts opened and the clubs notified by Christmas 2004 but club contact half a world away was harder than expected.
    At the time of our club Holiday party 2004, though the money was ready to go, I had as of that point not been able to contact anyone in either club. So feeling we had a bit more time to come up with some extra money we passed the Santa (really a Santa hat) hat at our club party, response was overwhelming! We were able to collect over $300 additional dollars, with a $100 check coming from Ted Paris of The Iron Shipwright. We immediately sent a check for over $900 to Squadron to open up the two accounts.
    After lots more emails and a bunch of requests for help on the IPMS Forum (thanks guys) we were finally able to make contact with the correct people in Baghdad and Diego Garcia. Though contact was finally made about a month after the Holidays we still consider it IPMS Niagara Frontier's Holiday visit from Santa to our troops and sailors-It was our honour to do it!

Respectfully Submitted by
Bob Collignon
Chapter Contact, IPMS/Niagara Frontier
 

The Long Island Scale Modelers Society has sent 5 boxes of models and supplies to the Baghdad Hobby Club. Included were kits of (mostly) a/c, cars, and armor. Also included was Krazy glue, sandpaper, brushes, acrylic floor wax, Windex, toilet paper and baby wipes, a few magazines and miscellaneous supplies. We are still collecting models and supplies and will sending more soon. - Lou Correri
 

New Jersey IPMS got together at their annual "Barbecue" in September and filled a mini-van with over 200 kits and other materials for our guys in Baghdad and Afghanistan. It's our way of saying "Thanks!" to our Troops serving overseas. It was interesting to note that when our Chapter contact went to the Post Office to mail a batch of packages to the Bagram club, the Postal clerk noticed the contents listed as "Plastic Model Hobby Kits" and asked about it. After the Contact explained about the program, the clerk said: "I'm a Vet - Thank You from ALL of us!
 

Sal Picataggio #17714
Bay Shore, NY

Dear IPMS,
I sent a small batch of kits (10-15) to our troops in Bosnia. I’ve got too many at home (so my wife tells me), so I decided to thin out the collection and give someone else a chance. Please let the membership know that postage to an APO address is not that expensive- and also worth it.
 

IPMS/Fresno Scale Modelers got together and sent two  boxes of model kits to Baghdad, and two more to Bosnia. Our members, with some help from the local Hobbytown USA, put together several kits of various sizes and subjects, and supplies that included tube glue, liquid glue, super glue, acrylic paints, sandpaper, knives, tape and a few other things. The local Post Office had issues with the paints in one of the boxes to go to Baghdad, but because they are acrylic, there was no problem. It should help to make what little free time our guys have more enjoyable. Thanks to all those in all branches of the service that are doing so much for us. - Ron Grasmick.
 

The Military Modelers Club of Louisville (MMCL) has launched its drive to support troops in Iraq and Bosnia.  The first day of the campaign netted over 100 donated items.  Noteworthy is club member Scott Borden's donation of two brand new 1/32 scale F/A-18 Hornets by Academy and two 1/32 F-15 Eagles by Tamiya.  Scott also donated some other very nice items.The entire club is behind this effort and we will be making several shipments to troops in these theaters over the next several weeks based on the club support with donations.

We have placed information about this drive on our club website at http://www.mmcl.org   Click on the Baghdad Hobby Club logo from the main page and it will take you to the MMCL "Operation - Support Our Troops" page.

Jerry Davis
MMCL Webmaster"
 

I received a message from a member of the IPMS/DC chapter who had forwarded a message from a Sgt. Flyte in Iraq who just took over as the Baghdad Coordinator. He was looking for kits, and various other supplies. Being a member of the DC IPMS and IPMS NOVA, and also a former military man, I felt it was the least I could do and ship them off a box of kits. It may not be much but if it helps them then so much the better.
 

At the February meeting of the IPMS Edward “Butch” O’Hare chapter meeting the membership was informed of the Baghdad Hobby Club. During the March meeting several members of the O’Hare club donated 28 kits for the Baghdad Hobby Club. Thanks to Butch Bejna, Marc Brzezicki, Ron Carlson, Ron Getz, Bill Soppet, Ron Thorne, Keith Ward and John Wendt.  Marc packed up and mailed 3 boxes of kits and other items to our troops in Iraq. Last week we collected another dozen kits that will be mailed out shortly.

Mid-Michigan Model Makers (IPMS Chapter 8 in Region 4) sent 20+ kits to the Baghdad Hobby Club in January. The kits were mostly aircraft of all eras plus a couple car kits. The kits were donated by club members along with paint brushes and superglue.
 

IPMS Quad Cities Scale Modelers of Moline, IL just Had their spring show in March took donations of $40.00 for this effort added another $60.00 went to their local Hobbytown and bought Paint,Brushes, sand paper. Also added to the package was one of our club T-shirts a package of computer paper which we heard they were short on and a bunch of super glue.Sent it out on April 14. (Courtesy of Randy Kidd, Treasurer, QCSM)
 

IPMS/Three Rivers of Pittsburgh PA joins the effort with their donation to the Baghdad Hobby Club!
 

See how Bill Dedig and the other members of the Chapter have joined in supporting the Hobbies for Heroes program by sending over 100 various models to the soldiers located in Iraq.

IPMS/Wings & Wheels

 

At the February meeting, Wings & Wheels Modelers, an IPMS chapter in Western Mass and Northern Connecticut with the Generous help of Hal Marshman and Frank Knight of the Bay Colony IPMS chapter collected about 40 kits, 50 magazines and various supplies for the Baghdad Hobby Club. Club/IPMS member Bryan Tucker of Glastonbury CT coordinated the effort and mailed out the packages.  (Courtesy of Al LaFleche)
 

IPMS/Craig Hewitt
Phoenix, AZ

Mike Pabis of IPMS/Craig Hewitt details how his Chapter has donated kits to the 82nd Airborne...

The Chapter has also donated kits to the Walter Reed Army Hospital...
 

John Lester
Starship Modeler

IPMS/USA Member John Lester has posted a list of organizations supporting the hobby effort for our troops on his excellent website at:

http://www.starshipmodeler.com/troops.htm
 

IPMS Denver/Rob Wolf

Read how IPMS/Denver is supporting the "Baghdad Hobby Club" with some help from Colpar Hobbies in this interesting feature by Derek Brown.
 

IPMS/Salt Lake City

Meanwhile, in Utah, IPMS/Salt Lake City club V.P. Pat Gilmore offered to send Dave Flitton, a club member stationed in Iraq and his fellow National Guardsmen some models to keep them busy during their off hours when they first went to Baghdad. Dave initially declined because they "weren't going to be there that long". Surprise! When the fall months came around and they were informed that they weren't going home anytime soon, Dave e-mailed Pat and mentioned that if he was still serious about sending models and supplies he would be more than happy to accept anything anyone could send him. He provided his APO address, and Pat launched Operation Plastic with the IPMS/SLC club in answer to his request. So far about half a dozen individual IPMS/SLC members have provided packages of models and supplies, and Douglas Models, Title Sponsor of the 2003 IPMS Region 10 Convention, shipped a package full of supplies to Dave on their own. In return, Dave sent some pictures of completed models to Pat and these have been posted on the IPMS/SLC website at:

http://www.ipmsslc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26