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The history of IPMS/NCT is aligned with the history of IPMS/USA as they began at the same time. In 1964 Jim Sage was corresponding with a group of British modelers about forming a modeling society. In one of the letters Jim suggested naming the group “The International Plastic Modelers Society” instead of “The British Plastic Modeling Society” and it was agreed upon. Jim went to work forming IPMS/USA and setting up chapters across the country. IPMS/NCT was formed and meetings were held at Jim’s house on Durango Street in Dallas. These meeting consisted of films and slide shows as well as discussing the newest models from the far off land of Japan. Jim at this time ran a small hobby shop from his house and would order kits from Fujimi, Hasegawa, Aoshima as well as other manufactures.

Much like Jim never gave himself an IPMS number, he did not register IPMS/NCT as the first chapter. That honor went to Seattle. In the early days members got a typewritten mimeographed newsletter and the English magazine. Eventually the membership out grew Jim’s house and meetings were moved to the Coca Cola plant near Love Field Airport. The club met there for a number of years. These meetings had guest speakers and quarterly contests as well as the usual film and slide shows plus the added perk of free Cokes. Another function was the annual kit auction where members could clean out their closets and make some cash.

In 1976 IPMS/NCT hosted the National Convention at the Royal Motor Coach Inn on Northwest Highway in Dallas. After this, in the early 80s, the chapter moved its meeting site to Eagle Hobbies in Balch Springs. During this time Scalefest was started in conjunction with Squadron Hobbies, running for several years until Squadron no longer wished to be the sponsor. Scalefest has continued without this sponsorship but we maintained a good relationship with Squadron until they closed in 2021.

Eagle Hobbies eventually closed and IPMS/NCT once again moved, this time to the Garden and Arts Center owned by the City of Irving. In 2000 the chapter again hosted the National Convention at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas. The chapter moved to the GRACE Community Center in Grapevine in 2023. In mid 2024 we learned the chapter could no longer use the facility and a scramble ensued to find a new location. After a quick search and some calls the chapter relocated to HobbyTown in Lewisville. The club activities now include a monthly building sessions and discussions. The chapter has integrated members of the Gundam Builders Nights and for the first time at Scalefest 2024 we had a large showing of Gundam models. Since our move to Lewisville the membership has begun to grow month over month, the future of the club is looking bright.