Unfortunately, landfill is the most likely destination for many completed model kits.

I have built hundreds and currently have maybe a dozen completed models in hand.

Occasionally I'll give one away if I feel like doing so, but mostly I make sure I have good photos, and then throw them away.

Because to be quite honest, any models I have built more than a couple of years ago are kind of embarrassing.

Time for a harsh reality check to start 2020 - the number of people interested in your completed builds is way less than you think. Most organizations, schools, etc. do NOT want them cluttering up their space. They have enough problems without your junk. If they took built models all the time, they’d be overrun with them.

I had a number of 1/48 aircraft and a few other pieces in the case at a shop when it closed almost six years ago now. I told the owners they could give them to anyone that asked about them. I didn’t want them back. Bottom line - enjoy your building and kits while you’re around. But if you think you’re creating some kind of ‘legacy’, you’re seriously deluding yourself.

I've been back at this for about 2 years now and have used a couple of my early builds as paint mules and they have since been relegated to file 13. I believe I have 8 or 9 on the shelf downstairs now, (too lazy to go count) of those 8 there are only one or two I really care to keep the others will be replaced by better builds of the same type aircraft.

MJames70

Time for a harsh reality check to start 2020 - the number of people interested in your completed builds is way less than you think.

For the most part, I'm not even that interested in my own completed builds. I like to build kits and then often put them in boxes and go onto the next build. A few nostalgic builds I keep on the display cabinet.

Most tanks get the turret removed, placed into the kit box if it's big enough, and that box gets put into a bigger box along with other completed tank kits in the same condition. I've got a spiral bound notebook with an inventory of what completed kits are in the box. Sometimes when someone posts that they are looking for an item from a certain kit and I have that kit, I might pop the piece off and send it to them.

I assume one day the big moving box full of completed kits will go to the landfill.

I gave my 9 yr old nephew many of the completed Star Wars kits.

   I'm taking mine with me when I go...... It will have to be used as currency to cremate my fat ***.

   My guess is a couple may linger in cases somewhere by friends, unless they leave before me, I'm believing that where my built and stash will end up is not for me to worry about as I'll have bigger things to do.

I usually keep them for a while and then give them to friends or neighbors and their kids. Most of the older WWII builds are in the museum where I volunteer. My wife, brother and the members of our club will get first pick of the ones that are left followed by the museum. That goes for the stash too. My wife will take care of the rest as she sees fit. She knows the places and people that can use them. The word "dumpster" is not in her vocabulary. I've thought of taking one with me but don't care for the idea of it being creamated.

Jim (Hopefully)

I will donate my 1/48 airplanes to the local VFW hall. They can do with them as they wish.

I should tell my wife what she should do with hundreds of built and unbuilt kits I have.  I have to do night time dialysis everyday, and I've had several small strokes and my brain has shunk recently. So they have told me.  Who knows how long I have left.  Days or decades, I just keep plugging along.  Models make me happy, so I keep making them, nothing lasts forever.  Otherwise they are just major dust collectors.  I don't worry  about the kits anymore, weather or not they are accurate or the colors are the right shade of green or yellow or whatever.   I have recently found some web sites and various posters hilarious.  We take this hobby so serious.   What to do with now is a very small thing to our survivors.   Even pictures of them will not survive long after.

Sorry for this being depressing, but I just got some of the news.  Oh well.  Onward to the next part to attach.

In my neighborhood we are blessed with several families with kids. My summer hobby area is the garage, spray booth, compressor and such, kids hear the compressor running and show up to watch.

I have taught dozens of them to build models over the years, giving them models, tools, cement, etc. When they get to the point that they can just do it at home, then they come by to show me their work. When the models are ready for paint, they come here and I teach them about masking/airbrushing.

I give them nearly all of my finished work, some go to aviation museums that I developed a relationship with years ago. I build "two footers" for them, they are kept in cases so they should last for quite some time.

My finished ones are out of my hands as soon as completed, the majority are gifts to neighbor kids, once in a while one will come back here for repairs. Some of their parents have said they appreciate that the kids learned the hobby, it gives them another activity for occupying their time especially during our wet winter months.

But I have to agree, eventually they all will be disposed of at some point, not many folks have the interest in models that we are so fond of. So I think the sentiment to simply enjoy it as something we do for our own pleasure is correct.

Patrick

In my cabin... Ikea 'Billy' bookcases 5 now, one in the house 4 in the cabin, here are some of them....

I assume the unbuilt kits will go to other modelers and the built kits will end up in the landfill

Hello!

Dang, this thread is so sad! And I'm still worrying about finding time to build those unbuilt kits... But what you're writing here is mostly right - nothing lasts forever and our little babies won't last without somebody caring for them.

Have a nice day, anyway

Paweł

There are no side pockets in coffins.  I suspect that my son may want to keep a few that he likes best, the others will go to the dumpster.  

Only one of my built models has survived since childhood, a '59 Corvette, I have six current WIP and plan on displaying them when finished in my shop.  I will try to hold on to them as long as space allows.

The example I have set for my three sons is one of knowedge of history, warfare and machines. I don't think they will follow in my footsteps of love for everything miniature, but to each their own.  However, what worries me about the future of this hobby is the new generation might build models of their favorite cell phone!

Two words: 

VIKING FUNERAL

Throw my carcass and all my models in there and light 'er up!!! 

All joking aside they get handed over to our local IPMS club. The unfinished ones will go into the raffle. The finished ones will go to club members and be offered to the local transportion museum and the D-Day Memorial- aka they'll probably end up in the landfill. My nephews really just don't have any interest, one does build cars once in awhile but it's all garbage to toss out to them. 

PS: PatW, that's some really nice shelving there. Very neat way to display your work. 

Cadet Chuck

There are no side pockets in coffins.  I suspect that my son may want to keep a few that he likes best, the others will go to the dumpster.  

 

There's a thought.....build your own box, and outfit it with shelves to take your favorites with you to enjoy in whatever comes after.

Whatever I don't build will either get tosssed or go to the local club.  What is built that the cats don't destroy will probably get tossed.

I was just thinking about this topic yesterday, as I intend to donate my Revell ISS model to the local middle school or high school science department. But that could be considered educational.  My other 200 plus builds are not.  

I always keep a growing list of WWII museums/societies in my state, along with vets clubs etc.  

My great-grandfather had many ship models displayed at the local VFW, ITAM Vets clubs around my area.  He was a fisherman from Sicily that came to Gloucester to fish, and was a locally famous ship modeler, all scratch built.

I understand it's a different era now but hopefully someone will enjoy some of these models.

I've  had individuals that have seen my models say if you ever have to move call me and I will take some of them.  I have  a list of  names.

As you all know models are extremely fragile so this does not lend itself to handling etc. unless by another modeler who understands this.  Another point to think about  here.

I have several large scratchbuilt ships that I am confident will stay in the family.

For the rest of my models, I expect the clubs I belong to will help my family, as they  buyers  the unbuilt kits.  The clubs have auctioned off kits from other deceased members.

Hmmmm;

     Boy: Talk about a heavy opening for 2020!

     Well, to tell the truth.They wil probably go to Veterans( Unbuilt Kits). The rest? Well! Except those Corporate owned or in Museums, the Landfill.

     I truly wish it could be different, but I am to be cremated. If I was to take them with, they would have to get a Hydrocarbon burning Permit from the E.P.A.!

     I could only wish they would find eager hands , But, Like all things, as we pass into history these things will be forgotten.

     It is indeed sad, But, remember,these were made to be built for enjoyment by an individual for a pastime. Not as a piece of Historical Value!

      If it does last until it has Historical Value, then it will indeed be precious! As an example of what petroleum made possible for the generations that built them.

       Remember, only Modelers build parts of history they like, Because they don't have to build what they don't like. So there it is . T.B.

Mine  usually get purchased  shortly after I finish them. ( mostly the model Train stuff.)

Watever is left of the "built-ups" will be sent to my Nephew's, Nieces, and any grandchildren I have in the future....... they will most likely do the same thing I did when I was young...... BLOW THEM UP WITH CHERRY BOMB'S !!!!!!

The un-built kits will probably be "garage sale fodder", or donated to Goodwill.

I do have a few ( 17) German sub's that I believe will be tossed in the box with me.......

Do you think there's a Hobby store near St Peter's Gate?   .....( I may need some glue...)

Too bad for all of you.  My wife and kids will put all my work into the Ted Tedtedderson Museum.  Priceless works of art!

Just kidding.  Trash. Hopefully the unbuilt kits get donated. 

My dad scratch built several wooden ships.  If my brothers don't take any when the time comes, I will keep them all. 

T e d

If my memory serves me right, the airports at Albuquerque and Austin both have an extensive model display in the terminals. ABQ was really amazing with many glass display cases filled with well done models. AUS was a bit less so, but still good. It’s been many, many years since I passed through those places, but the memory stuck with me.

That’s the way a good model should end up imho. Admittedly, a vast majority of people would walk past too much in a hurry to pay attention, but there would be some travelers who’d stop and admire them.

Hey everyone,

I'm working with a few individuals in Utah (that's where I live when I'm not working) building a small aviation museum. This museum will have a handful of airworthy, WWI reproductions as well as a large 1/48 model aircraft display. We hope to have one of the world's largest model aircraft displays. We are making an app to go with this display to give credit to the builder, and give a brief history on the aircraft and the pilot. All pieces will be in 1/48 scale to maintain subject continuity thereby illustrating both the evolution of aviation since its nascency, as well as its history.  

If anyone has any 1/48 aircraft that they would like to part with (both presently or eventually), PM me, and I might be able to help you have your work displayed forever rather than having it suffer the eventual fate of going to a landfill. We presently have almost 300 pieces, but are hoping to ascertain hundreds more. I can send anyone interested a list of the aircraft models we do have to show you our progress. In order for your work to be displayed, we would like to screen it to ensure it meets appropriate display standards (e.g. seams filled, decals clear coated, etc.). 

And last thing. This isn't really my first post at FSM. I formerly went by the username raptordriver (that's the plane I thought I would end up flying as a child). I joined when I was a teenager, back in 2006. I just started with a new profile since I couldn't login. I've returned to building about two years ago. Anyway, I look forward to seeing some old friends, and making new ones. 

Andrew

All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.

My kids will auction my stash and wargame collection on Ebay.

I care not what happens to my builds.  I build them for my pleasure and think I do fairly well skill-wise, but I have no illusions they are museum quality.  If my legacy in life is a collection of built models, I'm not doing it right.

I imagine that my kids will sell off the unbuilt kits and trash the built ones. Once I'm gone, it really doesn't matter.

I plan on living forever. So y'all can send me all the unbuilt kits and I'll do them. And I won't even charge y'all. So it's a win win for everyone