Ive built a Philippine Air Force Rescue Bell 205A Huey (pics posted in the helo forum) in exactly the same markings as the one I took a ride with friends on. After revisiting the same aircraft in the hangar a few months later and opening up the access panels I swore to build a model of it. After seeing it my friends had a blast recalling how funny the ride was, especially when the pilot pulled what they call a "stall turn" that almost let us view what we had for lunch.
As fate would have it, the very same chopper figured in a crash a few weeks before I finished my kit. And it was then being flown by a very close friend of mine! Fortunately, he walked away from the crash without any serious injuries.
Ive considered building a model of every plane, chopper, ship or armored vehicle I take a ride on (well, except for the airliners, maybe). I figured I could show it to my children someday and tell them "daddy took a ride in the real thing."