Hello Everybody ;
I was sitting on the porch the other day and this popped into this old grey mind . What is going to happen to All my models and supplies after I am not here to build or admire them . Will they be worth anything ? If so , How Much ? The tools I've collected and use daily will be there too . Along with all the paints and other stuff .
I don't do much in the way of weathering so I don't have that stuff . I do have Vallejo paints for figures though . All kinds of foil chrome and enough Alclad to choke a horse ! ( haven't used much of it ) and All my Testors Model Master Paints .
Now here's the news you NEVER want to hear .Your stuff isn't worth enough to fix a windshield on a pickup ! Why ? Well who's going to give your descendants enough to make it worthwhile . NO ONE ! At least for most of it . Your " Rare " stuff for instance ? Who besides you know it's rare in the world of models ?
I think we should stop for a day or two and think about our mortality for a minute . Then , think about our models in the shop , on the bench and in the stash . I guess we all could donate it to Fine Scale Modeler to start a museum of plastic kits ? Naw , I think they have enough on their plate . You do know of course , that most Museums won't take anything as well , don't you ?
My experience with them is, if it fits in their agenda , Maybe . Mostly NO ! They would require a storage space equivalent to the largest sports complex in their city . No museum is going to go there . Okay , so here we are . Many , many expensive kits , many old ( maybe collectible in value ) kits and then all the after-market improvement kits as well .
I have an idea that may or may not sit well with any of you .I donate , usually about once a year , models to the Wounded Warrier Project here in San Antonio . Right now it's money and groups of kits through my LHS . I also have a group I am setting aside for the V.A craft center at Audie Murphy and another to the V.A. in Martinez , California .
Well , you say , What good will that do ? Your family will be freed from the burden of figuring out how much each kit is worth , If it's started , and the same if it's in the box , unbuilt and Not started in any way .The other thing is flea markets .They could take the time to rent a space and sell there .My final thought on that is , I have a note on my note board , to contact Fred Sterns in Buffalo and Dean Sills to value and buy what's left .
Now as to the built stuff , I have left a note detailing who wants what and where they are .With their phone number and E-mail address .This way I don't see any going to a garage sale . See , I still worry about stuff that won't even be a concern for me . BUT it will be a concern for those left after we leave .
I know the subject is one no one wants to talk about , but we should talk about this to loved ones and those legally responsible for the estate we leave behind . No matter what it is .Make sure you cover this in your will too ! Models to us , are our link to history and the world before us ,and the world around us . This is something No One understands , Or the reason why we are driven to make them as perfect as possible .
I will leave you now , especially after ruining your day . Don't ever stop Modeling .! Why ? it's re-creation , history telling and just plain relaxing for us even with the Fubars . Model On Tanker Builder P.S. Don't think for a minute you are doing your children a favor Unless they or a Grandchild expressed a very strong interest . Mark those models and set them aside first ! Also inventory the models in note-books by category and type . I do have to make this one fact evident though .Partially started models are worth the cost of recycling only ! Why , Most want to start it themselves .That's why the V.A requires fully unstarted kits !