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                        Rare kits

                        3908 views
                        30 replies
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                        12
                        overkillphil
                        • Member since
                          October 2004
                        • From: Northern Indiana
                        Rare kits
                        Posted by overkillphil on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 10:58 AM
                        I saw in another thread that some one is planning to build the AMT XB-70 and I am planning on acquiring one myself. I am somewhat leary of building this kit since it was a limited edition and will probably become harder to find as time passes. I've heard stories about things like the F-108 Rapier that have become so valuable that no one will build them.
                        So my question is this: Do you have anything in your collection that you won't build because it is a rarity, or does that sort of thing even concern you?
                        my favorite headache/current project: 1/48 Panda F-35 "I love the fact that dumb people don't know who they are. I hope I'm not one of them" -Scott Adams
                        Report Abuse
                        Foster7155
                        • Member since
                          July 2003
                        • From: Pensacola, FL
                        Posted by Foster7155 on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 11:09 AM
                        I don't worry about it too much. I consider myself a model builder more than a model collector. My collection was accumulated prior to retirement solely to offset the reduction in income and give me sufficient kits to build over the next 5 to 10 years. Several of kits that I purchased over the past two years were OOP when I got them or have subsequently gone OOP. Although these kits will probably move lower on my "to build" list, eventually I'll build them.

                        Robert Foster

                        Pensacola Modeleers

                        Report Abuse
                        rrmmodeler
                        • Member since
                          February 2004
                        • From: Humble
                        Posted by rrmmodeler on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 11:58 AM
                        I am a builder and not a collector and so I don't worry about it too much. Plus I don't think there is much of a future in model kit collecting. The kits that might be worth a high amount of money are rare and far in between and I doubt I would ever just happen to have one or even obtain one.
                        Report Abuse
                        waikong
                        • Member since
                          December 2002
                        • From: NYC, USA
                        Posted by waikong on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 12:15 PM
                        The only concern is if I want a kit to build that has become rare and pricey. I buy only want I intend to build.

                        My website: http://waihobbies.wkhc.net

                           

                        Report Abuse
                        rjkplasticmod
                        • Member since
                          February 2003
                        • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
                        Posted by rjkplasticmod on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 1:04 PM
                        I won't buy a rare kit that is priced high, but if I had one in my stash & wanted to build it I would. I'd save the box though because idiots on eBay will pay a lot for an empty box Smile [:)].

                        Regards, Rick
                        RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
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                        Woody
                        • Member since
                          December 2002
                        • From: Third rock from the sun.
                        Posted by Woody on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 5:52 PM
                        It's doubtful I would. I've always been able to find a new/cheaper/better kit to build.
                        Would I sell a rare kit to somebody who intended to build it? Sure. I sold one of my "Model Technologies" 1/72 B-2 vacs to a guy I knew was going to cut it up for something else. Was it rare? Yup it was the only kit put out by MT and "The Black Dorito" as it has been refered was worth over $100.

                        " I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones
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                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 5:56 PM
                        Most of my kits are considered rare due to the fact that normally only between 20~200 are made and limited as to where you can purchase them.

                        In addition to that I also hunt for specific kits that I want to add into my collection and since most of the kits are OOP 3~6 months after they are released it can be a chore finding them. Very few of those makers will reissue kits.
                        Report Abuse
                        upnorth
                        • Member since
                          December 2002
                        • From: Canada / Czech Republic
                        Posted by upnorth on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 5:03 AM
                        Generally I build models, I think models are like wine, meant to be enjoyed and savoured not left sealed up and gathering dust just for the sake of whats on its label.

                        I view kit collecting like I view wine collecting, it doesn't make much sense to me, it seems a real waste of the product and the skills that were put to use making it.

                        Anyway, some of those old rare kits deserve to be built.
                        Report Abuse
                        djrost_2000
                        • Member since
                          February 2003
                        • From: Where the coyote howl, NH
                        Posted by djrost_2000 on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 8:57 PM
                        What are you going to do with an ancient kit that is worth a lot of money? Put the kit on the mantle over the fireplace? Or put it on a pedestal? No, it's just going to sit in the closet and do nothing.
                        Kits were meant to be built. Wouldn't a beautiful, finished model of a rare kit go for more than the kit itself?

                        Dave
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                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 13, 2005 1:01 AM
                        I have a couple that would be considered rare, and one of these days I will build them. When I see what some doofus is willing to pay on Ebay, I sit back and shake my head in amazement. I've heard that the old Monogram Visible B17 is extremely rare but that is'nt going to stop me from building it when I want to.
                        Report Abuse
                        overkillphil
                        • Member since
                          October 2004
                        • From: Northern Indiana
                        Posted by overkillphil on Thursday, January 13, 2005 5:37 PM
                        Thanks for the input. Being a tremendous b-70 fan I want to build that kit.
                        I used to collect comic books so I have a tendency to think of things in terms of collectors value. But you've put my mind at ease, so I'll go ahead and add it to the list.
                        my favorite headache/current project: 1/48 Panda F-35 "I love the fact that dumb people don't know who they are. I hope I'm not one of them" -Scott Adams
                        Report Abuse
                        Tailspinturtle
                        • Member since
                          February 2004
                        • From: Connecticut
                        Posted by Tailspinturtle on Thursday, January 13, 2005 6:40 PM
                        A Japanese kit catalog (Hasegawa I think) I saw a long time ago, included the statement that went something like, "We worked hard to make this kit. If you bought it, you're obligated to honor that effort by building it."
                        Report Abuse
                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 5:30 AM
                        recently i come across some old novo and matchbox kits in the LHS.
                        some kits for example were 3-4 times more expensive than the equivalent modern counterparts almost to the league of Tamiya big 48ers.
                        Why should I buy these kits rather than the new ones?
                        I can understand if it is a rare subject not reproduced since but when you have the better reproduction why bother?
                        Report Abuse
                        zokissima
                        • Member since
                          July 2003
                        • From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
                        Posted by zokissima on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 7:16 AM
                        Nope, I only buy stuff I plan to build.
                        Report Abuse
                        scottrc
                        • Member since
                          December 2003
                        • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
                        Posted by scottrc on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 10:59 AM
                        The only collecting that I am doing with models if having them collect dust after they are built.

                        Report Abuse
                        Matthew Usher
                        Moderator
                        • Member since
                          April 2003
                        • From: USA
                        Posted by Matthew Usher on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 11:34 AM
                        I guess I'm sort of a collector, mainly out of nostalgia. I love being able to have a kit I built as a kid, especially if it's in the original box. Usually I don't pay more than $10 - $20 for these.

                        For example, I have a Monogram Wildcat kit in the original flat box. It's molded in dark blue styrene, and has those cool original assembly instructions. If I wanted one to build, the kit's still in production, so I'd pick up a new copy.

                        That said, however, I have purchased a few kits for considerably less than their "collector price" -- ones I've stumbled on at garage sales and flea markets. If they're valuable to someone else, I usually sell them and use the money for kits I know I will build.

                        Matt @ FSM
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                        LemonJello
                        • Member since
                          February 2004
                        • From: Green Lantern Corps HQ on Oa
                        Posted by LemonJello on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 12:15 PM
                        Never thought about NOT building a kit I have due to it being a collector's item or rare. I will wait to build a kit if it was an expensive one that I don't want to ruin due to a lack of skill. I've got a few like that, but they'll be built once I use some of my others in the stash to refine/learn skills that will be put to use on those "special" kits.
                        A day in the Corps is like a day on the farm; every meal is a banquet, every paycheck a fortune, every formation a parade... The Marine Corps is a department of the Navy? Yeah...The Men's Department.
                        Report Abuse
                        djmodels1999
                        • Member since
                          December 2002
                        • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
                        Posted by djmodels1999 on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 12:49 PM
                        Speaking of the Valkyrie, I do have an old Aurora Valkyrie. I got it off from e-Bay after months of hunting, firmly decided to build it as its scale would have allowed me to put the model into my display cabinet (the AMT kit is too big!). Unfortunately the Aurora kit is way, way out of shape compared to the real thing, and scratchbuilding a Valkyrie would be easier than changing this old kit into a faithfull replica...
                        Report Abuse
                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 4:57 PM
                        When it comes time to start a new project, I don't really consider the age or whether it is a rare kit, when I decide to build something, it goes into production. Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg] Thumbs Up [tup]
                        Report Abuse
                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 9:03 PM
                        If I have the good fortune to pick up a "Rare" kit I just wait and when the price goes up on ebay out it goes and then I can afford more contemporary models and supplies. It keeps my wife happy and my spending a little more realistic.
                        Report Abuse
                        Woody
                        • Member since
                          December 2002
                        • From: Third rock from the sun.
                        Posted by Woody on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 10:22 PM
                        QUOTE: Originally posted by Matthew Usher

                        I guess I'm sort of a collector, mainly out of nostalgia. I love being able to have a kit I built as a kid, especially if it's in the original box. Usually I don't pay more than $10 - $20 for these.

                        Matt @ FSM

                        Same here. I'm also a big fan of the beautiful box art that used to come on the box. I will confess I've paid a pretty penny in the past for special kits.

                        " I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones
                        Report Abuse
                        nicholma
                        • Member since
                          September 2003
                        • From: New Zealand
                        Posted by nicholma on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 2:01 AM
                        I've bought some rare kits in the past and built them. The only reason I bought them was because I doubted they would be made again and I wanted the model, as long as the price was acceptable I have no qualms about building a rare kit
                        Kia ora, Mark "Time flies like the wind, fruit flies like bananas"
                        Report Abuse
                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 3, 2005 3:40 PM
                        I asked this very same question about rare kits last year, and you will find that many of these guys don't get it. They don't understand collecting for value or rarity. 95% of my replies were, "If I buy it I build it. Otherwise why would I buy a Kit." I have several rare kits and box goofs in my collection. Box goof? A misprint that made it to the retail shelf. Revell did it in the late 80's with one of their corvette offerings. 429 CORVETTE. Big as life, right there on the shelf. Big block Ford in America's sports car? I already knew this had happened from reading Autoweek. I never thought I would see the kit. The wife let me buy the kit on the spot! I buy for building and I buy for collecting when I find that rare one!
                        Report Abuse
                        rdxpress
                        • Member since
                          May 2003
                        Posted by rdxpress on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 5:51 PM
                        Hey All,
                        I have some "rare" and classic kits that I can't bring myself to build now because
                        I COULD sell them and take a trip to Tahiti but then I might build them, Except
                        my orginal Monogram B-52 mainly because you will never again see a kit packaged
                        as well as that one was.
                        Woody, thanks for the Info on the MT "B-2" I bought one of those when it first came
                        out and never built it , mainly due to lack of experience with Vac, Now I may sell
                        it for that vacation I mentioned!
                        I also have an Aurora AH-56A that I plan on building eventually( probebly with
                        my RAH-66 as a "should have been" display.
                        Well I need to go and thats my 2cents.
                        Report Abuse
                        Woody
                        • Member since
                          December 2002
                        • From: Third rock from the sun.
                        Posted by Woody on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 10:11 PM
                        There is nothing wrong with collecting for collectings sake. Somebody should preserve some of these wonderful objects for the generations that follow.

                        " I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones
                        Report Abuse
                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 10:27 PM
                        QUOTE: Originally posted by Woody

                        There is nothing wrong with collecting for collectings sake. Somebody should preserve some of these wonderful objects for the generations that follow.


                        I agree but when people try to preserver them for their monetaty value things can go wrong.

                        Usually collectable stuff does go through cycles of high and low pricess, at times you can get a lot for it and at other times you would have to pay people to take it off your hands.

                        If you are willing to hold onto something for like 10~15yrs than you might be able to hit a time when the item is in big demand and where you can charge a lot for it.
                        Report Abuse
                        kaleu
                        • Member since
                          February 2003
                        • From: Racing capital of the world- Indy
                        Posted by kaleu on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 10:32 PM
                        I have a 1/35th 5 Star Models 2s6 Tunguska. The kit is 1of 75 in the world. I bought it at the Louisville show two years and have only done minimal cleanup work. I do intend to build it, but the thought of losing or breaking a one of a kind piece on the kit is slowing me down. I am also slowed down by not being able to find adequate reference material online or in books. I have saved a few pictures but nothing that shows the finer detail on the vehicle.
                        Erik "Don't fruit the beer." Newest model buys: More than I care to think about. It's time for a support group.
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                        9x19mm
                        • Member since
                          December 2003
                        • From: Phoenix,Az
                        Posted by 9x19mm on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 6:08 AM
                        Well I guess I dont "get it" either. I always believe cars were meant to be driven, knives should be used to cut , guns shot, guitars played, baseball cards traded, comic books read by kids complete with a ice cream cone in the other hand and models without a doubt built!
                        Report Abuse
                        J-Hulk
                        • Member since
                          February 2003
                        • From: Tochigi, Japan
                        Posted by J-Hulk on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 9:11 AM
                        Why should I be concerned with what another person does with a model? That's entirely up to the individual. You want to build it? Have at it! You want to preserve it as is for your collection? Enjoy!
                        The only problem for other modellers is that certain "collector's" kits can become outrageously priced...and scarce. I've wanted to build a C-5A Galaxy for years, but the old Otaki kit ain't cheap...finally got one, but again, it wasn't cheap. I'm going to build it. I also recently picked up and have started working on an old 60's vintage Revell B-52 (the Jet Commando series), and I just bought an Aurora MBT-70 that I'll be starting on shortly. They were expensive, but I want to build them, so I got them.

                        But I'm keeping the boxes!!

                        Build or collect; it's your hobby, not mine.
                        ~Brian
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                        Tankmaster7
                        • Member since
                          August 2004
                        • From: Nowhere. (Long Island)
                        Posted by Tankmaster7 on Thursday, February 10, 2005 9:32 PM
                        Yeah, I definetly have no qualms whatsoever to build a rare model kit. That being said, is the old revell do-17 kit rare at all? I have an empty box of it I could sell on ebay. Mebbe pick up that new tamiya f-16 if it goes for a lot. I can dream can't I?
                        -Tanky Welcome to the United States of America, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, in partnership with Halliburton. Security for your constitutional rights provided by Blackwater International.
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