Is this part of the modeling sickness?

I wish I had your problem...I'm just trying to finish a kit. My very modest collection is increasing far faster than I can build. There always seems to be something out there. My problem is I can't pass up a good deal anymore, want it or not.

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

If the kit is rare, sometimes I feel a little remorse, but that has never stopped me from building the collectable kits. Besides doesn't that mean I can replace it with two new ones?

yeah woody,
that's pretty much what I do. Build 1, buy 2

Build one, buy two, stash three; great life, isn't it?

What's the matter Eric?? Feeling the need for another 1/16 Tiger I in your stack???

Yer sick man

(psst, i want a King Tiger I think )

Eric

I don't find I feel depressed because I've "lost" a kit from my unbuilt collection when I finish it. I feel a little lost because the journey of the build is over - I sit there and look at my handiwork and think "what do I do with it now?". Once the build is over, I lose a little interest - sure, it's nice to look at, but once it's done, it's done. It then becomes a dust collector. That may be why I really only build for others and have such a small number of
built models on display.
Cheers,
LeeTree

I don't think I have that particular malady, but I do suffer from regular bouts of "baiwotyalikitis," which has resulted in a marked swelling of the closet and pronounced thinning of the wallet.

sometimes i stair at my stockpile and know im going to have the same feelings like lee tree has, what now, so i just let the kit stay on the shelf.

I'm just thankful to get a kit finished and out of the pile, I don't know what to do! I have so much to build, that getting one done (finally) gets me excited to build another that has been languishing in the pile for years. Of course, making the pile smaller makes buying kits more justifiable--to me and the wife (I think)!
Gip Winecoff

Another 1/16??? No way! This one is a budget-buster the way it is


I was looking at it from the point of duplicate kits. I have seen pictures of other peoples collection, where they have 2-3 (or more) of the same kit. Obviously bought for a reason. Maybe as a lot or a price too good to pass up, so on.

This is what got me thinking.

I don't have any unbuilt dup's in my collection but, I am so used to seeing a particular kit, still boxed, would I buy another?

An example would be my Tigers. I have 9 different versions (Early, Mid, Late, interior, Henschel, Porsche turrets, Academy, Tamiya) If I built one, I think I would buy another to replace it. I don't know why. That's why I am asking.

Eric,
It sounds as if you're trying to balance the scales between building and collecting. And since you seem to be collecting your favorite (the Tigers), it's seems that you're also starting to attach some sort of sentimentality to your favorites. You're also verbalizing something that I think affects us all: the anticipation versus the reality of building. Seeing the kit still in the box evokes a different form of visualization than does the completed end product. The model, while still in the box, appears larger, cleaner (build-wise), painted better, and just maybe a little more menacing than what will ultimately sit on a base; what you see in your mind is better than what sits in front of you. There's an old saying that goes something like: "Anticipation (or expectation) breeds (or brings) disappointment". In essence, the fantasy is always better than the reality, and therein lies the letdown. What's the solution? I'm not really sure, except to say that 1) Maybe we shouldn't be so materialistic. Doing without certainly changes our views on what we do have. 2) Accept the fact that life is short. Build and enjoy while you have the chance. We have no guarantee that we'll wake up in the morning; then, the number and type of kits we have won't matter. 3) This is not popular, and by no means do I intend offense: If you're (and I'm speaking to me, too) having to, or think you have to buy replacements, then what is number one in your life? Who or what are you worshipping? Idolatry takes on many subtle forms.

I write this, not because I'm trying to preach, be religious, or provide some sort of psycho-babble, but because I've had to deal with the exact same things, and make some rather eye-opening changes in the way I live, and the decisions I make. Maybe I've made this too analytical, or at least, too serious. Maybe there are those that just like kits, and for whatever reason, just want to posess them. Sorry if y'all find this too sappy. Just my opinion.

Gip Winecoff

I totally agree with what you are saying. I have said, countless times to myself (and to my wife) If you want something, go ahead and get it. We both save for a rainy day, save for the childrens edjucation but, I told her, life is too short not to enjoy it.

That is why my collection is growing, if I like it, I'll pick it up. It's not even the fact that, that I spend more than I should. I think you are very correct in saying that, maybe I'm trying to balance between collecting and building. I love to do both. Working the new hours I do, really limits the time I have to build. Maybe this is why I'm becomming more concerned about the collecting side.

I fully plan to build (or at least attempt) to build every kit in my collection. I think all of us say or at least think this. When the kids have grown and moved on to college, my wife and I want to move and get a different house. I have said countless times, I would love to have a downstairs den, with all the models I have built.

Well the first step, in the 12 step program is admitting it:

Hi, my name is Eric and I'm a model collector and builder

C'mon Eric, admitt it, you want another 1/16 Tiger. That's step 1 you know!

BTW, the number for Modelers Annonymous is 888-HEL-PME4 i'm broke!!

Seriously though I know what you mean, I've got dups of some kits but my reasoning has been to do different varients or with different aftermarket sets, etc. I already thought about getting another Marder III so I could do an interior, outside p/e, MK tracks...full blown accesorizzzzed! Then I remembered, I already got it and Verlindens interior [:0] (gotta get tracks and Aber set !!! )

I can understand your wanting, especially your favorites, back in the stack because you tell yourself, "self, the next time I build it, I'll do this better and that better, etc."

Eric

I actually am very excited when I finish a kit, rather than depressed! Getting to look at the completed model, it allows me to think back(since I don't have much free time, a single model can literally take me months), and think of how far I've come! Remember all the new skills I picked up on the way, how much patience, and tender-loving care went into the model, and how impressed everyone else will be by my skills!
Nope, I prefer my models BUILT, not in the box!

Sorta a problem I would like to have. I'm the complete opposite, I just finished upa kit and now I don't have anything to work on except the figures until I get to a shop with cash to spare and blessings of the wife to spend it. Would be nice to have a few stashed somewhere to pull out when needed.