Holy Cow!!! That's a big boat. (Little story here).
So here's the story. In 1993, I was home on leave from the Marine Corps and met my soon to be wife. Upon meeting her parents, I notice a large ship model, about 4 feet long, on top of my future father-in-law's bookcase. "Hmmm, that's pretty cool" I said to myself.
Fast forward to May, 2006. My father-in-law and I have something in common now. About 3 years ago I started building plastic models. This past May, I talked to him about the large ship model on his bookcase. It turns out to be the Nichimo 1/200 Yamato. My father-in-law built in the 1970's.
So where is all of this going you ask? My father-in-law turns to me and says "I have an extra one downstairs". An extra one? Turns out that my father-in-law had bought two of these monster ships in the '70's just in case he messed the first one up. And the condition of the second one - unopened, still in the box, no warping, excellent condition.
Today, June 20, 2006, my father-in-law handed me the box and said "It's all yours". He paid $65.00 for it in the '70's. Today, it's between $350 and $500.
Now the box is sitting on the kitchen table. My wife has a look on her face as if to say "Where are going to put that when it's done?". I'm saying to myself "Boy, I'm glad I married this women.".
The end.