Tell us about your great model finds!

RX7850

Some cool stories so far.  I have one that's  somewhat dated.

Just before taking  a leave from the hobby I made a big score and if you factor  in for inflation I think it still equates to  a deal by current standards.

Back in the day I used to go to this traveling vendors flea market  type of deal called Jolly JIms  These events were huge and took hours to take in. I already had made several trips back to the car with arms and hands full of neat deals  but nothing in the way of models like I had hoped for.  Back  then I had this intuitive built in radar for model kits and from afar I thought I could make out a stack of boxes all facing away from me  so that their contents were not apparent. My concentration  was suddenly interrupted  with  a firm and decisive arm  tug from my better half. She had had enough !  I,  the reluctant boyfriend  agreed.

Luck struck as she felt the need to use the facilities.  Before she took two steps I was already at that table  and my radar had not failed me.  Five large boxes full 1/35  armor , figures, and various scale planes. I knew I didn't  have much time to take it all in so I asked the vendor  how much for everything . I was so excited that I hadn't  even bothered to take notice of the vendor . There was a slight pause and then I heard the  prepubescent voice of  a boy no more than say 13  maybe 14 say the magical  words " how does $35  sound.".  that's  when I looked up realizing who he was and with a concerned tone asked him "Are you sure?"  The boy stated  "Sure , my dad had to do something and left me in charge".   I remember looking around for the remnants of some adult presence and in doing so observed my better half glaring at me from afar. So I reluctantly handed the boy $35 dollars and walked out with everything.  Now I remember this day so vividly because I still wonder if the poor kid was read the riot act like never before from his father . I know I was as my better half helped  carry the boxes.

In the end total carnage came out to well over 100 kits.

Nice one!

Well;

My find was right here on this site . Yes , right here ! I was looking for a model I built over forty years ago .This nice fellow answers my post  here . Sooo. I have found a model of the  " SHELL WELDER " ship model . It even has the optionally available P.E. which I knew NOTHING about . Sure there was a price . I am still getting the little guys together ! The price ? 1/350 tugs , barges and whatever can be used in a port scene . I only have probably three or four ,if that many ,  to send .  I just have to check one more ship box . Thanks TORY !   Let this be a lesson . Your hopes for that  special find may hit you right upside the head ! It did me . Tanker-builder    P.S. The little small craft probably are worth about ten bucks in plastic.The ship on E-BAY has gone for over $125.00 WITHOUT the P.E. or instructions .

tigerman

RX7850

Some cool stories so far.  I have one that's  somewhat dated.

Just before taking  a leave from the hobby I made a big score and if you factor  in for inflation I think it still equates to  a deal by current standards.

Back in the day I used to go to this traveling vendors flea market  type of deal called Jolly JIms  These events were huge and took hours to take in. I already had made several trips back to the car with arms and hands full of neat deals  but nothing in the way of models like I had hoped for.  Back  then I had this intuitive built in radar for model kits and from afar I thought I could make out a stack of boxes all facing away from me  so that their contents were not apparent. My concentration  was suddenly interrupted  with  a firm and decisive arm  tug from my better half. She had had enough !  I,  the reluctant boyfriend  agreed.

Luck struck as she felt the need to use the facilities.  Before she took two steps I was already at that table  and my radar had not failed me.  Five large boxes full 1/35  armor , figures, and various scale planes. I knew I didn't  have much time to take it all in so I asked the vendor  how much for everything . I was so excited that I hadn't  even bothered to take notice of the vendor . There was a slight pause and then I heard the  prepubescent voice of  a boy no more than say 13  maybe 14 say the magical  words " how does $35  sound.".  that's  when I looked up realizing who he was and with a concerned tone asked him "Are you sure?"  The boy stated  "Sure , my dad had to do something and left me in charge".   I remember looking around for the remnants of some adult presence and in doing so observed my better half glaring at me from afar. So I reluctantly handed the boy $35 dollars and walked out with everything.  Now I remember this day so vividly because I still wonder if the poor kid was read the riot act like never before from his father . I know I was as my better half helped  carry the boxes.

In the end total carnage came out to well over 100 kits.

Nice one!

 It took two trips to haul and not once did I see the kid's old man.  In a way  that was a good thing because then I might not  have  this crazy story to tell now would I.

I have one more that occurred about the same time period.   Either it was Boston Mass Eye and Ear  Hospital or Boston Children's Hospital that sponsored a fund raising program for children's research for several years around Christmas.  They would rent out a large space and sell donated toys at deep discounts . The first year I went they had a  whole shelf bin of Matchbox 1/76 armor kits. priced for a $1 each.  The second year I went they had the Matchbox armor with a few plane kits again for a $1 each but they also got in a lot of Monogram/ Humbrol paints  in boxes of 6 tins for 50 cents.  Not to pass up I deal I bought everything they had each time.  My better half was also with me on both occasions  . I think she's a  sort of  good luck charm.  I still have all the boxed tins , only opened two tins and their still like new even after 17 years of storage.

tankerbuilder

Well;

My find was right here on this site . Yes , right here ! I was looking for a model I built over forty years ago .This nice fellow answers my post  here . Sooo. I have found a model of the  " SHELL WELDER " ship model . It even has the optionally available P.E. which I knew NOTHING about . Sure there was a price . I am still getting the little guys together ! The price ? 1/350 tugs , barges and whatever can be used in a port scene . I only have probably three or four ,if that many ,  to send .  I just have to check one more ship box . Thanks TORY !   Let this be a lesson . Your hopes for that  special find may hit you right upside the head ! It did me . Tanker-builder    P.S. The little small craft probably are worth about ten bucks in plastic.The ship on E-BAY has gone for over $125.00 WITHOUT the P.E. or instructions .

Tankbuilder, now that is a cool story.  These just keep getting better and better!  Thanks!

Eagle90

RX7850

tigerman

RX7850

Some cool stories so far.  I have one that's  somewhat dated.

Just before taking  a leave from the hobby I made a big score and if you factor  in for inflation I think it still equates to  a deal by current standards.

Back in the day I used to go to this traveling vendors flea market  type of deal called Jolly JIms  These events were huge and took hours to take in. I already had made several trips back to the car with arms and hands full of neat deals  but nothing in the way of models like I had hoped for.  Back  then I had this intuitive built in radar for model kits and from afar I thought I could make out a stack of boxes all facing away from me  so that their contents were not apparent. My concentration  was suddenly interrupted  with  a firm and decisive arm  tug from my better half. She had had enough !  I,  the reluctant boyfriend  agreed.

Luck struck as she felt the need to use the facilities.  Before she took two steps I was already at that table  and my radar had not failed me.  Five large boxes full 1/35  armor , figures, and various scale planes. I knew I didn't  have much time to take it all in so I asked the vendor  how much for everything . I was so excited that I hadn't  even bothered to take notice of the vendor . There was a slight pause and then I heard the  prepubescent voice of  a boy no more than say 13  maybe 14 say the magical  words " how does $35  sound.".  that's  when I looked up realizing who he was and with a concerned tone asked him "Are you sure?"  The boy stated  "Sure , my dad had to do something and left me in charge".   I remember looking around for the remnants of some adult presence and in doing so observed my better half glaring at me from afar. So I reluctantly handed the boy $35 dollars and walked out with everything.  Now I remember this day so vividly because I still wonder if the poor kid was read the riot act like never before from his father . I know I was as my better half helped  carry the boxes.

In the end total carnage came out to well over 100 kits.

Nice one!

Thanks, it was.

 It took two trips to haul and not once did I see the kid's old man.  In a way  that was a good thing because then I might not  have  this crazy story to tell now would I.

I have one more that occurred about the same time period.   Either it was Boston Mass Eye and Ear  Hospital or Boston Children's Hospital that sponsored a fund raising program for children's research for several years around Christmas.  They would rent out a large space and sell donated toys at deep discounts . The first year I went they had a  whole shelf bin of Matchbox 1/76 armor kits. priced for a $1 each.  The second year I went they had the Matchbox armor with a few plane kits again for a $1 each but they also got in a lot of Monogram/ Humbrol paints  in boxes of 6 tins for 50 cents.  Not to pass up I deal I bought everything they had each time.  My better half was also with me on both occasions  . I think she's a  sort of  good luck charm.  I still have all the boxed tins , only opened two tins and their still like new even after 17 years of storage.

RX7850, first....keep that lucky charm!  Second, a good cause AND a good deal!  Win win my friend!  Thanks for sharing!

Eagle90

just got dragon winter 88mm and dml early hetzer for a $2 raffle ticket. got the hobbyboss modern us tank transporter onn a squadron 1 day sale for $52 including shipping.

That's a nice payday for a $2 ticket

My LHS had a special. 1/72 Hasegawa F/A-18F for $14.99.  Couldn't resist.  John

RX7850

That's a nice payday for a $2 ticket

High end stuff on sale....bonus!  Thanks for sharing!

Just bought 29 sheets of decals. Aeromaster  and Eagle Strike from Squadron.  They are having the $2 pee sheet sale. I am such a sucker for a good deal.  John

I was at that O'Hare show and bought some B-52's. I bought three of them to be exact. I figured for 5 bucks and the way they looked it was wortyh 15 bucks to gamble to maybe get one complete kit. I also bought a few other kits from this vendor.

Well the boxes of course were trash, The kits actually had mold on them. So a quick bathtub dip with some germ killing soap took care of that. In the end I had three complete B-52's! Only one set of instructions between the three and two sets of garbage decals.  I also got two Airfix Saturn 5 Rockets and an old boxscale Revell B-29. I regret not buying some more different kits but you had to be willing to gamble on them cause they were not pretty. The gamble would of paid off though!

Max Bryant

mightymax

I was at that O'Hare show and bought some B-52's. I bought three of them to be exact. I figured for 5 bucks and the way they looked it was wortyh 15 bucks to gamble to maybe get one complete kit. I also bought a few other kits from this vendor.

Well the boxes of course were trash, The kits actually had mold on them. So a quick bathtub dip with some germ killing soap took care of that. In the end I had three complete B-52's! Only one set of instructions between the three and two sets of garbage decals.  I also got two Airfix Saturn 5 Rockets and an old boxscale Revell B-29. I regret not buying some more different kits but you had to be willing to gamble on them cause they were not pretty. The gamble would of paid off though!

Max Bryant

I cleaned my 1/24 AIRFIX kits as well.........would have liked to buy at least one B-52 but I was wondering just where I'd display that thing; have an old Monogram B-36 kit in my stash waiting for display space.

I, too, would have liked to have purchased more from that dealer but kits were almost literally flying off his table. I would put my purchase in the car and return to find the number of kits reduced by a third. Shopping carts sure would have been handy !

Took a while to unload the car as I crammed a lot of boxes in it that day.

littletimmy

You could have tiyed them to your roof!      Theres always room for Monogram!

Might pay for itself after a couple of those shows.

mightymax

I was at that O'Hare show and bought some B-52's. I bought three of them to be exact. I figured for 5 bucks and the way they looked it was wortyh 15 bucks to gamble to maybe get one complete kit. I also bought a few other kits from this vendor.

Well the boxes of course were trash, The kits actually had mold on them. So a quick bathtub dip with some germ killing soap took care of that. In the end I had three complete B-52's! Only one set of instructions between the three and two sets of garbage decals.  I also got two Airfix Saturn 5 Rockets and an old boxscale Revell B-29. I regret not buying some more different kits but you had to be willing to gamble on them cause they were not pretty. The gamble would of paid off though!

Max Bryant

The 1/72 B-52 is on my "youth wish list" and the prices on evilbay (and on-line) are a little more than I want to pay (or should I say, it is more than I remember paying for them!), which makes it hard to get one for the stash.  3 of them is like a dream come true!  If you need a place for one of them to live drop me a line!

One week before the model show here in Vermont!  Like I have said, I'm not holding too much hope for a "big" show, but hope to pick up some stuff.  I'm sure I won't find 1/72 b-52's for $5!  If I do.....oh yeah, I'll have ALL of them!  Everyone will get one for Christmas!

Eagle90

Sprue-ce Goose

mightymax

I was at that O'Hare show and bought some B-52's. I bought three of them to be exact. I figured for 5 bucks and the way they looked it was wortyh 15 bucks to gamble to maybe get one complete kit. I also bought a few other kits from this vendor.

Well the boxes of course were trash, The kits actually had mold on them. So a quick bathtub dip with some germ killing soap took care of that. In the end I had three complete B-52's! Only one set of instructions between the three and two sets of garbage decals.  I also got two Airfix Saturn 5 Rockets and an old boxscale Revell B-29. I regret not buying some more different kits but you had to be willing to gamble on them cause they were not pretty. The gamble would of paid off though!

Max Bryant

Happy to hear from someone who bought a few B-52 kits.

I cleaned my 1/24 AIRFIX kits as well.........would have liked to buy at least one B-52 but I was wondering just where I'd display that thing; have an old Monogram B-36 kit in my stash waiting for display space.

Very happy with the kits I bought.

I, too, would have liked to have purchased more from that dealer but kits were almost literally flying off his table. I would put my purchase in the car and return to find the number of kits reduced by a third. Shopping carts sure would have been handy !

Took a while to unload the car as I crammed a lot of boxes in it that day.

Sprue-C-Goose

Those 1/24 Airfix kits are sweet!  I have the Spit.  What a monster.  The B-36 is another I have in my stash too.  Remeber building one as a kid....thought it was the biggest thing I had ever seen!  Ah the memories!  You said the kits were flying off the table.  Were you there first thing after opening?  I ask because I am planning on getting to the show as soon as they open!  Hit all the tables and buy everything I want (maybe even trade some stuff, I plan on taking some boxes of kits just in case), then take my time and take pics of the builds.  Shopping carts!  That is too funny!  That reminds me of another great deal I had.  Will post soon!

Eagle90

I was there a few minutes before official opening time and the high school gymnasium room was already full of buyers. The room stayed crowded the entire day as I sifted through stacks of kits looking for specific models.

I missed out on buying some kits I had passed at the front of the room because I was busy sorting through the water damaged kits and hauling them out to the car as I purchased them; ergo, my need for shopping carts. 

Any chance you can obtain the help of a willing relative or friend who can act as an "Instant Stash" porter?

I wish the dealer had the 1/24th Spitfire (  and Hurricane )  but by the time I arrived at his tables at the back of the room I found only two 1/24 Bf-109s and four ? 1/24th STUKA s. I don't know how many he had at the start.

I hope the show you attend yields equally good deals.

As I stated earlier in this thread, those AIRFIX and Monogram kits were a one time find by the dealer. First time I've ever seen those deals at those prices and may be the last time as well.

Still fun remembering, though.

Sprue-ce Goose

I was there a few minutes before official opening time and the high school gymnasium room was already full of buyers. The room stayed crowded the entire day as I sifted through stacks of kits looking for specific models.

I missed out on buying some kits I had passed at the front of the room because I was busy sorting through the water damaged kits and hauling them out to the car as I purchased them; ergo, my need for shopping carts. 

Any chance you can obtain the help of a willing relative or friend who can act as an "Instant Stash" porter?

I wish the dealer had the 1/24th Spitfire (  and Hurricane )  but by the time I arrived at his tables at the back of the room I found only two 1/24 Bf-109s and four ? 1/24th STUKA s. I don't know how many he had at the start.

I hope the show you attend yields equally good deals.

As I stated earlier in this thread, those AIRFIX and Monogram kits were a one time find by the dealer. First time I've ever seen those deals at those prices and may be the last time as well.

Still fun remembering, though.

I plan on getting there early now!  Of course this is Vermont so who knows what kind of turn out it will get.  Hopefully nobody at first and I can hit the floor running!  Shock and Awe!

The friend or relative idea is awesome!  I will start now getting leads on who to take!

That is for sure a once in a life time deal there.  I still get a kick out of these stories!  

Eagle90

O.K. everyone, Sprue-Ce Goose mentioned wanting to have a cart at a model show (a great idea by the way!) and it reminded me of another great deal I had (if you have been keeping up, you can now see how I have obtained a stash of close to 300 models!).

It was 199? something, again at Eglin AFB, Fla.  Back in the day, the BX there was one of the biggest in the U.S..  During Christmas, they would have "manager specials".  This was where the manager would walk around the store and "randomly" announce super discounts for a specific item or items.  Well, my friend that was into models, and I visited the BX model section often.  We got to know the ladies who did the stocking of the whole toy section.  They informed us that we NEEDED to be at the store...in the model section at 2300hrs on this certain night....wink wink.  So, there we were, 2 dudes, each pushing a cart around the BX Toyland waiting for 2300hrs.  We made our way towards the section we NEEDED to be in and low and behold, there was the manager (with his little elf friend who dutifully put the "special" stickers on the items so the cashier would know it was at the special price).  He grabs his walkie talkie and announces over the PA, "For the next 15 minutes, 90% off all models and model accessories!"  My friends jaw drops, and I look at him and say, "we are going to need more carts!" and I take off running down the isle!  We are literally scooping models off the shelves into our carts!  We almost cleaned the whole model section!  There were a few cars and a boat left along with a couple of bottles of paint....you know, pink, lime green, etc!  We wheeled our overflowing carts (and I mean overflowing!) over to the manger and his elf and stood there as they stared in complete disbelief.  My friend and I smiled at each other like we had just won the lottery!  Remember the time limit?  Well, it only took 8 minutes for us to do all that damage!  So the manager said we still had 7 minutes, do you want to make sure you didn't miss anything?  We looked over his shoulder.....4 models, 5 bottles of paint, and a Testors hobby knife.  I run over and grabbed the knife, my friend is on the ground rolling, and I come back and say, "Nope! We're good!"  The elf is laughing so hard she drops the sticker gun, the manager shakes his head, looks at the elf and says, "Don't bother with the stickers, just escort them to the front and ring them up yourself."  A personal cashier!  Now that's customer service!  Here is the best part, as we are leaving, a son and his dad (now before you get made at me, there was NO ONE else in the store when we got there, and no one but the young boy and his dad came in during) come up the model row and we heard him say go see if it is still there.  I stopped, because if the kid wanted something I had I was going to GIVE it to him...I mean I was going to buy it and give it to him!  But he ran up and said they have 2 daddy!  He was looking at a race car model.  I was going to go ask the dad if I could by them for him, but before I could turn the cart around (which would have been a feat in itself), the manager GAVE the kid both kits!  I get choked up every time I tell that!

Eagle90

Picked up a 1/12th scale Tom Daniels "Big Red Baron" car for about 4 dollars.  The shrink wrap was a thick plastic so I thought it must be a "re-do" by someone hoping to get a fortune for it but whom time ran out on possibly.  I mean who would give a kit to the Salvation Army?  It must have been the original shrink, because the boxed parts were still in bags, and the little chrome helmet was in plastic in it's own little cardboard protector.  Still had the little fokker dr1 also.  Looked like it had never been opened!

f8sader

Picked up a 1/12th scale Tom Daniels "Big Red Baron" car for about 4 dollars.  The shrink wrap was a thick plastic so I thought it must be a "re-do" by someone hoping to get a fortune for it but whom time ran out on possibly.  I mean who would give a kit to the Salvation Army?  It must have been the original shrink, because the boxed parts were still in bags, and the little chrome helmet was in plastic in it's own little cardboard protector.  Still had the little fokker dr1 also.  Looked like it had never been opened!

Salvation Army?!  Now there is a place I would not think of to look for models.  Great find!  Did you build it yet?  Would love to see pics if you have.  Thanks!

Eagle90

PX/BX specials, I remember those well. Always got great deals at the Mannheim Four Seasons shop when they were clearing out toys to make way for lawn and garden stuff. Same with the Fort Dix/McGuire AFB BX/PX, I was stationed there right around the time the first of the new trilogy of Star Wars movies came out. They were selling off all the Star Wars merchandise at 75% off. I bought all of the models they had and asked the manager if the sale included a brand new (still in the box) Jar Jar Binx bicycle for my 4 yr old son. It did and I walked away with a great bunch of stuff.

Rob Gronovius

PX/BX specials, I remember those well. Always got great deals at the Mannheim Four Seasons shop when they were clearing out toys to make way for lawn and garden stuff. Same with the Fort Dix/McGuire AFB BX/PX, I was stationed there right around the time the first of the new trilogy of Star Wars movies came out. They were selling off all the Star Wars merchandise at 75% off. I bought all of the models they had and asked the manager if the sale included a brand new (still in the box) Jar Jar Binx bicycle for my 4 yr old son. It did and I walked away with a great bunch of stuff.

Yeah, the BX had some good deals back in the day.  I have a friend who retired and stayed in the local area near Eglin AFB.  He says there is nothing there anymore for models.  Maybe 5 kits and some paint, that's it.  Sad, very sad.

The Fort Knox PX used to have some good deals, but I haven't seen any models to mention there since 2005 or so. I think the only place left to buy kits on post is at the Patton Museum, and even then their selection has tanked since the Armor School left a couple years ago.

Rob Gronovius

The Fort Knox PX used to have some good deals, but I haven't seen any models to mention there since 2005 or so. I think the only place left to buy kits on post is at the Patton Museum, and even then their selection has tanked since the Armor School left a couple years ago.

I hear ya.  The Air Force Armament Museum is just outside the main gate at Eglin.  It used to be a decent source for models too, but like your museum, they just don't carry anything now.  We must rally the troops and increase awareness of our beloved hobby! 

Sorry Eagle, still in the box.  I had some pics from a while ago when I first got it.  Let me see...

f8sader

Sorry Eagle, still in the box.  I had some pics from a while ago when I first got it.  Let me see...

Still in the box pics work too.  I just like to see the size of models.  You just can't tell the size from the box a lot of times.

My best find was a Craigs list find. I picked up a small collection of 10 kits for $25.00. The one I was really interested in was the 1/48 DML JU-188A. With that I brought home 2 Rare planes1/72 vacuformed airliners, 1 1/48 Hobbycraft A4E Agressor, 1 1/72 Fujimi Silver Jubilee Phantom, 1 1/72 Fujimi EA6 Black bunny,1 1/72 Academy B-17C, and 3 Partial kits.

I have lots of model collection such as: 1/35 scale Esci T-55, Tamiya StuG III, Ti-67, Tamiya 1/1350th Enterprise, M60A1 Blazer tanks, Early and a Tamiya IS-3. I bought these in different ranges of prices.

Hanging Scales

AT6

My best find was a Craigs list find. I picked up a small collection of 10 kits for $25.00. The one I was really interested in was the 1/48 DML JU-188A. With that I brought home 2 Rare planes1/72 vacuformed airliners, 1 1/48 Hobbycraft A4E Agressor, 1 1/72 Fujimi Silver Jubilee Phantom, 1 1/72 Fujimi EA6 Black bunny,1 1/72 Academy B-17C, and 3 Partial kits.

$2.50 a kit!  I'd say that was pretty darn good!  Craiglist has some great deals if you catch them soon enough.  Thanks for sharing!

Eagle90