Quoted Text
I'm one of the lucky modelers that build for the pure pleasure of it. After I finish a model and took the last pictures, I can dispose with it without much drama (exceptions allowed). I even intend to give away my completed models to my yt crowd if they pay for shipping. I had some 6 models damaged by Irma, of which the most important for me was a 1/350 Bismarck. I trashed them without flinching, but I couldn't part ways with Chow Hound just because isn't completed. Strange, huh?
Gabriel, I must say that I was extremely surprised by your comment. I'm the exact opposite about keeping models. For me building and collecting is the thing. The ultimate objective is to have a nice collection.
One side effect of the length of this build is that I've started to add to my collection purchasing the works of others on eBay, and also purchasing certain diecast manufacturers, Carousel 1 (now out of business) and Hobby Master, very much in business. I have also, to my shame, picked up a number of Franklin Mint diecast birds, but one has to be very discriminating in picking those.
Practically every one I have ready for final display I have tinkered with a bit to correct errors, mostly in markings. In some cases I have torn them apart in certain areas to fix gross errors like detailing an engine that's painted flat black, adding antenna wire, extra parts from the spares box, and things like that.
I've never been into the contests, so a reasonably decent "shelf model" is good enough for me in most cases. "Luscious Lady," of course, is a huge exception. But I also have to say that the length of this build has caused me to question the utility of super detailing. I've taken a more holistic look at kits and models as a result of this work, and adopted much more of a "if it looks right, then it's probably good enough" attitude.
Part of this is the actuarial factor at work. I will be nothing less than 69 years old in September, an antiquity so shocking that I can hardly accept it. What it means is that I know I'll never get done on my stash and if I want nice models to look at I have to "outsource" some of them. There still is some pleasure in doing corrections to the prefab ones to put "my stamp" on them.
Anyway, in addition to posting work on this build here I will periodically post in the series called "The Die Is Cast." (Pun intended.) Putting "OPW" (other people's work) on display with my tinkering gives me some opportunity to talk about my attitude towards modeling over the years.
I will tell you that this collecting urge and getting OPW stuff on my shelves isn't entirely new. It's just that I've done more of it since LL because I have so little time to model given my day job.
Anyway, expect the first post on that "series" later this week end too.
