Don923 Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 I have many WWII models I built through out my lifetime, right markings paint, and I think pretty nice looking. I just found out I have stomach, and liver cancer, I am thinking ahead what will happen to my displays. Any ideas on where one could donate , or what to do with them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 1 hour ago, Don923 said: I have many WWII models I built through out my lifetime, right markings paint, and I think pretty nice looking. I just found out I have stomach, and liver cancer, I am thinking ahead what will happen to my displays. Any ideas on where one could donate , or what to do with them? Sorry to hear your news and pray that you will receive the proper care and treatment to overcome this diagnosis. Every model builder goes through this dilemma of what to do with the built collection. I live near the Marine Museum in Quantico, VA. Reached out to them and asked if they would be interested my collection. After some back and forth with them they agreed to take some, but that is as far as it went. They never got back with me to have some delivered. So, a museum is an option if you are near one, some people suggest libraries. If you have veteran organizations near they might take some for a display case. I have settled on giving them to the grand kids. They get some flight time and eventual crash. Then I resupply them. Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don923 Posted June 20 Author Share Posted June 20 I made 2 different models that were from local Airmen, gave them to our local military museum. they wer egiven to the diretors grandson was what I was told. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 eBay. Sell them individually, or in small lots. Price them to sell, and whilst some may go 'cheap', you might just be pleasantly surprised at what others will fetch. Either way, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that they'll be appreciated by the buyers... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 From conversations I've had with museum employees over the years I've concluded counting on donating to a museum is a bad idea. One of the guys in Oshkosh told me years ago if they accepted all the scale model donations they've been offered there'd be no room to display the real aircraft. "We can throw them away just as easily as you can." Mine go to kids. Family if there are kids that age or just neighborhood kids. Let them play with them, let them wreck them. Won't matter to me. And if just one of those kids picks up a kit and gives it a try for him/her self then added bonus. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob de Bie Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 Don, I'm very sorry to hear about your predicament. Regarding your built models: in our club we actively try to support the members that have to give up the hobby due to health reasons or old age. From the experience so far, I would say that the built models are the most difficult part. They represent the most value to the builder, yet few fellow modelers are interested in other builder's models. Recently we received a 250-piece collection, and so far maybe a fifth found a new home. We donated a few to small volunteer-run museums. We'll try to sell the remainder at two IPMS events, but probably for very little money. In a way I'm happy that the builder won't be there to experience it. Personally, I like the suggestion to donate them to kids. If they have a little knowledge of aviation, they will appreciate them greatly. Maybe the models won't survive for long, but who knows what seeds they plant. In a way that it really fits well in the cycle of life - probably not the right word (non-native speaker), but you probably understand what I'm trying to say. All the best! Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eraucubsfan Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 The nursing home my father used to be in had a Veteran's wing/area, they were always looking for stuff like that to help decorate it. If you are close to a local airport, maybe the FBO or even Hangar tenants would be interested in them for decorations. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don923 Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 Thanks Guys for the Good idea... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Smith Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 VFW, Officers Clubs on bases, JROTC and ROTC programs are some more ideas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 I concur about the museum idea. I build for a museum and my task this summer is to go organize the back room. There is literally a pile, and I mean pile, of built models that has been sitting for at least 20 years. There's also about two dozen plastic bins with built models in them. For the most part, they are all going to "disappear". I'll try and sort out some good/valuable ones, but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble. The eBay idea is a good one. When I finish a model, it goes on to eBay. I usually start them at what I paid for the kit. Most times you'll make break even. Every once in awhile there will be a bidding war, and you'll be surprised at what you get. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 On 6/22/2024 at 5:14 AM, Darren Roberts said: I concur about the museum idea. I build for a museum and my task this summer is to go organize the back room. There is literally a pile, and I mean pile, of built models that has been sitting for at least 20 years. There's also about two dozen plastic bins with built models in them. For the most part, they are all going to "disappear". I'll try and sort out some good/valuable ones, but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble. The eBay idea is a good one. When I finish a model, it goes on to eBay. I usually start them at what I paid for the kit. Most times you'll make break even. Every once in awhile there will be a bidding war, and you'll be surprised at what you get. I've thought about the eBay route but how do you ship to the new owner without it being a box full of broken pieces? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 (edited) 49 minutes ago, Drifterdon said: I've thought about the eBay route but how do you ship to the new owner without it being a box full of broken pieces? @Drifterdon, Darren knows how to pack them, as I have purchased several from him and other than a few broken pieces, they arrived largely intact. No peanuts. Use the poly-fil from Hobby Lobby, Michaels or other craft store. I would say make sure the box is a sturdy one. @Don923, I am sorry to hear of your illness and pray for your recovery. For the built kits that I have not already given to individuals, I have donated some to a small local museum, sold some on eBay, given some to my local veterans groups (some still survive hanging above the bar, though a little dusty), or made a display for my local library. I offered to display some at my local airport, but there were a lot of bureaucratic hurdles, so I said forget it... Oh, and I have deposited some at several hobby stores along the way. Edited June 23 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don923 Posted June 23 Author Share Posted June 23 Thanks Guys for all the great ideas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 On 6/22/2024 at 7:14 AM, Darren Roberts said: The eBay idea is a good one. When I finish a model, it goes on to eBay. I usually start them at what I paid for the kit. Most times you'll make break even. Every once in awhile there will be a bidding war, and you'll be surprised at what you get. Can you detail the category you list them under on Ebay. I think it might be worth a try. Any trouble with broken items from shipping mishaps. tia Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 23 hours ago, Geoff M said: Can you detail the category you list them under on Ebay. I think it might be worth a try. Any trouble with broken items from shipping mishaps. tia I put them under Toys and Hobbies, Models and Kits, Aircraft. I get a sturdy box (Walmart has extra strength boxes that are inexpensive) that is larger than the model and fill it with fiberfill/polyfill that you can get at a craft store, as Dutch said. The key is not to skimp on the box. Make it large enough that the model doesn't come anywhere near the sides. That's essentially what destroys a model during shipping is contact with a hard object. It will cost more to ship, but it's worth it. The model will "float" in the polyfill and any shock will be absorbed. There's no getting around small pieces coming off sometimes. That's just the nature of shipping. But for the most part, they survive pretty well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 On 6/23/2024 at 1:55 PM, Dutch said: @Drifterdon, Darren knows how to pack them, as I have purchased several from him and other than a few broken pieces, they arrived largely intact. No peanuts. Use the poly-fil from Hobby Lobby, Michaels or other craft store. I would say make sure the box is a sturdy one. @Don923, I am sorry to hear of your illness and pray for your recovery. For the built kits that I have not already given to individuals, I have donated some to a small local museum, sold some on eBay, given some to my local veterans groups (some still survive hanging above the bar, though a little dusty), or made a display for my local library. I offered to display some at my local airport, but there were a lot of bureaucratic hurdles, so I said forget it... Oh, and I have deposited some at several hobby stores along the way. Thanks for your business and kind words! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 29 minutes ago, Darren Roberts said: Thanks for your business and kind words! If I can count you as a friend, that's what I tell guests when they see the centerpiece of my model collection. A friend of mine made these! He is way more skilled than I am. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 29 minutes ago, Dutch said: If I can count you as a friend, that's what I tell guests when they see the centerpiece of my model collection. A friend of mine made these! He is way more skilled than I am. It would be an honor to be counted among your friends! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 1 hour ago, Darren Roberts said: I put them under Toys and Hobbies, Models and Kits, Aircraft. I get a sturdy box (Walmart has extra strength boxes that are inexpensive) that is larger than the model and fill it with fiberfill/polyfill that you can get at a craft store, as Dutch said. The key is not to skimp on the box. Make it large enough that the model doesn't come anywhere near the sides. That's essentially what destroys a model during shipping is contact with a hard object. It will cost more to ship, but it's worth it. The model will "float" in the polyfill and any shock will be absorbed. There's no getting around small pieces coming off sometimes. That's just the nature of shipping. But for the most part, they survive pretty well. Thanks for the tips. Can I be Dutch's friend too. Seriously. Done a trade or two with him, great guy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 Over the many years that I've sold built models on eBay (exact same category as Darren), I've never once had any complaint about breakage or damage - when packaging them up, I too make sure that there's plenty of room inside the box to avoid contact with the sides and allow leeway to move... ....however, I simply use loosely layered lightly-crumpled sheets of newspaper as the packing material - and also cocoon each model in either a sealed (stapled or taped) lightweight plastic bag (such as a sandwich bag), or clingfilm/wrap; the former for smaller ones, the latter for larger. Should anything become detached during transit, it stays retained with the model itself, rather than end up floating loose in the main box... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 (edited) Thanks guys! Andy, you're my friend too! So is DrifterDon! You're all welcome around my campfire anytime! Edited June 25 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 1 minute ago, Dutch said: Andy, you're my friend too! Cheers, mate! 👍 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 4 hours ago, Dutch said: Thanks guys! Andy, you're my friend too! So is DrifterDon! You're all welcome around my campfire anytime! Thanks Buddy! I count you as a friend as well. What should I bring to the campfire? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 (edited) Preferably 18 to 24 year old single malt Scottish mouth wash. No need for a spittoon, I won't be spitting it back out! Andrew knows of what I speak. Edited June 25 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Boy, did this thread go off the rails quickly! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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