What happens with our models after we're gone?

[chromdome35]

A somewhat morbid question has been bouncing around inside the ample space between my ears...what happens with all the models you've built when you pass away? Some people have a fairly large collection of completed kits; what guidance should we provide to our significant others on what to do with them? With all the $ and effort that goes into some of these builds, just throwing them in the trash can seems wrong.

[mustang1989]

I've seen a thread pretty similar to this on the forums before. The way I look at it is that my son and maybe my brother probably keep a couple of the older ones and the ones that are "near and dear" to their hearts. Quite frankly I don't expect them to live much past 10 years once they are in my sons or my brother's hands and it's all good with me. I plan on being in a much better place. 

[Tojo72]

My models are in display cases in my unfinished basement near my bench,i keep them really just for my pleasure,so they are pretty much out of the way.My wife will not do anything with them,I'm pretty sure they will just sit there,unless her new husband wants them gone 😝
Seriously,there's really no friends or relatives who would want them,their nice but not museum quality where I would donate them.After she goes,my nephews will have to clean them out,let them earn their inheritance.

[Steve Zuleski]

Yep, can't take em with us and like Joe said, I plan on being in a place where the True Artist will be giving classes!

Actually, my oldest grandson has been awarded the lot and he can parcel out from there. My wife will keep my completed works, but the bunker and stash will be passed down the line.

[Prop Duster]

I always felt that to Not Go until I had built them all was oh such a clever idea.
But if you look at that darn reality that plan is a bust. So, as I’m the only one that considers them worth anything I guess the wife, most likely will make the house cleaning decision and that is very alright with me.

[reserve]

Those that want them can take them; whatever's left over will probably suffer the garbage bucket. I'm aware that modeling is not of interest to everyone and that's OK...after all at that point I'll be past caring. I've never deluded myself into thinking I'll leave a lasting mark on the world and frankly I don't really care if I do or not. I'll probably be forgotten within a couple generations, if that long, and that's OK too as, Lord willing, I'll be with those whom I've lost.

Many years ago I for the first time read a short poem titled "On The Vanity Of Earthly Greatness" by one Arthur Guiterman that some of you may also know. If you don't, you ought to Google and read it; I think it gives an interesting perspective on such things.

[mustang1989]

Jan 6, 2023 22:02:04 GMT -5 reserve said:

Those that want them can take them; whatever's left over will probably suffer the garbage bucket. I'm aware that modeling is not of interest to everyone and that's OK...after all at that point I'll be past caring. I've never deluded myself into thinking I'll leave a lasting mark on the world and frankly I don't really care if I do or not. I'll probably be forgotten within a couple generations, if that long, and that's OK too as, Lord willing, I'll be with those whom I've lost.

Many years ago I for the first time read a short poem titled "On The Vanity Of Earthly Greatness" by one Arthur Guiterman that some of you may also know. If you don't, you ought to Google and read it; I think it gives an interesting perspective on such things.

I did read that poem and it does indeed put things into perspective. 

[Whiterook]

I’ve thought of this same question. It’s a true statement that for most people, they’d have very little interest in getting any, other than as one or two as a moment of friendship past. Some kids could have fun with the, as toys, but models are kinda dangerous in that respect. Being brittle and breakable with lots of small parts.

I keep very few finished models. Here ere are some ideas maybe you've not thought of:

- I’ve built some models that I know someone would appreciate having for nostalgia reasons. Examples are an RF-4B Phantom and the U.S. America air craft carrier, both for veterans that served on them. This is a heartfelt way to say, thank you for your service.

- I donate them to wargaming tournaments and expos… great raffle prizes, and better yet, as awards for first place

- VA facilitates often are great fun to get these, for obvious reasons.

- Small military museums love to get these models, for display. Many armed forces bases have museums and they welcome donations.

Those are but three ideas. And don’t be fooled by your critical feelings on worth…these sell for good prices at flea markets and online.

[dannimal]

Unlike most of you, i do worry about what will happen to both built, and unbuilt kits. I dont have anyone after my wife, Tina who would be interested, or responsible enough to look after them. I have two ideas though; 1, open a model museum on this side of the country, or keep them all at our remote cabin up north, and let youtubers discover them, and make a cool video.

[406 Silverado]

May 18, 2023 6:11:28 GMT -5 dannimal said:

Unlike most of you, i do worry about what will happen to both built, and unbuilt kits. I dont have anyone after my wife, Tina who would be interested, or responsible enough to look after them. I have two ideas though; 1, open a model museum on this side of the country, or keep them all at our remote cabin up north, and let youtubers discover them, and make a cool video.

Now that's an interesting idea Dann.

[armornutii]

   Facing mortality is a very real thing for me, or has been for the last couple of years. I guess I would hope that my model friends will hagle over what they may want from my stash, give my wife a reasonable contribution to her future then simply remember me from time to time.
     While I am here I love and protect my hoard....I was quoted on another forum to the effect if my house is on fire don't get that box wet, it has my decals.... once I have departed I believe I will have bigger things to consider. That said I have asked my maker for an 8x8 room so I can " get away from it all"....no relpy yet but it ain't a NO

[Real G]

I have told my friends that when I go, they are to take whatever they want, and to ask my sister to trash the rest.  I have assisted in the disposition of several friends' stashes, and it was onerous.  I don't think I would want my friends to have to sift through every box to determine if they are complete and could be sold or not.  My built kits are just for me and no one else.  I don't expect anyone to place any value in what I have on the shelves.

[stikpusher]

My unbuilt models will be buried with me in a tomb for the afterlife 😉

Seriously, I have no idea what will become of my works. Probably trashed by my survivors.

[Leon]

I've pondered that same question many a time!

Figure they'll all get trashed.

[jeaton01]

My youngest grandson gets first pick. After that they are all in a database with locations and often notes on condition. The majority are in large boxes with numbers keyed to the database, and I've left information for my wife on who to contact listing several buyers. But I'm in no great hurry for any of that to happen, and with as many kits as I have the system is a day to day necessity, and it is also fun.

[TJ]

After my car accident at the end of last year. Was this close to being a statistic. I've started a excel sheet of what I have and a good asking price to sell. When I'm done I'll show my son. Even though I won't be around when that list is needed I'd still hate to see the just get thrown out

[dupes]

I suppose it depends how soon I go! My boy (who builds a ton) would get first refusal on the whole lot...after that my local club members would get to buy whatever he didn't want.

I DO keep an excel spreadsheet which he is very aware of for future use/disposal info.

[brandonk]

I had a good friend who contacted my and one other forum member whom he as also good friends with to please come get his kits. He didn't say why at the time but the two of us managed a last minute two state drive to see him and he was not well. He knew, although he did not say, that he was nearing the end. It was his request that all the kits he had would not end up in a dumpster. He had a substantial stash and we both worked out who would take what and freed him of it. We thanked him and visited as long as we could and then made our way home. He passed away less than two months later. So, what do we do with out kits when we are gone? Well, sometimes we have control of that and sometimes we don't. My father often says that we are merely caretakers while we are here of the things we have and then it's up to someone else after we pass and it is no longer our worry. If you can, plan ahead to see them go to a good home, or you won't get a say in it at all. My stash will likely go to my son and most will get sold, but as long as I can enjoy them while I'm here that's really all that matters to me. They are just objects really, and the people in you life matter far more.