What happens to your models when you die ?

puffer
Originally uploaded by Phil_Parker.

The picture shows a 1/32nd CalderCraft kit for a Clyde Puffer. It’s been beautifully built as a static model. The current cost of this kit is in the region of £250.

I bought the model in a charity shop for £40.

Obviously what happened was the builder died and the model was donated to the charity shop. They saw it as nothing better than the Chinese solid hull boats that appear in every gift shop in the country and priced it appropriately. It’s so much more than that. The quality of the modelling is superb. The rigging alone is a masterpiece. Even little details such as spare wooden chocks scattered on the deck are present.

I would be proud to build the kit to this quality.

Yet people who can’t recognise it for the masterpiece it is effectively dump it in a charity shop. The builder must have invested 200 hours or more in construction, a real labour of love. If I hadn’t bought it, the model could have ended up on a shelf getting dusty and damaged, or worse given to a kid top play with in the bath ! At least I will fit it out with radio control, make a proper box and treat it with the respect it deserves. Apart from the mechanical bits my only changes will be to add a crew and change the name from the one supplied in the kit – I fancy “Sunny Jim” for this one.

The boat went to the Knightcote Model Boat clubs last social evening where we discussed what people’s plans were for their models in the future. The question was, “How do you make sure that your nearest & dearest appreciate your work ?”

Some people will be lucky enough to have family who will think as much of the models that you have created as you do. Most though, will think that the models are little more than toys that they were slightly embarrassed that Dad/Mum etc. spent so much time and money making. Worse, there will be people out there who resented the time and/or money invested and will be delighted to chuck the whole lot out as an act of revenge.

Imagine yourself looking down from your cloud and seeing all the models you put your heart into going down the tip or sitting on the table at a car boot sale while punters haggle over pennies. Your relatives might also miss out on the value of the models if they don’t want to hang on to them. This model would easily have sold for much more than the price of the kit yet the owner received nothing for it. Good for the charity but if they could use the money to supplement a pension…