Why do we collect models we don't need?

[missileer]

My little thesis here will probably get me labeled as the senile old member, but I have to talk this out. I have built over a hundred plastic and wood models during my life. Acquiring each one was built on a logical calculation such as will this fit in with my other models, or is this the right scale for my layout, or is this model detailed enough to fit with the surrounding ones?

Now we come to paper models. For the most part, there was no logical reason for obtaining most of my paper models. Even those that supposedly were picked up for a specific reason, I formed the reason after I decided to get the model. I will probably give most of the paper models I build as gifts to other people (I would not have space to display them all or even store them). Then what on earth made me decide that I just had to have that particular model. The truth is, it’s a thing called AURA.

OK, now you rolling around on the floor, laughing and thinking “not only is he senile, but he’s a nut.” I admit, that I don’t march to the same tune as the majority, but hear me out. How many times have you watched a build or a design thread and said to yourself, “I gotta get that model. “ It may be a model of something that you never even thought about before, or it certainly does not fit in with any of your other models. It may even be an odd scale that you never would have picked, if you used logic to make the decision. But now, you have to have that model! That’s AURA messing with your brain.

I watched one of our members build a boat mill (I didn’t even know such things existed) and suddenly that model give me an acute interest in boat mills. We have another member designer that designs buildings whom I am trying to convince to market his models so that I can buy some of them. What do they have in common? You guessed it: AURA!

Enough background, let’s get to what AURA really is. Most corporate model makers/designers make their decisions on what model to produce based on how much it will improve the bottom line. That’s not a bad thing, but it does not produce AURA. Most smaller designers produce models of things that they have an interest in. It might come from a love of old buildings and the desire to make sure that the buildings are not forgotten. It might be an odd ball little known ship that they toured once and fell in love with. The common denominator here is love of the subject. That’s what imparts the AURA! A little bit of that love of subject becomes an ingredient of the model, and like a virus, becomes contagious. So the next time you obtain a model for no practical reason, remember, it’s not your fault. AURA got you!

[bloomohio]

Great read but again what is AURA? I have a very rare model of Zero from Pearl Harbour era in 1/26 scale . have had it for over 20 years just read latest book called pearl harbour now I finally will build it but ,why?

[spaceagent-9]

what do you mean I don't need them!??!??!!?!?

[Rubenandres77]

Why do we collect models we don't need?


I believe it is a hoarding phase of the hobby.

And now with the easiness of digital files, the storing of them is much simpler. The temptation to "have it all" (or just "have it") is bigger.

Some others just collect them as some other people collect books, records, or stamps.
Just for the sheer pleasure.

Or, being more psychological, it may be a kind of projection the collector puts on the kit. (which is more or less what you said).

[herky]

i lot of my models i build just because i want to and give them away.carriers and herks i keep

[whulsey]

For me it got started when I really got into car models in the early 60's. After a couple of years I discovered that the 'annuals' were pretty much a one shot deal. If you maybe wanted to build one you're better get in when it was available. Then in the mid 70's the model car industry just about fell apart, so it was better grab anything you might want because the company may not be in business next year. By then I'd also discovered kit collectors and dealers to source out of production items and it went really crazy. Sometimes in the 80's I'd got up to around 2 or 3 thousand kits and decided this was too much since instead of building I was spending my free time collecting. So started selling things off. Then 6 or 7 years started really getting into paper. At least they take up less room and are not as expensive. Still have too much plastic and probably paper also, but am now very selective of what I buy.

[DWest]

I was told that "he who dies with the most models wins!" If I live to be 300 I couldn't build all of them I have.

[goodduck]

NO you can't, DWest. 300 years later you will have 300 x more models than you have now.

[mbauer]

Geez, to easy: To create an excuse to buy a larger hard drive!

Mike

[Vermin_King]

It's hard to say why I get this model or that one. Someone here made a comment more than once (or maybe it was in his signature) that it isn't a set unless you have all of them. I think that's why we collect a lot of the models. And then there is the fact that models that used to be available, no longer are available, so we download, just in case we need it later.

The ginremokei motorcycles really were something I should have downloaded the whole lot. Too late now.

And sometimes, it is curiosity. I've done several models, just because I was curious how they handled complex curves, etc.