The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

Hello everyone
I have just hit 200 1/400 planes. At the start of 2014 I may have had 30-40. My wishlist never gets smaller. I have gotten more into 1/200 and 1/72 recently as well. The way I see it is if I do not buy it now, it's price will go up to the point that I cannot fathom purchasing it. The model that did this to me is the AC Azul A330 flag livery. I kept thinking about purchasing it, then it went out of stock everywhere. Now it's impossible to find it at less than twice its retail price. There are other models released in the past few years that have skyrocketed as well. Having been in this hobby for a relatively short time compared to many of you, can you just tell when a model's price will go way up- or is it completely random?

I know many of you have collections far larger than mine, but I think hitting 200 made me consider this. How do you guys deal with your addiction?

Looking forward to hearing your responses

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I was you about 15 years ago. When I started there were no forums or discussion groups. There weren't many manufacturers either. Gemini Jets released their first models, Virgin 747-400's. Now sadly, with nearly 2000 models and different priorities in life and the fact that I have NEVER had the place or chance to display and actually enjoy any of them, I have decided to sell off my collection. I've been selling them off on Ebay and again sadly it wasn't painful at all as I thought it would be. Reality set in and I now realize it's time to move on. Don't get me wrong, it's a great hobby but try to set some standards and limits before it goes out of hand.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I was addicted to collecting models for a short period. Then I got a life.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I don't think I am 'addicted', that would be considered hoarding to me. However, I do immensely enjoy collecting these little gems and seeking out past releases which were out before my time in the hobby.
About the price thing, I never considered this an investment but as an avenue to piss away my disposable income!LOL I will never sell my models, they are for my enjoyment only, so I am not worried about prices in the secondary market and all. Having said that, I have noticed my AC 1/400 Varig 742, 743 and 744 are selling for upwards of $250.00us. Happy collecting!!

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I guess I don't spend ALL of my money on them. I still buy other things, but if I have spare money or if I see a nodel I like I would get it. I've been collecting for a while and I only have about 15 models. :blush:

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

Hm, started collecting models more than 30 years ago, first Matchbox, then Schabak's and Schucos with roughly 600-700....now the 1:500 collection is close to hit the 1000 mark.....and unfortunately space becomes the bigger issue. But I am very happy that I can also afford meantime models which are larger than 1:500. One of my biggest gems stioll is the BA 747-200 in 1:36.

But yes, somehow addicted to aviation and models ever since....

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

Yes. :p

I am fine with that though. :D

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

Yeah . . . pretty much the same story here.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I went through a phase where I wouldn't say I was addicted, but I bought too many that I shouldn't have. Now, I still enjoy the hobby, but haven't bought a model in months. My collection has mostly been sold off and I'm down to around 12 models that have special sentiment to me.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

OMG I am about 10 models a MONTH! This is unstoppable! I guess I am really sick.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I started back in about 1992 with 1/400 models. I then moved up to 1/72, and now also collect 1/200 models. I got rid of some of the 1/400s, only buy a few 1/72s now, but have been on a 1/200 kick for a few months. I have most of my must-haves now, so I will also settle down on these soon and just wait and new releases or a few For Sale deals to pop up here.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I had the addiction for a few years. Then I got "collected out". If you want, you can buy some of mine.
Dave

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

Probably a more accurate description of my state too. Mind you, I primarily collected only one airline, with the occasional other, so one has to work pretty hard to go overboard. I've not bought anything for well over a year and a half, and I'm quite fine with that. I haven't sold anything off yet, but the 'heard is being assessed for the cull'. :D

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

99% of my collection are special liveries. Years ago they were pretty rare but today...:rolleyes: Buying them all was too expensive and at the age of 55 I thought about my son. Does he really want Dad's models one day?

Then I skipped a model I wanted badly. From that day the "chain" was broken. I even don't remember which model it was.:cool: From time to time I still buy models. Maybe 1-2 per year.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I've been collecting large scale (1/100th and larger) since 1975. I now have 154 of them, and that's about enough. I have models of all the planes I worked on during my 25 yr aviation career, and some that I'd always wanted, just because I liked them. Very little space left nowadays, but I've enjoyed the years I've spent collecting them very much, and have also met some great fellow collectors. Yes, sometimes I'd go right out on a limb financially, to 'snag' the model I desperately wanted, hands up who's never done that! They're all on display now, occupying two rooms. My younger, plane mad brother was the intended recipient for my collection on my demise, however he died unexpectedly last summer, aged just 41, so I guess that should my non aviation partner survive me, they'll probably end up at a thrift store or somewhere like it.

Neil.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

Bingo. Bought one model in the last year and I am thinking on selling it. It was a spur of the moment thing. I like it but doesn't really fit into my collection. Life is much more fun than these models.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I went from 0 to 300 models in under 3 years, so I am well acquainted with collection mania.

The key to controlling the "craving" (addiction is such a loaded word :D..) is to stick to certain categories or themes and not try and collect "everything".

I try and limit my collection to 1:400 passenger a/c (primarily AC, CP), 1:200 cargo and 1:72 cold war. These days I buy in bulk, only with a discount and try and get the best possible deal on shipping. Plus I no longer worry about missing a release or rushing to pre-order.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I do believe this is the trick. At the beginning I was overwhelmed by everything out there, but now that I have categorized the models I'd like to have there's a limited amount that I really want.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I am sorry to say that Aryelle and I are both addicted. We do not have lives it seems

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

Go outside and enjoy the day....been there done that and as stated above once either you run out of space , don't enjoy the latest releases or your buying models before paying bills then yes your in that zone.

Although flaps down models are likely to do what a reformed gambler walking into a casino might expect.......
Then a flaps down 747 there is no cure.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

We do pay the bills, we cannot go outside as our winter is pure crap right now and Aryelle and I are both sick with colds, and we have some space still

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

Indeed, the weather has been pretty terrible. Days of snow, finally letting up today. Shovelling is a part of the daily routine at this point :cry:

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

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Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

Can I swap with you?, you come here and I'll move to where u are, 35+ Degree Celsius heat, humid as hell, sun blazing down and few clouds in the sky.

Re: The addiction to models is real- do you have it?
 

I went from 0 to 400/500 models in about 2 years. Looking back at all the money I've spent and all the space I've lost, I've decided to sell most of my collection. Will be listing them in the coming weeks!