Throughout my posts I often get asked the question, “What do you do with all of your builds?”. While I have already covered this subject in my earlier posts, the time has come to make room on the shelf for the newcomers. So I will refresh you with my process of real estate management.
The obvious first step is running out of room on the shelf. The next and most important step is to get a shorter walled bin and line it with a shelving mat. The mat helps the kits from sliding around into the walls and each other. After that, it’s all a game of Tetris. It takes multiple shifts and placements to get them all just right. The goal is to get them close enough without touching one another. The size variations play an important role in the process. Bigger planes are taller which makes room underneath their wings. It’s like creating bonus space. It’s tedious work to be uber careful and still create a jigsaw puzzle of planes. So now my shelf is cleaned up and ready for more builds. The process will begin again as soon as it fills up.
You could have one heck of a dogfight set up with a room big enough…
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That would be a massive display! I wonder who would be the victor?
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Yep. I used to have a shelving problem. I had this shelf that would all the way around the room. You get good at using space with so many airplanes.
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That’s for sure! I need about ten shelves that go around the room!
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I just want to say that I admire your dedication, attention to detail and patience to each of your builds. My husband told me when he was younger he use to glue the hoods shut on all his model cars because he didn’t have the patience for the engine builds….lol. Thanks for all the likes! 🙂
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Thank you! Sometimes the fine details are frustrating and I can definitely relate to your husband’s choice. Thanks for stopping by.
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That is one of the reasons I switched to AFVs… they take up less space 🙂 Otherwise I either put them into plastic display cases (this minimize the chances of damage, eliminates dust, and makes it easier to transport/store), or use shoe-boxes. The plastic ones you can buy- i line them with Styrofoam or other packing material, and cut the appropriate shape in it, so the model fits snugly into the box.
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I used to put them all in cases but the rate that I build, it’s too costly to buy a case for every build and it eats up even more space. I have been doing some serious thinking about building a few AFVs. The size is attractive and it would be a fresh change. I might have to change my blog name though!
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Yeah, cases for airplanes are definitely a huge cost. Those pesky wings. 🙂
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I don’t build model planes myself, but do admire yours… might it not be an option to hang them above head height from a ceiling if the ceiling height is not too low?
Or taking up the existing shelf “space” but hung floor to ceiling in layers (different altitudes as it were)??
You could even have one cupboard to encase them in floor to ceiling tall , not too deep with glass sides, so one cupboard and the aircraft hung with something like fishing lines that are transparent so that they “fly” in layers within it.
Of course I’m no expert in displaying model planes since I don’t have one and maybe there are practical drawbacks but it’s an idea to throw out there 🙂
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All great suggestions. The problem that I have for now is that I am in the middle of a move and haven’t found a permanent residence to where I can set it up how I want. My plan is to have the floor to ceiling shelves and hang the bigger kits from the ceiling. Even then I will probably run out of room. Just not as quick.
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Good Luck with the moving! Moving all of those model planes must be stressful since you need to take a lot of care so that none of them get broken in the move.
Hope the cupboard or ceiling options work out once you have a permanent place. 🙂
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Thank you! I am more than careful when I move them around. So far there are no casualties to report.
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Thank you for liking “Night Beauty.” I am in the process of reorganizing things around my house too, so I can relate to this post about organizing your model planes. I am glad that most of my things are not as fragile as they are. 🙂 Good luck with your move, and I hope you will be able to build and display more of your wonderful model planes in the future. 🙂
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Thank you. Good luck with your organizing.
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Thanks! I will need it. 🙂
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I was curious you you give your builds the space they deserve. It’s great there is easy ways to upload photos so we can all enjoy the work too.
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They don’t have the space they need for now. Eventually I will create a massive shelving unit to hold them all.
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Hello –
This is a little bit out of the blue but I have a question and looking at your blog you might have an answer. I have literally hundreds of plane models in the box from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I inherited them from my father and I am really not sure what to do with them? I wonder if they have value and if they are sellable? All have their boxes and some are still sealed in plastic. There are a lot of Hawk models some revell and some other manufacturers as well. Just asking for some advice, thank you, – Jim
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There is certainly a market for them. You won’t get rich from them but a little is better than nothing. If you look on eBay you can get an idea of what they are going for. Try to make sure that all the parts are accounted for and give it a whirl. When I buy from eBay, I won’t bid on a model if the bags aren’t sealed. That’s not to say that they won’t sell. I’ve been burned a few times on missing parts. If all else fails, you can donate them to an aviation museum or find a military hospital to give to rehabbing veterans. I hope I helped out a bit. Let me know if you have any more questions. Good luck.
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Awesome!
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Thank you!
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These are great. My husband used to be into building and flying remotes. Thank you for stopping by my blog.
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Thank you! I’ve never tried an RC before. I’d like too start in a few years once my son gets old enough.
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You have more military aircraft than most countries in the world. LOL
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Thank you for liking my blog!! 😀
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You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
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Glad you enjoyed my haiku post–surprised me once I looked at your blog. Life is full of wonderful surprises and wonders.
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It definitely is! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
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I built many model planes as a kid many decades ago. You brought back a lot of memories. Thanks.
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You are quite welcome. I’m happy that I could bring back good memories for you.
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Wow! What a collection. My dad is ex-RAF and I though he had a lot of models but this looks amazing. Good luck with the ‘tetris’ sorting.
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Thank you! The sorting never stops. I have a good system going now.
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Reblogged this on KCJones.
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Have they taken to skies? That would be another lap, RC community would be glad to help you get started on that front.
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Not yet. That’s not to say that I’m not in the market.
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