The Little World

That’s like a defining moment but in the other direction.

Recently a friend referred to my models as cheap and cheerful. A phrase that sounds intimidating…but it turns out not to be so. An English definition of the phrase says that it doesn’t necessarily mean bad quality – just good value for money. This certainly hits the mark.

And it actually hits several marks at once; characterising my model collection and my modelling style in general.

Had life turned differently, I might be a modeller who buys and builds premium $ 600 model kits – or who flies multi-thousand-dollar R/C planes. As it happened, when retirement arrived I found I can not afford this sort of play. But I can purchase smaller and cheaper kits and start a coordinated collection on a frugal basis.

And guess what – I am having a ball with the more modest kits…as well as with any expensive things that might come my way unbidden. And oddest of all – I enjoy taking reject and unconsidered models and turning them out in good order. I never look a gift horse in the mouth, nor in any other orifice. I have become somewhat of The Kit Rescuer.

It may have something to do with the retro aspect – recalling toys I played with as a child. Rebuilding old memories, perhaps, or correcting past mistakes and injustices. Doing what I did not think I could do.

It’s not always rewarding. Some older toys and kits were rubbish then and are rubbish now, and no amount of work can make them seem otherwise. Some techniques are flawed and some materials are best left in the dim past. At least I can say I do try different things, and can conduct trials in a way that tells me whether they are worth pursuing further .

And I can certainly get value for money and amusement with time spent on some of the most modest kits.