This will probably be regarded as heresy by some........

[albeback]

True, true, y'all... BUT... isn't the transformation of a very rare plastic kit into a whif another form of heresy? A kit that many people would pay a lot for and you prefer to cut it into pieces for a special project? Just a thought.

Fair comment but, exactly what have rarity & cost got to do with anything? I'll cut any kit into pieces for a special project just because it's FUN!!! If I could get hold of an old Esci TU-22 Backfire ( a very rare kit that people might pay a lot for), then I'd cheerfully slice it up & combine it with parts from the TU-22 Blinder kit for another weird idea of mine!!

To me, rarity and cost are irrelevant. Besides, I didn't pay all that much for the VC-10s. I certainly wouldn't pay the £30+ prices I've seen on evilbay & various second hand outlets. Of course, people that DO pay those prices are more likely to collectors are they not. I regard buying kits and NOT intending to build them as the ultimate heresy!!

[Stargazer]

I regard buying kits and NOT intending to build them as the ultimate heresy!!

On this I totally agree!!! 

[RussC]

I regard buying kits and NOT intending to build them as the ultimate heresy!!

On this I totally agree!!! 

  Absolutely agree!

What really frosted my tuccus was once getting an inquiry about a kit I was auctioning on EvilBay and the prospective buyer wanted high resolution pictures of the box. I promptly described the year of the kit and the basic condition. The individual reiterated the request and explained that the value of the kit , in the circles that he travelled in, was severely determined by the fact that it should have NO store price stickers, magic marker OR stickers from the manufacturer adding to the labelling, and deal-breakers like a slash mark from the hobby store stockist's box cutter knife or having the parts bags opened (which many model builders do in order to assure the kit is complete!!!!!). Since this fellow is simply one who will bid, buy and then give me a bad rating if the instruction sheet was dog-eared, I told him the kit was bought by me from a smokers household and I had it in my garage in Arizona but I would give it a check for scorpions before mailing. 

[PR19_Kit]

LOVE the bit about scorpions Russ!  I bet you never heard from HIM again!

Many years ago I bought the entire stock from an ironmongers-cum-model shop in Derby (it's a long story......) and included in that lot were 4-5 Frog 1/96 scale V bombers, two of which were the Vulcan and the Valiant in French Tri-ang labelled boxes, the Vulcan having been opened at some stage but the Valiant still had its original Sellotape fasteners on each side and end. Years later I decided to sell some of these and took them to the Model Engineer Exhibition to seek out some traders. One nearly grabbed my arm off when he saw they were French labelled kits but I told him the Vulcan was missing its canopy, but that didn't faze him, he offered me £50 for it! 

I said I had no idea what condition the Valiant was in as I'd never opened it and offered to do so. He shouted 'DON'T OPEN THE BOX!' and nearly wrenched it out of my hands to stop me. I asked why not and he said it was worth far more as it was, even if it had house brick in there. That was fine by me, specially as he offered me £75 for it!!!!!

Those two deals paid for my entire trip to the show, including hotel and meals, and I made a tidy profit as well. Should I worry? No, I have an Airfix 1/72 Vulcan now and I bet I 'll have a Valiant soon, both at half the prices he gave me.