[Epapazian]

There's an ongoing low level debate on this forum pitting those who leave their diecasts exactly as they came in the box and others who often retouch, weather, or even totally repaint some models. I belong to the latter group because I want the most realistic replicas in my collection as well as many schemes that the manufacturers haven't done. I probably make minor corrections, including weathering, redoing incorrectly positioned insignias or lettering, etc on about 85% of the planes and armor I display. About 10-15% of the time, however, I create a completely new version of the model, sometimes in the same motif and sometimes using a different scheme. Obviously such alterations make it impossible to sell such planes or tanks at a later date to collectors who desire the model as it was originally made. But I don't care about this. I wonder how many other members agree or disagree with me on this?

[hworth18]

I rarely repaint a model, but I have touched up some that felt were in need.. Recently, I repainted the Dragon Nachtjager Me-262, but only because I couldn't stand to look at it anymore..

[SKUNKY]

I don't buy any diecast with the slightest notion of resale, so I have no qualms at all about taking paint (or a knife,file, drill, whatever) to them when I feel it's necessary (and it's usually necessary)..I really don't have a single aircraft that couldn't be improved with a little wash around the landing gear area at least. I even intend to do it with my Century Wings jets....Too many years sweating over the smallest details building plastic models has left me this way, I'm afraid...

[Ara1]

Great discussion. I am a former modeler of decent skill who came over to diecast to:

1) posess durable a/c I love, and
2) not fuss so much about it.

Now, I think it's wonderful and ambitious to repaint diecasts. I would love to see anyone's work of a passable finish. However, for my collection, I fear of losing the durablility factor; I really, really love to handle my planes. In the model world, handling= marring the finish w/ skin oils etc.

This is why I count on diecrass manufacturers to come out with nifty versions for us to collect (overall dark blue 1/48 Spring 1945 escort carrier Hellcat, anyone?).

Given all that, I am well prepared to modify Franklin Mint's He 111 as an authentically marked Sept 1939 machine, with four wing crosses (tiny outboards, huge mid-chord). If I can safely pull this off while maintaining a high durability, then I will do it.

[planenutsfrog]

But authenticity has always been a major concern of mine.

So, I usually improve my diecasts, repainting details, adding swastikas, adding or removing guns, antennas...

I am not too keen on weathering however. I prefer pristine models.

I collect for myself and don't really mind about resale.

[Merritec]

I din't have any painting skills, but would do so on any planes that have no value.
I collect for myself, but just can't bring myself to do a repaint on the Night Fighter Hurricane or Assie Mosquito. If it is an IXO, Witty, or Dragon, I have no problem glueing fiddly bits, but for Corgi and Gemini Aces, the planes stay as they come out of the box.

I will never sell them, but my wife may some day, and I don't want to leave her or the kids 2 tons of worthless Diecast. (Though the zinc may make them worth a fortune by then.)

[PappyB]

Personally, I never paint 'em, and I would only consider modifying a model that has zero value or I know I will never want to sell.

Sometimes, the "I only collect for myself" attitude round here kind of irks me (no offense meant to anyone as I'm sure no offense is ever meant by it -- but sometimes it comes off a bit, let's say, "holier than thou"). I certainly only collect for myself as my family doesn't give a hoot about planes. However, will I sell a hot model I don't care that much about to make a buck, sure. As more often than not I turn those dollars into... more models. Do I care about getting the most possible for a model if I do choose to sell it to make room for something else, sure. (I'm not rolling in extra dough and I'm not sure my opinion would change if I were.) And as Merritec says, maybe someday my kids may have to sell them, too. (Though I suspect I may will my collection to a museum, that'll teach 'em for thinking plans are "silly" ... hehe.)

( Plus, my modeling skills suck, so I'm sure I'd only make 'em look worse. ) Though, I've rarely been tempted -- I kind of like to keep 'em in their original config, warts and all, as representative of their brands and to see the evolution of various molds from the more savvy vendors, too. For example, the Gemini Bald Eagle P-51B.... The two different shades of green bug me, as does the fat antenna... but I like to park it next to say, my Princess Elizabeth commission and see the improvements as the line has matured... I'm in this hobby first and foremost for intense interest in military aviation history, however I also enjoy collecting for the sake of the diecast hobby itself --- seeing how models have improved over the years, etc.
(Though I do fully support the modification of anything FOV... or IXO Some of the guys on here have done some great things with some of those. I wouldn't think twice about modifiying the plastic stuff, either, such as 21st Century.)

That said, I admit, I was a bit shocked when someone modified their Flying Mule Galland 262 a while back, but to each their own!

[Shawn 507]

I've re-painted / touched up three so far. The first was the Matchbox Minsi Hellcat. I wanted a cat mouthed version, that was easy. I've re-painted one P-47 and one P-51 from Dragon as I could no longer look at them. Saucie Suzie just looked silly, so its now Eileen. The blue cloud cammo P-51 from the planes of fame museum is noe an OD Old Crow. Everything else I have I can live with.
- Shawn

[skysurfer808]

That's a good question, as my Corgi Boyington Corsair really needs some prop tip painting (the thing is all black and detracts from its overall appearance.) I will likely do that, if only to have a historically accurate corsair, as I do not intend to sell the thing.

Skysurfer808

[no4mkit]

Well since I'm guilty of modifying and or repainting many of my models I think it's fairly obvious where I stand on the issue. Actually, I started into it innocently enough when I recieved a badly damaged Corgi Mosquito night fighter purchased via eBay. After the courier refunded my costs, I couldn't bring myself to throw the model away so I glued up the broken bits and gave it a fresh new (authentic) paint scheme. Some of you old-timers from MH1 may remember it...




From there it blossomed into an effort to fill out those liveries or (in the case of the modifications) the types I just don't see the manufacturers giving us.
As a rule, the model I use for the mod or repaint is always a damaged or spare/dupe one acquired at low cost (typically under $20) and I never touch a model I consider to be of value, real or sentimental, or one with a particularly attractive scheme like the McKnight Hurricane despite buying a second one for $18.
I was an avid modeller many moons ago, but the little free time I have doesn't allow for kit building anymore. Besides, there's just something about diecast... it must be the influence of those Dinky Toy planes from childhood! And there's the challenge that some of the modifications have posed that make life interesting, like....

...the Mk XVI Spitfire made from the Gemini clipped wing Mk IX...




...the two seat Spitfire Mk IX made from a Spare Witty Johnny Johnson Spit....




The pre-war two-blade Hurricane Mk. I from a damaged Bader Legend and a Aeroclub white metal prop...




and a Mosquito Mk. XIX based on a spare silver Bankok Mossie...



There's plenty of others I've done that are simple repaints or weathering jobs, but the same rules still apply... for me anyway. But like others have said, they're your models so what you do is entirely up to you. Just don't don't let the government find out, or they'll try to regulate that too!