A scene of total devastation

I recently decided to have a look at the boxes (and boxes) of models which have been tucked away under the spare bed for years because they were "surplus to requirements" or belong to themes I don't pursue any more, so they got moved off the shelves to make space for cars.

I opened a box of miscellaneous buses and coaches and found a 1:43 coach made by Old Cars of Italy.

It is as dramatic a specimen of metal fatigue as you would ever wish to see.

All the models are in cardboard boxes and each wrapped in a couple of layers of tissue. The room does get pretty cold in winter and quite warm in summer, but nothing extreme, and this is the only model out of 20 boxes-ful that has suffered in the slightest. So I guess it's down to contaminated metal.

If this had been an expensive, treasured item I might be a bit upset. As it is, I just found it fascinating. Especially when it came apart in my hands.