Christmas day again and again...

So, normally when I get a big box of models, I immediately tear into it, looking at every piece, logging them, and then putting a few out and putting the rest into storage. I changed that up with the large and very heavy box that came from the Ralston lots I picked up recently. Cracking open the top, it was a sea of pink packing peanuts...

As I took each model out, I realized how well they had everything packed. Every box was wrapped in brown paper and had a rubber band and lot tag identifying each one. They put pieces of cardboard between each item and created several layers of cardboard and peanuts to ensure that any potential damage inflicted by UPS would be minimized. I slowly started taking out each one, one by one and placed them on the dining room table...

Everything was going fine until, uh oh, I heard one rattle. Bracing for the worst, I careful opened the brown paper end hoping it was not one of the models I really, really wanted. Arg! It was the B & G Historic Line (HL-7) 1933 Duesenberg SJ Beverly Berline. OK, I took a deep breath as I pulled off the rest of the paper and carefully opened the box. Rattle, rattle. Gritting my teeth, I carefully removed the model and its outer semi-transparent plastic sheath. Hurrah! It was only one of the headlamps and it had just come loose from its mounting pin. No damage. Nothing broken. With a quick drop of white glue, it was back in place.

Yet, like Harvey's experience, I've had to tweak something on each of the three I've opened so far. I had to return the headlight to the Duesey. I had to reattach a photo etched wiper to the Conquest Buick Century estate wagon, and I had to glue a headlight lens to a Provence Moulage 1946 Ford Woody. All of this has reinforced my approach to take my time. Ray clearly kept these boxed and stored, but even with the greatest of care, glue dries out and stuff pops off older models. In fact, I found the headlight lens for the PM woody under the foam and inside the crack of the cardboard side flap of the box, along with a photo etched license plate that I didn't realize was missing from the front bumper.