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Off the Shelf: How Ed Davis collects history one model at a time

Randy Rusk · 2026-02-09T23:48:02Z

For Ed Davis (@ed-davis), collecting scale replica models was never about chasing a single prized object or completing a checklist. It was something quieter and more gradual, shaped over time by curiosity, craftsmanship, and lived experience. His journey into the hobby began not with intention, but with a few small gifts in the mid-1950s that would leave a lasting impression. Ed was about seven years old when scale models first entered his life. Among his earliest were a 1:25 scale promotional Buick and a Dinky Ford painted in U.S. Army colors. He doesn’t recall exactly which came first, only that both arrived as gifts. One came from his parents, the other from a relative. At the time, they were simply toys, but they stood apart from the rest. They looked real. They carried weight and proportion. They hinted at the larger world beyond childhood. An even stronger influence came from Ed’s father, a World War II veteran who introduced him to plastic model kits. Rather than simply buying toys, his father built models of machines he had known personally during the war. Aircraft, bombers, and artillery pieces took shape at the kitchen table. Ed vividly remembers an Aurora T-6 Texan, a Lindberg P-51, a Revell B-24 bomber, and a Revell Long Tom 155mm artillery piece with its tractor. The Long Tom became a favorite. It was large, detailed, and unlike most toys, it demanded careful handling. Those early experiences taught Ed an important lesson. Models were not just things to play with. They were objects to be respected, studied, and appreciated. Craftsmanship mattered, even if he didn’t yet have the language for it. As the 1950s gave way to the 1960s, model building became a central part of Ed’s life. He built a large number of plastic airplane kits, mostly World War II aircraft in 1:48 scale, along with a smaller number in other scales. Monogram models stood out for their detail and operating features. Folding wings on naval aircraft were especially appealing, not only because they were realistic, but because space was limited in the family’s Chicago apartment. Even real aircraft carriers folded wings to save room. At the same time, Ed began building 1:25 scale car kits from companies like AMT and Johan. Some were built stock, others customized. Early attempts were brush-painted and imperfect, but improvement came quickly. Spray cans from Testors and Pactra opened new possibilities. With no garage available, the kitchen near the back door became a temporary paint booth. His parents were patient, and Ed’s results improved dramatically. That effort paid off in the mid-1960s when Revell and Pactra sponsored custom model car contests at local hobby shops. Ed entered a customized Corvette and won second place in his age group, along with first place for best paint. It was a small but meaningful affirmation of his growing skill and eye for detail. By the time college began in 1966, model building faded into the background. Academic demands, graduate school, career development, and travel took precedence. Another passion emerged during this time, car rallies. Over the years, Ed participated in many events across northern Illinois and neighboring states, forming friendships that would last decades. Models were largely set aside, though one exception remained. Ed began collecting brass HO scale model trains, drawn once again to precision and quality. As a working engineer, he appreciated fine mechanical craftsmanship and could afford to pursue it. The early 1990s marked a turning point. A visit to Des Plaines Hobby Shop introduced Ed to S scale brass locomotives, which operate at 1:64 scale. Larger than HO and already painted, they offered a level of detail he found compelling. He sold his HO collection and committed to S scale, building a small modular layout. That decision quietly reshaped everything that followed. A train layout needs context. Buildings, vehicles, and scenery became necessities rather than optional additions. To support the layout, Ed began collecting 1:64 scale cars and trucks. Early diecast offerings were simple, but detail improved steadily throughout the decade. Models from Ertl, Racing Champions, Winross, Hartoy, and later Hot Wheels and Code 3 found their way into his collection. Fire trucks, tractor-trailers, and everyday vehicles populated his miniature world. At the same time, another childhood interest resurfaced. In the early 1990s, Ed purchased his first diecast airplane, a 1:72 scale Corgi F4U Corsair. It rekindled his fascination with aviation history. Over time, his airplane collection grew to include about 25 models, mostly World War II aircraft and early jet fighters. These were not generic representations. Each model depicted a specific aircraft, from a specific unit, often tied to a particular historical moment. Years earlier, during visits to Al’s Hobby Shop in Elmhurst, Ed had noticed a small display of 1:43 scale cars from Brooklin. At the time, he admired them but did not ...

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Christopher Moroni

(@chris)

Illustrious Member

Joined: 30 years ago

Posts: 23665

11/02/2026 10:32 pm

Posted by: @ed-davis

↑

"Randy’s writing skills produced an excellent documentary."

Well, I can't wait to see it! I snapped this, off the TV, yesterday (I watch a fair amount of PBS content ). Not many collectors have a production of their life shown "on the big screen." You must be excited! Randy too!

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Steve Williams

(@stewil)

Prominent Member

Joined: 30 years ago

Posts: 324

17/03/2026 11:13 pm

Loved your your meandering story of a modeling life Ed and have much appreciated your Brooklin in Chicago posts, in fact seek them out when on the Forum. Love the background pics of an area of the country that am not very familiar with as I zip past on I80 or I70.

Again, thank you Randy for taking the time to meet the collectors and not just zip through their stories, but letting us really get to know them through your writing.

Models = Miracles in miniature = Holding History in ones hand
Cheers and Happy Collecting,
Steve

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