Herb Deeks: Master Model Maker Man
People love to collect things. Anything. And then sell it on eBay. Not only is collecting a great hobby, it also gives your mind exercise in remembering facts, stats and current values. Many people have turned their collecting hobby into a second or primary business. One of the most sought after makers of science fiction related memorabilia is Herb Deeks. Getting an Herb Deeks ray gun model kit is the science fiction memorabilia collector’s version of bringing home an original Van Gogh.
Who?
You probably never head of Herb Deeks (that’s okay – he’s probably never heard of you). Herb Deeks is mostly known for making model kits of rockets, cars and ray guns from the 1930’s to 1950’s era. He has done resin model kits that meticulously reproduce all of the classic ships from Flash Gordon to the Saturn rocket series that conquered the Moon.
You can find these eagerly sought after collectables from specialty toy shops, eBay and science fiction collection memorabilia. Herb Deeks did models for more than just movies. He also did some small models of a coal mine and trains that are also popular with collectors of all kinds of miniatures, not only the science fiction memorabilia people. A model kit will average about $60.
Herb Deeks is still alive and loves to talk to science fiction conventions and clubs about his models. However, he also values his privacy and so finding any personal information about him needs the services of Sherlock Holmes. Herb Deeks prefers to let his models write his biography. He carefully studies every detail of the ships in such classic movies as The Day The Earth Stood Still and completely reproduces the ship and even the pilot.
The Models
When you buy a Herb Deeks model kit, you can expect quality and a love of classic sci-fi retro design. The kits come with easy to understand instructions and are unpainted. You might prefer to leave the complete model “naked” or to paint it later on. Considering that most of the films the ships were modeled after entered pop culture on black and white film, it might be more appropriate to leave the models “naked”.
Check the pieces carefully, as there may be some trimming of excess material that can be done with an exacto knife. If you have a small dremel drill, you might want to plug it in. Some Herb Deeks model kits have been reported to be filled in with resin material where they should be hollow.
