Thousands of model aircraft to be rehomed after Edinburgh collector's death

Thousands of model aircraft which belonged to a collector are to be rescued and rehomed after his death.

Ron Smith dedicated his entire home in Edinburgh to his hobby, with every room filled to the ceiling with models he had collected since he was a boy.

Now, Ron’s friends have pledged to make sure his legacy will not be lost.

His friend Linda spent years trying to help him with his hoarding disorder.

“I couldn’t begin to count, there are hundreds of thousands of models,” said Linda Fay. “He’s collected since he was knee-high to a daisy, it’s just been his lifetime’s passion.”

Linda Fay had spent years helping Ron to manage his hoarding disorder.

Ron passed away in May this year.

“He was like an old fashioned gentleman, quietly spoken, very gentle,” recalls Linda. “He always had his classical music on in the house. A wee, gentle soul.”

Around 6% of people in the UK are affected by a hoarding disorder.

In 2016, Ron and Linda took part in a documentary to raise awareness. At the time, Ron described his dedication to the models as “collectivitis”.

“I carved them out of wood for years before the plastic kits came out,” he told the documentary team.

“We used to sit on the stair down on Pennywell Road making flying models. Even in winter in an unheated stair, I tell you!”

For nearly 50 years Ron would visit the Wonderland Models shop on Lothian Road in Edinburgh to meet his fellow enthusiasts. The staff say they’ll remember him fondly.

Ron Smith was an avid collector of the model kits.

“Virtually every week he’d pop in and come and see his friends,” said Wonderland Director Iain Reid. “Every Saturday they’d meet up at 3 o’clock, all congregate around the aeroplanes, talk aeroplane, go and get a coffee and then talk more aeroplane!

“All the guys here, they make models as well, so they all have the same interests and they were very sad to hear of his passing and our thoughts now are with his family.”

With the blessing of Ron’s family, the Wonderland team have purchased the model kits and are now in the process of storing his significant collection.

It’s already taken up pretty much every bit of space they have in the basement beneath their shop.

Thousands of these planes will then take off to new homes to others who share his hobby.