I did the same...had a big “stash” figuring I would do them when I retired.
Then I got cancer in 2009.
We were very blessed after some very serious surgeries and radiation for six or seven months down in Texas at MD Anderson in 2010 which completely removed my sacrum (the lower, fused five vertebrae in your back and all of the nerve roots with them) that turned out better than expected.
but it left me disabled...but at least I could walk.
So my wife talked me into starting then.
Then last year the cancer came back with a vengence and I had more surger, radiation, etc. Now it is in my liver.
But the Lord has blessed me and these models have been therapeutic for me...and many prayers have been answered and the tumors in the liver are growing much slower so far than they feared.
Anyhow, take a look at this site to see all that I have built in the last six years:
Heff Head’s Model Shop
http://www.jeffhead.com/modelbuilds/
Especially check out the Ronald Regan, the Enterprise, the Iwo Jima and the B-36...and all of the other carriers and all of their escorts.
God has been kind to me...I would recommend getting started now. I started just spending a couple of hours per evening three or four days a week.
God’s speed.
I appreciate your information about the Doolittle Raiders and your models. Sorry to hear that you’re having to contend with cancer. I wish you the best.