SkyKing 53 Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 According to announcement posted elsewhere. The former kit designer for Monogram Models and designer/producer of his own line of some of the hobby’s best vac-form kits had been in declining health and had recently entered hospice. Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Deliduka 345 Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 Thanks for the update. Maybe we should have a Monogram Models Group Build in his honor. May he rest in peace and his family find peace and strength. Link to post Share on other sites
Rusty White 85 Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 From one who knows. Hospice is a wonderful service for the chronically ill and their families. God's speed to Bill and his survivors. Link to post Share on other sites
ghodges 531 Posted September 15 Report Share Posted September 15 Indeed, may the Lord bless Bill's family and friends with a flood of loving memories through this tough time. I was acquainted with Bill having first met him at the Dayton USAF Museum fall airplane contests back in the '80s, and then buying his vacuform kits and conversions from him when he vended at shows. He was a fine gentleman and a VERY good model builder, whether he was building one of his vacs, or tricking out one of the old Monogram kits he helped design back in the 60s. We've had a richer hobby experience due to Bill's input into the hobby both at Monogram and with his line of vac kits. I'm going to miss chatting with him at shows! I 'm attaching some pics of the kits of his I've built....and I still have several in the stash too! Gil 1 Link to post Share on other sites
dmorrissette 90 Posted September 15 Report Share Posted September 15 A very nice gentlemen from my conversations and a great tribute Gil. Great looking kits Dave Link to post Share on other sites
ghodges 531 Posted September 15 Report Share Posted September 15 A couple more I forgot about! 1/48 G3M "Nell" Japanese bomber.... And the B-24J "Ford Nose" conversion for the Monogram kit... This shows where the work was done.... Currently building 2 more of his Fokker D-VIII kits (along with an Eduard kit) for a "triple Razor" build... Gil 1 Link to post Share on other sites
cheveuxroux 1 Posted September 25 Report Share Posted September 25 Very sorry to hear of this. Mr. Koster produced some wonderful items. Link to post Share on other sites
Barry 3 Posted October 7 Report Share Posted October 7 Gil, this is a beautiful tribute to a fine modeler, designer and human being. We've lost one of the old guard, and are poorer for it. Barry Numerick 1 Link to post Share on other sites
ghodges 531 Posted October 8 Report Share Posted October 8 My favorite Bill Koster story: Bill was vending at the Columbus Nats and I'd had him set aside the above pictured B-24 Ford Nose conversion set for me. Late in the afternoon I stopped by to pay for it....my wife was with me....so I handed the box to her to hold while I paid Bill.....so she asks how much it costs, and I said it's $45....and she opens the box, looks in and says "and THIS is all that's in here?" So I look at Bill (as he tucks away my money) and say "why did you let me do that?" Bill says, "It's not my fault you're stupid"! 🙂 Gil 2 Link to post Share on other sites
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