diff --git a/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp b/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp
index 1955b8f0c8..2734cdf01f 100644
--- a/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp
+++ b/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp
@@ -222,7 +222,6 @@ void Agent::executeScript() {
     scriptedAvatar->setForceFaceTrackerConnected(true);
 
     // call model URL setters with empty URLs so our avatar, if user, will have the default models
-    scriptedAvatar->setFaceModelURL(QUrl());
     scriptedAvatar->setSkeletonModelURL(QUrl());
 
     // give this AvatarData object to the script engine
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp
index 2a94ed30e2..2c53847925 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp
@@ -296,7 +296,6 @@ bool Avatar::addToScene(AvatarSharedPointer self, std::shared_ptr<render::Scene>
     _renderItemID = scene->allocateID();
     pendingChanges.resetItem(_renderItemID, avatarPayloadPointer);
     _skeletonModel.addToScene(scene, pendingChanges);
-    getHead()->getFaceModel().addToScene(scene, pendingChanges);
 
     for (auto& attachmentModel : _attachmentModels) {
         attachmentModel->addToScene(scene, pendingChanges);
@@ -309,7 +308,6 @@ void Avatar::removeFromScene(AvatarSharedPointer self, std::shared_ptr<render::S
     pendingChanges.removeItem(_renderItemID);
     render::Item::clearID(_renderItemID);
     _skeletonModel.removeFromScene(scene, pendingChanges);
-    getHead()->getFaceModel().removeFromScene(scene, pendingChanges);
     for (auto& attachmentModel : _attachmentModels) {
         attachmentModel->removeFromScene(scene, pendingChanges);
     }
@@ -426,7 +424,7 @@ void Avatar::render(RenderArgs* renderArgs, const glm::vec3& cameraPosition) {
             const float LIGHT_EXPONENT = 1.0f;
             const float LIGHT_CUTOFF = glm::radians(80.0f);
             float distance = BASE_LIGHT_DISTANCE * getUniformScale();
-            glm::vec3 position = glm::mix(_skeletonModel.getTranslation(), getHead()->getFaceModel().getTranslation(), 0.9f);
+            glm::vec3 position = _skeletonModel.getTranslation();
             glm::quat orientation = getOrientation();
             foreach (const AvatarManager::LocalLight& light, DependencyManager::get<AvatarManager>()->getLocalLights()) {
                 glm::vec3 direction = orientation * light.direction;
@@ -543,11 +541,6 @@ void Avatar::fixupModelsInScene() {
         _skeletonModel.removeFromScene(scene, pendingChanges);
         _skeletonModel.addToScene(scene, pendingChanges);
     }
-    Model& faceModel = getHead()->getFaceModel();
-    if (faceModel.isRenderable() && faceModel.needsFixupInScene()) {
-        faceModel.removeFromScene(scene, pendingChanges);
-        faceModel.addToScene(scene, pendingChanges);
-    }
     for (auto& attachmentModel : _attachmentModels) {
         if (attachmentModel->isRenderable() && attachmentModel->needsFixupInScene()) {
             attachmentModel->removeFromScene(scene, pendingChanges);
@@ -564,14 +557,7 @@ void Avatar::fixupModelsInScene() {
 }
 
 void Avatar::renderBody(RenderArgs* renderArgs, ViewFrustum* renderFrustum, float glowLevel) {
-
     fixupModelsInScene();
-
-    {
-        if (_skeletonModel.isRenderable() && getHead()->getFaceModel().isRenderable()) {
-            getHead()->render(renderArgs, 1.0f, renderFrustum);
-        }
-    }
     getHead()->renderLookAts(renderArgs);
 }
 
@@ -872,11 +858,6 @@ void Avatar::scaleVectorRelativeToPosition(glm::vec3 &positionToScale) const {
     positionToScale = getPosition() + getUniformScale() * (positionToScale - getPosition());
 }
 
-void Avatar::setFaceModelURL(const QUrl& faceModelURL) {
-    AvatarData::setFaceModelURL(faceModelURL);
-    getHead()->getFaceModel().setURL(_faceModelURL);
-}
-
 void Avatar::setSkeletonModelURL(const QUrl& skeletonModelURL) {
     AvatarData::setSkeletonModelURL(skeletonModelURL);
     _skeletonModel.setURL(_skeletonModelURL);
@@ -1009,17 +990,7 @@ float Avatar::getSkeletonHeight() const {
 }
 
 float Avatar::getHeadHeight() const {
-    Extents extents = getHead()->getFaceModel().getMeshExtents();
-    if (!extents.isEmpty() && extents.isValid()) {
-
-        // HACK: We have a really odd case when fading out for some models where this value explodes
-        float result = extents.maximum.y - extents.minimum.y;
-        if (result >= 0.0f && result < 100.0f * getUniformScale() ) {
-            return result;
-        }
-    }
-
-    extents = _skeletonModel.getMeshExtents();
+    Extents extents = _skeletonModel.getMeshExtents();
     glm::vec3 neckPosition;
     if (!extents.isEmpty() && extents.isValid() && _skeletonModel.getNeckPosition(neckPosition)) {
         return extents.maximum.y / 2.0f - neckPosition.y + getPosition().y;
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h b/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
index 01548c9066..5860760659 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
@@ -114,7 +114,6 @@ public:
     virtual bool setAbsoluteJointRotationInObjectFrame(int index, const glm::quat& rotation) override { return false; }
     virtual bool setAbsoluteJointTranslationInObjectFrame(int index, const glm::vec3& translation) override { return false; }
 
-    virtual void setFaceModelURL(const QUrl& faceModelURL) override;
     virtual void setSkeletonModelURL(const QUrl& skeletonModelURL) override;
     virtual void setAttachmentData(const QVector<AttachmentData>& attachmentData) override;
 
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/FaceModel.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/FaceModel.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 9c22fc17ac..0000000000
--- a/interface/src/avatar/FaceModel.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,58 +0,0 @@
-//
-//  FaceModel.cpp
-//  interface/src/avatar
-//
-//  Created by Andrzej Kapolka on 9/16/13.
-//  Copyright 2013 High Fidelity, Inc.
-//
-//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
-//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
-//
-
-#include <glm/gtx/transform.hpp>
-
-#include "Avatar.h"
-#include "FaceModel.h"
-#include "Head.h"
-#include "Menu.h"
-
-FaceModel::FaceModel(Head* owningHead, RigPointer rig) :
-    Model(rig, nullptr),
-    _owningHead(owningHead)
-{
-    assert(_rig);
-}
-
-void FaceModel::simulate(float deltaTime, bool fullUpdate) {
-    updateGeometry();
-
-    Avatar* owningAvatar = static_cast<Avatar*>(_owningHead->_owningAvatar);
-    glm::vec3 neckPosition;
-    if (!owningAvatar->getSkeletonModel().getNeckPosition(neckPosition)) {
-        neckPosition = owningAvatar->getPosition();
-    }
-    setTranslation(neckPosition);
-    glm::quat neckParentRotation = owningAvatar->getOrientation();
-    setRotation(neckParentRotation);
-    setScale(glm::vec3(1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f) * _owningHead->getScale());
-
-    setPupilDilation(_owningHead->getPupilDilation());
-    setBlendshapeCoefficients(_owningHead->getBlendshapeCoefficients());
-
-    // FIXME - this is very expensive, we shouldn't do it if we don't have to
-    //invalidCalculatedMeshBoxes();
-
-    if (isActive()) {
-        setOffset(-_geometry->getFBXGeometry().neckPivot);
-        Model::simulateInternal(deltaTime);
-    }
-}
-
-bool FaceModel::getEyePositions(glm::vec3& firstEyePosition, glm::vec3& secondEyePosition) const {
-    if (!isActive()) {
-        return false;
-    }
-    const FBXGeometry& geometry = _geometry->getFBXGeometry();
-    return getJointPositionInWorldFrame(geometry.leftEyeJointIndex, firstEyePosition) &&
-        getJointPositionInWorldFrame(geometry.rightEyeJointIndex, secondEyePosition);
-}
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/FaceModel.h b/interface/src/avatar/FaceModel.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 5a19a8ea29..0000000000
--- a/interface/src/avatar/FaceModel.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,38 +0,0 @@
-//
-//  FaceModel.h
-//  interface/src/avatar
-//
-//  Created by Andrzej Kapolka on 9/16/13.
-//  Copyright 2013 High Fidelity, Inc.
-//
-//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
-//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
-//
-
-#ifndef hifi_FaceModel_h
-#define hifi_FaceModel_h
-
-#include <Model.h>
-
-class Head;
-
-/// A face formed from a linear mix of blendshapes according to a set of coefficients.
-class FaceModel : public Model {
-    Q_OBJECT
-
-public:
-
-    FaceModel(Head* owningHead, RigPointer rig);
-
-    virtual void simulate(float deltaTime, bool fullUpdate = true);
-
-    /// Retrieve the positions of up to two eye meshes.
-    /// \return whether or not both eye meshes were found
-    bool getEyePositions(glm::vec3& firstEyePosition, glm::vec3& secondEyePosition) const;
-
-private:
-
-    Head* _owningHead;
-};
-
-#endif // hifi_FaceModel_h
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Head.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/Head.cpp
index b97fd2b0ea..5524b928de 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Head.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/Head.cpp
@@ -62,20 +62,17 @@ Head::Head(Avatar* owningAvatar) :
     _isLookingAtMe(false),
     _lookingAtMeStarted(0),
     _wasLastLookingAtMe(0),
-    _faceModel(this, std::make_shared<Rig>()),
     _leftEyeLookAtID(DependencyManager::get<GeometryCache>()->allocateID()),
     _rightEyeLookAtID(DependencyManager::get<GeometryCache>()->allocateID())
 {
 }
 
 void Head::init() {
-    _faceModel.init();
 }
 
 void Head::reset() {
     _baseYaw = _basePitch = _baseRoll = 0.0f;
     _leanForward = _leanSideways = 0.0f;
-    _faceModel.reset();
 }
 
 void Head::simulate(float deltaTime, bool isMine, bool billboard) {
@@ -233,12 +230,6 @@ void Head::simulate(float deltaTime, bool isMine, bool billboard) {
     }
     
     _leftEyePosition = _rightEyePosition = getPosition();
-    if (!billboard) {
-        _faceModel.simulate(deltaTime);
-        if (!_faceModel.getEyePositions(_leftEyePosition, _rightEyePosition)) {
-            static_cast<Avatar*>(_owningAvatar)->getSkeletonModel().getEyePositions(_leftEyePosition, _rightEyePosition);
-        }
-    }
     _eyePosition = calculateAverageEyePosition();
 }
 
@@ -411,7 +402,7 @@ glm::quat Head::getEyeRotation(const glm::vec3& eyePosition) const {
 }
 
 glm::vec3 Head::getScalePivot() const {
-    return _faceModel.isActive() ? _faceModel.getTranslation() : _position;
+    return _position;
 }
 
 void Head::setFinalPitch(float finalPitch) {
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Head.h b/interface/src/avatar/Head.h
index 614e286329..d0bd4fdb77 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Head.h
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/Head.h
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 
 #include <HeadData.h>
 
-#include "FaceModel.h"
 #include "world.h"
 
 
@@ -76,9 +75,6 @@ public:
     glm::vec3 getLeftEarPosition() const { return _leftEyePosition + (getRightDirection() * -EYE_EAR_GAP) + (getFrontDirection() * -EYE_EAR_GAP); }
     glm::vec3 getMouthPosition() const { return _eyePosition - getUpDirection() * glm::length(_rightEyePosition - _leftEyePosition); }
 
-    FaceModel& getFaceModel() { return _faceModel; }
-    const FaceModel& getFaceModel() const { return _faceModel; }
-    
     bool getReturnToCenter() const { return _returnHeadToCenter; } // Do you want head to try to return to center (depends on interface detected)
     float getAverageLoudness() const { return _averageLoudness; }
     /// \return the point about which scaling occurs.
@@ -150,7 +146,6 @@ private:
     bool _isLookingAtMe;
     quint64 _lookingAtMeStarted;
     quint64 _wasLastLookingAtMe;
-    FaceModel _faceModel;
     
     glm::vec3 _correctedLookAtPosition;
 
@@ -162,8 +157,6 @@ private:
     void renderLookatTarget(RenderArgs* renderArgs, glm::vec3 lookatPosition);
     void calculateMouthShapes();
     void applyEyelidOffset(glm::quat headOrientation);
-
-    friend class FaceModel;
 };
 
 #endif // hifi_Head_h
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp
index 7198f32422..fa8e94e4a4 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp
@@ -167,11 +167,6 @@ MyAvatar::MyAvatar(RigPointer rig) :
         }
 
         auto recordingInterface = DependencyManager::get<RecordingScriptingInterface>();
-        if (recordingInterface->getPlayerUseHeadModel() && dummyAvatar.getFaceModelURL().isValid() &&
-            (dummyAvatar.getFaceModelURL() != getFaceModelURL())) {
-            // FIXME
-            //myAvatar->setFaceModelURL(_dummyAvatar.getFaceModelURL());
-        }
 
         if (recordingInterface->getPlayerUseSkeletonModel() && dummyAvatar.getSkeletonModelURL().isValid() &&
             (dummyAvatar.getSkeletonModelURL() != getSkeletonModelURL())) {
@@ -1009,13 +1004,6 @@ void MyAvatar::clearJointsData() {
     _rig->clearJointStates();
 }
 
-void MyAvatar::setFaceModelURL(const QUrl& faceModelURL) {
-
-    Avatar::setFaceModelURL(faceModelURL);
-    render::ScenePointer scene = qApp->getMain3DScene();
-    getHead()->getFaceModel().setVisibleInScene(_prevShouldDrawHead, scene);
-}
-
 void MyAvatar::setSkeletonModelURL(const QUrl& skeletonModelURL) {
 
     Avatar::setSkeletonModelURL(skeletonModelURL);
@@ -1051,10 +1039,6 @@ void MyAvatar::useFullAvatarURL(const QUrl& fullAvatarURL, const QString& modelN
         }
     }
 
-    if (!getFaceModelURLString().isEmpty()) {
-        setFaceModelURL(QString());
-    }
-
     const QString& urlString = fullAvatarURL.toString();
     if (urlString.isEmpty() || (fullAvatarURL != getSkeletonModelURL())) {
         qApp->setRawAvatarUpdateThreading(false);
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h
index 37a2e752e6..79cad466e6 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h
@@ -178,8 +178,6 @@ public:
     Q_INVOKABLE float getHeadFinalRoll() const { return getHead()->getFinalRoll(); }
     Q_INVOKABLE float getHeadFinalPitch() const { return getHead()->getFinalPitch(); }
     Q_INVOKABLE float getHeadDeltaPitch() const { return getHead()->getDeltaPitch(); }
-    Q_INVOKABLE int getFaceBlendCoefNum() const { return getHead()->getFaceModel().getBlendshapeCoefficientsNum(); }
-    Q_INVOKABLE float getFaceBlendCoef(int index) const { return getHead()->getFaceModel().getBlendshapeCoefficient(index); }
 
     Q_INVOKABLE glm::vec3 getEyePosition() const { return getHead()->getEyePosition(); }
 
@@ -328,7 +326,6 @@ private:
     bool cameraInsideHead() const;
 
     // These are made private for MyAvatar so that you will use the "use" methods instead
-    virtual void setFaceModelURL(const QUrl& faceModelURL) override;
     virtual void setSkeletonModelURL(const QUrl& skeletonModelURL) override;
 
     void setVisibleInSceneIfReady(Model* model, render::ScenePointer scene, bool visiblity);
diff --git a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.cpp b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.cpp
index adb942417d..9ab6b3b89c 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.cpp
+++ b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ AvatarData::AvatarData() :
     _hasNewJointRotations(true),
     _hasNewJointTranslations(true),
     _headData(NULL),
-    _faceModelURL("http://invalid.com"),
     _displayNameTargetAlpha(1.0f),
     _displayNameAlpha(1.0f),
     _billboard(),
@@ -989,18 +988,14 @@ bool AvatarData::hasIdentityChangedAfterParsing(const QByteArray& data) {
     QDataStream packetStream(data);
 
     QUuid avatarUUID;
-    QUrl faceModelURL, skeletonModelURL;
+    QUrl unusedModelURL; // legacy faceModel support
+    QUrl skeletonModelURL;
     QVector<AttachmentData> attachmentData;
     QString displayName;
-    packetStream >> avatarUUID >> faceModelURL >> skeletonModelURL >> attachmentData >> displayName;
+    packetStream >> avatarUUID >> unusedModelURL >> skeletonModelURL >> attachmentData >> displayName;
 
     bool hasIdentityChanged = false;
 
-    if (faceModelURL != _faceModelURL) {
-        setFaceModelURL(faceModelURL);
-        hasIdentityChanged = true;
-    }
-
     if (skeletonModelURL != _skeletonModelURL) {
         setSkeletonModelURL(skeletonModelURL);
         hasIdentityChanged = true;
@@ -1025,7 +1020,9 @@ QByteArray AvatarData::identityByteArray() {
     QUrl emptyURL("");
     const QUrl& urlToSend = (_skeletonModelURL == AvatarData::defaultFullAvatarModelUrl()) ? emptyURL : _skeletonModelURL;
 
-    identityStream << QUuid() << _faceModelURL << urlToSend << _attachmentData << _displayName;
+    QUrl unusedModelURL("http://invalid.com"); // legacy faceModel support
+
+    identityStream << QUuid() << unusedModelURL << urlToSend << _attachmentData << _displayName;
 
     return identityData;
 }
@@ -1038,12 +1035,6 @@ bool AvatarData::hasBillboardChangedAfterParsing(const QByteArray& data) {
     return true;
 }
 
-void AvatarData::setFaceModelURL(const QUrl& faceModelURL) {
-    _faceModelURL = faceModelURL;
-
-    qCDebug(avatars) << "Changing face model for avatar to" << _faceModelURL.toString();
-}
-
 void AvatarData::setSkeletonModelURL(const QUrl& skeletonModelURL) {
     const QUrl& expanded = skeletonModelURL.isEmpty() ? AvatarData::defaultFullAvatarModelUrl() : skeletonModelURL;
     if (expanded == _skeletonModelURL) {
@@ -1445,9 +1436,6 @@ JointData jointDataFromJsonValue(const QJsonValue& json) {
 QJsonObject AvatarData::toJson() const {
     QJsonObject root;
 
-    if (!getFaceModelURL().isEmpty()) {
-        root[JSON_AVATAR_HEAD_MODEL] = getFaceModelURL().toString();
-    }
     if (!getSkeletonModelURL().isEmpty()) {
         root[JSON_AVATAR_BODY_MODEL] = getSkeletonModelURL().toString();
     }
@@ -1514,15 +1502,6 @@ void AvatarData::fromJson(const QJsonObject& json) {
         _headData->fromJson(json[JSON_AVATAR_HEAD].toObject());
     }
 
-    if (json.contains(JSON_AVATAR_HEAD_MODEL)) {
-        auto faceModelURL = json[JSON_AVATAR_HEAD_MODEL].toString();
-        if (faceModelURL != getFaceModelURL().toString()) {
-            QUrl faceModel(faceModelURL);
-            if (faceModel.isValid()) {
-                setFaceModelURL(faceModel);
-            }
-        }
-    }
     if (json.contains(JSON_AVATAR_BODY_MODEL)) {
         auto bodyModelURL = json[JSON_AVATAR_BODY_MODEL].toString();
         if (bodyModelURL != getSkeletonModelURL().toString()) {
diff --git a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
index 6ffcaed0da..25ee93485b 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
+++ b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
@@ -158,7 +158,6 @@ class AvatarData : public QObject, public SpatiallyNestable {
     Q_PROPERTY(float audioAverageLoudness READ getAudioAverageLoudness WRITE setAudioAverageLoudness)
 
     Q_PROPERTY(QString displayName READ getDisplayName WRITE setDisplayName)
-    Q_PROPERTY(QString faceModelURL READ getFaceModelURLFromScript WRITE setFaceModelURLFromScript)
     Q_PROPERTY(QString skeletonModelURL READ getSkeletonModelURLFromScript WRITE setSkeletonModelURLFromScript)
     Q_PROPERTY(QVector<AttachmentData> attachmentData READ getAttachmentData WRITE setAttachmentData)
     Q_PROPERTY(QString billboardURL READ getBillboardURL WRITE setBillboardFromURL)
@@ -296,11 +295,8 @@ public:
 
     bool hasBillboardChangedAfterParsing(const QByteArray& data);
 
-    const QUrl& getFaceModelURL() const { return _faceModelURL; }
-    QString getFaceModelURLString() const { return _faceModelURL.toString(); }
     const QUrl& getSkeletonModelURL() const { return _skeletonModelURL; }
     const QString& getDisplayName() const { return _displayName; }
-    virtual void setFaceModelURL(const QUrl& faceModelURL);
     virtual void setSkeletonModelURL(const QUrl& skeletonModelURL);
 
     virtual void setDisplayName(const QString& displayName);
@@ -322,9 +318,6 @@ public:
     void setBillboardFromURL(const QString& billboardURL);
     const QString& getBillboardURL() { return _billboardURL; }
 
-    QString getFaceModelURLFromScript() const { return _faceModelURL.toString(); }
-    void setFaceModelURLFromScript(const QString& faceModelString) { setFaceModelURL(faceModelString); }
-
     QString getSkeletonModelURLFromScript() const { return _skeletonModelURL.toString(); }
     void setSkeletonModelURLFromScript(const QString& skeletonModelString) { setSkeletonModelURL(QUrl(skeletonModelString)); }
 
@@ -383,7 +376,6 @@ protected:
 
     HeadData* _headData;
 
-    QUrl _faceModelURL; // These need to be empty so that on first time setting them they will not short circuit
     QUrl _skeletonModelURL; // These need to be empty so that on first time setting them they will not short circuit
     QUrl _skeletonFBXURL;
     QVector<AttachmentData> _attachmentData;
diff --git a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarHashMap.cpp b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarHashMap.cpp
index ef7ff9684a..75fb5e6028 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarHashMap.cpp
+++ b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarHashMap.cpp
@@ -122,10 +122,6 @@ void AvatarHashMap::processAvatarIdentityPacket(QSharedPointer<ReceivedMessage>
         // mesh URL for a UUID, find avatar in our list
         auto avatar = newOrExistingAvatar(sessionUUID, sendingNode);
         
-        if (avatar->getFaceModelURL() != faceMeshURL) {
-            avatar->setFaceModelURL(faceMeshURL);
-        }
-
         if (avatar->getSkeletonModelURL().isEmpty() || (avatar->getSkeletonModelURL() != skeletonURL)) {
             avatar->setSkeletonModelURL(skeletonURL); // Will expand "" to default and so will not continuously fire
         }
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
index ece43f3ab3..3285a1c661 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ const FBXGeometry* EntityTreeRenderer::getGeometryForEntity(EntityItemPointer en
         std::shared_ptr<RenderableModelEntityItem> modelEntityItem =
                                                         std::dynamic_pointer_cast<RenderableModelEntityItem>(entityItem);
         assert(modelEntityItem); // we need this!!!
-        Model* model = modelEntityItem->getModel(this);
+        ModelPointer model = modelEntityItem->getModel(this);
         if (model) {
             result = &model->getGeometry()->getFBXGeometry();
         }
@@ -427,8 +427,8 @@ const FBXGeometry* EntityTreeRenderer::getGeometryForEntity(EntityItemPointer en
     return result;
 }
 
-const Model* EntityTreeRenderer::getModelForEntityItem(EntityItemPointer entityItem) {
-    const Model* result = NULL;
+ModelPointer EntityTreeRenderer::getModelForEntityItem(EntityItemPointer entityItem) {
+    ModelPointer result = nullptr;
     if (entityItem->getType() == EntityTypes::Model) {
         std::shared_ptr<RenderableModelEntityItem> modelEntityItem =
                                                         std::dynamic_pointer_cast<RenderableModelEntityItem>(entityItem);
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ const FBXGeometry* EntityTreeRenderer::getCollisionGeometryForEntity(EntityItemP
         std::shared_ptr<RenderableModelEntityItem> modelEntityItem =
                                                         std::dynamic_pointer_cast<RenderableModelEntityItem>(entityItem);
         if (modelEntityItem->hasCompoundShapeURL()) {
-            Model* model = modelEntityItem->getModel(this);
+            ModelPointer model = modelEntityItem->getModel(this);
             if (model) {
                 const QSharedPointer<NetworkGeometry> collisionNetworkGeometry = model->getCollisionGeometry();
                 if (collisionNetworkGeometry && collisionNetworkGeometry->isLoaded()) {
@@ -460,25 +460,25 @@ void EntityTreeRenderer::processEraseMessage(ReceivedMessage& message, const Sha
     std::static_pointer_cast<EntityTree>(_tree)->processEraseMessage(message, sourceNode);
 }
 
-Model* EntityTreeRenderer::allocateModel(const QString& url, const QString& collisionUrl) {
-    Model* model = NULL;
+ModelPointer EntityTreeRenderer::allocateModel(const QString& url, const QString& collisionUrl) {
+    ModelPointer model = nullptr;
     // Make sure we only create and delete models on the thread that owns the EntityTreeRenderer
     if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
         QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "allocateModel", Qt::BlockingQueuedConnection,
-                Q_RETURN_ARG(Model*, model),
+                Q_RETURN_ARG(ModelPointer, model),
                 Q_ARG(const QString&, url));
 
         return model;
     }
-    model = new Model(std::make_shared<Rig>());
+    model = std::make_shared<Model>(std::make_shared<Rig>());
     model->init();
     model->setURL(QUrl(url));
     model->setCollisionModelURL(QUrl(collisionUrl));
     return model;
 }
 
-Model* EntityTreeRenderer::updateModel(Model* original, const QString& newUrl, const QString& collisionUrl) {
-    Model* model = NULL;
+ModelPointer EntityTreeRenderer::updateModel(ModelPointer original, const QString& newUrl, const QString& collisionUrl) {
+    ModelPointer model = nullptr;
 
     // The caller shouldn't call us if the URL doesn't need to change. But if they
     // do, we just return their original back to them.
@@ -489,8 +489,8 @@ Model* EntityTreeRenderer::updateModel(Model* original, const QString& newUrl, c
     // Before we do any creating or deleting, make sure we're on our renderer thread
     if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
         QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "updateModel", Qt::BlockingQueuedConnection,
-                Q_RETURN_ARG(Model*, model),
-                Q_ARG(Model*, original),
+            Q_RETURN_ARG(ModelPointer, model),
+                Q_ARG(ModelPointer, original),
                 Q_ARG(const QString&, newUrl));
 
         return model;
@@ -499,11 +499,11 @@ Model* EntityTreeRenderer::updateModel(Model* original, const QString& newUrl, c
     // at this point we know we need to replace the model, and we know we're on the
     // correct thread, so we can do all our work.
     if (original) {
-        delete original; // delete the old model...
+        original.reset(); // delete the old model...
     }
 
     // create the model and correctly initialize it with the new url
-    model = new Model(std::make_shared<Rig>());
+    model = std::make_shared<Model>(std::make_shared<Rig>());
     model->init();
     model->setURL(QUrl(newUrl));
     model->setCollisionModelURL(QUrl(collisionUrl));
@@ -511,19 +511,19 @@ Model* EntityTreeRenderer::updateModel(Model* original, const QString& newUrl, c
     return model;
 }
 
-void EntityTreeRenderer::releaseModel(Model* model) {
+void EntityTreeRenderer::releaseModel(ModelPointer model) {
     // If we're not on the renderer's thread, then remember this model to be deleted later
     if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
         _releasedModels << model;
     } else { // otherwise just delete it right away
-        delete model;
+        model.reset();
     }
 }
 
 void EntityTreeRenderer::deleteReleasedModels() {
     if (_releasedModels.size() > 0) {
-        foreach(Model* model, _releasedModels) {
-            delete model;
+        foreach(ModelPointer model, _releasedModels) {
+            model.reset();
         }
         _releasedModels.clear();
     }
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.h b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.h
index 8534be852d..095723dc9a 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.h
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.h
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ class Model;
 class ScriptEngine;
 class ZoneEntityItem;
 
+class Model;
+using ModelPointer = std::shared_ptr<Model>;
+using ModelWeakPointer = std::weak_ptr<Model>;
 
 // Generic client side Octree renderer class.
 class EntityTreeRenderer : public OctreeRenderer, public EntityItemFBXService, public Dependency {
@@ -53,7 +56,7 @@ public:
     virtual void init();
 
     virtual const FBXGeometry* getGeometryForEntity(EntityItemPointer entityItem);
-    virtual const Model* getModelForEntityItem(EntityItemPointer entityItem);
+    virtual ModelPointer getModelForEntityItem(EntityItemPointer entityItem);
     virtual const FBXGeometry* getCollisionGeometryForEntity(EntityItemPointer entityItem);
     
     /// clears the tree
@@ -63,13 +66,13 @@ public:
     void reloadEntityScripts();
 
     /// if a renderable entity item needs a model, we will allocate it for them
-    Q_INVOKABLE Model* allocateModel(const QString& url, const QString& collisionUrl);
+    Q_INVOKABLE ModelPointer allocateModel(const QString& url, const QString& collisionUrl);
     
     /// if a renderable entity item needs to update the URL of a model, we will handle that for the entity
-    Q_INVOKABLE Model* updateModel(Model* original, const QString& newUrl, const QString& collisionUrl);
+    Q_INVOKABLE ModelPointer updateModel(ModelPointer original, const QString& newUrl, const QString& collisionUrl);
 
     /// if a renderable entity item is done with a model, it should return it to us
-    void releaseModel(Model* model);
+    void releaseModel(ModelPointer model);
     
     void deleteReleasedModels();
     
@@ -129,7 +132,7 @@ private:
     void applyZonePropertiesToScene(std::shared_ptr<ZoneEntityItem> zone);
     void checkAndCallPreload(const EntityItemID& entityID, const bool reload = false);
 
-    QList<Model*> _releasedModels;
+    QList<ModelPointer> _releasedModels;
     RayToEntityIntersectionResult findRayIntersectionWorker(const PickRay& ray, Octree::lockType lockType,
                                                                 bool precisionPicking, const QVector<EntityItemID>& entityIdsToInclude = QVector<EntityItemID>(),
                                                                 const QVector<EntityItemID>& entityIdsToDiscard = QVector<EntityItemID>());
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.cpp
index e2c7bb56c1..ff4ed28150 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.cpp
@@ -463,8 +463,8 @@ void RenderableModelEntityItem::render(RenderArgs* args) {
     }
 }
 
-Model* RenderableModelEntityItem::getModel(EntityTreeRenderer* renderer) {
-    Model* result = NULL;
+ModelPointer RenderableModelEntityItem::getModel(EntityTreeRenderer* renderer) {
+    ModelPointer result = nullptr;
 
     if (!renderer) {
         return result;
@@ -506,7 +506,7 @@ Model* RenderableModelEntityItem::getModel(EntityTreeRenderer* renderer) {
 
         // release interest
         _myRenderer->releaseModel(_model);
-        result = _model = NULL;
+        result = _model = nullptr;
         _needsInitialSimulation = true;
     }
 
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.h b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.h
index 69c1c13151..03226342da 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.h
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ public:
                         BoxFace& face, glm::vec3& surfaceNormal,
                         void** intersectedObject, bool precisionPicking) const override;
 
-    Model* getModel(EntityTreeRenderer* renderer);
+    ModelPointer getModel(EntityTreeRenderer* renderer);
 
     virtual bool needsToCallUpdate() const override;
     virtual void update(const quint64& now) override;
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ private:
     QVariantMap parseTexturesToMap(QString textures);
     void remapTextures();
 
-    Model* _model = nullptr;
+    ModelPointer _model = nullptr;
     bool _needsInitialSimulation = true;
     bool _needsModelReload = true;
     EntityTreeRenderer* _myRenderer = nullptr;
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/EntityTree.h b/libraries/entities/src/EntityTree.h
index 1c5a696b17..677ab93b79 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/EntityTree.h
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/EntityTree.h
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ typedef std::shared_ptr<EntityTree> EntityTreePointer;
 #include "DeleteEntityOperator.h"
 
 class Model;
+using ModelPointer = std::shared_ptr<Model>;
+using ModelWeakPointer = std::weak_ptr<Model>;
+
 class EntitySimulation;
 
 class NewlyCreatedEntityHook {
@@ -35,7 +38,7 @@ public:
 class EntityItemFBXService {
 public:
     virtual const FBXGeometry* getGeometryForEntity(EntityItemPointer entityItem) = 0;
-    virtual const Model* getModelForEntityItem(EntityItemPointer entityItem) = 0;
+    virtual ModelPointer getModelForEntityItem(EntityItemPointer entityItem) = 0;
     virtual const FBXGeometry* getCollisionGeometryForEntity(EntityItemPointer entityItem) = 0;
 };
 
@@ -171,7 +174,7 @@ public:
     const FBXGeometry* getGeometryForEntity(EntityItemPointer entityItem) {
         return _fbxService ? _fbxService->getGeometryForEntity(entityItem) : NULL;
     }
-    const Model* getModelForEntityItem(EntityItemPointer entityItem) {
+    ModelPointer getModelForEntityItem(EntityItemPointer entityItem) {
         return _fbxService ? _fbxService->getModelForEntityItem(entityItem) : NULL;
     }
 
diff --git a/libraries/fbx/src/FBXReader.cpp b/libraries/fbx/src/FBXReader.cpp
index a63cf78393..09aa4d5f59 100644
--- a/libraries/fbx/src/FBXReader.cpp
+++ b/libraries/fbx/src/FBXReader.cpp
@@ -48,9 +48,11 @@ QStringList FBXGeometry::getJointNames() const {
 }
 
 bool FBXGeometry::hasBlendedMeshes() const {
-    foreach (const FBXMesh& mesh, meshes) {
-        if (!mesh.blendshapes.isEmpty()) {
-            return true;
+    if (!meshes.isEmpty()) {
+        foreach (const FBXMesh& mesh, meshes) {
+            if (!mesh.blendshapes.isEmpty()) {
+                return true;
+            }
         }
     }
     return false;
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
index e90d51813b..58189c0d1e 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
@@ -50,8 +50,13 @@ inline uint qHash(const std::shared_ptr<MeshPartPayload>& a, uint seed) {
     return qHash(a.get(), seed);
 }
 
+class Model;
+using ModelPointer = std::shared_ptr<Model>;
+using ModelWeakPointer = std::weak_ptr<Model>;
+
+
 /// A generic 3D model displaying geometry loaded from a URL.
-class Model : public QObject {
+class Model : public QObject, public std::enable_shared_from_this<Model> {
     Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
@@ -63,6 +68,9 @@ public:
     Model(RigPointer rig, QObject* parent = nullptr);
     virtual ~Model();
 
+    inline ModelPointer getThisPointer() const {
+        return std::static_pointer_cast<Model>(std::const_pointer_cast<Model>(shared_from_this()));
+    }
 
     /// Sets the URL of the model to render.
     Q_INVOKABLE void setURL(const QUrl& url);