Selecting the correct model for your skill level

[@mauriziorenganeschi5813]

In my opinion, year of mold is also important: in recent kits you have a precise fit and you don't have to waste time in filling and sanding. However, some manufacturers tend to over engineering their kits, resulting in not necessary extra complexity.

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

Absolutely! After awhile the molds need to be refreshed. Revell has used the same exact molds for their kits for decades. It would be really nice to see them make a new Black Widow kit for instance. And yes!! Some kits are way over engineered. I’m experiencing a bit of that with the Fw-190 from Eduard that I started last night.

[@rafaelj.benero4880]

Thank you very much for this video, Sir. I've been building since 2019...42 kits in total and one at the bench...and I share your love of Tamiya kits...for me Tamiya is the best brand out there...happy modeling for you too!...

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

@@rafaelj.benero4880 You are welcome! I have no idea how many kits I’ve built over the years. But since I’ve got back into the hobby most have been Tamiya kits. I agree that they are one of the best kit makers around. I wanted to make this video to try and help out the model building community. And it seems to have been well received. Much more than I anticipated. Thank you for the kind words!

[@Jimmythefish577]

I just got back into the hobby about 3 months ago after a 35 year hiatus, I've now got a little bit of everything, in various scales, 1/24, 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72, Tamiya, Hasegawa, Airfix, Trumpeter, Revell, Acadamy, and the jewel in the pile, the mighty Ventura kits from NZ! Now those, are a challenge, but a very enjoyable build. I'm definitely a novice, but I'm not worrying about complexity or skill level, I'm just having a bash at everything! Currently got a 1/48 Hurricane MkIIb from Arma Hobbies on the go, very detailed, way more complex than I ever built as a kid. But great fun.

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

@@Jimmythefish577 It sounds like you’ve done some research. And that’s great! That was one aspect of the video I wanted people to get out of it. A little research goes a long way. I usually read over the instruction manual a few times before I remove a single part from the sprue. Good luck on your builds! Hopefully I’ll be able to see them sometime.

[@themodelstudent20]

I have the new ICM 1/35 CH-54A Tarhe helicopter...Wait...Wait...I'm not ready yet to start it with confidence. I still struggle with 40yr old ITALERI kits!! Lol Thanks & Cheers.

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

@@themodelstudent20 I understand that feeling! I haven’t built a helicopter yet. I’ll try my hand at it someday. Something that has helped me in the past is watching KZbin videos about the kit. Sometimes there will be tips and things to watch out for in the video. Or some facebook groups are useful for information as well.

[@kevinjohnson8220]

02:15 Revell's skill level system is based on number of parts, and yeah, parts count increases complexity, but it isn't complexity in itself.

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

Agreed. It seems to be somewhat subjective. But I understand what Revell was trying to achieve. And I’m not knocking the system. It’s a way to market their kits to a variety of customers. With other manufacturers that don’t use a system like that would require some research on the part of the buyer. Which is part of the motivation being this video.

[@ekspatriat]

Revells REAL skill level is always 5/5 because the expertise you need to make a silk purse outa sows ear is very high!!!!

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

@ In all fairness Revell does make some decent kits. I’ve built quite a few and have enjoyed them for the most part. But I get what you’re saying. They do need to revamp their line and either retire or renew many of their molds.

[@maxsmodels]

It's funny, I just decided today to make tonight's livestream about getting models of the right level of complexity for your skills and desires.

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

@@maxsmodels What time is your livestream? I will tune in if I can!

[@kahumike]

The Academy SBD is an old Accurate Miniatures kit, so they can be a bit exacting when it comes to cleaning up parts and bringing them together. I have the Eduard F-104C, and frankly it terrifies me. It's going to take a lot of pre-planning 😅

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

@@kahumike That’s good information to know about the SBD kit. I hadn’t realized that! I understand being terrified by a specific kit. I feel that way about the F-14 kit. So many parts to keep track of and paint. 😬

[@freemanreed5228]

No guts, no glory!!! Don't worry, I've got a few in my stash as well.

[@Adriapareja]

Thank you. This was helpful.

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

Glad it was helpful!

[@philsmodelmaking2260]

way back in the 70's when I was aged about 8 or 9, I built both the airfix handley page 0/400 (twin engine biplane bomber!) and the fairey rotodyne (experimental twin turboprop helicopter) and made a somewhat decent go of building them, the crazy thing is, if I revisited them now I'm sure I would struggle with them!

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

I think we’ve become spoiled by modern kits. I’ve built a few vintage kits that gave me some issues. It made me realize I definitely prefer newer kits.

[@philsmodelmaking2260]

@@modelsbyjohnmichael3477 yeah I think thats right, I have quite a few modern kits, with all sorts of aftermarket stuff, that I know I'm holding off starting because of the complexity of them, so i just open another 1970's kit and build it out of the box!

[@rorythornton3335]

Thanks for sharing, It is a rabbit whole!

[@modelsbyjohnmichael3477]

@@rorythornton3335 It absolutely is! It helps to have some guidance. Thats why I made the video. I want newer model builders to have as much information as possible. The more people we have in the hobby, the better!