How about skill level 4?

[ZTony8]

Some of Revell Germany's kits are labeled as Skill Level 5.Seems to based on parts quantity.

[Nova-ss]

I would love higher parts count kits or skill level go up to 4.most of the kits saying pro modeler were repackaged kits with afew extra parts.if Revell,AMT or any of the other company's would design from ground up a kit.I would be interested in it.Galaxy kits are difficult to come by.you order them.I want to see them on a shelf..not having to order it.I never saw the model ever on a shelf.I'm not intetested ordering and being unhappy with kit.after receiving  the kit.I love seeing higher detailed kits.I also will snap kits.and detail them the most I can with what it gives you.modeling is fun to me.

[SfanGoch]

  On 8/6/2015 at 8:19 PM, ZTony8 said:

Some of Revell Germany's kits are labeled as Skill Level 5.Seems to based on parts quantity.

Skill Levels indicate the ease of construction/complexity of a particular kit. That said, that also would mean a corresponding increase in parts count as the Skill Level increases. Some manufacturers, like Dragon, don't use Skill Levels as a barometer of difficulty. The amount of parts mentioned on the box lid is a good clue to what the expected frustration factor will be. One thing for sure, you won't see a 1/25 1965 Pontiac GTO with a 957 part count anytime soon. It'd be nice, though.

[Aaronw]

  On 8/6/2015 at 7:51 AM, SfanGoch said:

The Eduard sets are re-boxed kits from other manufacturers like Academy with, as you pointed out, a few resin parts and usually  PE thrown in. For this, you pay what I would consider too much money for what are essentially sub par models to begin with. 

I primarily build military subjects. A Voyager TUSK II conversion set for the Dragon 3536 M1A2 Abrams SEP set me back 128 bucks. Toss in a set of Bronco T158 Bigfoot tracks to replace the gawdawful DS Tracks included with the kit and you're already looking at way over two bills including the kit itself. To be honest, It'd be nice if car kits were available with the works included and I'd pay the extra cash for that.

Eduard has reboxed a few kits from others, but the bulk of their models are original to Eduard and they tend to be very high quality, particularly those from the past decade. I've not seen anyone refer to an Eduard kit as "sub par".

[om617]

The Lindberg 48 Lincoln is a skill 8 

[ZTony8]

Maybe instead of skill level there should be "re-engineering needed" level or "test of patience" level.

[SfanGoch]

  On 8/7/2015 at 6:00 AM, Aaronw said:

  On 8/6/2015 at 7:51 AM, SfanGoch said:

The Eduard sets are re-boxed kits from other manufacturers like Academy with, as you pointed out, a few resin parts and usually  PE thrown in. For this, you pay what I would consider too much money for what are essentially sub par models to begin with. 

I primarily build military subjects. A Voyager TUSK II conversion set for the Dragon 3536 M1A2 Abrams SEP set me back 128 bucks. Toss in a set of Bronco T158 Bigfoot tracks to replace the gawdawful DS Tracks included with the kit and you're already looking at way over two bills including the kit itself. To be honest, It'd be nice if car kits were available with the works included and I'd pay the extra cash for that.

Eduard has reboxed a few kits from others, but the bulk of their models are original to Eduard and they tend to be very high quality, particularly those from the past decade. I've not seen anyone refer to an Eduard kit as "sub par".

You must've missed Eduard's Profi PACK straight re-box of the Academy Kingtiger Last Production. The Academy kit qualifies as sub-par when compared with the Dragon KTs. Check out the armor modelling forums for reviews and comments on this one. Eduard doesn't even provide additional PE or resin parts and the "Octopus" camo ring decal sheet from the original Academy 13229 is not included.  This re-box costs $75, 20-35 bucks more than the original offering. More Profit than Profi.

[Aaronw]

  On 8/7/2015 at 2:21 PM, SfanGoch said:

  On 8/7/2015 at 6:00 AM, Aaronw said:

  On 8/6/2015 at 7:51 AM, SfanGoch said:

The Eduard sets are re-boxed kits from other manufacturers like Academy with, as you pointed out, a few resin parts and usually  PE thrown in. For this, you pay what I would consider too much money for what are essentially sub par models to begin with. 

I primarily build military subjects. A Voyager TUSK II conversion set for the Dragon 3536 M1A2 Abrams SEP set me back 128 bucks. Toss in a set of Bronco T158 Bigfoot tracks to replace the gawdawful DS Tracks included with the kit and you're already looking at way over two bills including the kit itself. To be honest, It'd be nice if car kits were available with the works included and I'd pay the extra cash for that.

Eduard has reboxed a few kits from others, but the bulk of their models are original to Eduard and they tend to be very high quality, particularly those from the past decade. I've not seen anyone refer to an Eduard kit as "sub par".

You must've missed Eduard's Profi PACK straight re-box of the Academy Kingtiger Last Production. The Academy kit qualifies as sub-par when compared with the Dragon KTs. Check out the armor modelling forums for reviews and comments on this one. Eduard doesn't even provide additional PE or resin parts and the "Octopus" camo ring decal sheet from the original Academy 13229 is not included.  This re-box costs $75, 20-35 bucks more than the original offering. More Profit than Profi.

How does one reboxed kit equal all they do? Tons of original Eduard aircraft kits, their F6F Hellcat is pretty universally considered the best available.

[SfanGoch]

  Quote

How does one reboxed kit equal all they do? Tons of original Eduard aircraft kits, their F6F Hellcat is pretty universally considered the best available.

That's not the only rebox.The Limited Edition A-4E/F Skyhawk Vietnam Scooter 1/48 is another which comes to mind. It's a repackaged $35 Hasegawa kit with a decal sheet, one PE fret and a resin ejection seat being sold for ninety bucks. Nice kit but the extra tchotchke thrown in don't merit the cost. There are other such examples; but, this conversation is digressing from the OT. Sub-par was too strong a critique. What I was getting at is some companies do repackage other manufacturers' products, throw in a few extra bits and pieces, then expect a potential customer to fork over a premium price for what amounts to nothing. 

I liked what Accurate Miniatures did with their kits, especially the Corvette GS. No resin; but, they did provide two pretty decent PE frets which were made by, heh, Eduard. If the major players in the model auto manufacturing arena would add some PE to dress up the kits in the same way armor kit makers do, it wouldn't be a bad thing. It'd raise the price some; but, it would still be a good deal. Besides, if one shops around, you can always find some online shop selling car kits anywhere from 10-30% below MSRP.

Edited August 7, 2015 by SfanGoch