Have you ever bought a kit that you later felt was "over your head"?

[Straightliner59]

I have a Gunze 1941 Indian Scout that I was waiting until I felt confident enough that I wouldn't screw it up, but now that I've scratchbuilt the NTF, I don't really see anything being a problem.

[Bugatti Fan]

Horses for courses.     Kits generally should not be too intimidating depending on your level of experience, and that is the crux of the matter. As modellers we know when a kit might be a bit too difficult to build at the time of purchase and wisely put it to one side temporarily until mastering techniques on less complicared model kits.

Enthusiasts rather than modellers often jump in at the deep end buying a complex kit of a subject dear to them, not realising the amount of accumulated modelling experience that is required. I would guess due to this there are many complex old Pocher and MFH kits that are and will remain inbuilt and get eventually sold on.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Dr. Cobra, 

Those are two beautiful models!  Thank you for sharing.

[Kit Basher]

I've had two that I felt were over my head, a Fujimi Enthusiast kit, and a Trumpeter Pontiac. I'm not a great modeller, but with time, patience, and care I was able to finish both. It kinda changes your mindset, I have to settle in for a long project, rather than cranking out an AMT or Revell kit. I've built a couple of Tamiya kits, and while they may look intimidating, they go together well, in a sensible way. I say go for it, I think you'll find you do have the skills, and you will enjoy the process.

[NOBLNG]

You would think we should be capable of building just about any model. After all they are made for kids right? Do any kits say “For ages 45 and older”?🥴 That said, I can’t imagine a kid trying to build the Revell ‘31 model A with the opening doors and hood with separate little hinges (I’m sure some of you have done it 🥵) I elected to glue them shut.😳

[stitchdup]

23 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

 Do any kits say “For ages 45 and older”?🥴

no but some say not to eat them

[Pierre Rivard]

  Interesting question Bill, and you're not the lone ranger there. I think many of us have more challenging kits requiring time before we are ready to pull the trigger. Perhaps not a concern about our skills but more about building up the energy to tackle it. Two kits like that for me: Accurate Miniature Corvette Grand Sport and Fernando Pinto Alfa Romeo 8C LM. Took a while before I was ready but with patience and care they turned out fine.

  And if things don't turn out as good as planned?  Well... it's just a hobby!

[LDO]

No, but there are couple of kits that might be that way if I bought them (or just one of them. They’re expensive). There’s a guy in Facebook who offers a Porsche 935 K3 and a 956 or 962 in 1/8 scale, 3D printed. I would want to make it into a road car. That would be a lot of work. They are about $1000 each. 

[Beans]

Don't think any kit itself has made me feel that way.  Usually it isn't until I get into the build and have my own crazy ideas of what I want to do with it that before I realize I have created all new challenges for myself.  To me though, that is the fun in it.  I can't seem to ever just build a kit as is.  

[johnyrotten]

28 minutes ago, Beans said:

  Usually it isn't until I get into the build and have my own crazy ideas of what I want to do with it that before I realize I have created all new challenges for myself.  

I'm currently in that exact situation. 

[Big John]

In my youth it was the Revel Roth cars. They just seemed so fragile and fiddly. Now days, some 60yr on it is more self imposed detailing that has me hesitating.

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 hour ago, Beans said:

...I can't seem to ever just build a kit as is.  

I never even considered that as an option.   

Maybe someday, 'cause there are a few cars I really would like to have box-stock replicas of. 

Edit: Nah, probly not. I can find all kinds of ways to complicate even the simplest snapper.  

Edited April 14 by Ace-Garageguy

[Sonorandog]

Not to get too serious or over share, I have a few kits that I put in the category of "not yet".  My thinking was either the kit was difficult and I could not do it justice or my dreams for the kit were so high I did not currently posses the skills required to achieve my vision.  So I thought as my skills developed I would tackle those kits someday.

I have received some not so pleasant medical news recently that makes me realize my skills are only going to deteriorate at a more accelerated rate than I desire.

All to say I have realized completed is better than perfect.  Build the kits, get them on the shelf and enjoy looking at them.  If you are trying to win a contest that is one thing but, if you just put them on the shelf and admire them.  Don't wait.  Build it and enjoy it.

[Bill Anderson]

Sonorandog, most excellent advice!!!   

I turn 81 next month, and can vouch for the very gradual loss of model building skills - Vision and Steadiness being the main culprits.  

I've been building models (cars, planes, boats, structures, trains) for over 70 years and it makes me happy that the joy and sense of accomplishment is still strong.  

But in my experience (4 adult kids, several grandkids), younger generations just are not interested in the hobby, although many do appreciate the results.

 

[Big John]

OK, I take that back... Recently I bought a 1/35 scale (military/army man size) model of the De Dion-Buton three wheeler. Many small parts on a par with a 1/43 super kit. Am I worthy?

 

 

Edited April 15 by Big John
New Pic

[1972coronet]

23 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

I can find all kinds of ways to complicate even the simplest snapper.

I resemble that remark ! 

Factor in my "can't see nuthin' !" vision , and it gets even worse.

[Beans]

1 hour ago, Big John said:

OK, I take that back... Recently I bought a 1/35 scale (military/army man size) model of the De Dion-Buton three wheeler. Many small parts on a par with a 1/43 super kit. Am I worthy?

 

 

 

1/35 aint too bad.  It's when you get down to 1/76 or 1/87 for the HO train stuff that it gets sketchy.

[peteski]

3 hours ago, Beans said:

1/35 aint too bad.  It's when you get down to 1/76 or 1/87 for the HO train stuff that it gets sketchy.

Meh!  You need to try 1:160 scale!  Parts count is not too high (for most models) but they are very small. High magnification is required.

This one has custom printed decals, photoetched side mirrors and working lights.  The antenna over the windshield is a piece of 0.002" wire.

There are many custom made parts in this one.

 

I also fully service N scale (1:160) locomotives.   This just the loco (I disassembled the tender too). And yes, when I reassembled it there were no parts leftover.

 

Edited April 15 by peteski

[Beans]

2 hours ago, peteski said:

 

I also fully service N scale (1:160) locomotives.   This just the loco (I disassembled the tender too). And yes, when I reassembled it there were no parts leftover.

 

Not so much that there would be parts left over....more likely most of them would disappear into the black hole beneath the workbench