Yeah , I actually do that !
What I was and still am reading and re-reading is a book that came out in 2015 . The name ? Well here goes . "Collecting Vintage Plastic Model Airplane Kits " . By Craig Kodera .
Within these pages you will find lot's of things you may have forgotten about . My interest was further triggered by Craig's tiering of the kit companies back then .
The page ten list is interesting . From a model ship builder's point of view it backs one of my firm beliefs . Lindberg , Although at the Bottom of the tier , was Tier one's mention for Broad Range of Product , More Toylike , Early LEADER .
The reason I bring this up . Revell Had just about everything . Some the REAL Holy Grails of any KIT Collector . Now , here's where Lindberg comes in . Broad range of products ? You bet ! 1/48 airplanes out the wazoo ! Ship types , and Boats , to boggle the mind . Sure , some got motorized , Oh Well , can you say " Toy - Like ? "
Now why do I go here ? I have recommended in these forums Lindberg's products . Why ? Well , for one , a BEGINNER can build it OOB and then try another and then maybe a third . Of say , a 1/48 scale ME - 262 . By the third time modifications can be done bringing it into the realm of the better models .Why ? That plane will accept EVERY aftermarket improvement you can think of , and then some .
Why Bother ? Well , think about it .Three times whatever the price of a Lindberg Kit versus the same for Tamiya or Hasegawa . Remember , we are talking a Beginner who NEEDS to build skills to enable him or her to get the most out of the more expensive kits and after-market .
This goes especially for ships in this regard . Their close to 1/200 scale Bismark , is a long way from perfect . But it can be . The time put into making it an eye opener will only build the modeler's skills . It will teach the necessity of research , and how to make it follow your build .
Plus this ship or others can also teach or allow to be learned , Modifications to correct the hull shape maybe . Definitely a good base for learning P.E application using different media . Something I would NOT recommend at say the price of the Japanese hot item 1/200 Missouri or Trumpeter's version .
Start simple and go up ! This book by the way is great . The problem is , as with any book , is the omission of some Aircraft and Missile kits . Thing is , No one Book can cover all . Still a good buy for the$ 24.95 or whatever it is today .
I would like to see a specific book on All , or Most of the model ships produced by Revell , Monogram , Airfix , Renwall , Aurora . Oops ! See what I mean ? maybe there is one out there . I would like to find one .
These Books written by kit collectors can be a valuable source of answering questions when confronted by a judge who says So and So didn't make this kit .Your answer " Oh Yeah , well here it is in this book " ! You are then protected .
So in closing Buy every book you can afford , both on Kits in General and Specific Subject versions . Good luck and hope to see more builds here . "P.B. No More ! Viva La Revolucion ! "