Skill Level

PB;

 I have to add this . Many years ago when  "Snappers " had stickers ( no , not decals ) My son bought one .A Ford F-150 Stepside Pick-Up .It was molded in color and somehow , it had Decals ! Not those sticky things .

 He found it had a badly warped hood and broke it trying to fix it after watching me build something that I had to bend sheet for . I built him a new one showing him how I did it .He painted it black and surprise , surprise ! it was the same black as the model .That's Rare !

 I recently found a replacement for the one that was lost the day he Passed . It will be be painted and built like his .  Detail ? It had a lot . In many ways better than the glue together type .

 I picked up a pre-Painted glue together and had to use the dash from the regular model . Usually I use many parts from the " Snappers " for my glue together cars and trucks .I haven't done it on armor or ships yet . I don't do many 1/700 yet .

Rob;

 Oh so true !

I'm mainly an armor and sci-fi modeler with 45+ years of modeling. When building one of those kits, I don't hesitate to start something. However, I do own several nice aircraft models that I do not think my skills would do them justice, so I let them sit and putter around with lesser aircraft kits.

There are several pre-decorated, but awesome snap together Star Wars kits on the market. Bandai and Revell have some that are well worth the price.

There are several "quick build" car kits that are also awesome models and worthwhile to build even though they snap together. Likewsie, there are quick build 1/72 scale armor kits that are designed for wargaming but can make very detailed tank models.

Hi;

I think there's a disconnect between the manufacturers and the public ! Why ? Well look at the 1/25 Ford Raptor . A snap Kit ! Yeah , But , what detail inside , and proportions to die for ! Skill level 2 ?

 This should be a clue . Now then , there's others . Pre- painted snap Planes , Armor and Ships . Why ? They seem to think that many want a snap model of a carrier . I won't consider a ship Unless it's 1/350 or above .

 Why ? Accuracy issues . The old Box Scale Revell ships had this . Look at the Tamiya version of the Missouri in larger size .The 1/350 series of later Iowas show this real well . The large Revell kit is clunky and very much NOT the beautiful flowing lines of this class .

 Snappers are a good basis though . Some are very , very nice representations of their subject . I think this applies mostly to cars though . Even in armor they leave much to be desired .Skill Level . Well , don't you mean courage level ? How many are ready for even the Machinen Kreiger models ?

 I think The term Skill level scares many Parents away .They seem to think their offspring are stupid  , sadly . These kids would surprise you . I have a NON-Model-Building neighbor that Bought some Machinen Kreiger kits for his three Boys and one Girl .

   Can you say Surprise , Surprise , Surprise ! Wow  , what finished models . None had modeled anything before either ! Skill level for them , didn't even enter the equation !

I always pick a subject that I am interested in, usualy armor or aircraft, sometimes ship or sci-fi.  Snap tite kits are not usually subjects that appeal to me, I don't mind the 1,000 piece kits if I like the subject.  Snap-tite are usually for beginners and so I never look at them.

I generally buy mid skill kits.  More based on subject the skill level.  (This is suppose to be a relaxing hobby).  But every now and then I do buy a bigger kit, for the challenge, than need a couple of entry level kits to wind down.

I am one of those who cannot just build a kit out of the box, so to speak.  I usually modify it in some way.  I consider snaptight and easy build models starting materials, and a good modeler can usually turn them into something far beyond what is in the kit.  I recently bought two NASCAR simple kits, and am planning the changes I will make, including re-doing the supplied stickers with home printed inkjet decals.

No. I like a challenge. Although I’d love to grab a few snap kits from my youth years.

Thank you to all of you. That was a lot of good information I appreciate it. I look at snap tites differently now. I have seen some snap tites in this forum that turn out amazing.

Pinkbooger

Do you let the skill level of the model determine if you want to build it? When I am at the store looking at the models I think that snap tites aren't worth it. But I see a lot of people put them together. My lack of expierence has made me think that. What is your opinion?

 

With me, skill level is not so important as to the scale of the kit.  I generally prefer 1/48th, but have more 1/72nd due to space limitations.  My skills are more improved now than when I started the hobby, and smaller parts do not generally throw me into a tizzy when handle these parts.

I will build snap kits to give to the youngsters in my family.  If they are anything like I was as a kid they will be playing with them as soon as possible, which of course means the models will broken in no time.  I don't mind spending the money (if available) to buy these kits, but I generally don't like to put in any more time to paint or glue a kit together due to that reason.  These snap kits are good actual representations of the real thing and look good.  However the fit can be rather problematic. Wings especially will not mate to the fuslage thus creating the Grand Canyon effect. That is when I will glue the peices together.  Let me say this, the snap kits I refer to are the prepainted ones where maybe a screw and screwdriver is supplied to help hold the peices together.

The other snap kits where you need a little paint for a more realistic model are quite good also.  I recommend these kit to begineers where thier skill level is non existant, again absolute novices can put together these kit with none to little help from a more experienced modeler.

Hi, for me it may depend on a lot of factors.  For some companies, the number of parts can play a big role in what they set the skill level at.  For some topics though, such as ship models, it's hard not to have a lot of parts. As such, for a model like that I'll sometimes look at pictures of the built model to get a feel for whether I think it might be too complex for me.

On the other side of the scale though, I do tend to enjoy simple build sometimes, and I also like scratchbuildong and mod-ding.  So I don't really have any issues with building simple models, either straight out of the box, or as a starting point for mod-ding, what-offing, or such.

Pat

mississippivol

I never have. Some snappers, particularly the automotive kits, are quite accurate and build up well, which makes for a pleasant and quick build. Primarily I build according to subject, and I buy according to what's available, then by accuracy and price.

Second that. I go more by project, and the amount of work I expect to do (or hope not to). Simple and/or snap kits can be an excellent basis for a build, depending on what you want to add or modify.