Need opinions on my stash

You've got some of my favorites on that list!  If it were me, I'd keep all the Accurate Miniatures and Eduard kits  (The AM Avenger, and Eduard Spit are two of the best kits I've ever built!).  The B-24 is a classic and makes for a wonderful super-detailing platform.  Just my two cents, of course.

Mike, I don't know those models in person because I build 1/72, but, I do have a suggestion for you.

Since you are saying almost the same as I said to myself when I turned 55, two years ago, I think you could benefit from the same idea.

Think about calling "today" the start of the "later" that you were "saving these kits for",,,,,,,,and don't waste your time on any low quality kits for practice. If you do everything right, and fight your way through a bad kit, and get the paint and decals and clearcoats perfect,,,,,,,you will have a good finish on a bad model. Since you have so many good models there,,,,,,,just dive in and treat yourself to building them.

Don't worry about "ruining" a good kit,,,,,,,just enjoy building them, you already paid for the privilege. The worst that can happen is a bad seam, or bad paint job on a good kit,,,,,,but, you will still be having fun instead of "suffering through" and "overcoming obstacles"

I know this is different than what people usually say,,,,,,but, most of the time the person asking doesn't have the stash you have, so they have to buy a kit to learn and practice with. You are already past that point.

Rex

Keep them all I say,something appealed to you in the first place when you bought them.keep your options open

DiscoStu, Rex and RaualDuke,

Thank you all for your thoughts. I think I will follow Rex's preference and build what I think are really fine kits first, take my time, enjoy the process, and not worry about screwing up a "good" model. I've got enough so that, after a few of the top priority (favorite) ones (I've always loved the F4U Corsair and the P51 Mustang) I'll probably develop some useful techniques/skill sets and enjoy the next builds even more.

Most appreciated feedback. Thanks again.

Mike

I'll Second Rex's tqke on your stash and advice. I got back into the hobby about four years ago, and chose to practice on less expensive kits as skill builders. The result was that I not only built skills slowly due to poor fits and other kit problems, but I also spent a lot of time "correcting" instead of enjoying. What I've learned is to tackle the best kit of a subject that I can afford, and to learn as I go.

Happy modelling!

Mike (1947)

1943Mike,

      I'm Leftie 1951 and from what I see your strength is painting. So you really need to build only quality kits. After I struggle with an ill fitting kit, I usually build a Tamiya kit and I always say,"Why the Hell do I build anything else"? So my suggestion is to trade everything that's not Tamiya or Accurate Miniatures for more Tamiya kits. With our limited time we shouldn't waste it on kits that don't make us happy. Just my two cents worth.

      P.S. And keep the P-26A, its a jewel though a little small for my eyesight :)

Your list makes the choices easy by brand:

Edward, Hasegawa, Tamiya and Pro Modeller

The biplanes with rigging take a lot of time and patience, if you choose to build one have it in progress and not the main project.

I think you should just box everything up and send it to me.

MIke,

I agree with both Stu and Rex.

I've heard nothing but great reviews about the Accurate Miniatures Dauntless and Avenger - I've got both in my stash too.

I've also heard great reviews about most Eduard kits.

But like Rex said - I say just start building the really nice kits you bought to enjoy.  I have a stash built up comprised of some nice pieces and some cheaper ones I built as "practice".  However, early this year, what Rex said dawned on me, so I've started building all those nice kits I'd put off 'until I got better'.

I may or may not build the lesser kits one day, but I certainly enjoy building the nicer kits, you really do just enjoy it, rather than fighting something that's meant to be a hobby.

Mr. Mike, Leftie, SuppressionFire, Canadian Colin, and Chris,Thank you all for your input.

I will, from now on, be building the "best" kits first. That will also be ammended so that, of my "best" kits, the ones that go together with the least trouble. Perhaps my Tamiya 190? Anyway, thanks.

Canadian Collin, Sorry, I'll be keeping all my kits for the time being  . I will, however, have fun  - thank you.

SuppressionFire,  Of my biplane kits I will try the Accurate Miniatures F3F-2 at some point because I believe I've learned a bit on the F3F-1 so that it'll go together a bit better. I have also committed myself to build and WANT to build the Lindberg "Jenny". My father (who was born in 1896 and was 47 years old - my mom was 30 - when he had his first child - me) served as a trainer in Pensacola Florida in 1917/18. He flew the Curtiss JN-4's. He asked for a transfer oversease but it was denied on the grounds that he was too valuable there in Pensacola. He even landed in a tree once! (or so he told my brother and I). Obviously he survived.

I've gotten really helpful responses (along with an amusing one) from all of you - again thanks - it's given me a very helpful insight into how I will proceed from here.

Mike

Mike,

Good on you for keeping them all.  You may find that the "best" kits are not as fun as some of the "simpler" kits (having too many "fiddly" parts).

Good luck and God speed!

Gary

Thanks Gary.

I'll do as many as I have time for.

BTW, I just received (and have edited my original post to reflect it at #12) the Eduard Pacific Lightnings kit. I just had to have a P-38 .

Mike