"to nice to build" kits

Interesting one-I have 4 I am intimidated by:

2 1/32 Academy F/A-18Cs with all the AM goodies I could find (cockpits, wheel bays, PE).

1/350 Tamiya USS Missouri (I plan on doing the measure that involved camouflage paint, can't remember the number at this ungodly hour)

1/350 Trumpeter USS Nimitz that I plan to convert to the Harry S Truman (I'm not overly "afraid" of this one, but as I'm military I want to be stable without a potential move for a few years when I start).

1/48 Revell P-38J due to the issues with the kit and my intent to attempt Alclad for the first time and go for an NMF.

Groot

The more complex they are, the more challenging I find them to build and the more I enjoy them. I have the WNW SE5 also in my stash and can't wait to build it. I have to build a display case since I'm running out of room.

I have a 1/48 monogram B-17 and a PB-Y I am hesitant to build ( mess up ) the shear size worries me.

Also I have a 1/350 scale of the cruiser Miami  that I am converting to the ship my  father served on in WWII, the CL-81 Houston.  Aside from dealing with many, many tiny little PE parts, the resin kit by Iron Shipwrights is just awfull, full of bubbles and mis- castings and it's tough to keep motivated to fix everything and actually complete the build.  I would like to find a plastic one in the same scale.

Heh - I have a 1/72 scale C-47 Skytrain by Airfix I'm itchin' to build. After opening and fondling the sprues, I found myself a bit intimidated to try and replicate her to the one and only Whiskey 7. The reviews of this kit were very good, so yeah, I'm afraid of messing it up. LOL! Such a beautiful kit and looks like it will be a fun one to do. Gotta take that jump eventually. :)

I have whole ranges of kits that I was saving "for later" Mostly Fujimi, Hasegawa, Tamiya and new tool Academy stuff.

In the process I have been building a lot of "wrong" kits,,,,,,,and not enjoying some of them very much. To be fair, some of those older kits are a real joy to build, especially out of the box,,,,,,,but, mannnnn, I could sure make a list of 1/72 USN aircraft kits to avoid, lol.

About a year or two ago, I decided that "for later" is Now. A 25 piece cockpit, already molded to fit together, in a kit that got good reviews, just HAS to be easier to build than a 15 piece cockpit that needs me to make 10 more pieces by hand to get it "good looking" (just an example)

So, dive right in and enjoy your "good kit",,,,,,They really can be more fun that the simpler ones.

I have been eying my Pro Resin F3H-2N Banshee lately,,,,,,,a lot more to that resin kit than the Airfix or Academy plastic  Banshees, for sure.

Rex

Some years back...oh boy! been about 20 years now. I bought the Accurate Armor 1/35th U-boat and Quay set. It's to be one of my retirement projects whenever I get around to finally retiring. Over the years I been tempted to start on it but with wife considering one more move I sure hate to try and haul a six foot plus diorama across the country.

Others on the list is the 1/32 Academy F-18D, Trumpter A-6A and the 1/200 Arizona to name just a small few from the stash.

Scott

I don't believe anything intimidates me, even the 1/98 scale wood HMS Victory I'm currently working on on the side.

Dive right in and build them while you can!  I have saved some nice old kits for "someday", but now that age is creeping up on me, I think I should get cracking on them now, before it's too late.  Build them while your skills and eyesight are still good!  Otherwise, your family will be left with some colorful boxes of parts that they will probably end up throwing out in the garbage.  Sad but true.

Yeah, I have that same dread. Then I build one and feel better afterwards...

Some thoughts: I have been building models for almost 60 years and have not built the perfect model yet. We tend to be our own worst critic and if I ever do build the perfect model it will be time to quit building. I found that in trying to build the perfect model I was not enjoying the hobby. I quit building for trophies and build for ME. If other folks like it that's fine, but I build for my liking. You can practice on inexpensive kits and hone your skills and when you feel you are ready take on that kit that you find intimidating. Go for it, as they say.

I surely can relate Cadet Chuck, I'm 66 and retired but still learning .  I have an 4x  lighted magnifier on my bench that gets constant use  LOL.

I bought my "year's stash" at an IPMS show lately and plan to finish all of them this year, except the horrible Iron Shipwrights kit...and I almost always make a plan and stick to it.  I'm just leary of tackling the big kits but I'll do it just the same.

I have a 1/350 Bismarck and a Missouri that I'd like to build but hesitate when I think how complex the antennae will be.

I think sometimes we psyche ourselves out about a particular build, or scheme. Then, when we start we find it's not nearly as hard as we thought. I remember that when I first started using an airbrush, for example.

I have never been able to build a modle to quite the level I would like it to be, hence my "holding back" with my Tam P-51 (witch was a gift, therefore more pressure) and the rigging on the WNW SE5, mayby after a kit or 2 doing the rigging I might go for it.

Theuns

I know a gifted item is more important. You just don't want to mess it up. My mother gave me the Tamiya 1/350 Missouri back in 88. I built it fine, but that 26 year old ship is in a place of honor. I may need to repair it on occasion, but it's NOT going anywhere. Even my wife would not part with it if I were to depart myself.

I think the kit in my stash that I am the most hesitant to build and excited to build at the same time is my Hasegawa 1/48 F-4G.  I've purchased some aftermarket stuff for it.  I'm reluctant to work on it because of how much I've spent on getting everything for it, I don't want to mess it up.  I keep telling myself that I'll start it when I get more comfortable with certain things.  I guess I just need to dive in head first and see where I end up.  Maybe I will surprise myself.

YUP  jelliot, that's exactly how I feel .

Cadet Chuck - my wife has already told me she is tossing everything model related in the trash. I told her don't otherwise I'll come back to haunt her. LOL!

Seriously, I'd rather have her donate them to disabled veterans - paint, tools, airbrush, compressor, kits and all. Whether she'll follow my wishes remains to be seen. XD

I have a Pocher 1935 Mercedes 500K, molded in red, that is sitting on a shelf because of the size and amount of work it will require. I got it from a dear friend who passed away and so it is very special. That and the value of such a rare is pretty intimidating.

Ken

I have the 1/350 Akagi and 1/350 Independance.I don't want to build either till I retire and move so I don't damage them while moving.

Sometimes when this comes up, I have another discussion with Anne about it. She said something that I hadn't considered before, and it hardens my resolve to build all of the good stuff.

She reminded me that she is supposed to sell off cheap or give away all of my unbuilt models if I leave before she does. Then she picked up a Hasegawa RF-4EJ (very rare in the US) and a Hasegawa/AMT "F-4D/J" (early 1970's) and asked me which I would rather build and which I would rather see given away.

So once again I just said "Aye, Aye, Honey" to my Sarge. I am in the process of changing my entire build plans into "top down" instead of "work my way up to the best kits"

Ponder on that for your own collection a while.

Rex

For me, I would say it's my Paul Fisher 1/32 resin Hawker Sea Fury. I build exclusively 1/72 scale, but I love Sea Furies. So when I had the opportunity to get a hold of this gem, I had to do it. It's gonna be quite a while before I tackle this beauty, though. A little apprehensive about messing it up. I also have an Aki Proucts 1/72 resin Sea Fury that you could throw in the same category.

I too have this thought. It's just too nice for me to touch just yet. But, one thing this last build has taught me is that you never get better until you push yourself beyond the point you feel you are capable. Step up, move slowly and do your best. You will be surprised at the outcome and you will be able to mark another kit off the list of "bucket list builds".

I've got a bunch of the Accurate Miniatures Avengers and SBDs that were too nice to build. Problem is now I have no interest in these kits nor the complete Mustang set I have.

Oh no Rob, I hope you get your building interest back, these seem like such nice kits.

I kept my AM Dauntless in the "to nice" pile but now will start it in the next month or so......just had to bite the bullet and go for it  LOL

Theuns

Doubtful, I am mainly a modern armor builder and only started dabbling in 1/48 scale aircraft after playing Microsoft's Fighter Ace online game. I haven't played that game since 2001 and probably haven't built a wing thing since around that time. Personally, I'm trying to limit myself to Cold War through Desert Storm armor vehicles, without any luck.

Rob Gronovius

I've got a bunch of the Accurate Miniatures Avengers and SBDs that were too nice to build. Problem is now I have no interest in these kits nor the complete Mustang set I have.

  I have two 1/48 BV-141s in the stash I have been wanting to build for a while. One is a Hi PM kit that's been on the build list for a long time and is a so-so kit and then the other is a Hobby Boss kit which is REALLY nice. I'm having the same problem with it though. It's just the display space that keeps me from bullding them I think.