Thanks for all the advice. I wasn't sure how to approach the plastic since I had not come across it on other models.  It appears to be a protective laminate that is on both sides. Actually it removes quite easily once you get the sheets detached from each other at a corner of the sprue.

Konrad, thank you for the advice on assembling the ball and chain. It should be a great help.

Craig

I would concur with others on the plastic film found on the PE In your kit.  It is probably protective, but test it in the unused part of the fret rather than on a kit part.  If it peals back to reveal adhesive then apparently HB has put a new feature in its kits.

On the chain, it's a common mistake to cut chain by severing both sides of a link.  It wastes material and you dont need to do that - just put the point of an exacto blade inside a link and part one side (copper chain cuts like butter on a hard surface), then push a tapered metal rod (a big sewing needle works well) into the link to open it slightly.  If the last link needs to go over an eye you can use your already opened link to slip over the eye and close, if not, just close the opened link with small pliers.

HTH

Konrad

Most PE now comes with a clear sheet on both sides to make sure no pieces are lost.  This should be removed before use.

If there is not enough chain, check the jewelry section of craft stores and find a chain that is about the same size and link count per inch and you can use it.  If you do not have enough balls, either BBs or shotgun shot can be used.  That is how we did it old-school, before PE and muti-media kits included them.

You might want to check to see if as Bish said it's self-adhesive. I've seen a plastic film on some though just to make sure if parts somehow should get knocked off they'll be held in place. It should peel right up as Bish commented.

I've left the thing on in some cases and just cut the part out though it and then removed it from the plastic. A little more work but it does keep the part from shooting off into another dimension when free. 

can't help you with the ball and chain, but i am woundering if that PE sheet is meant to be shelf adisive. But either way, i am guessing it should come off. Try getting the tip of a shaprt bladeunder one corner and see if you can lift it off that way.