First time Ship modeler needs help

Unfortunately you picked one of the worst ship models ever made in the Revell Arizona as a first time ship model.    It may be the reason that many potential ship modelers give up and turn to armor.   My advice - don't expend any more time or effort on it, get the basic parts together and take it down to the local pond for some target practice with a .22.     The MiniHobby Models 1:700 Arizona improves on the assembly sequence, but it has some turret spacing and accuracy issues of its own.   The Dragon 1:700 Arizona may be the best injected kit of the subject in the scale.

Okay thanks for the advice.

Will,

Here's a little different take on your question. I would recommemend that you take your time and build both kits to the best of your ability according to instructions. Don't expend any $$$ on after market parts, and when finished set hem both aside. Don't know where you live, but I see that there is an IPMS event in Huntsville AL. on Sep 16th 2006. If you can go, look over the ship entries then look at your attempt of your two kits. You will learn more than you can expect and kit #3 will even teach you more. Its all a process, takes time, and improves with age. Fair winds and following seas.

I'd recommend building them as a learning process.  That's what I'm doing with my old Airfix 1/600 Bismarck before I tackle my new 1/350 Tamiya Bismarck.  I'm new to ship modelling and know that I can learn a lot that will help me big time when I go all out on the Tamiya kit.