How to deal with a kit intimidating you?

[Guest]

Hi guys and girls, I have a question. Have you ever been intimidated by a model kit and if so how did you deal with it?
Did you just crack on with it or bury it back in your stash?

I'm asking because I got an ICM kit in the post a couple of days ago, was going to start on it today but when I opened it and saw all the sprues and the parts
it really scared me a bit, I'm intimidated by a plastic kit haha! I planned to start on it today but I'm just looking at it and it's scaring me a bit.

I hope I'm not the only one to feel like this about a new model. ...or maybe I am?

[A_J_Rimmer]

Oh, good God yes – I have a Tamiya 1/48 Tomcat, 1/48 P-38 and Kittyhawk 1/48 SU-17 sitting in the stash and collecting dust for nearly three years for exactly that reason.

It’s also why I’ve yet to get into larger scale armour modelling (even though military vehicles was by far a bigger interest for me than aircraft growing up) after 15 solid years (and a lifetime dabbling before-hand) – I’ve started several in the last few years, but I’ve only finished one. I’m far too intimidated by the parts count, and my lack of painting and weathering skills.

I think Spencer Pollard wrote an interesting blog post recently on the same subject – if you’re not happy to build a kit, why waste your money on buying it? So I guess we all do it. https://thekitbox.org/2024/03/07/for...just-build-it/

I guess my only advice to do just do what I’m doing with my current Sherman build – clear the bench, open the box and just crack on with it. Once you get into it, get a few sub-assemblies done, everything starts becoming a lot less intimidating and a lot more enjoyable. Keeping it simple also helps, I’m not planning to do anything flash with my build, I just want to get it finished to a good standard so I can put it on the shelf, smile at it and get on with the next one with a bit more confidence.

There does seem to be a great deal of support and advice on this forum, which is also a great help and makes everything more interesting.

I’m hoping you’re talking about ICMS awesome CH-54?

If all else fails - I do find this is good advice...

[Waspie]

Steve, I was very intimidated by my Challenger 2 TES by Ryfields. I thought it was too much for me.
Then one of the site stalwarts said to me something along the lines of 'you'll never know until you attempt it'. (Words to that effect).
So, quite simply I did! I didn't have a choice other than buy something easier off the internet - not a choice!
I dived in. Asked questions, made mistakes, learned, moved on to the next stage, asking and listening. Next thing I knew it was done. Totally made a b*lls up of the 7.62 MG but hey ho - I simply never fitted it! Did it look out of place - nope. As in the UK they don't usually drive around with a GPMG fitted. A massive 105mm gun is ok but a 7.62 pop gun!!! Made me chuckle!!
Don't be intimidated bud, it's plastic. Tiny pieces of plastic that when assembled morph into something completely different.

[Dave Ward]

Just take it one stage at a time, dry fit, and if not clear, ask a question on here! The ICM models can be bit daunting ( although not as bad as MiniArt ), but go together well, although a little fiddly. Have a look at their YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@ICMplasticmodelkits/videos

that can be helpful!
Dave

[boatman]

well for me ive never been intimidated by a kit YET but yes this big tomcat is puttin up a fight i admit that but it wont beat me if i can help it just do like dave says above take it a stage at a time an read through the destruckions well so you understand how to start an take it a stage at a time thats my take on it but i guess it to do with how much exspirence you have i suppoce
chrisb

[Lee Drennen]

when I opened it and saw all the sprues and the parts

Before I buy any kit I always check it out throughly and watch a few videos on it to reveal it’s dirty little secrets if there’s any then I decided if this is the kit for me. You will save a lot of time and money this way.

[spanner570]

Same as Chris, I've never been intimidated by a kit. It's just a few bits of plastic.....I've never binned one either!

Steve, just take your time, a stage at a time. Don't worry what others might think of the build, it's your model. Having ritted that, don't be afraid to get advice. Everyone needs help at sometime, even the so called experts!

If it gets too much, step back from the model for a while. When the fun stops, you stop. At least for a short time, eh?

[Lee Drennen]

When the fun stops, you stop.

Very good advice don’t force your hand to build a model kit.

[Guest]

Before I buy any kit I always check it out throughly and watch a few videos on it to reveal it’s dirty little secrets if there’s any then I decided if this is the kit for me. You will save a lot of time and money this way.

ahhh, you're smart!

[Geoffers]

I think there’s a Chinese proverb which goes “The longest journey starts with a single step”…..or something like that :smiling4:

So just get stuck in, follow the instructions and enjoy the build. If it’s a newer ICM it should go together relatively well.

The more you build the better you should get and the easier each subsequent build should, hopefully be, there’s really no short cut.

Geoff.

[Jim R]

Spend a couple of days looking through the kit and the instructions. Then steadily take it one step at a time. Even the most complex kit is only a set of small steps.

Don't worry what others might think of the build, it's your model. Having ritted that, don't be afraid to get advice. Everyone needs help at sometime, even the so called experts!

If it gets too much, step back from the model for a while. When the fun stops, you stop. At least for a short time, eh?

That is important

[Airborne01]

Take a steaming bath, shower under a waterfall, open the kit - sit cross-legged on a plastic mushroom, do 50 x 'Um Mane Padme Um's' then Bl--dy well get on with it!
Steve

[Guest]

Don't worry about the kit - all kits are intimidating - where do I start, should I finish the one I am building, why did I spend so much on just one kit, Oh my gosh all this brass I bought to go with it....

Take the instructions out of the box, and put the box away, them sit and go through the instructions and a plan will form in your mind about how you want to go forward. It is not the kit intimidating you now, it is the formula you are going to use to build it.
I have a 1/35 scale CSM Austin Armoured Car, loads of parts, little bit of etch and so far I have over a period of 6 months constructed most of the chassis and some of the engine - is it intimidating me, no! I am taking my time to construct it. I dare say I could have had it built in a week OOB, but then it is the finishing and that is what is taking the planning....

[wasdale32]

Intimidated - not really. Frustrated by poor design, lousy instructions and manufacturing flaws - definitely.

Opening a kit and seeing a massive parts count can be daunting but usually the majority of parts fall into the "more of the same" category - notably the tracks in RFM or MENG kits.

My biggest issue is when kits appear to have been designed by someone who has never assembled one in their entire life - parts separated for ease of manufacture instead of for a logical assembly process.

As has already been suggested - read the instructions thoroughly and if appropriate don't follow the sequence too religiously - too many manufacturers suggest fitting wheels & tracks to armour before painting. I find that if I get bogged down with one part of the sequence - eg the hull on a tank then I'll skip to the turret build for a while.

[Tim Marlow]

I’d go for this approach. When it’s going well, do longer sessions, but if it starts getting hard, or tedious, then little and often should get you through. As the others say, though, ask questions if you needto, someone on here will probably know the answer.