Hi Richy
It's been a while since I last had a chance to post but I felt this was such an interesting point I felt obliged to contribute.
I, like you, have several projects on the go but that's not the reason for my post.
It occurred to me that my attitude to model building has changed over the years. When I first returned to the hobby some 10 years ago I'd buy a kit and see it through to the end, making a few mistakes along the way but ultimately achieving a finished result with which I was happy at the time. 10 years later, many techniques tried and refined, some yet to be mastered I find myself approaching the workbench with a completely different point of view. I now go into a modelling session with a particular result or specific objective in mind eg.construct the interior of an aircraft, paint and weather the tracks of a tank, work on my figure/face painting etc etc. In this way I don't really care whether I have 1, 6 or 20 kits on the go, I get the result and satisfaction from finishing exactly what I set out to do when I sat down. It also focuses the mind on the task in hand.
For me this 'micro' approach to kit building works very well. It means that you approach the model in a good frame of mind each and every time you approach the bench and you never feel this part of the build is 'a bit of a chore' (which has been mentioned previously). I'd be lying if I didn't say that certain builds have been frustrating - it is a fun hobby, but being human frustrations can and do occur! Don't get me wrong, I always have an end game in mind and I'm careful to ensure that these mini sessions come together as a cohesive whole but this whole is not the be-all and-end-all, the journey in getting there is.
For me the hobby is not just building and painting - I have a genuine interest in history and feel this is every bit as important a part of modelling. If a modelling session means spending a morning gathering reference, working out camo patterns, researching terrain, the particular regiments involved etc then this is a morning well spent.
Not that it matters but this is what I currently have in the 'in tray':-
1/16 Tommy figure (needs only the regiment patches painting - working up the courage to sign write letters less than 1mm tall!)
1/16 RC Tiger (yes, it's still on the go and is a very exciting project that I want to be right)
3 x 1/48 FW 190s - 2 A8s and a Dora
1 x 1/48 Me 262 with Verlinden interior/detail set
1/35 Scratch build/kit bash Sexton self propelled gun (going to purchase the Bronco 25pdr gun to replace ageing Tamiya offering). This is a tribute to my Grandfather mentioned in a previous post.
1/48 Eurofighter (almost complete just needs decals and finishing)
All these are at various stages of build/completion and I do intend to finish them all. There isn't a single one on that list that I didn't feel was up to my own standards, to be honest I can't remember the last kit I binned, it has to be 8 years ago at least.
I wouldn't beat yourself up over the amount of kits you've got on the go, I certainly don't feel any shame in it! My view is just go with what works for you. If the number of builds is piling up and space is becoming an issue then that's your motivation for finishing a few!
Anyway, that's my 10 pence worth.
All the best
Paul
Ps. I haven't been able to post as often as I'd like because of work commitments and also a number of commission builds that, because of a lack of time, I've not been able to share with everyone. In the new year I hope to finish my 1/16 Tiger and Tommy figure and then post some in depth build threads.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy Xmas and new year and hope you get all the kits you've been wishing for!