Global Scale Modeller

Since getting back into modelling I've bought a number of starter kits for myself, MrsModeller and my nephew.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience to me and thought that some starter kits are totally unsuitable for novice modellers?

A case in point was MrsModellers first kit, the Airfix Yak9D, which I think is from either the late 60's or early 70's and has no cockpit detail, poorly fitting parts, think transparent pieces, raised panel lines etc., etc., etc.

Similar was my nephews Christmas present, the Airfix dogfight double Spitfire/Me110 set, again 60's/70's and all the attendant problems...

I've also just completed the build of the new Airfix Me109 new tooling kit... it's a lovely little kit but way too detailed for a novice.. some of the parts are about 1.5mm and immense care needs to be taken just getting parts cut from the sprue.

I'm just wondering whether any of the kit manufacturers realize that having a kit which is either too easy or too detailed tends to have a negative effect on novice modellers? I.e. if a kit is too easy it won't be enough of a challenge or if too complex it will get frustrating.

Does anybody have any opinions?

To be honest I don't think the manufacturers put out these starter kits to give beginners an easy start, instead they add glue and paint and use this to attract people to what is on its own an inferior/ older kit. It's also done so these kits can be sold in toy shops etc where their kits would normally hold no shelf space. This is why the new Red Arrows kit from Revell is in red plastic - so it can be marketed as a toy. It is nice to see Airfix providing the new tool kits for beginners but I fully understand your point about parts being far too small and delicate for those with little or no experience of sprues, same with my warhawk. Airfix have recently released their more complex kits as gift sets rather than entry level kits which I think is a good move.

The only difference for the starter kits is that they come with glue,brushes and paints.

However Airfix are phasing out their old range of starter kits and replacing them with their new toolings of the Gladiator, Focke-Wulf, Hawk etc so perhaps by 2015/2016 their whole starter range will be redone and appropriate for beginners.

I beleive the Airfix starter kits are issued with a much simplified decal sheet normally.

Remembering my childhood I don't think I was that concerned about complexity or accuracy, I clagged the thing together ready for battle that afternoon and I'm sure kids mentality has not changed much, let them make a hash of it, when they are looking to improve give them the advice and encouragement and they will.

A lot of companies issue their old kits in new "gift sets" which judging by some of the ones I've built (Revell Spitfire from the BOB Icons set AAAAAGHHH !!!) should come with a frustration warning.