Should you still build the kit?
Look at the hobby shop shelves and identify the little-kid model. Now search for the advanced-rich-expert one. Note that they are both about the same price…Ha Ha Ha…
Apart from the economics, however, there is a differential in targeting. The little 1:72 or 1:144 kit is often intended for the junior. If it is a special-run Czech kit of some obscure prototype, it is a bit of the trap, but a little kid can get fingerprints on an expensive canopy as well as a cheap one.
Sometimes there are unrealised gems in simple snap kits that turn out superb results with little skill needed. The experienced worker who benefits from this has a win on the workbench as well as the wallet.
But if some generous relative gifts a little kid with a complex Level 6 kit, they do the whole hobby a disservice:
a. The kid is unlikely to do a good job. Or to enjoy the experience of failing. Or lust to repeat the process.
b. The kid’s parents will be disappointed. The donor will be disappointed.
c. The kit will be removed from general supply – and it might have gone to someone who would have made a glorious success.
If you are down, buy small. If you are up you can buy bigger – or do more with the small kit.
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