I too don't really read the instructions anymore, and base on previous builds/photos, but I still think it is necessary to have good instructions. The best instructions I have seen of all the kits I have made (5) is the Brig Syren by Chuck Pasaro. Model Expo sell it. This is just my opinion of course.This is an interesting conversation... I'm not all the familiar with the Ships of Scale website beyond the basics, but would think, if it doesn't already exist, we would have a Kit Critique section within. Does that exist? And if not can the managers of the site construct one? I have been a kit guy for decades and depending on where the model is headed I either build to the kit or modify as necessary... And since I have purchased foreign kits, specifically AL, the instructions and annotations have been written in Spanish (as well as Amati kits)... With that said, ship building is ship building and I don't really need the instructions to put the kit together anymore. Some research, diagrams, photos and such do the trick for details. Would suggest that those just starting out could get great guidance from the Kit Critique section, which would highlight the details, shortcomings and the positive attributes of the kit... and like Wikipedia, allow discussion modification where and when appropriate... Just a thought.
If I were to critique most kits, I would say the sail rigging diagrams are usually very poor and hard to follow.
I read somewhere that generally the better instructions are with American kits and the poorer instructions are with European kits. The article I read even went on to say that the European manufacturers assume some familiarity with building kits. My take on this is that you need to start somewhere. So where do you start? Well my strategy was to opt for an American kit first.
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