Amount of flash, ejector pin marks, sink marks, mold seams
Panel lines
presence or absence of panel lines
engraved versus raised lines
straightness and uniformity of the lines
do they meet when parts are joined?
Finish of the plastic - smooth versus rough
How well does the plastic respond to gluing?
Presence of alignment aids such as locator pins or slots and tabs
Decals
Inclusion of decals
Opaqueness of the images
Thickness of the film
Registry
Ease of soaking from paper
Colour rendition - are the images off colour, eg.. whites that are yellowish/pinkish is tone, etc.
Fragility
Instructions
Clarity
Kits are then given a rating on a scale of 0 to 10, where a zero or 1 is a basically useless kit,
while a 10 is a next to perfect kit.
(Poor 1) . . . . . (Excellent 10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
(Poor 1) . . . . . (Excellent 10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A rating of 0 to 2 is in my opinion a kit not worth purchasing. There are serious flaws in the kit's moldings and
decal sheet. Excessive work is necessary to create even a passable build. Decals range from non-existant to useless.
(Poor 1) . . . . . (Excellent 10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
(Poor 1) . . . . . (Excellent 10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A rating from 3 to 4 means the kit is a step up from a rating of 1 or 2, but it is still very rough,
so be prepared to put in a major amount of work into the kit to make it acceptable. The molds are good
but not excellent. Decals are passable, and don't really add much to the value of the kit.
(Poor 1) . . . . . (Excellent 10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
(Poor 1) . . . . . (Excellent 10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A rating from 5 to 6 means the kit is worth buying but be prepared to put in a
significant amount of work into the kit to make it acceptable. The molds are fair but still not the best.
Decals are often usable but not exceptional.
(Poor 1) . . . . . (Excellent 10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
(Poor 1) . . . . . (Excellent 10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A rating from 7 to 8 means the kit is excellent and is easily built. Construction effort and difficulties are
negligable. Decals are eminently usable.
(Poor 1) . . . . . (Excellent 10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
(Poor 1) . . . . . (Excellent 10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A rating from 9 to 10 means the kit is as close to modelling nirvana as is possible. The moldings are flawless
and the kit seems to almost build itself. Decals are flawless.
