Changes in Revell's Skill Level Ratings

[JollySipper]

I've noticed this a lot lately.... kits that used to be rated as a skill level 2 are now advertised as level 3, and new tool releases are being sold as level 4, and even 5 on some....

You guys think they are doing this to appeal to the adult modeler more? New tool kits ARE more detailed, such as decals and smaller parts not thought about in past kits, but what about old kits being reissued? Why change the ratings on them?

 

[Exotics_Builder]

These changes were made in the US some years back (before the Hobbico collapse) and align with the RoG ratings.  Stuff was amended in the US as releases were put out.

Here is there meaning:

Level 1 - Beginner's and snap-together kits which require no gluing or painting.

Level 2 - Simple kits with up to 30 parts to glue and paint, for beginners.

Level 3 - More demanding kits with up to 100 parts to glue and paint.

Level 4 - For the more experienced modeller with up to 150 parts to glue and paint.

Level 5 - The most challenging level, with over 150 parts to glue and paint.

[mrmike]

Revell made the changes hoping that this would appeal to more people with little to no experience in model building.  I think its a waste of time and effort on Revell's behalf.  The more ratings or levels, the more it might confuse someone looking for a kit to build and not being able to find something they might want to build in their skill level. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Maybe the raising of "skill levels" on the box has something to do with the plummeting general intelligence in the "civilized" world. What used to be a 2 for a reasonably bright person is now a 3 because the reasonably bright people are stupider.

EDIT: Before the firestorm starts, it's not just me making "toxic" commentary on the state of things. The results of worldwide studies confirm my assertion, and even the New York Times (a former newspaper) has published supporting findings.

Edited August 22, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy

[robertw]

The last thing I look at is the skill levels number. I build kits of cars that I want as part of my collection whether they be easy or hard. The easy will be built when I'm satisfied the difficult just take a little longer.

[Tom Geiger]

9 hours ago, robertw said:

The last thing I look at is the skill levels number. 

Heck, we don't even look at the directions much of the time!   ?

Another one of those  "not for us" features.  Probably helps grandma pick out a model for sonny boy.

[Lyle Siemens]

I have built level 5 and not much difference from an old level 2. Sometimes they add parts that could have easily been molded in or just include many small decals. 1,2, and 3 were much better to grasp. I'm scared to accidentally pick up a skill 1 or 2 now.