Our Rating System Explained
Build with confidence
Understanding model kit difficulty
Model Steam’s five level system gives you a consistent way to compare the work involved in building different kits. Manufacturers use their own scales, so we keep each maker’s original rating and map it to a Model Steam level using the relevant manufacturer and product evidence.
Difficulty describes the standard build supplied in the box, including preparation, fitting, finishing and any adjustments needed to complete the model. It does not rate how difficult a finished model is to operate, and it is not a substitute for the manufacturer’s age guidance.
First Build
For your first kit
First Build is for kits with clear steps and forgiving joins. They need little preparation, and mistakes are usually easy to correct. They can suit someone new to model building who wants a straightforward first project.
| Product example | Manufacturer rating | Model Steam level | Why we classify it this way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airfix QUICKBUILD kits, such as the J6042 Sherman Firefly | Airfix Skill Level 1 | First Build | This QUICKBUILD kit uses push-fit parts and does not require glue or paint. The supplied build is especially forgiving, which places it at the entry point of our scale.Manufacturer source |
| Airfix J6004 QUICKBUILD Apache | Airfix Skill Level 1 | First Build | Airfix specifies 40 push-fit pieces and guided assembly without glue or paint. Those features make it a suitable example of a first build. |
Easy
A straightforward build
Easy kits involve routine preparation and familiar techniques. They may need basic tools, adhesive or simple finishing, but the instructions guide the main steps. They can be approachable for newer builders who are ready to try a little more than a push-fit kit.
| Product example | Manufacturer rating | Model Steam level | Why we classify it this way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airfix A55015 RNLI Shannon Class Lifeboat Starter Set | Airfix Skill Level 1 | Easy | This 54-piece kit includes glue, paints, a brush and decals. It requires conventional assembly and finishing, so its build asks for more than a no-glue QUICKBUILD despite sharing Airfix Skill Level 1.Manufacturer source |
| Airfix A01071C Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia | Airfix Skill Level 1 | Easy | Airfix describes it as suitable for people new to modelling. It is a conventional plastic model kit, so the Model Steam level reflects the assembly and finishing involved in this exact kit.Manufacturer source |
Intermediate
A step up in detail
Intermediate kits usually have several dependent stages, smaller parts or techniques that benefit from practice. A working model may need careful fitting or adjustment. They suit builders who are comfortable following a sequence and taking care over alignment and detail.
| Product example | Manufacturer rating | Model Steam level | Why we classify it this way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airfix A03312 Albion 3-Point Fueller | Airfix Skill Level 2 | Intermediate | The 113-part kit has more involved assembly and finishing than an entry-level build. Airfix rates the exact kit at Skill Level 2.Manufacturer source |
| Metal Earth ME1005 Supermarine Spitfire | Metal Earth Moderate | Intermediate | Metal Earth’s Moderate rating maps to Intermediate for its sheet-metal model kits. The classification accounts for the handling and forming involved, as well as the maker’s rating. |
Challenging
Precision and patience
Challenging kits call for sustained precision. They may include fragile parts, difficult-to-reverse joins or mechanisms that need careful alignment. A mistake can take time to correct or affect later stages of the build.
| Product example | Manufacturer rating | Model Steam level | Why we classify it this way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airfix A06023 Boeing Chinook HC.1 | Airfix Skill Level 3 | Challenging | Airfix rates this 171-part kit at Skill Level 3. Its larger, detailed assembly and finishing demands place it in the Challenging band.Manufacturer source |
| Revell 033609090 Leopard 2A7A1 | Revell Level 4 | Challenging | Revell rates this 250-part kit at Level 4. Under the scoped Revell mapping used for this range, Level 4 maps to Model Steam Challenging.Manufacturer source |
Expert
For seasoned modellers
Expert kits demand sustained specialist work or tight tolerances. They rely on established techniques, and small errors can materially affect completion or how the finished model works.
| Product example | Manufacturer rating | Model Steam level | Why we classify it this way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airfix A09101A Westland Lynx AH-7 | Airfix Skill Level 4 | Expert | Airfix identifies this 233-part kit as Skill Level 4 and recommends it for more experienced modellers. That aligns with our Expert definition.Manufacturer source |
| Revell 037579090 Eurofighter TyphoonManufacturer example | Revell Level 5 | Expert | Revell places this 391-part kit at Level 5, the top of its scale. Within the scoped Revell mapping, that corresponds to Model Steam Expert.Manufacturer source |
How we assign a difficulty level
Identify the exact kit
We start by identifying the exact kit, including its maker, product code, edition and what is included. We then check the manufacturer’s rating or instructions for that specific product. Where a manufacturer rating applies, we use the relevant scoped mapping and keep the original rating separate from the Model Steam level.
Check the evidence
We also consider the techniques required for the supplied build. These can include preparation, joining, painting, handling small parts, fitting dependent sections and aligning working mechanisms. Age guidance, part count and estimated build time can provide context, but they do not determine the level on their own.
Apply the right level
If a product does not have a manufacturer rating, its instructions and other product-specific evidence may still support a level. If the exact kit or the evidence is unclear, we leave the difficulty unassigned until it can be checked.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Model Steam use five difficulty levels?
Manufacturers use different names and scales. One may use numbered skill levels, while another uses terms such as Easy, Moderate or Challenging. Our five levels give customers a consistent way to compare build demands across the catalogue.
Does the same manufacturer rating always map to the same Model Steam level?
We apply mappings only within their documented scope. The manufacturer, product range, market, edition and rating scale all matter. Even within a maker’s range, the build requirements of the exact kit can affect the classification.
Why can two kits with the same manufacturer rating have different Model Steam levels?
The manufacturer rating is one part of the assessment. For example, Airfix rates both QUICKBUILD and conventional beginner kits at Skill Level 1. A push-fit kit with no glue or paint can be First Build, while a conventional kit involving adhesive and finishing can be Easy.
Do piece count or build time determine difficulty?
No. They are useful context, but they do not show by themselves how demanding a build will be. A smaller kit can require delicate handling or precise alignment, while a larger kit may use straightforward construction.
Does the difficulty level tell me whether a kit is suitable for a particular age?
No. Check the manufacturer’s age guidance and safety information separately. Difficulty describes the work involved in construction, while age guidance addresses the manufacturer’s stated age recommendation.
Does this rating include flying, driving or operating a finished model?
No. It covers construction. Any skill needed to fly, drive or operate the completed model is separate.
What happens if a kit has no reliable rating?
We check the exact kit’s instructions and other product-specific evidence. If that still does not support a confident assessment, we leave its difficulty unassigned until the information can be verified.
Why are finished models sometimes left without a difficulty level?
A finished or ready-to-run product may not involve meaningful construction. Routine setup, such as charging a model or connecting track, does not count as a kit build.