This is not a model kit for a beginner! Even though this is 1/350 scale, it is a small model with many small fragile parts. Skill level is at least a 4. My one piece of advice is this; if you are going to use the Hasagawa basic photo etched part to dress this kit up, do the railings before you add all the little parts that are on the edges of the ships deck. The photo etched basic parts kit contains ladders and railings made of very thin, and very fragile metal so use extreme care when added them. Parts fit is excellent, just be prepared for an intricate building process.

I recieved this kit as a gift and although I have not started it yet, it is very impressive in detail and the parts breakdown looks well thought out. The photoetched parts are quite delicate and I would recommend using a folding tool and fine point tweezers to do this part of the model. I was stationed at Naval Base Yokosuka from 1994 to 1996 and I had the pleasure of visiting the Mikasa twice while there. The Mikasa has very distinguished history and was the ship where then Ensign Isoroku Yamamoto began to learn the lessons that would make him the master strategist for the Japanese navy. Mikasa is the only pre-dreadnought battleship left in exsistence and is a suprisingly small vessel.