Gary West wrote:
When you build a kit, you build a model of the REAL thing, a REAL aircraft (for instance). I mean a specific aircraft rather than type.
Whilst I totally agree with you, reading the hardcore modelling magazines and websites shows that this is clearly not the case with a large proportion of modellers. Pre and post-shading, dry brushing, washing etc. is often carried out religiously regardless of how the original aircraft looks.
In my opinion, a model should be a snapshot in time of a specific aircraft of a specific unit in a specific timeframe, but that is solely
my view and not one shared by many out there.