The Mayflower doesn't have the classic smooth lines of a clipper ship but I liked it because of the history. It was easy to assemble but the rigging instructions are well beyond what is reasonable. Attaching the cross members for the sails is very difficult and not well thought out. I wound up rigging free style. The plastic sails looked cheap so I decided to cover then with distressed cloth. It was a much better look. Not a model for a first timer.

This is my 7th level 5 model ship kit. I think I saw somewhere this kit is listed as a level 3 or 4. That could very easily be possible if the directions were composed to that level of modeler. The few diagrams show the project after four or five maybe more parts have been assembled with zero information on the order in which these steps would be more easily accomplished. I'm now at the point of preparing the masts for assembly. I see there is no information on how to attach the yard arms to the masts. Only the Mizzen mast has assembly provision. Thankfully I have 2 Shroud machines left from previous Heller kits and will use them to make my ratlines, (shrouds). I also have enough leftover deadeyes from other kits so hope to not make my own deadeyes which looks like a pretty tough job to me. The rigging looks very impressive in the diagram. I will make some changes to that also, and I have an assortment of blocks to use instead of those included in this kit. And as usual I will make my own sails. Bottom line is, this is not a kit for the first time modeler. If this had been my first try, there's a good chance it would have ended up in a pile at the end of my driveway on trash day. At this point though I expect this to be a very impressive decoration when completed.