Thank you gentlemen
I have cast my mind back to how many models I have built, modified, improved or ruined over the years. Most were scratch built, many looked like it too! Kits build included a fair number of HFM vac formed models, some of the best of their type ever produced in my opinion, plus not too many others. A half build Billing Mary Ann ended up with a re-built upper structure after I decided planking was not for me (1982, I have since planked one funnel, went well too!). I think the idea of being told what to do, even in a hobby, made me dig my heels in and just say no. i am quite capable of drawing up my own plans, a dying art also, however I have not done that for quite some years, and enjoy the free form building style of having little clue how the next but one stage will go, until well after I have got there..
I do see people scratch building, very often after they have cut their teeth on a number of kits. more so in a club environment, as there is still that 'Competitive' edge there ( Wrong word, but I am getting old!). A member with skills passes those skills on, consciously or subconsciously, to others just by doing, or showing his work. Everyone passes on at least one skill, I was more than pleased when a supposed 'silly old codger' showed me how to use the reflected image in a razor saw blade, to do 90 and 45 deg cuts in timber. NOT a silly old codger, don't prejudge, he also flew Halifax bombers during the war, so DONT PREJUDGE...don't do that any more..
So I think we all have at least one scratchbuild ( or semi-scratchbuild, or semi-kit, or whatever the latest term is...) in us, just some may not have quite gained their confidence yet..to them I say, go for it, whats the worst that could happen? The next one will be better