I'm building the AL Le Renard. My biggest complaint was this pressed wood or plastic bow piece that I thought was just awful. The wood isn't great, but not bad for what I paid for the kit (less than $30 abuot 15 years ago). I'm hoping I have enough to complete the job. The castings seem fair, though the carronades do appear really simple and underscale. My first kit was a Constructo Enterprise, and I have to say the AL instructions, with pictures, are way better than Constructo's so far, though Constructo's ship's plans were good and matched the pieces. Overall, though, I'd say I got my money's worth from the AL kit.