... drive the rivet counters nuts with exceptional modelling skill
Yup, I did that!
Actually this kit, & both my other armour kits, got swapped & changed from one category to another then back again as the guys tried to work out where best to put them. I've got to give it to the club members, they were trying to find the best place for them to get a result. Today I was told several times, maybe a dozen, that my building skills are right up there but that I had no references & therefore started at 0/10 for that element. They went on to say that the kit instructions should be part of the references, even if I've strayed well away from them, &, as there aren't any images of what I build, write down my ideas & thought processes during the build, & to include my "WiP" photo's (that impressed them, that I take them) as part of my references, with a running commentary if possible.
So, this year, I was, it seems, my own worst enemy.
2019, just you wait!