Open up the instructions for the Top Flite P51 and you will see that not all documentation is created equal. Sig, Top Flite, Great Planes, to name a few, have very good instruction manuals. I built a D&L Designs Edge 540 kit that was similar to what you're describing with the Lanier. There were small, dark, black and white pictures all put together by themselves to 'help' you build the kit.

The great thing is that you have access to the internet, and usually can find someone who has already assembled the kit you're talking about.

Kerry