David,

I newer had a Kato kit, but had similar feelings - pure 100% Kato. I downloaded the Magic 20 plan you posted and had a closer look at the parts. It really would´n justify the effort and would make things in some cases difficult to build. The whole model had to be build in 3D to extract the blocks and the builder had to make zero mistakes while assembling - otherwise the transitions might not match.

My absolute favourite is the Blue Angel. But I would like to build it in large. But I like the jet-like shape of the Japanese planes (Blue angel, Aurora). For the VF it might be one with a build in tuned pipe. It´s nothing for the current winter but I´m thinking about an Aurora.