CaptainMark, reading through your build made me feel very nostalgic, having just completred my first MM kit as well. (BTW, when's the party?
) Sam, you can read through it and take note of what is said - I had a good few "if only I knew that beforehand" nod-of-the-heads.
Another thing you can try, and this I discovered by accident, is to build a 1:43 car! Halfway into my S27 build, I got my first Tameo kit, a very basic one (big hint there!), and built that alongside. Let me tell you, once I've worked just a bit in 1:43, the 1:20 stuff just felt so easy!
IMO: Test-fit, testfit and testfit, as Mark said, spend time preparing the kit and don't waste a good kit by being to hasty. Esp if it's a WM bodied kit, take time and make sure it's good and smooth before commencing the painting. Oh, and while you must be carefull,
don't be afraid of the thing!
What did you get?
Good luck!