12 months ago the best kit to build an Aussie Abrams was Dragons M1A2 or if unavilible the their M1A1 AIM, but with the new kits from RFM, Meng and Academy and the further kits announced I was wondering if Dragons offerings are still the best option?

The main reason Dragon's M1A2 was the best is that it came with T158LL tracks with open guide teeth. No other M1A1 came with these. Dragon's recent reissue of their M1A1 AIM now comes with the same T158LL tracks that were in their M1A2 kit. Any of the newer kits that have the T158LL tracks will do. I believe the new Rye Field M1A1/A2 kit has the correct tracks as well.

If you have one of the Arms Corps Models Aussie Abrams conversion sets, they are designed for the Dragon kits. There are three of them depending which kit you have. I still think Dragon's Abrams are still some of the best options for a basic Abrams. I would get one of the newer Aims and the ACM conversions to do a very nice Aussie Abrams.

Gino thanks for the input, I already have Dragons's AIM plus all the non Arms corps needed extras (tracks, bustle rack extension, PE set for some needed extras) and was thinking about scratching the couple of remaining I things.

I was just wondering how the Dragon kits fared vs the newer kits in this subject matter

In my opinion, the Dragon Abrams (M1A1 AIM, M1A2 SEP, and M1A2 SEP v2) are still the best on the market. Meng and Rye Field's are about equal, with both having a couple flaws that Dragon got right. The only advantage they offer are the TUSK parts are included if you are looking to build a TUSK tank.

Also a good thread here to check out Andrew forum.aussiemodeller.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9113
There is afew other threads on there too if you want to search around.