Hey guys, been a while since I posted. Just wondering if anyone else has had problems building the Dragon M270 MLRS kit. I been finding poor fit problems, sink holes, injector pin marks, thick sprue attatchment points, vague instructions, and I am only on step 3. I am starting to wonder if I should shelve it for now or continue. If I continue, should I prepare for similar problems, or do things hopefully get better?
Any comments appreciated.
Thanks
Joe

I've built three of them (with Eduard etch added), and they average about the same as any other DML kit I've built. Sanding, filling,filing, cutting. Usual fare...

Yup, its a little bit fiddly, but it is a great kit. Looks awesome when done. I have built about 10 of them, most as presentation gifts when I was in an MLRS Bn. Good luck.

The only problem I had was with the "Six Packs" (rocket pods). Cutting them off the sprues was a bit tricky. The tracks where a pain. But it did turn out to be a nice kit once finished. I used the Royal Models detail set for my kit.

I had some problems, and I noticed that some of the details are a bit ham-handed or toy like (tow pintle)

Here is mine:

Arnold: How did the build go with the Eduard set? I have the MLRS and the Eduard PE (thanks Artur!) for it still sitting on the shelf after two years of storage. I'm trying to gather the courage to start cutting plastic and metal.

Jeff: Nice build Jeff! Does the launcher really rotate and elevate out of the box or did you do some mods?

Yes, it can be built out of the box to elevate and rotate. The driver's blast sheild is also hinged and can be in the stored (open) or closed position. Same with blast covers on the side windows as well. Comes with open or closed louvers for the gunner,TC, and driver as well.

Thanks Gino

This kit comes with link-and-length tracks right? Were there any problems with the fit of the tracks?

Actually, if I remember correctly, it comes with full individual link tracks. No real issues, just time consuming.

Are there different versions of the MLRS?

Im wondering if the DML kit would be suitable for a British Army machine.

I know things like smoke dischargers, stowage bins etc are different, but is the basic vehicle the same?

Regards

Joe

The two Voyager Sets for the MLRS are on half-price offer at Air-Connection at the moment, which should be exactly what you are looking for...Jim

There are two versions by DML, however, the only differance in the kits is that the US version comes with full, removable M26 rocket pods and the gear to show them removed, loading, etc. The NATO version has pod end covers that are glued in place in the LLM (Loader Launcher Mechanism) and come with decals for German and a few other European armies' vehicles.

Revell also did a reboxed version with some German specific parts added such as side skirts and new pod end covers as well.

Not sure what mods would be needed for a British version, basic vehicle is the same though.

The interior and exterior sets that Eduard makes are for the MARS (German) vehicle. Most parts in the set can be used for the US version though. As with any Eduard set, a little tweaking is needed, but not much.
I used four sets for each vehicle; interior/exterior, walkways, and launch covers.

Here is the Royal Models set I used on my MLRS. The nice thing about this set is that it came with the orange ducts you see inside the cab of this vehicle.

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the replies. I just got up to the front windshield area and the front cab interior detail. it's coming along at a slow pace, due to my available time. I'll get some pix and post them soon.
One thing i did swap was the tracks. I noticed that they were the same type tracks and same length of track that is on the aav7's. I will be using a spare set that i have left over from the trumpeter AAV7 kit. We'll see how this turns out.
Thanks again
Joe

I too am working on the US version of the MLRS, OOB, and it is coming slowly as well. I have been working on this kit for 3 years!

Anyhow, with care it can be built very nicely.

Oh, there are actually 3 different versions offered from DML/Shanghai Dragon:

1. US Version with rocket pods.

2. NATO version

3. German MARS version (with same artwork as NATO version).

German MARS version comes with 2 piece rubber band trackswith diehl track pattern.

Other two versions have link-n-length tracks (some indy tracks, some runs modled together), not individual track links.

Hmmm... talking about the MLRS allways makes me wanna build this monster;

... but who am I kiddin'......?