Well I've been working on the M1. I love the extended bustle rack! Was a pain to build but would be easy with a hold and fold, two straight razors and a pair of tweezers and two MK1 thumbs takes some patience
Most major components like the APU, hatches, and baskets are not glued yet. Gotta get the skirts and mg mounts done and I can get to the fun part
Great kit overall, gotta be patient with cleanup and some pre-fitting but it can be done filler-free.
Major problems are the same as everyone else has noted:
-the MUST FIX problem with the large, thick moulded 'support' under the forward sponsoon above the roller that must be shaved or removed or the track will not fit. It takes some effort so doing it on an assembled model would be very tough.
-some cleanup on small parts is tedious
-various instruction part # mistakes and lack of clarity for parts placement have you flipping
constantly to the paint scheme photos and refferences
-generally either perfect fit or a handfull of parts have lousy fit(front suspension arm halves and engine cover U13 take some very carefull reworking in particular)....Shaving the angle sharper on the foward edge of U13 got it fit flush. The forward arms (V5/4) should have the locating 'block' shaved off and the round ends of the gas struts (V10/11) should be sanded/thinned by 50% so the halves (V23/24) will mate flush.
-running gear is tough to get lined up, the seemingly agressive locator notches are worthless-keep a ruler handy. Not to bad if you get the front two arms set on the model(don't trust the allignment on the worktable) with a rear arm friction fit for refference. Then friction fit the main arms, check multiple times with a straightedge, and glue from behind..
-another instruction problem-PAY ATTENTION TO ALL DRILL WARNINGS, a couple are out of sequence-check em all off before putting the hull/turret halves together.
-PE is not for the faint of heart, definately not a first timers model
-plastic barrel takes some carefull cleanup and is much better then the metal one. Need to be carefull with allignment of the two main parts.
-mantlet is a poor fit on the top front edge-fixed with superthin strip styrene.
-instructions extremely vague on certain components, mainly the headlight assemblies and some turret conduit and hatch details. Be religious fully checking off all parts numbers as you go along.
-no additional instructions for mounting accessories such as the spare roadwheels. I will have to wait to see whats left on the sprues.
-be CAREFULL with decals-do NOT trust the instructions, the APU and other stenciling should be checked with refferences, and apparently the kit's "68" is too big with corrected ones provided but not updated on the instructions.
Sounds like a lot, but no more then any huge parts count kit. Still nothing like the average ship model. The great detail of the kit easilly outweighs any minor flaws. Just prefit everything at least 3-4 times and you will be fine. I have only spent about 10 evenings to get to this point. A couple fresh 400/600 sanding sticks with a deft touch make quick work of prepping parts.
In primer for final fit checks:
The launchers do look like they are oriented on the correct sides, so it should be a quick fix just to rotate them forward.
