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I started removing casting blocks and checking the fit of the major pieces of the AS90 and realised every single one of them is warped. So here is the back up plan



So far I've sanded the seams from the road wheels and assembled the suspension.

Chris

Wise decision

Philipp

Will you be doing the camo scheme on the box top Chris?

Vincent

Not sure on what scheme I will paint it just yet as at the moment I feel I need a back up plan for the back up plan. This kit is terrible.



That rear bin is sat on the locating slot Dragon have made for it which makes it about three milimeters too far back to fit the sides. The sides give the position for everything else. The rear of the sponson is too far back. To get the bin to fit correctly I had to shorten the rear sponson and make a cut out on the inner side so that the bin would fit at all. There is also a blanking plate on the outside of the bin which butts up against the rear wall of the engine compartment, that had to be cut out as well to get the bin to fit correctly. I'll get some photos when I do the other side to show exactly what I mean. I had planned to build this while sat at a model show this weekend but things were too bad to be able to get anywhere with it so I started something else

Chris

Gotta love Dragon quality engineering....

It seems you have to be extra careful with any kit they released after 2010-12.

Philipp

I hate you are having problems with builds. THe M7 I did went together great.

Dragon needs to step up their game or they won't be around much longer. All I used to buy was dragon kits, but I have not bought very many since they switched to DS tracks, plus there are so many more players in the game who make a much better product. Most of my stash is still Dragon kits, just because it all I used to buy. I do like their new 250 ammo carrier though and it comes with magic tracks I believe.

SHawn

Okay, this is to show the problems I had with the rear bins. As you can see the side walls locate positively and match up to the end to the front of the sponsons.



The one piece of the rear bin has a blanking plate that butts up against the rear hull. This puts it 2-3mms too far to the rear. If you fit it like this there is also a gap between the bin and the rear deck.



According to the instructions you are supposed to glue the rear deck to the back of the gun compartment, then the bins to the rear deck and then the side walls to those. I figured there was too much that could go wrong like that.



I cut out that blanking plate and assembled the bin to the side wall which ensures there is no gap. When I went to fit it like this I found not only is the rear sponson too long but also too wide. I had to reduce it 3mms in length and cut 3mms from the inside face to get the bin to fit.

When I did finally get the rear half all sitting nice and snug I then found this happens when fitting the front end



No idea how to get around this so the Sexton is in the naughty box, possibly on its way to the bin, we'll see.

Chris

These fit issues would put a 25 year old eastern bloc kit to shame

Philipp

I feel your pain! Fixing accuracy or details mistakes is a thing, struggling to have the kit parts fitting together is another.

Sorry to hear about the problem Chris. I have seen a few built online with no mention of these problems your having.

Shawn