Review of AFV Club "M16 Meat Chopper"

[rickc5]

I need to start by saying that this review is my own opinion.  So far, I've built several AFV Club kits without this level of frustration. 

I started building this kit several weeks ago and tossed it into the trash yesterday.  Why?  Simple, it was a total nightmare to build.  Tons of tiny parts for no apparent reason other than to make the kit more complicated.  Extremely thin body panels that don't fit together very well.  After tons of effort, I still had a warped/twisted body, where the front end was canted to the left by about 10 degrees.  No amount of work fixed that problem.  I was also shocked to find rubber band tracks that didn't fit tightly.

My conclusion is that while you may like a significant challenge, do yourself a favor and avoid this kit.  Find a Dragon kit of the M16 (yes, difficult to find), which is a much better build.  

[Tojo72]

I feel your pain,been there,done that,though not with that one.I still have my Dragon build around.
My Waterloo was Hasegawa's 1/48 Tomcat,twice!!

You probably can use a pallette cleansing build now.

[406 Silverado]

First off, I'd like to welcome you to Modeler's Social Club rickc5 . I'm glad you responded to the invitation from Joe Rix and being an armor builder, you should fit in very well here with the friendly and helpful folks that we have. When you get the chance, start an introductory thread in the "Introduce Yourself" section as we'd like to get to know you better and what you've completed as well as any ongoing builds you've got going on.

With that, we are most certainly glad that you are here and we're looking forward to having you build with us. If you need anything just reach out and we'll get it handled for you.


Joe

[deafpanzer]

Welcome aboard Rick! This is one of reasons why I am always keen buying an AFV Club kit. Now I regret selling my Dragon M16 kit to a friend few years ago.

[stikpusher]

Welcome aboard Rick! Nice to see another tread head on here!

Now aren't any and all reviews subjective and the opinion of the reviewer/writer? Thanks for the heads up on the challenges of the AFV kit. Personally I already built the Tamiya M-16 MGMC long ago, so Im not looking for another... but if AFV ever does expand their half track line to other variants that I am looking for to fill gaps in my collection, Ill take your advisement to beware. I do know from my few build experiences with their kits how they do like to over complicate their builds with lots of teeny tiny parts that easily could have been molded onto the larger part.

[moparmadness]

AFV Club kits do have an unnecessarily high parts count, but they do look amazing when finished.

[Joe Rix]

Absolutely thrilled to have you join us here Rick. Thanks for accepting the invite.

Man, that's is indeed a bummer with the AFV M16. If that kit went beyond saving with your skills then that is one horrible kit. Thank You for posting a review/heads up on this kit.

[Leon]

Welcome aboard Rick! Thanks for the heads up on the AFV kit. I'll agree they do have a lot of unnecessary small parts.

[rickc5]

UPDATE 7/17/23: I bought the Dragon kit off eBay for a "reasonable" price, and since I have already built a couple of Dragon half-tracks, I'm looking forward to the build that I will start soon. Thanks for all the supporting posts. It's good to note that I'm not the only one that has negative feelings toward AFV Club kits. Now that there's so many newish manufacturers out there, I don't feel that I will ever buy another AFV Club kit. I feel like celebrating!

[stikpusher]

Jul 17, 2023 9:12:44 GMT -5 rickc5 said:

UPDATE 7/17/23: I bought the Dragon kit off eBay for a "reasonable" price, and since I have already built a couple of Dragon half-tracks, I'm looking forward to the build that I will start soon. Thanks for all the supporting posts. It's good to note that I'm not the only one that has negative feelings toward AFV Club kits. Now that there's so many newish manufacturers out there, I don't feel that I will ever buy another AFV Club kit. I feel like celebrating!

For me, it's not so much negative feelings towards AFV Club as it is awareness of their quirks. Their kits are not for those who like a Tamiya style easy build. But in several cases, their kits are the only game in town in 1/35 vehicles. I do like their series of indy link tracks and other accessories.

[ossie262]

hi
I have the M34 half track on the go has well as the new M1128 MGS on here both with builds on here . But yes AFV Club have a lot of small parts something I have mentioned to them many a time. but in the end it our choice what we buy and build .
but has some one has said AFV Club kits are very fiddly but they do come out ok in the end and they do some great subjects.
yes AFV Club are defo not for the faint hearted.
Ossie

[Tojo72]

I've only built one of their Strykers and there were no issues at all.I have a M 113 and the Mammoth in my stash for awhile now.