some key body pieces are held on by literally 2 studs. they easily break off just by trying to hold the damn thing to get it onto the display stand, or even attach the wings as you build. you don't realize this until you do it.
the weight of those heavy-ass wings is still tensioned by only 2 rubber bands, bend around a sharp corner piece, and i think one of mine snapped already (or just came off the mount). idk if more would strip out the plastic gearing or what, but it's also impossible to get into the body part where the mechanism is without major surgery, so that sucks ass. given that this is a display piece, what i'd like to see instead of the spreading wings is separate instructions to build it "permanently" in either open or closed position. fortunately, it still maintains its open position.
the axle pieces that hold some of the cannon detailing leave space for the pieces to slide around. i could trim the axles down by 1/8" or so and fix it, but i don't want to permanently alter the pieces, even if they're cheap and easily replaceable with a small parts order.
The cockpit is difficult to fit flush without breaking off the attachment points, rotating below the nubbin it's supposed to sit on, and reattaching. the UCS a-wing also has this flaw. it's easy enough to deal with but c'mon.