Generations Sandstorm - mis-assembled?

I finally snagged myself a Generations Sandstorm today, and I've run into a snag. It came with the front landing gear in the up position, so I can't flip up the chest because the landing gear collides with the head, and I can't get the landing gear down first because it collides with the collar piece that the head rests on.
Anybody else seen this? Any advice on getting around it?
Anybody else seen this? Any advice on getting around it?