Hey,

Thank you Bill. seems like I've finally made some serious progress here, won't be long 'till I'll get 'em done!

Chris, thanks, well, basically you're right, the spillage effects seem a little decent, however I've more-less painted those according to reference pics showing other tanks belonging to the 1st marine div, showing this kind of restrained spillage effects. I can send you those pics, if you want to.
anyway, maybe I'll rework got oil's left side and that kfor m1 is going to get "beaten to death" with fuel spills.
oh, and thanks for the pointer with the third aerial mount

Benjamin,
thank you, but I have those markings myself, I was referring to those white squares that can be seen on the reference pics. they show a really small "times new roman"-like kfor lettering and the nato-wind rose.

cheers Max

okey doke, 'Got Oil?' is done!
more pics to be found here:https://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=forums/160476&page=1





Hope you'll like it...

Cheers, Max

Now this it looking much better !!!
Maybe some more little things like Kevlars close to TC and LDR station, some more water bottles, slave cable, 240 ammo boxes ... things like that.
The stains really gives an authentic appearance, very nicely detailed.

Cheers
Christopher

Maybe Archer set AR35106 would fit the bill (sizes are 2 and 4mm tall)?

TL-Decals makes some NATO markings :



HTH

Frenchy

Outstanding work!

As our marine buddies would say.

OOH-Rah

Hey folks,
thanks for the kind words!

Chris, no way... the only thing I did after taking these pics was touching up the optics with some gloss coat(thanks for the pointer though), other than that it's done, and what's done is done

Frenchy,
thanks, but those markings have already been applied. I've used a set of generic TL letters. Two "O"'s and a 0/0 brush did the job... I'll post some pics, as soon as I've made some progress on that tank...

Cheers, Max

Max,

"GOT OIL?" has turned out very nice!

I really like the look of the Kevlar in the bustle rack, the camo pattern looks spot-on.

One small detail you could add is that the EAPU in the bustle rack could have exhaust soot on the square-screened opening in the middle (picture from Prime Portal):





But this is very minor and dependent upon the crew operating the EAPU some.

Another question for Abrams experts...

When the crew stores the spare drive wheel infront of the loader's hatch, how is it secured? Seems like a common thing, with the drive wheel on the bottom, and a spare road wheel mounted on top.

Jesse, see the 4 screws right in front of the FLIR (closed) opening, that is were the lift hooks are attached to pull the turret. Loosen one and fasten the road or/and drive wheel with it.
If you follow any ref. pics you will notice it‘s more of an Army thing, the rails for the MCD on USMC tracks would be in the way to secure a road wheel.

Cheers
Chistopher

Just a few more spare wheels stowage options :









HTH

Frenchy

Jesse,

As Christopher indicated, there are bolts on the top of the turret the crew uses to secure the Road Wheel and/or Drive Sprocket.

This view shows the empty bolt holes on the "manhole" that a long bolt is screwed into to hold down the part (all images from Prime Portal):



This image shows a Roadwheel on top of the "manhole":



The four bolts in front are the alternate location that Christopher mentioned where the lift hooks are bolted. M1A2 tanks may use one of these bolts to attach Roadwheels/Drive Sprockets, since the "manhole" is replaced with the Commanders Sight.



I hope this helps...

Thank you Jeff,
well, the thing is that I used the academy EAPU so it's very very soft in detail and I fear that I'll simply erase that mesh detail when putting some pigments on... but thanks for the pointer, I'll do that on my KFOR M1
the marpat was done using the sponge technique, really simple and effective, just needed to touch up the areas around the goggles and the other recessed areas a little bit...

Jesse, you if oyu scroll up the page you'll see a pic showing how I secured the drive sprocket ring to the turret top, using one of those turret-lifting screws... if the road wheels aren't screwed to the turret they're usually stored on the turret bustle, using the middle track link connector (again see my KFOR M1...

Cheers, Max

Hey everybody,
I just noticed I'm a little behind keeping you'll updated on this build, unfortunately my cammy vanished, so this these pics won't bring you up to date, anyway it's better than nothing, eh?


by now the figure has recieved some more highlights (on the nomex) and everything was sealed with a coat of vallejo flat, so it's not that shiny anymore... also the tank looks drastically different than in the last pictures, since I did some more color modulation over the dirt and dust, I'll post some pics of that once my camera found its way home
leave a comment!

Cheers, Max

Max,
I mention this but it is probably too late to correct it: your NATO-flage/KFOR M1A1HC is missing the EPLARS mast, on the right rear of the turret. It is installed on your "Got Oil" model and the EPLARS mast/antenna mount is one of the features of a M1A1 "Common" tank.

Nice work on the construction and weathering of both models. I really like the MCD cable on the turret of the KFOR tank.

John

Wow! The details are simply stunning. The chipped paint on the stowage and fording tube are very realistic.

With regards to the figure, I recommend a dark wash around the eyes to bring out the detail around them. This would also help add shadows to the face, especially under the nose and chin.

One thing I think you should change is the bag/pack next to the figure as it doesn't sit naturally .

Looking forward to seeing the next update!

Max, I think the figures actually take away from the excellence of your work. The hands, for example, look like they're wearing soccer goalie gloves. I would ditch the figures and close the hatches, but that's one man's opinion. Otherwise your work is exemplary.

I told him to get the ALPINE Figs, these look like s..t, but will he listen?
One the original pics the crew is hopping around in their NOMEX suits, and the ALPINE ones would do just fine, having the tanks buttoned up all the time is not an option
If Max got this far he can do better on the figures .... propper practice makes perfect !


Cheers
Christopher

Well, to be blunt, yeah. But I didn't want Max to think it was being critical of his excellent skills. Some figures are just not up to the level of others and detract from the kits they're on.

Don‘t worry Bill, Max can take it ...."fire and adjust"
He sent me some pics of the figures during assembly and I told him to waste his efforts on a better quality product.
He will have to learn the hard way .... just like the rest of us!
Speaking in general terms it is quite frustrating to see how little options there are in using good modern figures, compared to all the new WW2 stuff that is released on a daily basis.
But looking at Max‘s skills as you mentioned a good crew would highlight his tanks even more.
So Max, now you (and thousands of others) know how horrible your figure really is.


Cheers
Christopher

Hey John,
thanks for the pointer, however it's not too late since I already added that antennae mount about two or three weeks ago... btw. Chris, thanks again for pointing that out to me...

Anirudh,
thanks for the kind words. You're propably right with the shadows under the tc's eyes/lower cheeks, I'll see what I can do.
That 'bag/pack' next to the CWS is an old style flak jacket, Chris told me that these were rather 'stiff' so the fact it doesn't sag should be only natural

Bill,
thanks, yeah, you're propably right on that figure, I just thought I could save some money...
I cut off the TC's legs yesterday, so only the head remains visible, it's really better like that...

HOWEVER,

Chris, would you please stop bugging me about those alpine figures? I told you like a million times that I won't use 'em on a kit as crappy as this!!!!!! It's already like 'alpine figures here, alpine figures there', I could ask you 'bout the weather and you'd answer "hey, why don't you use some alpine figures?"!!!!!!!!!!!|:(
no, seriously I'll use some better figs on my next builds, am thinking about some of those mig marines in mopp suits with alpine heads for my dragon M1A1AIM build...

Cheers, Max

Got my cammy back, so it's definitely time for an update!

this is how the KFOR M1 looked until like five minutes ago (and hopefully nothing changed yet ):




as you can see, the EPLRS mount is in place, I've cut off the figure's legs, added more stowage, fuel spills, dirt and some rainmarks... still some more work to do there, any suggestrions?

I'm done with most of the construction work of "got armor" as well, the last things to do are: adding the BRE mounted fuel cans, building the CIP's, scratching the 50.cal ammo box cradle and trigger mechanism (I already did that before, but the ref pics I used showed the trigger thingy in a 'stowed' and hence non-functional position. so I'll have to redo that...), adding tow cable mounts and I'll have to conjure those thimblerig 'magic tracks'






leave a comment!

Cheers, Max

Nifty!

thanks Bill, how's it going with your AAV? any progress so far?

Cheers, Max

The paint was wrong, so I stripped it and am starting over. Also was to get a good gear set like with the M1A1.