Hey guys, i need an advice. I usually build WW2/CW prototypes, paper tanks and obscure vehicles, but this time i'd like to build a classic US Abrams tank. I am aiming towards the earlier versions, M1A1 or early M1A2, i don't want a kit representing a machine with TUSK and all that fancy equipment that makes it look like a christmas tree hehe.
Which kit should i get? I have absolutely no idea about the quality/accuracy of kits when it comes to modern tanks.
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Best Abrams kit?
ceerosvk
Joined: November 25, 2013
KitMaker: 171 posts
Armorama: 170 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 06:24 PM UTC
Tojo72
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 06:30 PM UTC
If you can get your hands on Dragon # 3535 M1A1 SEP it is an excellent kit
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 06:30 PM UTC
Dragon's M1A1 AIM (3535) and M1A2 SEP (3536) are the best Abrams kits currently on the market. Both are from the early to mid-2000s and look great. They already come with all the extras (PE, metal barrel, etc.) and don't really need any additional items to make them look great.
Removed by original poster on 03/01/16 - 13:31:32 (GMT).
ivanhoe6
Joined: April 05, 2007
KitMaker: 2,023 posts
Armorama: 1,234 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 06:41 PM UTC
Michal, You can't go wrong with Dragon's #3535. Especially if you can find the first release. It has a metal barrel and Magic Tracks and a fair amount of PE. Or Dragon's Orange Box release, it is inexpensive and comes with a fairly nice crew and a little bit of interior. The re-release of #3535 has DS tracks and a plastic barrel. Tamiya also has a couple of different Abrams but I don't know much about them.
HTH !
Tom
HTH !
Tom
ceerosvk
Joined: November 25, 2013
KitMaker: 171 posts
Armorama: 170 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 06:58 PM UTC
Thanks for the replies guys, seems like the Dragon kit is the one to go.
Thats some useful info here. any idea how do i differenciate between the original release and reissue? i found a handful of these 3535 kits on ebay but im sure which one is which. I absolutely don't want to buy a kit with rubber tracks.
cheers!
Quoted Text
Michal, You can't go wrong with Dragon's #3535. Especially if you can find the first release. It has a metal barrel and Magic Tracks and a fair amount of PE. Or Dragon's Orange Box release, it is inexpensive and comes with a fairly nice crew and a little bit of interior. The re-release of #3535 has DS tracks and a plastic barrel. Tamiya also has a couple of different Abrams but I don't know much about them.
HTH !
Tom
Thats some useful info here. any idea how do i differenciate between the original release and reissue? i found a handful of these 3535 kits on ebay but im sure which one is which. I absolutely don't want to buy a kit with rubber tracks.
cheers!
Tojo72
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 07:09 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Thanks for the replies guys, seems like the Dragon kit is the one to go.Quoted TextMichal, You can't go wrong with Dragon's #3535. Especially if you can find the first release. It has a metal barrel and Magic Tracks and a fair amount of PE. Or Dragon's Orange Box release, it is inexpensive and comes with a fairly nice crew and a little bit of interior. The re-release of #3535 has DS tracks and a plastic barrel. Tamiya also has a couple of different Abrams but I don't know much about them.
HTH !
Tom
Thats some useful info here. any idea how do i differenciate between the original release and reissue? i found a handful of these 3535 kits on ebay but im sure which one is which. I absolutely don't want to buy a kit with rubber tracks.
cheers!
You would have to directly ask the seller for that info,some state it in their listing,for what's it's worth the DS tracks shouldn't make that much diffrence on an Abrams as there is no sag and the entire top run is hidden.If you can't get hold of a kit with indies,you can always get AFV Club workables.
Cantstopbuyingkits
Joined: January 28, 2015
KitMaker: 2,099 posts
Armorama: 1,920 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 07:34 PM UTC
Dragon's seems to be the best currently available by a long shot, but Meng's upcoming kit might be even better!
Tojo72
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 07:36 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Dragon's seems to be the best currently available by a long shot, but Meng's upcoming kit might be even better!
True,but he doesn't want a TUSK,I hope Meng releases some early Abrams also.Their T-90 was great !!!
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 08:30 PM UTC
Magic Tracks and metal barrel in this case are LESS accurate than plastic barrel (which has extra details on the bottom), and DS tracks which are more accurate dimmensionally and represent newer T158LL track type.
So there is no real reason to look for the original release.
So there is no real reason to look for the original release.
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 08:40 PM UTC
A couple clarifications:
Dragon's M1A1 AIM kit (3535) and their Abrams Orange Box kits are not the same plastic. The Orange box kit is Dragon's older mold M1A1 (3517) from the early '90s. At the time, it was the best Abrams on the market, but has been eclipsed by Dragon's newer M1A1 AIM (3535) and M1A2 SEP (3536) kits.
I would get the re-release. The magic tracks are not that great and the DS tracks w/ open guide horns represent the newer T158LL tracks well. The plastic barrel actually is more detailed than the metal barrel. The plastic barrel is molded in sections with no two-part tubes to worry about a seam on. This also allows the small bolt detail and other finer details along the underside to be molded onto it. It looks really good when done.
** Beaten to the punch again!! Pawel got me as I was typing. Great minds do think alike. **
Quoted Text
...You can't go wrong with Dragon's #3535.
...Or Dragon's Orange Box release, it is inexpensive and comes with a fairly nice crew and a little bit of interior.
Dragon's M1A1 AIM kit (3535) and their Abrams Orange Box kits are not the same plastic. The Orange box kit is Dragon's older mold M1A1 (3517) from the early '90s. At the time, it was the best Abrams on the market, but has been eclipsed by Dragon's newer M1A1 AIM (3535) and M1A2 SEP (3536) kits.
Quoted Text
The re-release of #3535 has DS tracks and a plastic barrel.
I would get the re-release. The magic tracks are not that great and the DS tracks w/ open guide horns represent the newer T158LL tracks well. The plastic barrel actually is more detailed than the metal barrel. The plastic barrel is molded in sections with no two-part tubes to worry about a seam on. This also allows the small bolt detail and other finer details along the underside to be molded onto it. It looks really good when done.
** Beaten to the punch again!! Pawel got me as I was typing. Great minds do think alike. **
zedhol
Joined: December 01, 2009
KitMaker: 244 posts
Armorama: 160 posts
Posted: Monday, February 29, 2016 - 10:50 PM UTC
If you haven't found one yet, I have the original release of the M1A1 kit #3535 for sale. It includes all that has been mentioned, and is unstarted. In case you are worried why I am selling, I already have 4 others, 2 finished.
Thirian24
Joined: September 30, 2015
KitMaker: 2,493 posts
Armorama: 2,344 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 - 01:39 AM UTC
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