Hey fellas. I've been working on this Abrams for a few days now. This is where I'm at so far. I'm really liking this build. It is practically falling together. I decided not to add the anti-slip texture. I just didn't want to try to tackle that task.

I do have a question for the Abrams experts though. I noticed in the directions that the TUSK II option doesn't use the tow cables because of the added armor on the turret. Did they typically just leave these off, or did the crew store these coiled up somewhere else?



Cheers,
Dustin

Dustin, I just did a quick search for the MENG kit on Moxing.net. They had a couple of pics of the real thing there. On both photos I looked at had the empty clips still on the turret side but no cable in evidence.

Regards,

Eric

Thank you Eric. Maybe I should just google some pictures. Lol

You are turning into a building machine. Looking good so far. Any thought on the paint scheme?

Haha, thank you Armorsmith.

As of right now, I have three Abrams. 1 Dragon AIM, 1 Dragon M1A2 SEP V2 and this TUSK II.

So my thoughts are, I'm going to do this one in sand color, the AIM will also be sand color, the SEP V2 will be three tone NATO scheme and then I want to pic up one of the newest offerings and build a TUSK I variant, and it'll get the NATO scheme with the sand color on the TUSK upgrade.

That's my master plan anyways. Lol

A bit more work done. Not a lot, but some progress is better than non.



Can't wait to paint this.

Dustin,

Looking good - mine is on the bench as well, kind of! I am using the Tamiya as a base for a SEP V2 conversion - looking forward to the follow on pictures.

BTW - did your example have a large, and noticeable, difference in the barrel halves? Mine example is flush on the bottom with a large lip on the top???

Cheers,

Tim

Hi Tim - Glad to have ya following along. I hope to see pictures of your build also.

I didn't have any issues with the barrel halves.

This is a beautiful build, Dustin. Almost a shame to paint it.
But I can't wait to see it in paint!

There is a tow bar stowed on the front. You don't need the tow cables. Any recovery you just get a buddy to hook them up and you're out of there.

Matthew - Thank you for the kind words sir.


Stephen - I never thought of it like that. Good point.

I'm really enjoying this build. This is my first Abrams and I absolutely love it. What an ominous looking machine! 4 machine guns.. I bet this thing is impressive in person.

It is nice build but it looks like you've forgotten to add the VCU in the turret basket.

Olivier

That's correct Oliver. I still have a few things to finish up.

Hey fellas. I've finished the assembly part of this build. Here are a few pictures.








Paint soon to come.

Hey fellas, I actually decided to spray the base coat on this neglected Abrams today.

I've been torn on proper paint choice lately. I've asked around on proper paint color, paint mixes and so forth. And I've actually got some really great choices to try now. However, I seen a video of a modeler who uses Tamiya's Desert Yellow color. Which seems to be a bit dark for US modern armor. But after he sprays the base coat, he then sprays a light light coat of buff over the entire model. His Abrams turned out really nice. So I wanted to give it a go. I have the base coat down, but I have not sprayed the light coat of buff yet. Here are a couple of pictures.





One small issue, I dropped the range finder (because I don't have anything on the turret glued down yet) and one of the doors came off and I can't find it anywhere. Any idea on how I can "create" a new door or does anybody happen to have an extra one I could purchase?

And now that's it's been lightened up.

Guns painted.

Decals, wash and flat clear coat done.

Dustin,
If you still need the GPS door, shoot me an e-mail with your address and I should be able to fix you right up from my spares/PLL

John

John, thank you very much! I'll do that right now.

I've started working on the pigments and the upper turret armored glass and such.








Cheers

Hi fellas,

I've done a bit of work on this today. I finished up the armored glass and started working on the tracks and pigments.




Cheers

Here are the tracks before pigments are added.

Looks real good Dustin!
I`m working on a Meng Tusk I myself and was thinking of starting a WIP thread but not so sure now having seen your images.
WTH maybe I can get some tips.