Here are some pics of my M1A1HC. It is the old tamiya M1A1 so a lot of scratch work was done. It's sort of primed and ready for paint. I'm not sure that I've added all the items to upgrade the M1 to a HC but I've done my best. Any thing wrong or something I missed please comment.
So far I've got:
-bustle AUP and little power distrubution thingy.
-EPLRS antenna
-CIP's and those other panels in the front.
-Bigfoot Tracks
-other things I've seen on M1A1HC's-new grab handles and those circles (sry, my military terms and lingo isn't the best)
-Echelon M1A1HC-3rd infantry, OIF decals.
-fixed up some kit probs, like new hinges and periscopes.






Thanks Mike

Looks good to me, Mike but I'm no Abrams expert. I think I can spot a seam on the barrel on the 3 pic, but I'm not sure. And some of our Abrams gurus will most certainly help you if something is missing.

Cheers
Erik

Looks good so far Mike.
You might want to add the power cable from the backside of the smoke dischargers to the end of the cable cover on the turret.

There are 2 hook thingies between the rear tow mounts which need to be added etc

I'm no guru on the M1 but these are some things I have noticed so far.

Gino will be the man to point out some more and goto the website Tanxheaven were there are some great close up walkarounds of the Abrams.

Looking forward to seeing it finished.
Cheers

Looks pretty good. In addition to what the others have stated, here are a few things I see. The EPLRS antenna mount is too small. It takes the same size antenna base as a normal FM antenna and needs to be large enough to accept it. 1/8" tubing is about right for the base, pretty much the same size as the existing antenna mounts. Coming from the power junction box off the APU should be a piece of angle iron conduit that runs along the blow-out panel and connects to the existing conduit behind the loader's hatch. Looks like you may have missed it. The Doghouse (Gunners Sight Box in front of the TC) is the older style that was changed quite a few years ago. New style no longer has the angled rear portion, but is squared off. You would need to get one from a newer kit or build it up with sheet styrene and putty, its a problem with the kit, sorry. There is also a power connection up nest to the manhole cover on HCs as well. You can see it in the below pics from Tanxheaven. It is pretty easy to make by flattening a piece of tubing, filling the ends with putty, adding small pieces of cut rod for the connector caps, and a triangular piece of styrene with a bolt head for the bracket.

Power conduit.
New power connector.

New Doghouse.


More pics at Tanxheaven.

Looks like it is coming along well. Few corrections and tweaks and it will be great.

Thanks everyone. I made a list and a diagram of what I need to fix. I have a lot of the parts like the new gunners site in the M1A2 kit. I'll just cast these today.
I'll go to the LHS today to pick up some tubing and sheet stock. What thickness should I get and do they make that angle iron in sheet plastic. Do I need brass or plastic tubing? Any tips on removing the gunner's site? It's really glued in.

Mike

Plastruct makes angle iron in plastic. 1/8" stryrene tubing looks right for the EPLRS antenna mount. It is good for the power connector as well. You might be able to find a variety pack of tubing that would be handy too. Same for sheet styrene. I prefer to keep all the parts styrene if I can. Makes it easier to attach and paint as well. It's just easier to work with than metals.

Good luck and keep us posted.