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Tuesday, June 11, 2019 - 04:15 PM UTC
We announced Rye Field's new Abrams with interior in May. Now, along with some additional images of that particular release, we also have news on another Abrams version in the works by the same company.
RM-5026 - M1A2 SEP Abrams TUSK I /TUSK II with full interior

RM-5029 - M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams
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A similar question from me. This kit has been out for a couple of months now but I have not seen any reviews yet. Anyone built this kit? How does it compare to Academy and Dragon SEP V2s? Btw, we have yet to see the USMC M1A1 version with Stabilized Commander’s Weapon Station (SCWS).
SEP 30, 2019 - 04:23 AM
A similar question from me. This kit has been out for a couple of months now but I have not seen any reviews yet. Anyone built this kit? How does it compare to Academy and Dragon SEP V2s? Btw, we have yet to see the USMC M1A1 version with Stabilized Commander’s Weapon Station (SCWS) yet.[/quote] Vodnik did a detailed comparison.
SEP 30, 2019 - 06:33 AM
His article doesn't have any information on the VOIIO kit. Sean
SEP 30, 2019 - 06:44 AM
Perhaps you can do your own homework combining Andy's review and Vodnik's assessments. Why did I even bother replying.
SEP 30, 2019 - 08:10 AM
Perhaps you can do your own homework combining Andy's review and Vodnik's assessments. Why did I even bother replying. [/quote] Thanks for the link to Andy's review. VOIIO kit doesn't look good. Anyway, I read Vonik's review 2 years ago, which is not completely relevant to my question. That was not exactly what I was asking - what I want to know is the quality/accuracy of "new parts" in RFM's SEP V2 version specifically as compared to SEP V2 parts in Academy and Dragon's - I am familiar with the latter two.
SEP 30, 2019 - 03:26 PM
Yup, I wish Meng would come out with a few more versions. Up to date models with full interiors would be great. M2, M2A1, M2A2, M2A2 ODS, M3, M3A1, M3A2, M3A2 ODS, M7 BFIST, M6 Linebacker, etc...[/quote] And a M992
SEP 30, 2019 - 03:31 PM
For my sins, I have all four. I don't have time to do a detailed comparison review, but here's a quick impression. 1. The Dragon kit is the worst. The base M1A2 is as nice as ever, but the V2-specific parts are 'Black Label' with many missing details. You can do better. 2. The Academy kit is beautifully engineered and very accurate, although no slide-molded lower hull and it does have a number of ejector pins to fill and (depending on the version you get) rubber band tracks. Great value overall though. 3. The Rye kit is very good and has the bonus that it comes with simulator/training material. Accuracy-wise a notch below Academy and the new parts have a lot of knock-out pins. Link and length tracks rather than indy-link. But still a very nice kit. 4. The Voiio kit is just beautiful. Highly accurate, beautiful engineering and surface detail. There's a minor goof with the sprocket hubs and not everybody will like the rubber band tracks, but overall it might be the best of the bunch. Big disclaimer - all these are in my stash, so no comment on how they build.
OCT 02, 2019 - 07:28 AM
For my sins, I have all four. I don't have time to do a detailed comparison review, but here's a quick impression. 1. The Dragon kit is the worst. The base M1A2 is as nice as ever, but the V2-specific parts are 'Black Label' with many missing details. You can do better. 2. The Academy kit is beautifully engineered and very accurate, although no slide-molded lower hull and it does have a number of ejector pins to fill and (depending on the version you get) rubber band tracks. Great value overall though. 3. The Rye kit is very good and has the bonus that it comes with simulator/training material. Accuracy-wise a notch below Academy and the new parts have a lot of knock-out pins. Link and length tracks rather than indy-link. But still a very nice kit. 4. The Voiio kit is just beautiful. Highly accurate, beautiful engineering and surface detail. There's a minor goof with the sprocket hubs and not everybody will like the rubber band tracks, but overall it might be the best of the bunch. Big disclaimer - all these are in my stash, so no comment on how they build.[/quote] Appreciate the quick review, Ed! Based on your comment, it seems Academy one is still the most accurate one. Their newer version (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/academy-13504-m1a2-abrams-sep-v2-tusk-ii--1117527) even includes superb DEF indi tracks. As to the accuracy of VOIID kit, bad sprocket hub detail, inaccurate track horns, and hub caps (as wrongly pointed out in Andy's review) are deal killers for me. How did RFM kit do for the clear hub caps?
OCT 03, 2019 - 04:53 AM
Hi James - RFM includes the new style hubcaps in clear plastic as well as the older style used in their other Abrams kits.
OCT 03, 2019 - 05:36 AM
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