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M1 ABV The Build

Introduction

The M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) is the U.S.'s military mine- and explosives-clearing vehicle. The ABV is built on the same chassis as the General Dynamics-built M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. The ABV is equipped with Linear Demolition Charge System (LDCS), the M58 MICLIC. Rockets carrying C-4 explosives up to 100–150 yards forward, detonating hidden bombs at a safe distance, so that troops and vehicles can pass through safely. For the ABV role, the turret of the M1A1 Abrams MBT has been removed and replaced by a new all-welded steel structure to which has been added the latest explosive reactive armor (ERA) package seen on Bradley's and Abrams. For clearing minefields, the FWMP (Full Width Mine Ploughs) can be swiftly installed at the front of the vehicle which can be rapidly replaced by the CDBB (Combat Dozer Blades) that, in addition to clearing battlefield obstacles, can also be used to prepare firing positions. Other components include a lane-marking system and a remote-control system.

The Kit

This is Rye Field Models 4th kit in their Abrams series. Just like their other Abrams kit, this one is packed to the brim with lots of parts. A majority of the parts that you get in the box are the same as what you kit in the other three kits, with the exception of four added sprues which are for the ABV specifically. A nice thing about the RFM Abrams kits is all the extra parts you end up with after the build is finished. Since I did three review/builds out of the four kits for Armorama, I have plenty of Abrams parts to build a couple more if I had hull and turrets to go with them. Jim did a "Crack the Box" video on this kit, so I won't bore you any more about what's in the box.

RFM' instructions have improved as far as miss-labeled numbers and omitted parts/part numbers. I say this because whatever is caught that needs to be addressed, they either correct it and post it on their Face Book page or send corrections in their 2nd and 3rd production kits.

Decals and Markings

After the announcement of the kit and it becoming available, more pictures of the real thing surfaced on the net. For the most part, the Marine markings where/are a little dull. Just registration numbers and warning stencils are visible on the real thing. As for US. Army vehicles, the 3rd ID had vehicles with a lot of stenciling. TC and drivers name, battalion numbers, and bumper numbers where seen along with the regular warning stencils. I did manage to find a couple of pictures of marine ABV's with the A-# you see on mine. This one in particular, A-6, had two eyes stenciled to the front of the long legs of the plow and I am assuming what is the plow number stenciled to the center leg. This one is the track that I have represented. As for the decals, they went down very well on clear floor polish with Whalters Solvaset and Tamiya Mark Fit.