I think everyone building the new Dragon M1A2SEP kit should be aware of a few more important things (in addition to information I provided earlier here: http://strony.aster.pl/vodnik/pages/SEP/SEP.htm).

As you probably noticed one of the marking options included in the kit is for "Armor Ghetto", a tank from 3rd Btl, 67th Armored Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.
I believe that it is very important that everyone who chooses to build a model with these markings is aware of the fact that this particular tank was the first M1A2SEP tank lost by the US Army as a result of use of huge improvised explosive device (IED) by insurgents on 28th October 2003. As a result of enormous explosion two crew members lost their lifes:
- Sgt Michael Paul Barrera, 26, from Von Ormy, Texas
and
- Spc Isaac Campoy, 21, from Douglas, Arizona

Photos of the destroyed "Armor Ghetto" can be seen on Prime Portal website: http://www.primeportal.net/m1_damaged_iraq.htm


Another marking option in the kit is for "Cowboys From Hell" from 1st Btl., 8th CAV. I received photos of this tank (and a lot of close-up shots of various M1A2SEP tank parts without which it would be much more difficult to create the kit) from Jeffrey Jacobus, who was a gunner in this tank's crew. According to information provided by Jeff, this tank was also destroyed, or at least very badly damaged by IED built from 500lb bomb. The bomb also killed the tank commander of "Cowboys From Hell". Unfortunately I lost contact with Jeff some time ago and was not able to get more information about that incident. Also I wasn't able to find any more information on that incident on the web, so I don't know the exact date or the name of the crew member who lost his life.

So everyone who plans to use any of these markings should remember about the fate of the tanks that carried them and their crews, particularly if you ever plan to display your models in public (incl. the internet or magazines), where friends or family members of their crews could see it. Regardless of your opinion on the US foreign policy, please respect the memory of the US servicemen who lost their lifes.


And one more information about the "Hell Yeah, Heaven't no" tank. This tank carried an Arabic slogan on the flat Combat ID panel (CIP) on the right (starboard) front of the turret. The slogan read "Death to Terrorists" (thanks to Hisham Haikal for translation!). Unfortunately DML decided that they don't want to include this marking in the kit and they digitally altered the kit box art photo to remove the Arabic text. You can see unaltered version of the photo in Concord "Special Ops, Journal of the Elite Forces & SWAT Units" book Volume 36 "Task Force Baghdad - WIth the 1st Cavalry Division "First Team" in Iraq", on page 9.

Pawel

Great info. Thanks.

Thanks for these informations.
pascal

Good info, always good to know the history of a particular tank.

So, I ask again, why aren't you doing a review of this kit? I don't think anyone would feel you are crossing any line by providing info to Dragon and reviewing the kit.....and if you are it will be clearly evident in the review.

Good info to know, thanks Pawel.



Jason, this is something I agree with Pawel on. While I'm sure he would do a very thorough review I just don't think it would be right for him to review a kit where he was involved in the design of it. Sadly there are too many people out there who would find it hard to believe he could be objective about the kit. I think it's better to have a "third person" do the review.

Mike

Too bad...there is more and more info being provided by Pawel in bits and pieces.

Hopefully we will see a good full review of the kit on a site or in a magazine.

Keep the info coming Pawel, eventually there will be enough for me to decide whether to buy this kit or not.

What exactly are 'DS tracks"? No one has explained this yet.

DS tracks are Dragon's version of glueable "rubber band" tracks. They are made up of vinyl and styrene from what I understand. In the case of the M1A2 SEP they also have separate hollow styrene guide teeth that will need to be glued on the tracks. They look very good, IMO, there is even open space between the individual track sections. I can't claim to be an expert on the M1A2 but looking over the sprues in my kit everything looks really good. The only test fitting I've done so far is the top and bottom hull. That was because someone had complained their lower hull was badly warped, mine is fine.

Mike

Mike,

I thank you very much for the explanation. Thanks for taking the time to answer with such detail.

Thanks again Pawel.

Might just wait until all is said and done.

Pawel,

Thanks for the info.