Looking for some help with these parts they are from academys M1A1 iraq
i know the large slotted ring goes on the rear drive wheel but is it some thing that is still used today? and i am hoping to find out about these gear looking wheels what are they?

The track retainer ring was more commonly a feature of the early production M1's (M1IP?) and it's purpose was to prevent the track being "thrown". You will see it more commonly associated with earlier vehicles fitted with the T-156 track. I believe it can still be seen on some USMC M1A1's fitted with the T-158 tracks.

As for the "toothed" wheel in the kit, I suspect it is associated in some what with the kit being able to be motorised at some point, and is probably a leftover from that.

The kit was copied from Tamiya's original M1 kit with some modified parts for the A1. The geared wheel was to drive the black rubber (not vinyl) tracks supplied with the motorized version of the kit. Unless the kit has been modified since it was reviewed (which I doubt), the turret is still the size of the M1 turret, without the front extension added when the M1A1 had its armor improved. The bore evacuator on the gun tube also looked more like a beer barrel. Academy's is the worst of the current M1A1 kits available. Dragon, Italeri, Trumpeter (also boxed as Hobbycraft) and Tamiya all offer better kits.

Here's one during Operation Spear in Karabilah, Iraq in June 2005 :


HTH
Frenchy

Thank you guys for all the answers.