I am a beginner at dtailing AFV models and am starting a Tamiya M1A1. I bought a PE detail and have a question about one part (probably will have several before I'm done). Excuse my ignorance of the exact names for things.

I have included a picture of the PE and two different tanks below for reference.

The PE includes a round part with holes that is to be applied to the drive wheel (I think that' what it is). The pictures show this on one tank and not another. There is also a very obvious difference in the shape of the side panel near this. One is squared off (has the cover) the other is rounded (doesn't).

The model has the rounded cover. Is it appropriate to use this in this configuration. It should be easy to cut the side to march the square version - should I do this? Are there other major difference betwen these two?

What would be the one best reference for this?

Any idea what the duct tape markings are on the one turret (horizontal and three vertical)? They cover part of the IR identication thing. Would someone be able to see this with an IR scope or something?

Dave, you will probably get the same two answers here as Missing Links, Rob G and I frequent this place more than ML. hehe

I have posted some more pics in my webshots folder: http://community.webshots.com/album/67764422nsisen
That should give you some more pics for the reference.

Here's my other webshots account for some detail pics of the Abrams:
http://community.webshots.com/user/m1a1abrams
This will be updated with more exterior pics later so keep an eye on it.

Rob M

Bottomline: use it for an M1, M1IP or a late USMC M1A1-HA. Optional on US Army tanks up to the initial M1A1s.

Last one and I'll shut up, Don't forget to look in Major Rob's (Sabot) Motorpool for more really good pics: http://64.226.43.136/modules.php?set_albumName=albup54&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

Lord Almighty, Da two Abram Gods had spoken....

Dave, these two fellows are probably the two best source you can get around for Abrams. And they are all very helpful....

LOL, no I am not an Abrams God, trying living, working and training on a piece of equipment for the
better part of 20 years and then building models of them as well. You tend to pick up a few things.
I've slept more nights on/in an M1A1 than I have in a tent.

pssssst Sabot - Oh man they didn't tell you - that (above) make you a Abrams God or a Motor Pool God.

#:-)

Let me answer you straight.

Re:side skirt, early M1 tanks (including early versions of the M1A1) had the last part of the side skirt removed by the crew because they tend to get torn up or damaged by the track. The round cover on the sprocket wheel is a track guard or something like that which IIRC ensures that the track doesn't get removed from the sprocket. Or something to that effect. All this was remedied with later versions of the M1A1-HA/HC when some additional structure - forgot what it was called - was placed to strengthen the rear because of the additional weight of the HA/HC versions of the M1A1. The Tamiya kit offers the old style 'smiley' tracks. If you're building it as ODS version, that'd be appropriate. Newer tracks (as such offered in Trumpeter and Dragon kits) have larger track pads which are replaceable. The new track was used because the additional weight reduced the lifespan of the old smiley tracks. The newer ones can be easier maintained by replacing the rubber pads. So, you could do either, but with preferably, do the one with the square end and with the guard in place - more accurate to depict an early M1.
The duct tape has probably 2 purposes - 1) to secure the MILES strap - maybe the velcro wasn't working and/or 2) as an ID feature - something like the thermal ID panels used in this current war.

As Sabot said, the Tamiya M1 (as well as the Academy M1) is good for early M1 versions because of the tracks and other kit parts. If you want a more current M1A1, get Trumpeter or DML/Dragon - they have the newer tracks.

If you have more M1 questions - especially field use, etc. - try out www.tank-net.org, head to the Armor forum, and post a thread. That site has gots veterans that have driven the M1 in ODS. They provided some of the info I just placed above. Also, for more pictures of the M1, head to www.armorinaction.com by Scott Cunningham, M1 tanker and also member of TankNet. The site has gots lots - and I mean a LOT - of pics of M1s in the field - from Europe to ODS to NTC.

Hope this helps.