Hey,

I am new to the forums but not modeling. I'm about 50/50 aircraft/armour.

Anyway, I am considering building an Australian Army M1A1, which I believe are AIM and SA.
I heard that the Dragon kit is the best, but that it doesn't have the infantry/tank phone and a few other bits and pieces. Is the Dragon kit the best and would I need any aftermarket?

Thanks
Will

The DML M1A2 SEP is the better start point with the the Mousehouse additions
http://www.aussiemodeller.com/pages/discussiongroup/forum.html

Check the post regarding best ADF model of the year

Al

For an Aussie Abrams, you will need to add the T/I phone box, add a "USMC style" bustle rack extension (the Dragon AIM kit includes the "3ID style" BRE) and optionally replace the bustle rack APU with a refrigerator unit, though many photos of the Abrams in Aussie service seem to show the APU in place. I believe this covers the most obvious of the visible differences.

Dragon's M1A2 SEP kit contains the correct bustle rack and T/I phone, but you would have to source a bustle rack APU (or refrigerator unit) and backdate the rear left of the hull, where the Under Armour APU is located.

I can't recall if the loader's M240 is replaced with a different spec MG

Some M1A1 AIM SA pics showing the EAPU and the "USMC" BRE (many acronyms in one sentence..) :
http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/m1a1ph_1.htm
http://www.grubby-fingers-aircraft-illustration.com/abrams_walkaround.html



HTH
Frenchy

The Aussies' have the M1A1? Learn something new everyday. I thought they were strictly Leo oriented tankers. How many do you have in Australia?
thanks
DJ

Yes, the Aussies have bought at least one Bns worth of M1A1 AIM tanks and the support equipment (M88A2s, PLL, ASL, etc.) to go with it. Here is a list of what you need to add/change to make one.

Aussie M1A1 AIM Changes

For those wanting to build an Australian M1A1 AIM tank from Dragon's new M1A1 AIM kit, here are the specific parts required for hull number 6 (ARN unknown), the most photographed Aussie M1A1 AIM to date.

Turret:

• N13 - loader's hatch with rim
• R1 - MCD adaptor
• R2-4 - BFT/FBC2B2 box and associated bracket for GPS doghouse
• Either wind sensor, both have been spotted
• Q11 - armored conduit cover
• Q2 - EAPU conduit
• Q3 - loader's hatch latch
• Q12 & 13 – “smooth” blow off panel covers
• N37/38 - EPLRS antennae
• N1, N43, N44, 53, N54, N55, MA8, MA9 - EAPU

Hull:

• U32 - driver's hatch with rim
• T5 + MA10 + MA11 - engine intake (?)
• U37 (USMC wading trunk adaptor)
• f1 (x2), f2 (x2). f3 (x2) – Engine exhaust deflector
• U36 – heater plug
• V19 – “fancy” sprocket ring

You will have to add:

• USMC-style bustle rack extension (BRE: Eduard ED35598 or “borrowed” from the Academy “Iraq 2003” boxing of their M1A1 kit #13202, or the Dragon M1A2 SEP kit.)
• Refrigerator and bracket to turret bustle (to the right of the EAPU)
• Refrigerator power connection – replaces kit part O5 on rear of upper turret (#M1)
• Turret umbrella mount – a pipe mounted vertically on the turret roof adjacent to rear of the commander’s cupola (when looking from the top, the mount is in front of the right “blow off” compartment, near the centerline of the turret. It is slightly shorter than the loader’s hatch catch [Q3] on the left panel)
• External slave receptacle; located on the right, rear hull plate, next to the rear taillight. (In DML M1A2 SEP kit.)
• Tank/infantry telephone; it is located below the external slave receptacle. (Also present in the Academy kit and DML’s M1A2 SEP kit)
• Red Kangaroo, Hawkeye Models is coming out with a decal sheet

The only outstanding build information now is whether our 50 cal MG will be QCB - pretty sure yes, but not definite, and if the MAG-58 (M-240 in US service) will be fitted with its stock. The timeline for barracuda MCS is also yet to be confirmed. Finally, the M250 US Army style smoke dischargers (MBSGD) will be fitted.

They use the T158LL (hollow guide horns), same as what's in the Dragon M1A2 SEP kit.

* The Fridge (dimensions below)

* Fridge power adaptor box (in lieu of the PLGR antennae). The fridge adaptor is how they get power out of the tank and into the fridge. It is a small box mounted centrally to the rear of the "blow off" panels and replaces part "O5" in the kit.

* Wind sensor retainer bracket (re-located because of the fridge). The wind sensor folds laterally to the right side of the tank when looking toward the front of the vehicle. Part "O12" in the kit is the bracket that holds the wind sensor when folded, but is not used when fridge is installed (it is actually removed on Australian tanks). A new bracket, mounted centrally, immediately forward of the fridge on the turret roof, replaces this part, dimensions below.

* Umbrella mount (aft of the Crew Cmd's cupola). The umbrella mount comprises a mount that is attached using holes/bolts that are already present on the turret roof and a vertical tube. It is used for range flags (red/green/blue etc) and for the umbrella, similar to that used on the Leopard AS1 when it was in service. Dimensions are below.

Fridge dimensions (overall):

* 750mm long

* 425mm wide

* 495mm high

* Lid height/depth (included in the 495mm above) 55mm high

Fridge Power Adaptor/Connector box (replaces kit part O5)

* 175mm long, 105mm wide (widest points on top), 85mm wide (narrowest points on top), 90mm high

Flag/umbrella holder: 45mm dia 160mm high

Markings: ARNs (Army Registered Numbers, lower glacis plate, front right side, rear left on the upper engine grill), TAC symbols (, etc, on the ballistic skirts) and names are applied to 1st Armoured Regiment's tanks. Names are painted in black on the flanks of the vehicles, above the skirts to the rear of the hull. Callsigns are painted on boards places on the turret sides and the bustle rack extension.

Good luck.

Just a few LARGE Hi-Res pics from the official Australian Defense website to illustrate Gino's very informative post.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/sep/20070914/20070709adf8243523_095.jpg
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/May/20070516/20070514ran8100087_051.jpg
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/jan/20070105a/200701adf8237482_049.jpg
http://www.defence.gov.au/minister/kelly/gallery/20080409/20080408adf8243523_205.jpg
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/aug/20070824/20070823adf8161479_428.jpg
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/aug/20070824/20070823adf8246638_013.jpg
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2006/dec/20061208/20061206adf8095516_148.jpg

HTH
Frenchy

They have 59 with more coming. I think ALL the Aussie tanks are zero mile rebuilds.

Chris

Wow Gino, thanks!! Thanks everyone!
Will

Discovery Channel did a documentry on the M1 and how they are refurbished. If you can get your paws on it look closely, the newly refurbised tanks (with new engines) come out with little Kangaroos on them, no doubt Aussie models

OK. what, (sorry to do this to you Gino) do I have to do from a M1A2 SEP kit? If its not easier in your opinion don't bother explaining. Also, can someone direct me to a picture of or including in detail the refrigerator. I reall have no idea what exactly you are talking about (too many boxes!)

Will

It's the large box (with 2 handles on the side) to the right of the EAPU that you can see in the picture below :
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2007/May/20070516/20070514ran8100087_051.jpg

HTH
Frenchy

From the M1A2 SEP, you have to do all the above, plus rework the left rear hull back to M1A1 standards. The M1A2 has a totally different left rear hull to accommodate an Under Armor Aux Power Unit (UAAPU), or a set of Hawker Batteries. It is probably more work to redo the M1A2 than to combine pieces from the two onto an M1A1 AIM.

William-- good luck! You make this conversion you should start a business pumping out the modfiications.
DJ

I'm a little confused. Is the fridge that you are talking about an air conditioner or an ice box?In other words, is it for cooling down the crew compartment or for keeping the beer cold?

It is an ice box to keep water (supposedly) cold. It is not an A/C unit.

I did see something about that but i think it was on the nat geo channel over here?

Ditto !
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1162/topstories/story8.htm

HTH
Frenchy

Thanks for the replies guys. Ya know, I was going to ask why they went with a fridge instead of an A/C unit. But I can see that in the long run, the troops would be better off drinking cool water in the shade. I doubt that the A/C units cool the interior of the vehicles by more than 10-20 degrees anyway.

OK, I see the fridge now. Thankyou again Gino!

Will