My M1A2 is about 80% finished. There are a couple of irritations I'd like to share.
1. Directions: Not the best. Some parts are not clear as to there location. Have reference material available for location.
2. Do-Dads: The kit includes the strobe and main gun fire simulator. Again refer to actual combat photos or add them if you are making a training tank.
3. The rear basket. Use caution when installing this. On mine I needed to tweak it upwards to get it level. Otherwise it had a pronounced droop.
4. Turret Railing - The kit rails are pretty close to scale thickness and with some careful clean up they OK. On the top rails, turret sides they are not long enough and there is an 1/8" gap. I fixed this with some stretched sprue.
5. Ma-Duce: The .50 comes with the external triangular shaped thingy. This is SOP for some 50's but most of the in action photos I've seen from Iraq show the standard 50.
6. Smoke Dischargers: Italeri added the conduits to the edge of the turret for the dischargers, you need to add the armored wiring from the conduit to the discharger.
7. Front fender springs: Scrape off the cast on and add your own from wire. Don'y forget the retaining clips and loops.
8. Fire extinguisher handle. In the upper hull side there is a small cutout for the extinguisher handle. Italeri has the cutout but the handle is cast on and has a HUGE pin mark in the middle. I sanded the piece flat, drilled a small hole and added a "T" shaped piece of plastic (painted red) to the opening.
Next come wheels and tracks - side armor and weathering. Overall I am pleased with this kit.
Until Then, I Remain ...
