Just completed my 3rd armor project and my 1st tank, this is the Dragon Kit built as
an M1-A1HC 3rd I.D Iraq '03. I tried to make it as accurate as I could, but I'm sure
their are a few innaccuracies ..I will say this is one heck of a kit!!..and my only complaint
would be with the way some things are shown (or not) in the instr. mainly with the
steps for doing the magic tracks, where they are no help at all!!...but I figured it out
I guess and I sure would'nt recommend it for a novice builder..but I'd give it a 10
for everything else...WARNING I'm posting quite a few pics. so D.U users beware...
please comment although probably my last armor build, at least for awhile.I have changed
my originally posted pics to these new ones I took today...

More pics.....

good build,
few pointers!
maybe the mud is too orange, and is the red rust or chipping?
the water/fuel cans on the left of the turret could do with a wash and maybe a lil shading,

you have matched the colour well, and tehe stowage overall is spot on,
the boxes of rations?? suit well ans i like what you have achived witht he blackened rear
im looking forward to seeing more builds from you Brian

all the beast

:D
james

looking good good detail and mutch packaging i like it

Nice job. I have to agree with you, it is a great kit. A little complex, but they don't get much better. I agree that the instructions could have been done better. The only problem I have with it ( I own several kits) is that they molded the handles for the stowage boxes to the lids.

Jerry

Nice work

[quote]good build,
few pointers!
maybe the mud is too orange, and is the red rust or chipping?
the water/fuel cans on the left of the turret could do with a wash and maybe a lil shading,

you have matched the colour well, and tehe stowage overall is spot on,
the boxes of rations?? suit well ans i like what you have achived witht he blackened rear
im looking forward to seeing more builds from you Brian

all the beast
Thanks guys..James the mud/dirt looks way differant in the pics, on the model it looks way less bright!..but Iv'e gone back and toned it down some..I just got a 22' hi-res monitor..and man can I see all my goofs!

Looks great. Nice use of detail and stowage. I'm not very familiar with this kit and was wondering if the stowage came with it or was it part of an aftermarket add-on?

Nice job for your fist tank kit and thanks for sharing photos of your work. Others have given some pointers here and there and that's a good thing. I have this model in my stash and will use your phots for some ideas.

thanks again.

Bob

hi brian , i hate it when that happens, it always better to see it with the eyes

are you plannign any future builds?

Looks very good.

It's OK for a first build.
*But the front part of the tracks is seriously wrong and ruin the entire track section.
*For the next one try to go easy with the pinkish mud/rust.
*The bagages and accesories are VERY nicely put, except the track replacements links.They should be at the end part of the turret.
*Try to paint the accesories(the replacements parts, tow cables, etc.) before you put them on the model.By doing so, you will avoid the mistake that is so visible at the replacement wheel on top of the turret.


Try to copy the techniques that the experienced guys use.It worked for me...
In time you'll get it right.

It's really nice for the first one!I'm buildig the same abrams too.

Thanks...the kit provides very little ..some I made and some are from Tamiya's Mod. US military equip. set

Hey, that is a nice built and painting!

B

Brain super buiid on your Abrams. Nice work hope you don't keep to your comment about leaving the armor world.

Please don't start spamming the board again rogers.

No more reply's to the troll

My opinion, too much TA-50 on the bustle rack and turret. When we were on the tanks, we tried to keep gear off the blow out panels, and usually only carried enough TA-50 to wrap it up with our tarp in the bustle rack. Of course, I never pushed across the entire country of Iraq...food for thought.

WOW it looks great for one of your first models
I can tell you my first models looked nothing liek that
I think your weathering skills are great just maybe witha differant color next time
Evan

Good Stuff Brian.
I have this Kit . I have two weeks Holidays over Christmas and i hope to work on it then.
I would be very pleased if mine works out as good as yours.

Merry Christmas

Cookie

Brian,

For a first tank build, you've done well! The following is provided to be helpful to you.

I can tell you invested alot of effort, time , and $$ in your build. Spend some more time in researching actual photos and other modelers' builds to pick up on details that will make your model more realistic and accurate. Prime Portal is one of the excellent reference sites that I visit regularly.

As others have already mentioned, your tracks are too loose, since M1 Abrams tracks are tensioned to prevent throwing them under high speed and turning.

http://data4.primeportal.net/tanks/jeff_derosa/m1a1_details/images/m1a1_details_417_of_435.jpg

The spare tracks on the front sides of the turret are incorrect, since there isn't a way to mount them there. Spare tracks are normally attached to the turret bustle rack bars.

http://data4.primeportal.net/tanks/jeff_derosa/m1a1_details/images/m1a1_details_309_of_435.jpg

The other error I noticed is that the main gun is mounted far too low in the opening in the turret. See these photos to see what I mean.

http://data4.primeportal.net/tanks/jeff_derosa/m1a1_details/images/m1a1_details_374_of_435.jpg

and
http://data4.primeportal.net/tanks/jeff_derosa/m1a1_details/images/m1a1_details_082_of_435.jpg

I've been around these vehicles for over twenty years, but I still need to look at them for getting details correct, especially for vehicels while in "Theater".

Keep on Modelling!!

we sure showed the Krasnovians who was boss back in the 'Yak.

hi brian ,, sorry to say i dive straight into the pics ,, great m1,,,,,then i read its your first tank ,,, im impressed ,,,,very good work ,, i love this kit and need to finish it hopefully in the next week or 2 ,,, love your stoage and the straps ,,, excellent work hope you do more and share with us ,, from the other side of the pond ,,,,hats off to you ..