Yup, I just finished another Commision. (I have a M109A6 up next, and it will probably take more than 24hrs to finish it!

Her is Tamiya's M1A1 with Mineplow. I added the valves on the blow-off panels, the cover onthe mantlet, and the extinguisher hole. I scratchbuilt the turret baskets, IFF Panels, the ID panels, the Grenades for the smoke launchers, and the straps for the mineplow. I added a mike to the crewman and modified a Academy .50cal ammo can to show it open on the commanders .50cal. I added a water and gas can from Tamiya. Finally, I added the turret bustle rack APU from Trumpeter as well as the passable "bigfoot" tracks. I did NOT remove the little bumps off the inside track faces.

I was specifically asked NOT to use the AFV Club tracks, so I know. I know....

Also, the markings are based on ASTONISH fromthe 3rd ID, but are not meant to actually relpicate them. The buyer wanted a not-as-specific vehicle, I do not know why. I just do as I am told!

The figure is from the Tamiya kit, with a mike added and with red and white/blue handkerchiefs painted. Kinda a subliminal "flag waving" thing.

SInce I took the pictures, I have fixed the commanders periscope (painted the glass) and added the "green tape" to the front ID panels. New pics will suface soon, I hope!



More pictures can be seen here, on page 2 if it just jumps to the front set:

http://groups.msn.com/Armorama/jacquespics.msnw?Page=Last

Very nice, that's all i can say, lovely clean build... Jim

Very nice, I like clean builds. Comes from having to police the motor pool every Friday I guess.

I checked the inner pads of many M1A1 tracks, could never find a set with those bumps, but the Trumpeter directions show them on the pads. Haven't figured that one out yet.

The loader's hatch looks to be in the wrong position. It either closes shut all the way or it latches fully open onto the safety catch that is located on the forward edge of the left turret blast panel. It's that little triangular doohicky that sticks up. I can see it in your photo.

Great job on the scratch build racks and IFF panels too. They look superb.

, real nice build this is!
What's the story behind those baskets? I have not seen them so far, how common are they?
-Andreas-

Nice, and how much are these going for?????I'd suggest building something for yourslf or you'll end with a tonne of stuff that you intended to build but never got to. but great work. stug

Thanks for the tip rob...yeah, I should have checked my ref's on that hatch, but that's why I like to post pics...if I don't see a mistake, someone else might.

As for the clean build...I did not add much stowage as the "Commisioner" wanted to be able to show off the lines of the vehicle. And as for how dirty it is...well, the vehicles in Bagdad are not really that dirty, at least by the pics I have seen of ASTONISH. and no mistakes to cover...

The turret baskets are a 3rd ID add-on, so far as I have seen. I have seen pics of some other M1A1HA's that do not have the baskets but are not Marine M1's

Still negotiating price too...but it should be well worth the time I put into it. I have to work on getting my building time down, and doing commisions helps with that. I am still building for myself, but I needed to get some extra cash...and get the "dead wood" out of the work area. I plan on finishing my cold war M110A2, and then on to my MYSTERY vehicle...and I still have commisions. But being a Mr. Mom helps in this, when I can get the kids to cooperate...

ok, here is a pic of the REALLY finished kit. Different from the first photo becasue I:

- added the "tape" to the corners of the front ID panels using painted printer paper.

- moved the gunner/loader hatch all the way back, it look a lot better, thanks for hte heads up Rob!

- added the fire extinguisher handle

While only small improvements, it is noticable.

There have been some e-mail questions about how I painted this vehicle, So I thought I would just put the info here:

Base coat with Tamiya Buff while it was still on the sprues

Sprayed three coats of Model Master US Army/US Marine Desert Tan lightly to cover all angles while building...like painting on side of the scratchbuilt parts, then spraying the other side to ensure a good coat of paint in all places.

Custom mix of Model Master US Army/US Marine Desert Tan and Polly S Chestnut Brown for airbrushing of panel lines/shadowing. I believe it was 3 parts Tan/ 2 parts brown/ 2 parts thinner.

Overcoated with Future Floor polish thinned with distilled water and with Windsor And Newton watercolors - Burnt Umber and Burnt Sienna. I am not sure of ratios, as I keep it in a Yogurt cup with a cover, and just add more of an "ingredient" as I feel it is needed. It usually takes 2-3 coats of this mix to get a "dark" appearance, and to get a gloss overcoat. This helps provide superior shadowing. This will also help blend colors together.

Added decals, and put on two coats of polly S flat coat.

Drybrush with Model Master US Army/US Marines Desert Tan. Drybrush with Model Master Sand.

Serve with a nice red wine and use Sage for garnish... #:-)

That is pretty much it.