I'm tempted to buy the Dragon M1A2 SEP over the Tamiya M1A2. I understand that the Dragon kit is very accurate, but I usually prefer Tamiya simplicity of construction on its armor kits.

I've studied the Dragon M1A2 SEP instructions on a Japanese online hobby shop and there doesn't seem to be anything that allows the main gun to elevate after construction. Older Tamiya Abrams kits used screws while the latest M1A2 kit seems to use poly caps.

My question is, does the Dragon kit allow the main gun to move up and down after construction or do you just glue it into place.

Step 12 in the instructions covers the mounting of the gun.

It does elevate, and you are instructed not to cement it in place. However, the range of elevation/depression may be limited by the dust/rain flap (part N31) which is cemented in place.

If you are going to cement the gun in a fixed position it may be preferable to leave this part off until you have mounted the gun, as it should always sit flush with the top of the turret (ie. it closes the gap between the mantlet and the turret, which it won't do if it's cemented in place and you depress the gun). Alternatively, you may wish to drill out the hinges and articulate the part using fine wire.

"My question is, does the Dragon kit allow the main gun to move up and down after construction or do you just glue it into place."

Yes, it does.

WIP DML's M1A2SEP(3536)

As stated by Phil_H in his reply, yes it can be, but would need to be modified to make it do so realistically.

Why would you need it to though? Other than running around the floor shooting up model T72s and going vroom, vroom?

What else is there?

I recommend to fix N31 as one of the final parts without glueing before you start painting.

It can be clicked on, the paint applied supports fixing but also allows following elevation of the gun.

Though to a very limited range only.

What he said!!! Thanks for everyone's responses.

I build for fun. None of my models would win any prizes. I've been on an Abrams kick lately. I've bought and painted 3 ROCO Abrams "kits" in the past year, have one Tamiya Abrams with the mine plow in the works now and a kitbash with an Abrams hull and Sgt York turret. I just like the sleek, menacing look of the M1.

I also want to do a M1A2, but I'm a little intimidated by the Dragon kit.

I think we all build for fun. 'Fun' just means different things to different people. SOme have fun making a perfect replica of a specific vehicle on a certain day. Others, classify 'Fun" as "...running around the floor shooting up model T72s and going vroom, vroom?" (LOVED that one Gino) Most of us fall somewhere in between.

An Abrams Hull with a Sgt York turret does sound cool though.