I bought this Italeri M 1 A2 Abrams Kit from the store on base, it goes for about $28-$35, but they were selling it for $8, trying to get rid of the kit. There aren't many things to buy on base for modeling, so I used a testor's detail set (military) and detail auto set. I haven't build a model in over 4 years. After watching some of the videos on this website (http://sl-blag.blogspot.com/2007/11/gunpla-tutorial-videos.html) I decided to build the tank. All I had access to was a 10 air brush and very few colors. I also decided to purchase a photo etch set and give it a shot. I am 80% done with it, but I want suggestions (weathering, detailing...) and opinions about my build. Thanks


*NOTICE THE AIRBRUSH AND PHOTO ETCH TOOL.


TOP HULL AND WORK STATION

DIFFERENT VIEW

STARTED WEATHERING....I NEED SUGGESTIONS / IDEAS!!

TRACKS AND BODY

REAR VIEW

TOGETHER





Please let me konw all your thoughts/ideas/suggestions/feedback

Well, my first thought was that people should be asking YOU for advice . You are doing a great job on it. Seriously, the only thing I would do (and I am terrible at weathering so take it with a grain of salt) is maybe use a filter on the skirts, to enhance and blend the weathering you've already done there (which looks great, by the way). Also, and it just may be the lighting on the pictures, but it looks like the turret could benefit from some pin-washes to bring out more of the fiddly details. But, again, it looks like you've got a great handle on this beast, and are doing a super job on it.

Cheers,
Mike

Thanks!!! the thing is I have no clue what you mean by filter for the fender, im new to the serious modeling world.

Looks great so far. Only problem I see is that you have two of the boxes for the smoke grenades on the commander side of the turret wheras you should have one on each side. Weathering looks pretty good. What did you use to simulate the rust???

As someone who will have 2 of DML's M1A1 AIM tanks to build, I would request you go into more detail in how you got your M1 to look the way it does.

wow i didnt even catch that at all with the boxes, thanks....for the rust i mixed a little bit of flat brown with a dark tan from testors( the only brand available here) after i mixed those two i added a little bit of residue from the booth by using a blade to the surface, it makes a sort of dust, mix that in a bit and you got it!! as far as where to put it, some of my fellow Marines send me some pics of the abrams attached to their platoon

Thanks a mil, I will be explaining more as I complete the abrams.

Like I said before its only about 80% done, there are about 15 parts left to add to the model and I have to finish detailing the top hull, as soone as I complete these I will add on the this forum, and explain my methods