This is the second part of the ITALERI ABRAMS detailing and weathering.

1 where i left off


2.tamiya weathering stick


3. photo etch and weathering


4. making rust


5.applying rust to rear cage


6.applying to skirt chains and wheel cover


7.finished skirt


8. applying iraq mud


9.front fender


10. added a few parts


11. other side


12. rear view


13. up close


14. rear


15. front


16. barrel view


17 barrell view 2



I am now about 95% done with the actual tank. more to come soon!!

Sorry Alex I really dont like the rust effect, at least I believe that's what it represents.

Yeah a couple of people here have said the same thing, some even questioned wether the rust on a abrams was a possibility. a lot of our tanks in iraq developed rust very quickly and had to be maintananced....thanks for letting me know though

I never said it was wrong as I really don't know one way or the other, I just don't like it. That said I suspect someone would catch hell if they were rusty, so it may occur but would be very minor I believe.

My thinking was, that it looked like it was applied a bit heavy. Not beating you up Alex, just commenting. Our vehicles (which admittedly were LAVs, not M1s) never got that rusty. Maybe a tiny bit here and there, but not big areas of it. More likely to get muddy/dusty, with some exhaust stains. If you chip the paint, most times, it just looked like metal underneath, and even if it rusted, it tended to blend into the paint color-wise, probably because such spots were small. High wear areas (grab handles spring to mind), the paint would be gone, but the metal would just look like smooth grey metal because the constant rubbing of hands kept rust from really getting a good start.

I like the build, just describing how some of the wear on armored vehicles looks to give you a mental image If you don't have a lot of references already, I'd get some pics of M1s running around Iraq right now to see how they're weathered.

Yeah I completely agree, im only about 95% done and there will be a bit more weathering to go over the skirts and rails....As far as the rust goes, many of the tanks from 2003 were rusted up pretty bad, but not as dark as I have layed down, you're absolutely right though, thanks...I'm going to lay down some sand, and will update it!

As far as the rust goes, yeah, it looked better previously. Its a little too much right now. Perhaps a bit of drybrushing would blend it better together? Also, I noticed you had "USMC" written on the rear portion of the tank above thje rear sprocket. Ummm....I didnt know the USMC had M1A2's. I thought they only had the M1A1 varients??? Also, IIRC, the smoke poppers on the barrel were only for training purposes and not used in theater. My only other minor gripe would be the tracks. The pads are like new. Perhaps you could chip them up a bit to make them look more realistic?? Anyway, thats my 2 cents. All in all, it looks very nice.

Thanks Gary, I am going to weather over the rust, obviously I couldnt leave it as is...as far as the USMC...that was just experimental,...I have decided to not leave it on there, even though I am using photos sent to me from some buddies with 1st Marine Div, and according to them, they are m1a2's. The smoke poppers I added really out of boredom. I couldnt agree more with the tracks....got any suggestion on how to??

With a sharp scalpel or knife you could damage the tracks.

The light on the turret is also for training purposes. I also don't know if you're tank is accurate in Iraq with those panels on the turret.

Lars

Lars pretty much summed up how to do the tracks. Hey, thats good info on the M1A2's! I wasnt aware the Marines had them. Leaves us with many more modelling possibilities. I know they had the M1A1 HA or HC and the AIM, but the A2 is news to me. Cool!

This is the last part of the build, Im waiting on the co axial barrel to finish drying and I will add it on, other than that thats really it. I am purchasing a tank stowage set from legend to add to this model and maybe I will finish it off with a diorama after my wife gives birth...I have to call it quits for now.

* the green tarp on the hull is made out of cheese wax, like I said , I had limited access to tools here on base







dont mind the ferrari


I made the armor around the 249 from scratch parts out of boredom


yes thats cheesewax








notice the photoetch chains