I have just bought a set of Echelon decals "War Pig goes to war" T35036 USMC OIF M1A1HC Abrams.
I have the DML AIM kit and a mine plow from a older Dragon M1A1, will this build a acceptable version of the USMC M1A1HC Abrams "War Pig"?
Any thing else needed to do this subject?

thanks
Phil

Almost. USMC Abrams have different smoke grenade launchers, double stacked 4-shot launchers; 8 individual tubes. Most also had a box on top of the manhole cover called an MCD (Missile Countermeasure Device). Both of these parts can be found in Tamiya and Academy's latest M1A1 offerings. Also, most USMC Abrams have a box on the right rear for a Telephone/ Intercom to communicate with the crew. Academy's OIF Abrams also has a box for this.

werent the mcds taken off after because there were no threats from the enemy? sorrry for hijacking the thread. calvin

Yes, sort of. It depends on when you are talking about. After the initial invasion, the MCDs were removed. During the battle of Faluja in '04, some were installed again. He didn't specify when he was building it from.

How did I guess I would find Gino on this post?

Des

Yeah !!!!
Here we go again !
War Pig, that‘s the tank in "Call of Duty 4" right ?

Christopher

javascript:PasteSmiley(':D')

Hey, you want to be greatful Gino wants to share his knowledge.

One more time Gino, the TI Phone Boxes were part of a manufactured kit and "not" ammo cans or unit produced. MCDs remained in place until all USMC tanks retrograded to Kuwait in May 2003. MCDs seen from the spring of 2004 until late 2006 are on MEU tanks from either 1st or 2nd Tank Battalions. Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Two different TI Phone Boxes on USMC M1A1 Abrams:


[EDIT] The first one appears to have a continuous hinge along the left side and a "twist-tighten" latch on the right side, while the second one has a twist "D-ring" type handle knob and appears to have hinges on the left side.
Might have led to some confusion...

No confusion Jeff, he just keeps saying "ammo can and unit built" no matter how many times you correct him. The top picture is from 2003 and shows the original box and the bottom shot is from 2005 or later with the new heavy gage metal box/hinge. Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Mike,
Any idea is the M88 towbar clamps on the BRE are a fleet-wide modiufication or just a one-off?? While I am asking questions, are you going to be able to make Auburn Indiana in April??

John

Howdy John, I believe that the tow bar rack is a MEU Platoon thing. I was just at the Stumps(1st Tk Bn & DCo 4th Tk Bn) and Camp Pendleton (Aco 4th Tk) last month last and did not see that mount on any of the tanks present. I will see what I can find out from the Faithful. The mount looks well made and not some scrap bin fixture. You see that the tank also has the semi-new FO/FAC dual antenna mount on the turret rear, must be the Platoon "One" tank. I know the AMPS Nats are on my training schedule for FY 10 but do not yet know if disbursing will cut any travel funds for the trip. I may have to turn the ebay machine back on. Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Mike, if you do end up getting orders for AMPS Nats, let me know...if all gos well with some current assignments I may find myself there as well. Love to meet ya .

Andy

Howdy Andy, hope to see you there if the situation permits. Should have my Tuna Tug done by then. Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Mumbo,
Well, I hope that the First National Bank of Wife will extend the required line of credit. I also have a Tune Boat in the ready rack

John

Got it, corrected Jarhead. At ease. Funny how people get all bent out of shape on a post thats over 6 mos. old and the info has since been corrected. Still swear I saw pics of ammo boxes used to hold the T/I handset and J-box on the back of USMC tanks.

Nobodys bent doggy soldier, the correction(s) to your bum scoop was months ago and even as recently as last week . Please review your spiel and make the necessary corrections. Outta here, Mike sends . . .

I have to agree with Gino regarding an ammo box being mounted over there, perhaps it was a one-off thing for whatever reason? Anyway if memory serves... then it was a very very old post inclusive of a photo and the question of - what's that "box" for? With the reply being a "50cal ammo box". I think someone wanted to model his USMC Abrams to the like of the photo posted.. I may even have that photo saved somewhere.. Whether or not it was indeed an ammo box is besides the point, but I recall that at that time "we" identified it as such.

Well, if memory serves...

Howdy Nick, I ain't "we". This question comes up more times on this site than I can remember. The original TI Phone box looks similar to an ammo can to the casual viewer. I now realize that my being there at the subject time and place has no bearing on what you want to believe. However comma, y'all can hang whatever you want off the back of your 1/35 Abrams. Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Nick,

Could you possibly be remembering this post: Another M1A1 Abrams? Go down to Robert Burik's post and he explains what an ammo can mounted on the right rear is for.

HI Mike,

When I said "we" I mearnt Gino and myself.
Yes I did mistake the TI phone box for an ammo can during my initial "discovery", until you guys chimed in with the correction..years back.

On a note: I do my best to model each subject as real as possible so I wouldn't want to put anything on unless I know by proof such as a photo. Hence why I chimed in this posting. There's just a lot of little details and individual customising and what nots that makes such a difference in completing any model -- realistic or fictitious. So there's a lot of keeping track of and note taking.

Well, I'll be able to put this whole thought of mine to rest once I look through my photos on my external drive. If it's not there then it really was my imagination. And then it would mean that I got my brain cells fried up all this while after somehow mistaking Robert Burik's explanation of using an ammo can for the purpose of making coffee... instead I later thought it was used as a TI phone box.

Thanks Jeff for that link, I very well may have made a mistake after seeing it.. I will soon know.

Cheers

No worries Nick, it is just that subject among others is like "Ground Hog Day" the movie. Some folks continue to put out incorrect information post after post even after being squared away on the subject more than once. And as long as incorrect information continues to be put forth I will try to fix it, especially If I know the facts to be different. You strive for accuracy in your miniature works and I for one appreciate your efforts very much. And thank you Jeff for the original two TI Phone pictures and finding the thread with the Army tank with the power inverter in an ammo. Outta here, Mike sends . . .

For John Charvat's question: The Tow Bar mounts are a local modification. Originially for an M88A2. This from "Higher" sources. Go see ML. Thank you again Jeff Nolan for posting the pictures. Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Mike,
Thanks for the update. The brackets are common to the M88A1 or A2 vehicles... From my humble point of view that modification one of the better ones out there, although there is some heavy lifting involved... I have seen 3rd ACR tanks that used the side towbar storage brackets off a M88, mounting the towbar on the left rear side of the hull. Any type of standardized mounts would be better than the current use of clevis and hooks...

John

Wee dunn half No steenking Eh wunz! Yes John it looks like a clean set up. The MEU tanks cannot put them on the sides(well deck clearance) or front while embarked on the Gator Freighters or landing craft. This is due to all the tow eyes being used to gripe down the "Hawg" while haze gray and underway. Until Jeff's post I had only seen tow bars on embarked tanks strapped to the top of the turret forward of the EAPU. Outta here, Mike sends . . .