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Dragon's M1A1 HA or Dragons m1a1 AIM
AlxUSMC
Joined: December 04, 2008
KitMaker: 216 posts
Armorama: 132 posts
Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009 - 01:29 AM UTC
I hope to purchase one of these kits real soon, does anyone know of any reviews or details as to wether or not I should buy it? I want to build a USMC type Abrams, and I know the AIM doesnt have USMC decals or markings, but thanks to aftermarket that wont be an issue, I also heard the AIM doesnt have the right smoke grenade pods like the USMC does....anything else??
HK_AFV
Joined: April 25, 2009
KitMaker: 454 posts
Armorama: 431 posts
Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009 - 01:39 AM UTC
PMMS review on M1A1 HA below
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr3533.htm
I thought you have read the M1A1 AIM review already
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/1911
OIF USMC Markings
http://misc.kitreview.com/armourreviews/oifmarkingsreviewcs_1.htm
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/echelon/ech_t35004.htm
Paul
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr3533.htm
I thought you have read the M1A1 AIM review already
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/1911
OIF USMC Markings
http://misc.kitreview.com/armourreviews/oifmarkingsreviewcs_1.htm
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/echelon/ech_t35004.htm
Paul
warlock109
Joined: February 05, 2004
KitMaker: 163 posts
Armorama: 160 posts
Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009 - 01:53 AM UTC
Check out Pawel Krupowicz's review of all the M1 kits prior to the M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP by Dragon at his web site Vodnik.net. I think you'll find that the DML M1A1HA is not that bad of a kit. If you want one of the new generation kits, you would have to start with the Dragon M1A2 and most likely a donor kit for the USMC parts. I don't think after market parts are available.
Jerry
Jerry
Tankrider
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009 - 02:30 AM UTC
Alex,
Several options exist however, additional kits, or aftermarket add ons will be required. Gino gave you the easiest way to get a USMC hog, by using the Dragon AIM for the base kit and adding the 8 shot SGLs, counter missile box, etc. The extended Bustle rack is in the DML A2SEP but is also available from Eduard. The TI and slave recepticle boxes are also in the SEP kit but can be scratched. Frankly, I am surprised that nobody has come up with all of the needed parts in a single update...
John
Several options exist however, additional kits, or aftermarket add ons will be required. Gino gave you the easiest way to get a USMC hog, by using the Dragon AIM for the base kit and adding the 8 shot SGLs, counter missile box, etc. The extended Bustle rack is in the DML A2SEP but is also available from Eduard. The TI and slave recepticle boxes are also in the SEP kit but can be scratched. Frankly, I am surprised that nobody has come up with all of the needed parts in a single update...
John
AlxUSMC
Joined: December 04, 2008
KitMaker: 216 posts
Armorama: 132 posts
Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009 - 08:21 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Alex,
counter missile box, etc. The TI and slave recepticle
im sorry what are these??
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009 - 09:41 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextAlex,
counter missile box, etc. The TI and slave recepticle
im sorry what are these??
The Missile Countermeasures Device (MCD) is a box mounted on top of the manhole cover on the left front, top of the turret, that defeats optically tracked missiles fired at the tank. It is just ahead of the loader in the picture below.
The Tank-Infantry Phone is a box on the right rear of the tank that holds a telephone used to talk to the tank crew by infantrymen on the ground. The Slave Receptacle is used to connect a slave cable to jump other vehicles and can be used to power some external accessories. They can both be seen below, the boxes on the right rear. The larger one is the T-I box
cwo-3
Joined: January 13, 2006
KitMaker: 109 posts
Armorama: 75 posts
Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009 - 06:33 PM UTC
Hello Alex,
In my opinion the Dragon AIM kit is the way to go. Use the 8 shot smoke dichargers from the Tamiya kit along with the MCD. The telephone box on the rear is easy to build. It depends on the time frame and what particular tank you want to build if you want to add the MCD and the slave box. The DRAGON M1A2 SEP has the BRE but it is a little different than the USMC fold up version. I modified the BRE from the Academy USMC M1A1 2003 version and then gave the rest of the kit away. I am working on a diorama of an M1A1 called "CARNIVORE" and I too, would like to see Dragon come out with a USMC M1A1. If you go through the modern Armor forum, you can see some of my work in progress pictures.
I hope this helps.
Semper Fi
In my opinion the Dragon AIM kit is the way to go. Use the 8 shot smoke dichargers from the Tamiya kit along with the MCD. The telephone box on the rear is easy to build. It depends on the time frame and what particular tank you want to build if you want to add the MCD and the slave box. The DRAGON M1A2 SEP has the BRE but it is a little different than the USMC fold up version. I modified the BRE from the Academy USMC M1A1 2003 version and then gave the rest of the kit away. I am working on a diorama of an M1A1 called "CARNIVORE" and I too, would like to see Dragon come out with a USMC M1A1. If you go through the modern Armor forum, you can see some of my work in progress pictures.
I hope this helps.
Semper Fi
cwo-3
Joined: January 13, 2006
KitMaker: 109 posts
Armorama: 75 posts
Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009 - 06:36 PM UTC
Concur. Dragon USMC M1A1 wanted. BTW John, your hog build in AMPS is pretty boss.
Out here.
Out here.
cwo-3
Joined: January 13, 2006
KitMaker: 109 posts
Armorama: 75 posts
Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009 - 06:57 PM UTC
Hello Alex,
Here are some pictures of my build of a USMC M1A1 in Iraq on the march up to Bagdad.
This vehicle is in overall CARC green. No slave box but it did have IT box. I also added several lift points, clevices and a "bull nose" ring on the hitch
Here is the BRE that is part Academy, part Eduard and some plastistrut.
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/Users/mike/Desktop/DSCF0232.JPG
Here is the MCD and the track rope is wrapped around the 8 shot discharger.
Here are some pictures of my build of a USMC M1A1 in Iraq on the march up to Bagdad.
This vehicle is in overall CARC green. No slave box but it did have IT box. I also added several lift points, clevices and a "bull nose" ring on the hitch
Here is the BRE that is part Academy, part Eduard and some plastistrut.
target="_blank">
/Users/mike/Desktop/DSCF0232.JPG
Here is the MCD and the track rope is wrapped around the 8 shot discharger.
warlock109
Joined: February 05, 2004
KitMaker: 163 posts
Armorama: 160 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 03:50 AM UTC
The nice thing about using the Dragon M1A2 kit, is that it comes with the new style tracks with the hollow guide horns. These are not available in any other kit, but you need to add a fuel cap back on the left rear, where the SEP has the battery pack.
Jerry
Jerry
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 03:59 AM UTC
You have to rebuild the whole left rear, not just add the fuel cap. Also, standard T158 track are still widely used. The T158LL tracks are not a deciding factor on any Abrams model.
Grindcore
Joined: September 23, 2006
KitMaker: 389 posts
Armorama: 358 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 05:00 AM UTC
I always hoped that Dragon would have released a Cyber Hobby accessory set to make the USMC version of the Abrams. Like what they did with their Panther, 234's and Marder kits.
They could have put in the smoke dischargers, MCD, BRE, phone, decals, some stowage and maybe even a new mine plow. That would have been awesome.
Tankrider
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 05:03 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Concur. Dragon USMC M1A1 wanted. BTW John, your hog build in AMPS is pretty boss.
Out here.
Thanks Gunner,
You are nailing "P's" tank, from my generic former tanker point of view. When is the next update??? I also need to send those pictures back to you one of these days...
John
Jupiterblitz
Joined: December 30, 2007
KitMaker: 885 posts
Armorama: 796 posts
KitMaker: 885 posts
Armorama: 796 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 05:06 AM UTC
Another option is that AM manufacturers release these additional parts.
grunt26
Joined: July 23, 2005
KitMaker: 155 posts
Armorama: 121 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 05:59 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I hope to purchase one of these kits real soon, does anyone know of any reviews or details as to wether or not I should buy it? I want to build a USMC type Abrams, and I know the AIM doesnt have USMC decals or markings, but thanks to aftermarket that wont be an issue, I also heard the AIM doesnt have the right smoke grenade pods like the USMC does....anything else??
Alex,
One atlernative is to start with the DML M1A1 AIM kit--absolutely outstanding! Then, get ahold of DML's kit # 3533 USMC M1A1 Baghdad, 2003. It's a re-issue of their Abrams kit with interior parts, but does carry the 8 shot SGLs, and MCD 'dazzler' box. Pretty sure it has the TI phone also, but I'd need to check that. It's the route I'm taking to do my Marine M1A1, and its a cheaper alternative to buying the Tamiya kit, just for the USMC parts.
Check out Echelon Five Details for USMC M1A1 markings.
Best of luck,
Semper Fi!!
Rod
cwo-3
Joined: January 13, 2006
KitMaker: 109 posts
Armorama: 75 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 04:23 PM UTC
Howdy John,
Updated pics on M-L and Hyperscale. I will post more here tonight
Out here.
Updated pics on M-L and Hyperscale. I will post more here tonight
Out here.
Phil_H
Joined: November 10, 2005
KitMaker: 546 posts
Armorama: 442 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 09:39 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Alex,
One atlernative is to start with the DML M1A1 AIM kit--absolutely outstanding! Then, get ahold of DML's kit # 3533 USMC M1A1 Baghdad, 2003. It's a re-issue of their Abrams kit with interior parts, but does carry the 8 shot SGLs, and MCD 'dazzler' box. Pretty sure it has the TI phone also, but I'd need to check that. It's the route I'm taking to do my Marine M1A1, and its a cheaper alternative to buying the Tamiya kit, just for the USMC parts.
Check out Echelon Five Details for USMC M1A1 markings.
Best of luck,
Semper Fi!!
Rod
Actually #3533 doesn't have the T/I phone, nor does it have the correct BRE, as it has the 3ID "box" style BRE, not the "USMC style"...
tanknick22
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 10:21 AM UTC
i want to build the M1A2 sep using tamiya's M1A2 does anyone make a conversion to build the sep with out having to buy dragons M1A2 to use for parts?
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 10:36 AM UTC
Quoted Text
i want to build the M1A2 sep using tamiya's M1A2 does anyone make a conversion to build the sep with out having to buy dragons M1A2 to use for parts?
No, there is no M1A2 SEP conversions out there. You could build it yourself if you can scratch-build. It isn't too difficult. I did it a while ago, before the Dragon SEP came out. Here is mine.
Bustle rack VCU (Vapor Compression Unit, A/C compressor for the A/C system fitted). Note, the rectangle in front of the VCU on the hull roof and the conduit running forward are incorrect (later removed). They are parts for the APU placed there on M1A1s and M1A2 (non-SEP) tanks.
Armored conduit for VCU.
Left rear hull modifications for UUAPU (Under Armor Aux Power Unit, generator).
Overall mods showing turret mods (Blue Force Tracker, GPS Antenna, EPLRS Antenna, etc.)
More completed pics here.
mikey
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 229 posts
Armorama: 227 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 10:48 AM UTC
does anyone know of any after market parts for the USMC SGL's?
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 11:04 AM UTC
There are a few makers for the USMC style grenade launchers. All they are is two of the 4-shot launchers, used by the Army and Marine corps on other vehicles, stacked on top of each other. Any 4-shot launchers will do. Blast has them in some of their HMMWV upgrade sets. Accurate Armor has them too, as well as others.
junglejim
Joined: February 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,728 posts
Armorama: 1,629 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 11:06 AM UTC
Aftermarket USMC launchers - Yep, it's called a Tamiya M1A2 
I'm pretty sure you could find this kit for cheaper than any after-market option (ie Hobby Lobby special) and you get the MCD, bustle mounted EAPU and stowage if needed too.
Edit: Oooh, too fast Gino, ya got a reply in there while I was typing up mine.
Jim
I'm pretty sure you could find this kit for cheaper than any after-market option (ie Hobby Lobby special) and you get the MCD, bustle mounted EAPU and stowage if needed too. Edit: Oooh, too fast Gino, ya got a reply in there while I was typing up mine.
Jim
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 11:12 AM UTC
The Academy M1A1 Iraq 2003 kit comes with the USMC smoke grenade launchers as well. It also has the folding BRE, MCD, exhaust flange, sprockets with mud relief holes, etc. The whole J sprue is new and full of pretty good extras. The rest of the kit is junk and needs to be trashed though. It would still be cheaper than any AM items though.
skyhawk
Joined: June 03, 2003
KitMaker: 1,095 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 11:24 AM UTC
AEF Designs used to have a USMC accessory set for the Abrams..comes with the SG launchers, MCD, some bags and such, CIP panels, and some other bits. It is not listed on the website anymore... I recomend calling him directly and seeing if he can cast one up for you (im sure he still has the molds), then follow up in a week to check on the status.
yes, i know some folks will decry about AEF (please dont start on this thread), however the smaller accessory sets tend to be decent for gear and small bits..like the Abrams stuff.
Andy
yes, i know some folks will decry about AEF (please dont start on this thread), however the smaller accessory sets tend to be decent for gear and small bits..like the Abrams stuff.
Andy
Metal_blast
Joined: January 31, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 188 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 11:35 AM UTC
No one seems to be stocking this anymore... is dragon still making it? 
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