who Makes an updated M88A1 for OIF and wht extra kits would update it as well and dose anyone sell kits to put inside of the M88A1 as well is their anything i should be aware of when building the kits as well what about build books on the M88A1 I know that most units still currently use them i know that my unit still uses them as well any idease would be very helpful on this thanks

hi mate ,,
im sure i saw a build on here with interior i think it was set in 2003 ,try searching for the m88 on here ,sorry the info is a bit sketchy but hope it helps , good luck and hope to see your work on here

The M88A1 is by AFV Club and is a great kit. The interior set (I think ) is by MR Modelbau out of Germany. The current version is the M88A2 Hercules and a conversion kit is available from Real Model. Most tank units have transitioned to M88A2s by now. There may be a few A1 equipped tank units still around, but not many.

The MR Models M88A1 interior is a train wreck. I used it solely as a template to scratch mine. About the only usable part, barely, was the floor and rear bulkhead. There was no tool box rack, which is very visible from the port side door and no fine details such as gun / law racks, commo systems and the large controls for the boom and cables.

There are some good parts in the kit, but as mentioned, you're going to have to do some scratch building to get it right.


Also w/respect to the usage of A1's and A2's, the fielding of these to the modular brigades consists of about the same number of A2's and A1's. (I believe it's about 13 of each per Heavy Brigade), Because the Abrams is so heavy A2's are used to provide support to the tank companies in the combined arms battalions, and the A1s are used to provide support to the Inf/Eng companies equipped with Bradley's and the Artillery Batteries which have Paladins. There is no immediate plan to replace all the A1s in the field with A2s at least out through the next 3-4 years.

Tom

I agree with Tom, the A1 has no end-life in sight. They are still being remanufactured at Anniston by BAE. This article was released about a year and a half ago:
BAE SYSTEMS AWARDED $19.7 MILLION CONTRACT MODIFICATION TO SUPPORT 57 M88A1 MEDIUM RECOVERY VEHICLES