Hey everyone,
I need some help with a project Im planning on building. I am going to build and superdetail an USMC M1A2 Abrams, using the Dragon 1/35 scale kit(DML 3531). I want this to be a late model abrams, as recent as possible, with all the details, engine, interior, everything. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this kit, and could share some wisdom
Also I need suggestions for Aftermarket parts and kits: Resin, PE, anything. Im going all out on this thing, and want it to be truly superdetailed
Thanks for your help
Hosted by Darren Baker
Abrams Build Help/Suggestions
Diesel91kh
Joined: December 08, 2009
KitMaker: 3 posts
Armorama: 2 posts
Posted: Monday, December 07, 2009 - 05:14 PM UTC
Frenchy
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts
Posted: Monday, December 07, 2009 - 07:53 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I am going to build and superdetail an USMC M1A2 Abrams, using the Dragon 1/35 scale kit(DML 3531).
Hi Kian (and welcome !)
Just one thing before you start building : AFAIK, the USMC don't use the M1A2, only the M1A1...
Check out the forum here (do a search for "Abrams" for instance with the search engine on the top right of this page) and you'll find plenty of informations, tips, and nice builds.
Frenchy
Citizinsane
Joined: July 27, 2006
KitMaker: 463 posts
Armorama: 450 posts
KitMaker: 463 posts
Armorama: 450 posts
Posted: Monday, December 07, 2009 - 08:28 PM UTC
Hi Kian,
this post should provide you with the basic information: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/148847&page=1
plus: for a late version you can leave away the MCD, (but you'd have to scratch the mount though) furthermore you'd have to add the new CWS Thermal sight, and maybe some additional armor panels on top of the turret, they're included in the perfect scale modellbau tusk kit. some of the later jarhead abrams' do also have a new style m240 gun housing with beveled sides instead of rounded ones. also most usmc abrams' still feature the old rear mounted EAPU attachment points on the right rear side, but they're easy to scratch.
good luck with your project
cheers Max
this post should provide you with the basic information: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/148847&page=1
plus: for a late version you can leave away the MCD, (but you'd have to scratch the mount though) furthermore you'd have to add the new CWS Thermal sight, and maybe some additional armor panels on top of the turret, they're included in the perfect scale modellbau tusk kit. some of the later jarhead abrams' do also have a new style m240 gun housing with beveled sides instead of rounded ones. also most usmc abrams' still feature the old rear mounted EAPU attachment points on the right rear side, but they're easy to scratch.
good luck with your project
cheers Max
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 01:03 AM UTC
As Frenchy noted, the USMC does not use the M1A2. That kit represents an early to mid 90s tank that did not see widespread service. Shortly after the M1A2 was fielded to just a few battalions, an upgraded version, the M1A2SEP was created and went into service. The SEP has some substantial differences from an M1A1/early M1A2, notably in the rear hull.
Words of wisdom: If you really want to superdetail the latest Abrams, forego a lot of the aftermarket items and just buy either the Dragon M1A1AIM or M1A2SEP. It would be cheaper and easier in the long run than buying expensive aftermarket items and turning an almost 20 yr old kit into a superdetailed late model Abrams.
Words of wisdom: If you really want to superdetail the latest Abrams, forego a lot of the aftermarket items and just buy either the Dragon M1A1AIM or M1A2SEP. It would be cheaper and easier in the long run than buying expensive aftermarket items and turning an almost 20 yr old kit into a superdetailed late model Abrams.
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 04:07 AM UTC
I'll second what Rob says. No USMC M1A2s and the Dragon M1A1 AIM or M1A2 SEP kits are the way to go. They basically include everything you need (PE, turned metal barrel, etc) that you need to build an up to date Abrams. The only things you will need to add are the TUSK parts if you so desire. If so, the Legends M1A1/A2 TUSK set is the best one to get.
Adding these parts to the Dragon kits makes a pretty current Iraq tank.
Adding these parts to the Dragon kits makes a pretty current Iraq tank.
majjanelson
Joined: December 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,355 posts
Armorama: 979 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 05:48 AM UTC
Gino,
What's up with the thick supports behind the TUSK Skirts? Is this something Legends had to do due to the Resin weight and the thin PE skirts, or does the real TUSK kit actually include replacement Skirt Supports on the Abrams?
Just wanted to know...
Quoted Text
What's up with the thick supports behind the TUSK Skirts? Is this something Legends had to do due to the Resin weight and the thin PE skirts, or does the real TUSK kit actually include replacement Skirt Supports on the Abrams?
Just wanted to know...
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 06:37 AM UTC
I believe it is just added by Legend. From what I have seen, the non-ballistic TUSK side skirts attach with existing hardware. Also of note, the belly armor is too long and should stop at the 5th road wheel, not go all the way back. It just protects the crew area.
majjanelson
Joined: December 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,355 posts
Armorama: 979 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 08:02 AM UTC
Thanks, Gino. I thought the standard brackets were reused, since I had seen the pictures of the TUSK installation on PrimePortal. I also had noticed the belly Armor only went part way (from the same set of PrimePortal pics), but wasn't 100% sure of where it ended short. Again, thank you.
chrisj
Joined: February 04, 2007
KitMaker: 473 posts
Armorama: 467 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 08:09 AM UTC
Hey Gino you seem to have a good handle on the Abrams. I was wondering what do you think of the TUSK 1 kit from PSM? I have this one on hand and was hoping to set it up on a Tamiya kit. Any thoughts?
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 08:41 AM UTC
I haven't personally used/nor seen it. I do have the Legend set and it is really nice. Here is a review of the PSM TUSK II update set here on Armorama for a comparison.
Diesel91kh
Joined: December 08, 2009
KitMaker: 3 posts
Armorama: 2 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 03:24 PM UTC
Thanks for all the help and suggestions, its definately helpful.
I have a question about the TUSK armor. on another thread I saw someone use a kit from Perfect Scale Modelbau. I went on the site to look at it, and noticed they had two different TUSK modifications, one of which had much more armor around the hatches and turret. Is this in use right now? and if so, is it used on USMC Abrams? Also, is there any other specialty armor they add on over in Iraq and Afghanistan, like they fab on the HUMVEES. Id liek to build something as real as possible, maybe even a real tank over there.
Does anyone know of any good aftermarket engine kits for it? Ive decided to use the dragon M1A1 AIM kit.
Also, is there any pics out there of the engine/engine bay
Thanks, Kian
I have a question about the TUSK armor. on another thread I saw someone use a kit from Perfect Scale Modelbau. I went on the site to look at it, and noticed they had two different TUSK modifications, one of which had much more armor around the hatches and turret. Is this in use right now? and if so, is it used on USMC Abrams? Also, is there any other specialty armor they add on over in Iraq and Afghanistan, like they fab on the HUMVEES. Id liek to build something as real as possible, maybe even a real tank over there.
Does anyone know of any good aftermarket engine kits for it? Ive decided to use the dragon M1A1 AIM kit.
Also, is there any pics out there of the engine/engine bay
Thanks, Kian
chnoone
Joined: January 01, 2009
KitMaker: 1,036 posts
Armorama: 1,033 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 09:49 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hey Gino you seem to have a good handle on the Abrams. I was wondering what do you think of the TUSK 1 kit from PSM? I have this one on hand and was hoping to set it up on a Tamiya kit. Any thoughts?
Hey Chris,
comparing the two kits ( Legend and PSM Tusk 1) I chose the PSM although you will have to thin down the first section of the front side skirts, giving it a metal sheet appearance as in reality. It‘s no big deal, maybe 5 min. work per side. The belly armour is the correct length and their is a sight for the 50.cal. Although pretty much the same thing , when seeing, touching and investigating both kits out of the box at my dealers, I did choose to go with the overall quality of materials (resin cast) and bought the PSM kit.
I also saved 13,- € over the Legend kit.
Made a quick fit check (PSM) on a Tamiya M1A2 kit for you, seems to fit all right.
Either way, get yourself the Tankograd book on Tusk 1+2 for all the little details. I will fit the Tusk 1 package to a M1A2 SEP.... one of these days!
Cheers
Christopher
Citizinsane
Joined: July 27, 2006
KitMaker: 463 posts
Armorama: 450 posts
KitMaker: 463 posts
Armorama: 450 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 10:23 PM UTC
Hi Kian,
Despite I'm not quite shure if the USMC uses the TUSK at all (just referring to the side skirt armor) gino is right, get the Perfect Scale Modellbau TUSK 1 kit, since it contains a late TI phone box (not included in Dragon M1a1 AIM kit), the CWS thermal sight thingy (propably not included in the PSM TUSK 2 kit) ,the gunshields, underbelly armor and the turret roof armor designed to fit the M1A1 AIM kit.
I guess that the TUSK 2 kit was designed to fit the M1A2 SEP kit so the armor panels for the turret top should have a hole to fit around the CITV or at least different fittings...
you might also want to get some duke antennas, I think blast and voyager have some...
here's a pic of what a current abrams looks like:
Regarding an engine, I think CMK has got a one, here's a review:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/cmk/cmk3059.htm
Cheers Max
Despite I'm not quite shure if the USMC uses the TUSK at all (just referring to the side skirt armor) gino is right, get the Perfect Scale Modellbau TUSK 1 kit, since it contains a late TI phone box (not included in Dragon M1a1 AIM kit), the CWS thermal sight thingy (propably not included in the PSM TUSK 2 kit) ,the gunshields, underbelly armor and the turret roof armor designed to fit the M1A1 AIM kit.
I guess that the TUSK 2 kit was designed to fit the M1A2 SEP kit so the armor panels for the turret top should have a hole to fit around the CITV or at least different fittings...
you might also want to get some duke antennas, I think blast and voyager have some...
here's a pic of what a current abrams looks like:
Regarding an engine, I think CMK has got a one, here's a review:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/cmk/cmk3059.htm
Cheers Max
chrisj
Joined: February 04, 2007
KitMaker: 473 posts
Armorama: 467 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 10:50 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextHey Gino you seem to have a good handle on the Abrams. I was wondering what do you think of the TUSK 1 kit from PSM? I have this one on hand and was hoping to set it up on a Tamiya kit. Any thoughts?
Hey Chris,
comparing the two kits ( Legend and PSM Tusk 1) I chose the PSM although you will have to thin down the first section of the front side skirts, giving it a metal sheet appearance as in reality. It‘s no big deal, maybe 5 min. work per side. The belly armour is the correct length and their is a sight for the 50.cal. Although pretty much the same thing , when seeing, touching and investigating both kits out of the box at my dealers, I did choose to go with the overall quality of materials (resin cast) and bought the PSM kit.
I also saved 13,- € over the Legend kit.
Made a quick fit check (PSM) on a Tamiya M1A2 kit for you, seems to fit all right.
Either way, get yourself the Tankograd book on Tusk 1+2 for all the little details. I will fit the Tusk 1 package to a M1A2 SEP.... one of these days!
Cheers
Christopher
Thanks Christopher
I thought the PSM was the better of the two. I'll get down to business with these Abrams builds soon. Oh and I do have the Tankograd book thanks
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