This is AFV Club's M88A1. This is basically OOB. I just added some jewelry chain to the cable supports as these are evident in real M88A1s. The camo pattern is not accurate since I painted this before I got excellent camo guide posted by Pawel (Vodnik). Paints are Tamiya NATO Black, NATO Brown, and NATO Green acrylics.

This model is dedicated to Steve Keegan aka WeWillHold aka Da Beermeister aka Da OD Master for his patience and encouragement during the course of this build. I hope these pics don't disappoint you pal especially since you've been waiting for months

Thanks to GIBeregovoy for scanning and compressing the pics for me

Comments are definitely welcome.

Awesom. Muncher. simply Awesome. Now where is that German tank you promised!

"Lord Jeep", aka "Da Man", aka "Da M88 Dude", aka "BeerMeister Dude"

Finally, like all very very good things, it was worth the wait.

I know how hard you have worked on this kit, and admire you for your research efforts and your attention to detail.

This is a fine build. Pretty impressive how you have studied the suspension on this beast to get her up on the spade. Paint job looks good, ---this thing looks solid.

Congrats.

Proud to call you my friend!
Steve

Very impressive work.

John,

Finally, I can see you finish your M88A1. Any close-up pics? It looks pretty good and the camo pattern is awesome. Are all Tamiya Acrylics? Are you really going to build a German Tank on the next project?

Jeep , great job .The posing of the suspension is perfect . I'm just starting on my 2nd 88 same kit , but it will be hard to beat what you have done here . Will you put it on a base ,and put it to work ? Like have it pulling out a m1 engine ? Again AWESOME WORK PAL !! see you later .
(p.s.-does your girl-friend know what happened to her necklace ?)

Thanks for the replies! There is still a lot left to do on this one. These pics were taken 2 months ago and since then I've put decals on and I've muddied up the running gear a little.

Dave: I'll get you your German tank soon. I'm setting my sights on the Italeri Puma if I can get it.

SteveWWH: Thanks for the support and encouragement. They really helped with this project.

Charles: Thanks! This kit was a lot of fun.

Steve-O: I used only Tamiya acrylics. I'll try to take more detailed shots soon. I hope to also finish your halftrack soon because all it needs is a coat of paint

Carlton: As of now the M88A1 is at work lifting a length of M60 track. Maybe in the future I'll put it on a base. I hope you can help me improve since you work around these beasts all the time. I'm looking forward to your next '88 As to the ex-gf: I had to paint the chain ASAP so the glint of silver won't be noticed hehe

Very nice Jeepney. The only thing I notice,and Im by no means an expert, is that the cables that hold the ball look a bit to loose. The weight of the ball alone, I believe, from constuction sites I've been on, should pull the cables taute(sp?) (tight)

Thanks for pointing that out. The cables are painted rope which came with the kit. When the paint dried the rope stiffened. I will put weight on the hook to straighten it out. Currently it is carrying a length of track

Nice job, I wouldn't worry about the scheme. Back in the late 80s, before the NATO schemes were applied, no two M88s looked the same. Made it easier to tell one from another at a distance.

Thanks Rob! I felt comfortable not following a pattern since the pics I got from the Motorpool, Rob (rtwpsom2), Carlton(turrettoad13), Pete (epi), Mario (Maki) and Rick (plstktanker) all showed different camo patterns. On my first try I overdid it and it looked like a tiger with black and brown stripes

John , I can't say nothing criticts about this project - first - Panzer always fascynating me - second is very good model , I like Your option with all that lines and crane mechanism it good base for Diorama with broken tank .
Keep going - I still waiting for lesson ( with M1A2 Abrams ) My Panzer Master
Best Regards #:-)