My latest project is another commission build. This time the Dragon M1A2 SEP with the addition of Legends TUSK 1 set, a mine plow, and a full interior to include the engine compartment.

I started with the interior. I used the older Dragon Abrams kits' interior pieces for the driver's compartment and upper turret. I also added the old Dragon M1A2 CITV screen and data station to the TCs station. The complete lower turret is scratch-built. Of course, I forgot to take pics before I closed it up. It is the 3rd Abrams full turret and interior I have done though, so it looks pretty much identical to the previous ones, which can be seen below.







With the addition of the CITV and data screen, barely visible in the TC's hatch.


The full lower turret.



Driver's compartment.


The engine and its compartment are from the excellent CMK kit. It is designed for the Tamiya Abrams kit, so took a little tweaking to get it to fit, but wasn't too bad. It is a great set and the engine is very detailed. I hollowed out the exhaust and added screens and gaskets to the radiators as the set is not meant to have the rear doors open to show these areas. The battery compartment on the right side is from the old Verlinden M1A1 interior set.





The Legend TUSK 1 set is very nice as well. I had no issues with it. The instructions are very simple and show how to assemble it well.





The plow is from the Dragon M1 Panther 2 kit and is nicely detailed. It went together with no issues.



I plan on putting the tank on a dio base with a couple mechanics preparing to pull pack or do some maintenance in it. The weapons will be out of their mounts and laid out on a tarp net to the tank, along with the engine compartment cover and a few other pieces.

It is coming together well and has been fun so far. As always, all comments are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Wow, great job. I building at the moment an Abrams too. The Tamiya one, converted into a USMC M1.
What did you add on the LH turret stowage box? Anti-slip coating? .-?

Marcel

Thanks Marcel. The LH stowage basket cover was lost during construction. I had to make a new one and add the anti-slip with Rustoluem texture paint to match the rest of the turret/tank.

Good luck on your USMC Hog.

Gino,
Wow, another excellent work by you! Crazy details. Can't wait to see the final product. Which figure sets do you plan to use as mechanics?

Wow!This is a beauty...

As with everyone else, Gino this is amazing.

Please keep up the good work.

Really nice, good job so far.


cheers

Thanks guys. I have enjoyed it so far. I'm still deciding on the crew/mechanic figures. Any suggestions/recommendations? I'll keep you posted.

Good Luck on your build Gino - I'm sure it will come out just fine!

Hey Gino,
looking good so far.
do you think the rustoleum will match the kit's molded-on anti slip texture in terms of 'grain size'? yet I haven't tried anything but mr. surfacer which looks quite different than cast styrene textures...

Cheers, Max

WOW! Great job! Are you sure you wan to ship this to the owner who commissioned you? Don't you want to keep it for yourself?

I echo everyone elses responses, nice work!

Thanks for checking in Max. The Rustoleum spray looks pretty much to be an exact match to the molded on texture. I don't think it will even be noticable.

Noli: Yup, it will go to the buyer. He paid for it, so he gets it. I can always build another for myself.


James, thanks for the compliments.

Hey Gino,
really nice build of this M1A2 so far, really inspiring work.

Regarding your question for mechanics,I think Warriors do some, which are intended to be used with an AAVP but they will work with an Abrams, too, I think.

Here's the link from a german modelshop:
http://www.modellbau-koenig.de/Militaermodellbau_135/Figuren/Warriors/35663_AAVR-7_Maintenance_Crew__i17_18748_0.htm

Cheers Alex

Thanks for the compliments Alex. I have seen the Warriors AAVR crew set and thought they might work too. I just might have to get those.

Gino, looks real nice. Lots of detail.

Bob

Thanks Bob, glad you like it.

Here are some pics with paint and decals. Next up is the weathering and some stowage.








Let me know what you think.

I think it looks awesome Gino, and you are inspiring me to work on my M1A2 projects!

Thanks David, now get cracking on yours.

Excellent work as usual, Gino.

Pretty much a fully tricked out Abrams, showing what can be done with the excellent DML M1A2 SEP kit.

(it's a roller, not a plow)

great work gino,
but those are the bumper # for my tank in iraq. dragon got it wrong HQ-34 of 3-8 cav was heavens no! hell yeah! the hunter was the bn cdrs tank of 1-8 cav and my tank didnt have a roller, never on a cmd tank and we didnt have tusk issued to our bn in 03 the photo on the box for the SEP is my tank and thats me in the cdrs hatch with dusk mask the photo was taken at the BIAP by the PX and the taxi sign on the CITV should be yellow i ran a wire to the ldrs domelight so it would light up at night but really good build on the model

Jeff: Thanks for checking in and for the compliments. Of course its a mine roller, I don't know why I typed plow up above.

Bill: Great to have the actual owner of the tank here. I know it isn't accurate. It is what the buyer wanted though. He wanted the roller with TUSK, and I switched the markings a bit. Dragon has the markings correct, but hosed the decals. I guess it is the translation, but HQ-60 came out as HO-GO on the decal sheet. I hope it is still a tribute to you even if not an accurate one.

TAXI......Humm just the thought of that in Manhattan!!

The details are beyound reproach, outstanding.....your client shoild be thrilled,an outstanding build.

Mark as registration point M1A2

Rounds Complete!!

Awesome work Gino