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Armor/AFV: Modern Armor
Modern armor in general.
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Question regarding what to buy!
SHarjacek
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: January 29, 2011
KitMaker: 977 posts
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Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 07:50 AM UTC
Hello im new here,and i dont know which models are good,and which are bad.
I dont want to spend 40$ on a model that i can't finish with my skills,so i'd prefer a 1/35 modern armour (please not a hummwe) when saying modern i mean late 80s to now-i would also prefer for it to be a one color model (no camo's)
so can anyone recommend a model that is something like this and is easy to assemble,my limit is about 60$ including shippig cheers

Sven
Shift911
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: December 17, 2007
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Armorama: 185 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 07:59 AM UTC
My first armor was a M1A1 from Tamiya, hell I didn't even paint it. I find Tamiya kits are easiest to assemble, use unique tooling and look great. I've never had a problem with them, no missing/broken parts, no warped parts, clear instructions. Very beginner friendly kits, plus the Abrams can be painted straight sand.
SHarjacek
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: January 29, 2011
KitMaker: 977 posts
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Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 08:04 AM UTC
thanks for the anwser which one is it from these two:

http://www.alpha.hanich.hr/slika.asp?code=TA35156


http://www.alpha.hanich.hr/slika.asp?code=TA35269
Sven
retiredyank
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Arkansas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2009
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Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 08:25 AM UTC
I would leave the tracked vehicles alone, if I were you. Start with wheeled vehicles. The easiest I have ever built was an AB1 by Italeri. Actually, I haven't had a problem with any of their kits. Academy models are usually prettty straightforward, but I have experienced some issues with the parts fitting together correctly.
SHarjacek
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Croatia Hrvatska
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Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 08:37 AM UTC
thanks,but i would really like to build a modern weapon.
didgeboy
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Washington, United States
Joined: September 21, 2010
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Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 08:50 AM UTC
Sven, go with the M1A1 and set it up for the first Gulf War. Pretty straightforward build, there is the potential to scratch build detail, but not necessary. One colour scheme will be easily accomplished even with out an airbrush. There is also the potential for LOTS of detail (read crap that tanker carry on their tracks) to add into the bustle and around the turret. You can go nuts or keep it simple. If you need some reference pics let me know. and good luck. Cheers.
SHarjacek
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: January 29, 2011
KitMaker: 977 posts
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Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 09:06 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Sven, go with the M1A1 and set it up for the first Gulf War. Pretty straightforward build, there is the potential to scratch build detail, but not necessary. One colour scheme will be easily accomplished even with out an airbrush. There is also the potential for LOTS of detail (read crap that tanker carry on their tracks) to add into the bustle and around the turret. You can go nuts or keep it simple. If you need some reference pics let me know. and good luck. Cheers.


ok im takeing it,thanks for the advice,id be very glad if you could drop me a pm with pics and explain what can i s.build,thanks-Sven
brynje
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Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: June 28, 2010
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Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 09:09 AM UTC
what about a BTR 70.. it's wheeled and the hull is very simple. and a great lookin vehicle.
blaster76
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Texas, United States
Joined: September 15, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 09:19 AM UTC
I'm going to follow and also recommend the M1a1. Tamiya fall together fairly easily. You can practice skills to make your model pop just staright out of the box. Just a few beginner tips. get some sanding sticks to sand down the seams on the parts. Check the fit out before gluing to make sure it fits with no gaps. After you assemble some of the larger parts check for seams. gaps glue globs and sand those up. as you gain skills you'll learn how to putty any gaps. Painting will be fairly easy as it is a sand color. Check out all the detail painting like the rubber part of the road wheels, Machine guns and tools. As you move forward, get some reference books (Squadron's Abrams in action ) .Its a great hobby that can last a lifetime
GeraldOwens
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Florida, United States
Joined: March 30, 2006
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Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 12:28 PM UTC
Most Tamiya tank kits come with soft plastic, band-style tracks, which are much more user friendly for new builders than the fiddly individual links found in many Dragon tank kits. Tamiya's soft plastic track is glueable on the newer kits, but it is chemically incompatible with enamel or lacquer paints, so use only Tamiya acrylics to paint and weather it. Stronger thinners cause it to dry out and crumble.
Academy kits are engineered in a similar way to Tamiya's and are easy builds, but Academy still uses vinyl track, which is pretty much indestructible (the ends are welded together by melting little vinyl prongs with a heated knife blade). Don't build Academy's Abrams, though, as it has numerous inaccuracies.
russamotto
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Utah, United States
Joined: December 14, 2007
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Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 01:43 PM UTC
I had looked at Tamiya's M2 Bradley for a team build with my son based on previous experience with Tamiya and their ease of construction, but opted instead for a Styrker from AFV Club, also single color, because of a great sale price. Similar is the LAV.
35th-scale
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Kildare, Ireland
Joined: November 21, 2007
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Posted: Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 10:55 PM UTC
Or you could go for a Stryker...AFV club or Trumpeter. Both very nice kits and plenty of versions. Start with the basic M1126...
ivanhoe6
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Wisconsin, United States
Joined: April 05, 2007
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Posted: Monday, January 31, 2011 - 02:36 AM UTC
Hi Sven,
THE Abrams is a good choice. Tamiya's Challenger 2's, both the regular one and the Desertised one are fun or the German Leopard 1 & 2 are cheap and easy to build. All are either 1 or 2 colors for ease of painting. Don't forget the Russian T-55 and T-72 either. A little more expensive but good too.
Bottom line is, "just have fun and learn"
Tom
majjanelson
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: December 14, 2006
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Posted: Monday, January 31, 2011 - 08:35 AM UTC
Sven,

If you still need it, here is Vodnik's Comparison of M1A1/M1A2 Abrams Kits Article which pretty much covers all M1Abrams kits in 1/35 scale EXCEPT DML's newer AIM and SEP kits.

You also might want to review the Missling Linxs M1 Abrams Tweaks List (download the .pdf file) if you want to do some scratch building or modifications/corrections. ML Tweaks List Index.

I built numerous Tamiya 1/35 kits in the '70s and early '80s, and they are very well engineered and user friendly.
SHarjacek
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: January 29, 2011
KitMaker: 977 posts
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Posted: Thursday, May 12, 2011 - 05:33 AM UTC
Hello again after a lot of time...
I decided to go with tamiya's OIF Abrams,i still didnt get it but i will soon.
Can anyone tell me do i have(and how to) do anti slip coating.
And what else i can scratch,i cant open the missinglynx link.
Any hits are helpful!
See you soon in a WIP,i hope you will help me!

Kind regards,Sven.
Neulingkerl
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Delaware, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 65 posts
Armorama: 60 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 12, 2011 - 04:20 PM UTC
No, the Tamiya kit doesn't have non-slip coating on the hull or turret. Honestly I prefer this though, because styrene-molded anti-slip can end up looking awful.

My personal favorite way to replicate anti-slip is to mask off the areas you want smooth, and spray on Rough Coat by Citadel paints. It's an aerosol can and it is a very good way to get a fine-grain non-slip coating onto your kit. I've actually seen it used on an Abrams, and it looks great.

cheers
thewrongguy
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: October 17, 2002
KitMaker: 448 posts
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Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 - 02:18 AM UTC


I'll go another direction. How about a tamiya t-62a? A lot of 3rd world armies were taking delivery of them in the 80s, or had them in service until the 90s. A nice bonus to this is if you decide you want to go crazy with weathering a 2nd hand 20 year old Ethiopian army T-62 in 1982 will realistically be more beat up then a immaculately maintained Abrams.

It's not entirely accurate in shape since it's an old motorized kit, but it is VERY easy to assemble and costs about $18 dollars. Whatever accuracy issues it might have you can build it into a nice model out of the box.


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(Not mine, but built out of box)


For a 1st model I would go cheap and use the other $40 you have budgeted on modeling tools you might need. Plus you can use those tools on future builds.

Just my two cents.

Cheers

Jeff
rebelsoldier
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Arizona, United States
Joined: June 30, 2004
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Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 - 02:47 AM UTC
have you looked at any m113's? they are a real easy build, have the one piece vnyl/rubber tracks. and there isn't a lot of add ons depending on what you pick to build. the selection is from vietnam to iraq.

just saying
reb
bill_c
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MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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New Jersey, United States
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Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 - 03:44 AM UTC
Dragon's M1A1 Abrams. A splendid kit out of the box. Their SEP is supposedly even better. You can pick one up for $30-35 if you shop around on the Internet and eBarf.
Tankrider
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: October 07, 2002
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Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 - 03:57 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hello again after a lot of time...
I decided to go with tamiya's OIF Abrams,i still didnt get it but i will soon.
Can anyone tell me do i have(and how to) do anti slip coating.
And what else i can scratch,i cant open the missinglynx link.
Any hits are helpful!
See you soon in a WIP,i hope you will help me!

Kind regards,Sven.


Sven,
I would not worry about the anti-slip coating. The OIF Abrams will allow you to build a M1A1 from 1990 to 2006. As many others have said, it is an easy kit to build. If you want to replicate the anti-skid coating, then Neulingkerl's recommendation is as good as any other. I have a copy of the diagram of where to apply the textured paint. Please post pictures of your progress and drop me a PM if you have any questions or problems.

John
Cuny12
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Australia
Joined: April 04, 2010
KitMaker: 378 posts
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Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 - 04:34 AM UTC
Hi there
I agree with the Tamiya M1 especialy the OIF M1A2 it does build into a nice M1 the only reason being it is loaded with extras and very simple to build The Dragon M1s both the AIM and SEP are Labour intensive and very involved although not all that hard just time consuming
I think any Tamiya M1 would suit you down to the ground.
Cheers cuny12.
SHarjacek
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: January 29, 2011
KitMaker: 977 posts
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Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 - 07:36 AM UTC
Thank you all.
I will get my self the M1A1 and citadel rough coat if i find it.
The reason i wont get others is that all of them need to be ordered from internet,and i dont have a credit card,while M1A1 is avalible localy.
I hope ill post some pics soon.
Kind regards,Sven.
lukiftian
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: March 12, 2010
KitMaker: 791 posts
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Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 - 04:10 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hello im new here,and i dont know which models are good,and which are bad.
I dont want to spend 40$ on a model that i can't finish with my skills,so i'd prefer a 1/35 modern armour (please not a hummwe) when saying modern i mean late 80s to now-i would also prefer for it to be a one color model (no camo's)
so can anyone recommend a model that is something like this and is easy to assemble,my limit is about 60$ including shippig cheers

Sven


Tamiya Type 90 MBT. Cool subject that you can build in your sleep.
SHarjacek
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: January 29, 2011
KitMaker: 977 posts
Armorama: 553 posts
Posted: Saturday, May 14, 2011 - 09:19 PM UTC
Hello guys,little update on this,yesterday my parents were very good,so i asked them if i can order something online,and they said yes .
I went to ebay and decided to buy 2 books and something for my abrams,i went with one osprey book,and one verlinden book.
For abrams i ordered a barrel from RB model,they said i can buy a pe too,but i dont want to buy anything advanced!
Maybe this set,looks nice,its cheap and not to advanced,but helpful?

And i got two rough coats from citadel,but they werent ordered on internet,i found them here,in Zagreb i bought one and got one for free .
Im working on getting the abrams now,hopefully soon
Kind regards,And any pics of real tank would be appriciated,or info what can i scratchbouild!

Kind regards,Sven,
SHarjacek
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Croatia Hrvatska
Joined: January 29, 2011
KitMaker: 977 posts
Armorama: 553 posts
Posted: Monday, May 16, 2011 - 08:56 PM UTC
anyone?
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