Great build Gino- like a few others said- the camo contrast works really nicely. So does that Rust-Oleum stuff for the non-slip coating. (I wonder is there anywhere in the UK that sells it?)

Thanks Karl. I don't think it is sold in the UK as such. I know a few other UK modelers are searching for it too.

Amazing and clean built, really well done.
Congrats Gino
Lucio

Thanks for the compliments Lucio. I enjoyed the build a lot.

Hay now tht was a grate project, to bad we didn't get to see all of your step by step work on this forum. But still in all I'm gald to see more of your projects.

Thanks caveman, glad you like it.

I love the items you added to the turret.

Old thread I know, but I just had to comment on this model! Fantastic job, scratch building, amazing paint and weathering! I'm pretty sure I'll be getting the Legend TUSK set for one of my M1A1s...

A few questions for Gino. i know this was the Tamiya kit, and there has bee extensive discussion about the anti-slip on this and many other AFVs. My question is whether you think the molded-in anti-slip on the Dragon 3535 (M1A1 AIM) is pronounced enough to just use that instead of enhancing it with the terra cotta spray or other method. To my eye, while it is present, I'm not sure it's 'deep' enough to just leave it to that molded in texture. Thoughts?

Secondly, I presume that your scratch building was to duplicate that specific tank, 'Bad Blessing'? How far off would I be if I used the Legend set without any scratch building? Would that build be typical of any vehicles in Iraq, or did Legend fail to capture some needed items?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Hi Curt, thanks for the comments. It was a fun build. As to the Dragon Aim kit, it is great. The anti-slip on it looks right on to me. The only reason I used the Tamiya kit is that it is what the buyer sent me to work with.

The Legend Tusk set is very complete and will build into a great example of an Abrams in Iraq. There are many different versions of TUSK based on time, unit, location, etc. Your best bet is to find a pic of a tank you like and build it.

Good luck.

Nice Job!!!!

Kurt- The Legend set is excellent except for leaving out the TC's 360 degree shield, the foldable shield for the Loader and also a traverse stop that mounts on the M240 skate ring behind the loader. So Gino How did you scrath the 360 shield?
Joe Bevans
AMPS 2nd VP West region
AMPS So Cal

The 360 shield was scratched out of 0.030 sheet styrene by copying the shape of the one in the Legend TUSK 2 set.

The Legend set itself is complete for basic TUSK. Like I said above, TUSK has evolved and grown with operational needs and threats. It is a series of kits which can be added or deleated as needed, not a specific set of parts.

Quite a good work!!
Congrats

Joe,
Thanks so much for clarifying, however, not being a military/armor expert, I must admit to being ignorant of the following terms and or locations on the tank that you used above: TC, loader, m240 skate ring. Could i possibly bother you for definitions, and, even better, pointers to these items on the tank? Sorry to be this stupid, but I'm trying to learn

P.S.: Perhaps even a step above what I've already requested would be a reference to what ALL the parts on top of the turret (in particular) or the entire tank are called/what those parts' functions are. I"m sure there are reference books out there that do this, and if there are, does anyone have some ideas for the better ones? Thanks.

TC is for Tank Commander. He is on the right side with the larger weapons station with a .50 cal MG.

The Loader is on the left with the round hatch and he has an M240 7.62 MG on a circular ring mount (skate ring) that goes around his hatch. The skate ring is bare metal and allows the M240 to be moved around the hatch to engage targets from different angles.

Wow, talk about a fast reply....thank you, Gino!!!

Gino very nice work,well dore.