Hi all,

I found pics of the recently deployed USMC M1 A1 in AFG. One of them has a dizer blade mounted. Now I wonder if Trumpeter`s Dozer Blade from their Challenger 2 kit could be used or modified. As usual, any pics or informations will be helpful.

Thanks
Hans-Hermann

HI Hans,

Yes you can use the UK Dozer Blade, but some parts have to be added and some modifications must be made,as well as adaption to the 4 mount points on the M1.
I'm building a Marine tank as well with it and the TC told me it was already there in Iraq when they took over the tanks..So can't help you with more info about "that".
Will get some pics to you soon.

Hello again Hans-Hermann

Here's a Company L, Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th MEU dozer tank in Djibouti back in November 2010. I believe it's fitted with the new "Direct fit" Pearson blade. This upgraded variant doesn't require any modifications to the tank hull contrary to the earlier one (new mounting points had to be welded to the hull front) :







Here's the earlier blade (in Iraq) :



I think the Challenger 2 kit blade can be used as a starting point in both cases....

Frenchy

Gents,

thanks for the info`s. I just made my mind up and will use DML`s M1A2, USMC parts of the Tamiya kit and Trumpeter Chally Dozer. Must be a dozen M1`s now in armory, me crazy.

Hans-Hermann

Why would you use the M1A2? The Marines do not use the A2. A better kit would be DML's M1A1AIM.

Hi Tony,

the M1 A2 is the better choice since you can backdate it into the M1 A1 AIM. I choose the A2 since it has the Bustle Rack Extention and the DS Vinyl tracks,
which are easier to work with compared with the Magic Tracks. Also the A2 is cheaper here in Germany than the AIM.

Cheers
Hans-Hermann

To my knowledge the Corps has already been fixing these blades to some M1s since around 2001 - 2002, now it's one per company as standard fix, but Mike Mummy should have the best insight ...... think he supplied some nice pics from the "early stages" years ago.
check Max's " USMC M1 WIP" topic there are some pics of my M1 with dozer blade I started around 2008.

Cheers
Christopher