I am nearing the end of construction of my first OIF Dragon M-1A1 AIM. I must say there is so much more detail than the old Tamiya M-1A1 kit.

I am depicting a 1-64th Armor Abrams from the initial stages of OIF. I have read conflicting info regarding the stowage - bags and backpacks.

I was thinking of purchasing Tamiya's modern equipment set. Accuracy is important but price is also. Would this be the way to go. Or is there a better alternative. I don't want to spend $30 just on bags.

Since the Dragon kits doesn't have figures I am also in the market for a loader and a commander. Any suggestions for the 3rd ID tankers?

Thanks,
Blain

For figures you really need to look at the Alpine offering.

The latest edition of the Tamiya modern equipment set is mostly usable from the information I have been given (mostly by Gino).

Legend set LF1163, I think it costs 20$ or so on luckymodel.

The Alpine figures really are your best option. The detail and casting is second to none.

The Tamiya accessories set is usable but a few of the parts, especially the soft items don't have crisp detail. I'd recommend the Legends M1 stowage set.

this one: http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=LF1163
Lucky model are a good place to order from since they offer free shipping on some items, but don't order an item that's listed as available as its not actually in stock. Order the items marked "in stock" only.

HTH

Anirudh

Thanks your suggestions.

How about Legend LF12A9? Or are they mainly for infantry?

For figures Legend AFV crew 1 and 2. I thought I would use the figure with the M-4 in the tank commander's hatch.

Believeable?

No, the AFV Crew 1 & 2 figures and the LF12A9 bags are post OIF 1. The figures are wearing ACU pattern uniforms which were'nt around until '06. The bags are MOLLE rucksacks which were also post OIF 1, about '04 or '05 before they were widely used in the US Army.

For OIF 1 ('03-'04), the old ALICE rucksack and DCUs were still in use. About the only updated gear was the IBAS (Interceptor Body Armor System) vest.

I agree that the Legend Abrams detail set is better and has much better details. All of the Tamiya Modern Set is usable, but like said above, it is only OK on details.

I also second the Alpine figures. Their OIF US Tank Crew Set (#35025) is the one to get.



For in-the-hatch figures, the ones out of the Tamiya M1A2 are decent for plastic. They are nowhere near the quality of the Alpine resin ones though. Let me know if you want a set, I have a few.

Gino, for a post OIF 1 M1A2 is the Legend LF1163 still usable? or should I go for the more expensive Real Model Molle set?

Note that early in the war, up until they neared Baghdad, the crews wore their MOPP suits. I am not aware of any tanker figures that would help you in this regards. I think MIG might have some infantryman figures in MOPP suits you could make into tankers. Or you could sculpt the look of the MOPP suits around a regular figure as HazZaRd is doing in his OIF diorama (see the thread he has going on that).

Bob

http://www.hlj.com/product/MIGMP35-285

http://www.hlj.com/product/MIGMP35-286


HTH

Frenchy

For post OIF 1, you can still use most of the items in the LF1163 M1 Tank Stowage Set. The items that would be out of date from about mid-'04 to '05 onward would be the ALICE rucksacks. Those would need to be replaced with the MOLLE rucksacks from the Legend LF12A9 set or another source.