Hi,

now that I'm building the ODS version of the Abrams, I really wish to do the AIM Dragon kit, with the TUSK1 armor upgrade.

Than I saw the HobbyBoss monster truck for loading vehicles like the 70ton Abrams, and I got an idea of doing a diorama in which I'd like to represent a US base where an Abrams is getting up the ramp of the M1070's trailer preparing to be carried away.

So now I'd like to see and hear some ideas of the raw composition of the diorama, something that is logic, that can be possible, some photos maybe could help.

The base of the dio should be 80*45cm (max 80*50), I imagine the truck in the middle, not straight with the trailer, but at some angle (10-15 degree), mainly to save space. But what to put in the background ? I'll pick the best ideas, so please give me a hand.

Thanks, bye

Since HETS are such large vehicles, they need a large space to maneuver. Loading of them usually takes place in large open areas or along roads where the HETS pull up in the direction they need to travel. They are spaced out so they can have access to the rear ramps and the load is diven up behind them and loaded up.

Like this:




Prime Portal is a great site for reference photos like these. Here are 13 pics of Abrams on HETS.

There are a bunch more pics here.

So no luck for me
Is there then some inspiring photo that can be used as a reference for a larger diorama, excluding now the HET

I don't understand why you are now abandoning the HETS. You can put any other vehicle next to it. Or have it along a road with a wall or building along one side with the HET and an Abrams, Bradley, M88, M-ATV, Stryker, etc. being loaded.

you are right I'll stick with this plan and get some more ideas

i believe trumpeteer do a us logistics figure set witch you could use? mabye with an 1078 next to your het unloading supplys to a fob? us a bradley instead of abrams tho

I'm relatively new to ground vehicles, I've been building ships for the last 4 years, so can you gently explain the meaning of 1078 , and "fob". Thanks

An M1078 LMTV is the latest version of 2 1/2 ton truck used by the US Army.

Trumpeter has a model of it in 1/35.


FOB stands for Forward Operating Base - what we call base camps in Iraq.

Here are the Trumpeter Logistics Supply Team figures too. I have them and they are pretty nice.

hm, not a bad idea, just have to figure it out how to compose all that in the 80*45cm base

HETS are truely BEASTS... the unit I was with ROUTINELY blew 10 tires a mission usually. We were tasked with bringing them into FOBS that were just too damn tight. The mechanics were kept busy with rim replacements.... Maybe you could use that??? squish a HET with a tank on it up against some jersey barriers at an ECP?

have a wall down middle made of gabbions with a gate and guard post 2/3 of the way down, have the hets on oneside and the brdley coming off, have 3 sangers on your wall with a linking walk way, then have the 1078 in the middle of the fob next to a tent or small building and have they logistics crew unloading supplys.

nice!! Just clear some point "3 sangers on your wall with a linking walk way" , don't understand this part.

a sanger is like a observation post ussually heavily defended and made of sand bags. have 3 on your gabbion wall, one at each end and one next to the guard house, make sure the have interlocking arca of fire and enough weaponry.

It kind of depends on when and where you want your dio based on too. At the VBC, most of the guard towers were concrete or pre buit, only a few had sandbags that I remember seeing. They had alot of camo netting, mostly to keep cool. When I was there in 09 they were almost all concrete tubes on top of concrete blocking, with the hesco barriers on 3 front sides. They had the serpentines out in front built up, with tank tread speed bumps. I would say I had a picture, but I never took pictures of the ECPs. I do have one of the test fire pits but its at night.

I'd like to base my dio at least 2007 or newer, since I've started all this with an Abrams with the TUSK armor, so far as I new, this armor begin to be used in '07.

whats the dimensions of your abrams

well, 1st Armored relieved 1st Cav in 2009 in the MND B area... not sure when they were there before that.

the standard 1/35 scale size, so around 28cm with the gun forward. why?

planning your drawing