Well Paul, there are two options for you: The best A1 kit out there by far is Dragon's M1A1 AIM. Of course the AIM program started years after the first Gulf War but doing a back-conversion shouldn't be a problem.

As far as i know there's only AM (turret) interiour on the market which comes from Verlinden and it actually represents the interiour of the old M1 fitted with the 105mm rifled gun.

If you also want to get a driver's compartement you will have to do some kit bashing. Former Dragon kits (now under the CyberHobby label) come with a pretty nice driver's compartement.


Now for the second option: you might like Italieri's M1A1 with resin parts for interiour AND the gas turbine engine. --> http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/italeri/it6438.htm


It actually represents a M1A1 from the Gulf War time. The kit itself is not as detailed as the modern Dragon ones and has it's mistakes but has nice detailing though. Also the resin parts look pretty good. Fitted with some AM products like PE parts etc. this kit will come out as an impressive model i think. I'm very interested in it but i have to finish my eight Dragon kits first.


At the end it's just a matter of the money you're willing to pay...


Hope this helps


Bernd

This will be a 2nd Brigade, 3rd Battlalion machine of a good friend of mine

Cheers

Paul

Quoted Text

---

This will be a 2nd Brigade, 3rd Battlalion machine of a good friend of mine

Cheers

Paul

---

Paul,
By Second Brigade, 3rd Battalion, you mean 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, right??

If so, they had late model M1A1s, not the DU Armored HAs. The Tamiya ones will work but need more add ons that using Dragon's AIM kit. The AIM or SEP will need T-156 rubber track, either from ATM (OOP) or Trumpeter...

The AIM kit will need to add the two lifting points attached to the right rear corner of the hull. Use the "smooth" blow-off panels on the turret, the Loader's and Drivers hatches without the rims. You will need some additional PE for the bustle rack as kit's PE does not cover the whole rack. That is about the best that I can do off the top of my head...

Drop me a PM if you have any questions or decide to use the Tamiya kit, and I will do my best to assist

John

The AIM kit will need to add the two lifting points attached to the right rear corner of the hull.

Paul;
I served with 4/8 Cav (sister unit of 3/8 Cav) in DS and we had the most current model at the time the M1A1HA. I can guarantee you on this point, not to disagree with anyone, but on this point I am quite knowledgeable. We had just updated to the newer models just prior to my arrival in Gelhhausen, our base, in June (I think they made the change in April). Tracks should be the original angled tracks and NOT the bigfoot, as I think has already been mentioned.

I am happy to help with some reference photos and other info if needed. Cheers.

Paul,
you can check my article about the old Dragon M1A1 I built into a USMC tank with a partially scratch interior.
Here is the link
Olivier

Paul;
I served with 4/8 Cav (sister unit of 3/8 Cav) in DS and we had the most current model at the time the M1A1HA. I can guarantee you on this point, not to disagree with anyone, but on this point I am quite knowledgeable. We had just updated to the newer models just prior to my arrival in Gelhhausen, our base, in June (I think they made the change in April). Tracks should be the original angled tracks and NOT the bigfoot, as I think has already been mentioned.

I am happy to help with some reference photos and other info if needed. Cheers.

Paul; back in college (1994) when only the Tamiya M1A1 was available I started by adding the additional plates to the turret and front hull. While this may not be the best solution now, it might be a starting point. There was an article in MMiR a while back "Baghdad Basher" I believe was the title, that went through the various good and bad points with the Tamiya, Trumpeter and DML kits available circa 2005. I am sure that there is also plenty of info on how to back date the DML M1 AIM kit as well. Frenchy is a great resource for putting up reference photos and I am happy to help with some "in theater" ones too. Let us know what you need and we'll help where we can. Cheers.

Paul; back in college (1994) when only the Tamiya M1A1 was available I started by adding the additional plates to the turret and front hull. While this may not be the best solution now, it might be a starting point. There was an article in MMiR a while back "Baghdad Basher" I believe was the title, that went through the various good and bad points with the Tamiya, Trumpeter and DML kits available circa 2005. I am sure that there is also plenty of info on how to back date the DML M1 AIM kit as well. Frenchy is a great resource for putting up reference photos and I am happy to help with some "in theater" ones too. Let us know what you need and we'll help where we can. Cheers.

What are you using for the interior? i might want one too. Cheers.

Is there a 'reckoner' somewhere that details the changes from :

M1A1HA

to

M1A1 (late)

to

to M1A1 AIM

and why these changes were made ?