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Armor/AFV: Braille Scale
1/72 and 1/76 Scale Armor and AFVs.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Revell M1A1 Abrams
r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 13, 2006
KitMaker: 424 posts
Armorama: 419 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 - 11:20 AM UTC
Its been a year since a last updated this project. Very little time on doing scale modelling but i have managed to do minor updates.

The 3 protective shields on the TC cupola is almost complete (minus the bolts and glass). This proves to be a great challange, not only the scale/size but also proper alignment. The real thing rotates around the TC cupola when the whole MG mount swing, thus maintaing the protection. Here you can see the position of the shield in relation to the position of the 50 cal. mount.











Size as compared to a cocktail stick.










r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 13, 2006
KitMaker: 424 posts
Armorama: 419 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 - 11:33 AM UTC
On the kit, the M1A2 TUSK II is shaping up.











More to follow.




Braille
#135
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California, United States
Joined: August 05, 2007
KitMaker: 1,501 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 - 08:10 PM UTC
@r2d2 – Val,

Very impressive work! Yes, time flies and its almost been a year but detailed projects demand time and a lot of effort, then there’s all of life’s situations that need our attention too!

You just keep working on your project as time permits I’m sure your audience understands.

~ Eddy
Panther64
#261
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: September 12, 2005
KitMaker: 395 posts
Armorama: 365 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 23, 2013 - 12:18 PM UTC
I'll scond Eddy's comments Val. With all the fun and time spent on these little buggers, it's still just a hobby. Life and family will always come first in my OPORD.

Now back to that TUSK II 'brams! I showed your work off at the AMPS SC Show this past weekend, we're all in awe of your astute workmanship in such a small scale!
keep up the great work and we'll wait patiently for another update, BTW- there's someone else who's not been on the screen for an update on his Merkava I in awhile...Bueller?...Bueller?...Eddy?
marcjac
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Germany
Joined: September 18, 2012
KitMaker: 32 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Monday, June 24, 2013 - 09:28 PM UTC
Hi val,

i've no word's!
Another impressive work from you.Excellent scratch made parts. I wish i could sit next to you to follow the build with my own eyes an learn from you.

I stayed tuned. Won't miss it.

MarcJac
r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 13, 2006
KitMaker: 424 posts
Armorama: 419 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 27, 2013 - 06:01 AM UTC

Quoted Text

@r2d2 – Val,

Very impressive work! Yes, time flies and its almost been a year but detailed projects demand time and a lot of effort, then there’s all of life’s situations that need our attention too!

You just keep working on your project as time permits I’m sure your audience understands.

~ Eddy


Thanks Eddy!
r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 13, 2006
KitMaker: 424 posts
Armorama: 419 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 27, 2013 - 06:02 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I'll scond Eddy's comments Val. With all the fun and time spent on these little buggers, it's still just a hobby. Life and family will always come first in my OPORD.

Now back to that TUSK II 'brams! I showed your work off at the AMPS SC Show this past weekend, we're all in awe of your astute workmanship in such a small scale!
keep up the great work and we'll wait patiently for another update, BTW- there's someone else who's not been on the screen for an update on his Merkava I in awhile...Bueller?...Bueller?...Eddy?


Thanks Kerry! Work is slow indeed. I will update later.
r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 13, 2006
KitMaker: 424 posts
Armorama: 419 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 27, 2013 - 06:03 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi val,

i've no word's!
Another impressive work from you.Excellent scratch made parts. I wish i could sit next to you to follow the build with my own eyes an learn from you.

I stayed tuned. Won't miss it.

MarcJac


Thanks Marcjac!
r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 13, 2006
KitMaker: 424 posts
Armorama: 419 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 27, 2013 - 06:16 AM UTC
Time for some small update. The kit's loader MG is very basic and a bit over sized. So I decided to build my own. The problem here is the size….at this scale everything is small. Finding the approximate size and material is crucial to make it look good at this scale. Here are a couple of shots of the loader's 7.62mm M240 with Thermal weapon sight. It also incorporate the protecting shield minus the ballistic glass (not installed as yet).













This is in comparison to the original MG.

Comparison with a cocktail stick and a ball point pen.

r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 13, 2006
KitMaker: 424 posts
Armorama: 419 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 27, 2013 - 06:25 AM UTC
360 degree view mounted on the tank. Note also the commander's 50 cal shield. Bits and pieces of the protection armours (not completely done).




















Next I will scratch-build the two 50 cal. Stay tune!
seanmcandrews
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: May 09, 2009
KitMaker: 561 posts
Armorama: 553 posts
Posted: Monday, October 28, 2013 - 04:40 AM UTC
Very very nice work Val. Can I ask what type of cement you're using? I just recently switched from testors liquid cement to tamiya extra thin and it seems that the tamiya is much "hotter", It will practically turn a piece of .005 sheet to mush if I'm not carefull. It's required a few changes in the way I build but I'm beginning to see some advantages for this more potent cement such as applying some pressure to a newly cemented on part and you have an instant weld seam !

Sean
r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 13, 2006
KitMaker: 424 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 - 08:05 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Very very nice work Val. Can I ask what type of cement you're using? I just recently switched from testors liquid cement to tamiya extra thin and it seems that the tamiya is much "hotter", It will practically turn a piece of .005 sheet to mush if I'm not carefull. It's required a few changes in the way I build but I'm beginning to see some advantages for this more potent cement such as applying some pressure to a newly cemented on part and you have an instant weld seam !

Sean


Thanks Sean! I'm using Tamiya's thin cement before but I find Humbrol liquid thin cement is equally effective. Indeed they are both "hot" but I guess it's a matter of personal preference. I also have the Testor and I find it quick to evaporate. I guess I'm just used to how tamiya/Humbrol works . Working at this scale, you need to be very careful not to overdo the application otherwise your going to melt the plastic.
majjanelson
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: December 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,355 posts
Armorama: 979 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 - 05:49 AM UTC
Val,

REALLY incredible work you're doing!

Not to take anything away from what you've done, but your M240 barrel seems a bit to long or the gas tube is too short.



This image from Prime Portal should give you an idea of what I mean.



Just so I don't seem too critical, here is my poor reproduction modified from DML's M1A1 M240:



HTH
r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
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Posted: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 - 08:54 AM UTC
Hey Jeff, thanks for dropping in. I did realise its a bit long and will fix it. There is enough room to adjust it anyway. Thanks for pointing that out. The total length is the same as the kit however I have made the body of the M240 slightly shorter to compensate for the size ratio as compared to the opening of the loaders hatch to make it more in scale. I have made the barrel probably a bit longer than it should be.
How is your build? Please do post it , looking forward.
Cheers!
sneakypete
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Armed Forces Pacific, United States
Joined: June 10, 2006
KitMaker: 149 posts
Armorama: 73 posts
Posted: Friday, November 01, 2013 - 04:31 AM UTC
Val,

Great work. This is some outstanding work. I am impressed and the fact this is braille blows my mind. Keep it up cant wait to see it finished.

-Dan
hjholter3
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Tennessee, United States
Joined: October 08, 2013
KitMaker: 27 posts
Armorama: 25 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 10, 2013 - 01:33 PM UTC
I'm very jealous! I took on a project for a friend and am in the same boat - I'm updating the original Bradley IFV to the newer standard (BUSK) on the Revell kit and you good sir are doing miracles. LOL and I thought I had good eyes!
nikon1
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Kansas, United States
Joined: April 11, 2005
KitMaker: 622 posts
Armorama: 605 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 - 02:18 PM UTC
Absolutely astounding work. All you need is a crew to bring your Abrams to life.
Charlie
r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 13, 2006
KitMaker: 424 posts
Armorama: 419 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 - 09:47 AM UTC
Thanks guys. I know I've been out of action for a while but rest assured that i'm going to update this build soon.
panorama
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Germany
Joined: January 18, 2013
KitMaker: 254 posts
Armorama: 253 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 30, 2014 - 08:49 AM UTC
Hi r2d2,
whatever the reason, I cross my fingers that it will pass and you will be able to work on this built and update your progress. Very decent work.
I am anxious for more!

Michael
Torakaze-222
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Tennessee, United States
Joined: February 09, 2009
KitMaker: 2 posts
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Posted: Monday, September 29, 2014 - 02:17 PM UTC
Just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying following this build. Great work.
SchoeniR6
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Germany
Joined: November 21, 2010
KitMaker: 189 posts
Armorama: 189 posts
Posted: Monday, October 12, 2015 - 09:38 PM UTC
Hi r2d2,

I hope we get some updats of your Abrams soon. The build is very nice. Like the way you level up your models.


Cheers Daniel
r2d2
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 13, 2006
KitMaker: 424 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - 02:57 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi r2d2,

I hope we get some updats of your Abrams soon. The build is very nice. Like the way you level up your models.


Cheers Daniel


Hi Daniel, had been off building models for a while. Other important things in life keeps me busy. I might finish this one soon but I can't be sure. Hope to get that drive back....hopefully.
WilliamHarry
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United States
Joined: August 07, 2009
KitMaker: 32 posts
Armorama: 30 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2020 - 04:06 AM UTC
R2D2,

I do hope that you "get your drive back soon", but that "Photobucket" banner cuts across and obscures much of what you accomplished. I looked through this entire thread but missed much of it.

Bill
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