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Best Abrams Kit?
SoumiArbs
Joined: April 01, 2012
KitMaker: 90 posts
Armorama: 87 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 24, 2012 - 11:49 PM UTC
Is there one outstanding Abrams Tank kit out there? I'm building up a modern USA kit supply and it's next on my list. I'm not sold on anything out there yet. So Who has the best kit, and who has the best PE/Update for it? I'm going to be collecting OIF timeline Armor.
SoumiArbs
Joined: April 01, 2012
KitMaker: 90 posts
Armorama: 87 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 24, 2012 - 11:50 PM UTC
Sorry forgot to mention my Scale, which is 1/35
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 24, 2012 - 11:53 PM UTC
Dragon's M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP are the best Abrams kits around. They come with a pretty complete set of PE as well and don't need any extra.
corsutton
Joined: June 17, 2005
KitMaker: 544 posts
Armorama: 511 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 24, 2012 - 11:54 PM UTC
I would be surprised if anything but the DML M1A1 AIM (3535) or the DML M1A2 (3536) kits were mentioned here.
They can be difficult to find at times but they set the bar for the nicest kits available for the Abrams.
They can be difficult to find at times but they set the bar for the nicest kits available for the Abrams.
Tojo72
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012 - 12:37 AM UTC
Dragon,lotsa extras,good price,if you can find them.
retiredyank
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012 - 01:04 AM UTC
Dragon. Haven't tried their M1A1 kit, yet; but the M1A2 SEP is excellent.
Rockfall
#202
Joined: December 19, 2004
KitMaker: 884 posts
Armorama: 602 posts
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012 - 01:24 AM UTC
Quoted Text
They can be difficult to find at times but they set the bar for the nicest kits available for the Abrams.
Apparently so. I put up my Abrams SEP kit up for trade a couple weeks ago on here. It was gone in like 15 minutes and I had about 10 responses.
I will echo what others have said. The Dragon kits are top notch. I have seen some excellent Tamiya builds too. Its still a good kit...its just the Dragon Abrams have really taken it to the next level. You shouldn't need to much AM stuff. The box is bursting. The only thing you might want is some stowage etc.
Jeff
veliko_pile
Joined: October 18, 2011
KitMaker: 76 posts
Armorama: 74 posts
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012 - 02:29 AM UTC
I've heard they are out of production, I don't know if this is right.
I have a dragon AIM home, and also a Tamiya M1A1, the Dragon have superb quality.
If you like to add more details, look for the Voyager PE sets, they are also good value
I have a dragon AIM home, and also a Tamiya M1A1, the Dragon have superb quality.
If you like to add more details, look for the Voyager PE sets, they are also good value
Boxster
Joined: November 08, 2005
KitMaker: 55 posts
Armorama: 47 posts
KitMaker: 55 posts
Armorama: 47 posts
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012 - 05:03 AM UTC
Seems like I am too late for the party too! Having returned to military modeling recently, I have a pile of old Dragon M1A1 and a larger pile of now junk Dragon T-72 and T-80's bought over a decade ago. The old Abrams seems too much hassle to rework, I think.
And just 3 years ago, I was in HK and there was a big sales for the new Dragon Abrams. I just looked and walked off, never thinking that one day I will return to tanks! Darnit!
Any idea if Dragon will re-release the Abrams again? Maybe under Cyberhobby with figures?
B
And just 3 years ago, I was in HK and there was a big sales for the new Dragon Abrams. I just looked and walked off, never thinking that one day I will return to tanks! Darnit!
Any idea if Dragon will re-release the Abrams again? Maybe under Cyberhobby with figures?
B
jvazquez
Joined: September 26, 2006
KitMaker: 857 posts
Armorama: 811 posts
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012 - 05:08 AM UTC
Dragon M1A1 AIM and M1A@ SEP are far and away the best available. One nice feature as well is the anti slip surface is already molded on.
Tojo72
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012 - 05:15 AM UTC
SoumiArbs
Joined: April 01, 2012
KitMaker: 90 posts
Armorama: 87 posts
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012 - 12:41 PM UTC
Great response and I am sold on the Dragon kits. Thanks guys. Hope to acquire one soon.
If your too busy to model in the summer, at least don't stop buying is my moto.
If your too busy to model in the summer, at least don't stop buying is my moto.
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012 - 12:50 PM UTC
Someone is selling an M1A1 AIM here for $29. I almost bought it just because it's such a GREAT KIT! 
Neulingkerl
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 65 posts
Armorama: 60 posts
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012 - 04:06 PM UTC
Yeah I have to say if you want to buy a kit, LOOK HERE FIRST.
I actually just bought Dragon's M1A2 SEP from someone here after putting a post out on the WTB forum. He said he had the M1A1 AIM too, and he gave me a fantastic price for them. You can't find nicer people than the ones on Armorama, so my recommendation is to post on Buy, Sell, Or Trade. Those kits are definitely floating around.
Best of luck!
Neu
I actually just bought Dragon's M1A2 SEP from someone here after putting a post out on the WTB forum. He said he had the M1A1 AIM too, and he gave me a fantastic price for them. You can't find nicer people than the ones on Armorama, so my recommendation is to post on Buy, Sell, Or Trade. Those kits are definitely floating around.
Best of luck!
Neu
cabasner
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 11:54 AM UTC
Bill Cross was my 'mentor' into the Dragon M1A1 MIA kit (3535). Since then, I have acquired 3 of them (2 through folks here on Armorama, one that Bill found in a LHS in NJ which he was kind enough to buy and ship to me), and if things work out, I'll have gotten my fourth from the one posted for $29.00 here recently. I've been told by some hobby shops that this kit will once again be produced, but I'm not holding my breath. From what I've learned here, this kit (and the M1A2 SEP) are so superior to any others that I wanted to make sure I had enough of them (I tend towards modern stuff).
Keep looking, here and on E-Bay...you'll find one (or more).
Keep looking, here and on E-Bay...you'll find one (or more).
tanknick22
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 01:16 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I would be surprised if anything but the DML M1A1 AIM (3535) or the DML M1A2 (3536) kits were mentioned here.
They can be difficult to find at times but they set the bar for the nicest kits available for the Abrams.
I prefer tamiyas M1A2, for one thing i dont like how the mantle and the turret go together on dragons it does not look right i just dont like how dragons abrams goes together
Neulingkerl
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 65 posts
Armorama: 60 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 03:30 PM UTC
I will say that if you had to look for something beyond Dragon's kits, the Tamiya M1A1/2 is a very clean-cut and well made kit. It's not quite as up to date or accurate as Dragon, but the Voyager PE set fixes those issues entirely if I'm not mistaken.
Tamiya is definitely worth mentioning, though
Tamiya is definitely worth mentioning, though
cwo-3
Joined: January 13, 2006
KitMaker: 109 posts
Armorama: 75 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 06:12 PM UTC
As all have stated; the Dragon M1A1 AIM and SEP kits are outstanding. My only gripe is that to build a USMC hawg, you need to pull parts from the Tamiya M1A1/A2 kit.
I hope that the next Abrams kits will be current TUSK versions for USMC, US ARMY and maybe an Aussie version.
I hope that the next Abrams kits will be current TUSK versions for USMC, US ARMY and maybe an Aussie version.
prophecy
Joined: November 09, 2010
KitMaker: 158 posts
Armorama: 157 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 06:18 PM UTC
Quoted Text
As all have stated; the Dragon M1A1 AIM and SEP kits are outstanding. My only gripe is that to build a USMC hawg, you need to pull parts from the Tamiya M1A1/A2 kit.
I hope that the next Abrams kits will be current TUSK versions for USMC, US ARMY and maybe an Aussie version.
Hello,
Perfect Scale Models offers some USMC Sets for Abrams, so you dont't need a Tamiya Kit for only some parts.
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - 03:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextAs all have stated; the Dragon M1A1 AIM and SEP kits are outstanding. My only gripe is that to build a USMC hawg, you need to pull parts from the Tamiya M1A1/A2 kit.
I hope that the next Abrams kits will be current TUSK versions for USMC, US ARMY and maybe an Aussie version.
Hello,
Perfect Scale Models offers some USMC Sets for Abrams, so you dont't need a Tamiya Kit for only some parts.
As does Voyager:
USMC Abrams Set
SoumiArbs
Joined: April 01, 2012
KitMaker: 90 posts
Armorama: 87 posts
Posted: Friday, June 29, 2012 - 01:27 PM UTC
Thanks to all for the response and I'll be looking forward to building the Dragon SEP or AIM this coming winter. I haven't tried a purchase on here yet, after I visit some out of town Hobby shops on vacation and if my Abrams shelf remains empty , I will try here first.
cabasner
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Friday, June 29, 2012 - 01:41 PM UTC
Good call, I would say! Again, I will have 4 AIMs in my stash after I take delivery of my latest 'for sale' buy from this website. I have been basing my apparent frantic need to have as many of these kits as possible based on the fact that they are the best (as you've learned here from those who are in a position to know). Just within the last few days, I've tried the very first assembly of any parts (besides the road wheels, which I've assembled and painted for one of the kits), starting with the main gun. The metal gun, combined with the plastic parts, make what looks to be an amazingly detailed portion of this tank. I am impressed, and can't wait to start building one of these guys in earnest (for now, this was just fill-in between little delays in working a Tasca Sherman). I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun doing that first AIM!
vonHengest
Joined: June 29, 2010
KitMaker: 5,854 posts
Armorama: 4,817 posts
Posted: Friday, June 29, 2012 - 02:38 PM UTC
I've had nothing but good experiences buying/selling from members here so far.
lukiftian
Joined: March 12, 2010
KitMaker: 791 posts
Armorama: 592 posts
Posted: Monday, July 02, 2012 - 03:45 AM UTC
It really depends on your skill level. For a less experienced modeler the Tamiya kit is a very satisfying build, and the Dragon kits with their huge parts count and extremely complex instructions can be frustrating. Otherwise I'm with the others, the latest Dragon kits are the benchmark
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Monday, July 02, 2012 - 06:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
It really depends on your skill level. For a less experienced modeler the Tamiya kit is a very satisfying build, and the Dragon kits with their huge parts count and extremely complex instructions can be frustrating. Otherwise I'm with the others, the latest Dragon kits are the benchmark.
That's the problem with these "who makes the best X?" threads.
The "best" means just that: the best, the most accurate, the one that all others are measured against. It should not be used for "the easiest to build" or the like. Otherwise these discussions devolve into "I prefer Tamiya over Trumpeter" contests.
While buildability, price, availability all play a role in our decisions about purchasing, no one would confuse an ancient Italeri kit with a state-of-the-art Cyberhobby one. It doesn't mean the latter is perfect, or that it's too expensive for some pocket books. But there's no argument the DML Abrams are the most-accurate rendition of an M1A1 AIM or SEP.
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