I just took the kit our and looked at it. The detail is outstanding...

Does anyone have comments about the tracks? It has both link and length and flexible tracks. How are the track that come with it, and if there is a better alternative, what is it?

Second question... doe sthe Zaloga Osprey book on the Abrams include the M1A2?

No, the Osprey New Vanguard book does not cover the A2, neither does the Squadron In Action or the Verlinden Warmachines.

AFV Club makes individual workable tracks, but there is nothing wrong with the kit tracks.

Thanks.. it looks like a really nice kit... I am sure I will have questions as I build it... though that is a few weeks or months away!

Most of the A2s in operational use are desert sand. Anyone know if they've been fielded to the USAREUR units yet?

The only ones I have seen are with the 1st CAV division down here in Ft. Hood.

AH, I see... never thought about that. Maybe I will build it as a "what-if" NATO colored tank...with my old bumper number... Desert sand just sounds so... beige...

Nothing wrong with doing an A2 in NATO 3-color. They were initially developed in that color scheme, and when the rest of the tank fleet is upgraded to the A2, they will be produced in the 3-color as well as desert sand.

I have the kit also. It is almost in the on deck circle. (my next project is the M110A2, then the M1A2). Anyway, I have the concord book and love it. It is written by Walter Bohm, it's # is 7502, and is part of the mini color series. The 2 best things about it in my opinion is that it's full color and covers the time period from desert storm to present which is where a lot of books I have looked at end. Most of the infomation is on the M1A1HA, but there are 6 pages on the A2 version. There are some good photos of the changes in the 2 versions on the inside and outside of the tank. Also a few mentions of future plans for the tank, including the new gun barrel that they may adopt for the tank.

I am probably going to do mine int the camo scheme on the box. the Concord book also has some good pictures of this, including the vary tank on the box cover (#A21) at the national traing center. I don't want to do just plain desert camo because I am going to build a M1A1HA that is specificaly a desert storm vehicle in the future and I don't want both of them the same color exact color. Plus its always nice to have something a little different.