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Which M1A1 any good? Help please.
MikeyBugs95
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New York, United States
Joined: May 27, 2013
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Posted: Monday, August 05, 2013 - 03:31 PM UTC
Recently, I've been scouring the web, mostly Amazon and eBay, trying to find a Dragon M1A2 SEP for sale (I know, Tamiya makes a M1A2 SEP TUSK but I don't want to choose Tamiya's just yet). But, in having very little to no luck doing so, I settled on trying to find a good M1A1. I know that Dragon, Tamiya, Academy, and other companies have all produced M1A1's... But I'm wondering which is any worth buying more than the others.
From what I've heard (well... read) about the various M1A2 reviews Academy, Italeri, and Revell are all out of the question, so really it's between the various Tamiya and Dragon kits.

Currently I'm liking Dragon's M1A1 AIM kit. But there's also the HA kit, along with Tamiya's HA. I'm wondering which of the Dragon's M1A1's is better than the other and how the stack up against Tamiya's and which is better than which and you get the point. I'd also like to know how the better kit stands up against Tamiya's M1A2 SEP kit. Thanks.

Mike
andromeda673
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Wisconsin, United States
Joined: July 30, 2013
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Posted: Monday, August 05, 2013 - 03:56 PM UTC
I like you was wondering some of the same things, before I go and put $60 or more of my money down on a kit, I want to make sure I'm getting something of quality, I know any kit can be made into a good looking kit, and I'm certainly not expecting the thing to just fall together either, but it seems when it comes to Abrams there aren't a whole lot of options out there.

I just recently built my first Abrams and it was the basic Tamiya M1A1 kit, and overall I was really impressed, it built well, has good detail, and seemed to build rather easily. Maybe I'm just spoiled cause out of the three armor kits I have built, all of them have been Tamiya.

What are the thoughts and opinions on Academy's stuff? I'm leary because as a airplane modeler I know that some of their kits really leave a lot to be desired, both from the fit and finish aspect, as well as the accuracy aspect. I'm sorry to kinda hi jack your thread, but like I said I'm in the same boat.
jvazquez
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New Jersey, United States
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Posted: Monday, August 05, 2013 - 04:10 PM UTC
Just skimmiing the surface I can say without question the best and most accurate M1A1and M1A2 are the Dragon/DML AIM (A1) SEP (A2). For one they're the most accurate, both have anti slip texture molded on which trumpeter and tamiya don't have. Tamiyas newest Abrams is ok but doesn't have anti slip, is very expensive and doesn't have near the same detail as dragons.

Tamiyas latest does have the TUSK package, but the price again is steep and IMO it lacks the detail and accuracy of the dragon SEP and AIM.

Just note both dragons kits I believe are out of production so your best bet to find one is on eBay or scouring the net for someone out there selling some.

Hope this helps and I'm sure other more helpful folks on here will be able to delve into more detail on these kits and their differences.
JonDicks
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Queensland, Australia
Joined: October 13, 2009
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Posted: Monday, August 05, 2013 - 04:13 PM UTC
Hi Mike,
I can't give any advice on accuracy issues or differences but as for the kits:
Dragon AIM - I have built this kit and it was a pleasure. Heaps of parts and detail with the anti-slip coating already on the plastic. I had absolutely no issues with fit, but it was a slow build due to the many parts.
I have the Tamiya (desertized version) and the Academy (Gulf War version) still in the box at home. The Tamiya kit looks great with very crisp parts - the usual good Tamiya quality. The Academy kit looks soft on detail compared to the other 2 and I have read has some of the most accuracy issues. There are plenty of reviews online. I will build the Academy kit as an Aussie version I think.
I have an extra PE set for both the Tamiya and Academy kits to beef up detail.
Cheers
Jon

Frenchy
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Rhone, France
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Posted: Monday, August 05, 2013 - 04:41 PM UTC
Did you see Pawel's comparative review ? It should help with earlier M1A1 kits.

HTH

H.P.
didgeboy
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Washington, United States
Joined: September 21, 2010
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Posted: Monday, August 05, 2013 - 04:48 PM UTC
I just recently finished building the venerable Tamiya M1A1 and am currently building the Dragon AIM kit. The Tamiya is fine if you are looking for a good quick build and are not too worried about accuracy. If you want something with lots od detail and spot on accuracy then the dragon kit is what you want. Both are good but the dragon kit is much more accurate but also more challenging. Cheers.
DeskJockey
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Virginia, United States
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Posted: Monday, August 05, 2013 - 10:48 PM UTC
The old Dragon kits (the HA one you refer to, NOT the AIM kit) are very dated and pale in coparison to the AIM kit, which is head and shoulders above all other A1 kits out there, Tamiya included, in terms of detail. As other have already said, check out Pawel's comparison reviews for specifics. Here's a link to the Armorama in-box review of the Dragon AIM kit: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/1911
barkeet
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Belgium
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Posted: Monday, August 05, 2013 - 11:27 PM UTC
I have build the tamiya m1a1 with mine plough and the academy m1a2 and are working on a m1a1 aim from dragon and the dragon is milestones ahead in details,i still have 2 m1a1 aim and 2 m1a2 sep from dragon(unbuild)maybe i sell you one but i life in belgium and i think shipping is going to be expensive.
Wierdy
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Ukraine / Україна
Joined: January 26, 2010
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 01:28 AM UTC
Hey Michael
Totally agree with everything said above. DML's M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP are definitely the best on the market (they are not OOP by the way), even though they both have some minor fit issues and somewhat unclear instructions, plus pin marks on AIM track links. After all, it's all up to you as for how much detail you want to improve. I would replace tracks using Bronco set in both kits, plus Voyager barrel and SKP Model lenses.
Here are the links:

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/29725.html
http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/25654.html
http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/fqctrz34nxuzsxlbl9ta.html
http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/qfdw6frza97hng6zu2cw.html
http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/45104.html

The SEP is not available right now, but I'm sure it'll be.
Not an advertisement of the shop, but just a convenient place to order all at once like I did.

Happy modeling, Paul.
Grindcore
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New York, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 01:36 AM UTC

Just saw a Dragon M1A1 AIM on Ebay, seller was in NY to boot.
ProfessorP
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Minnesota, United States
Joined: February 20, 2007
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 04:11 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Did you see Pawel's comparative review ? It should help with earlier M1A1 kits.

HTH

H.P.


FYI, I took a look at the review and the Dragon kit being reviewed there is NOT the current M1A1 AIM kit. I am currently building that kit and many of the details noted as missing in the review have been corrected in the AIM kit. And yes, it has tons of pieces and is a very challenging build. That said, I have seen several built versions of this kit and it looks really good when complete. I recommend it.

badger66
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Texas, United States
Joined: April 09, 2005
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 04:36 AM UTC
Both the Dragon M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP are the standard as far as Im concerned.
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 06:12 AM UTC
Ok. I think I'd go with the Dragon AIM kit, and Grindcore, I just saw it, I think that's the one I'll get. But now for the all important (rhetorical) question: what to get first? An Academy M1151 or a Dragon M1A1 AIM? Lol.
jvazquez
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New Jersey, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 08:30 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Ok. I think I'd go with the Dragon AIM kit, and Grindcore, I just saw it, I think that's the one I'll get. But now for the all important (rhetorical) question: what to get first? An Academy M1151 or a Dragon M1A1 AIM? Lol.



Both!
210cav
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 08:37 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Did you see Pawel's comparative review ? It should help with earlier M1A1 kits.

HTH

H.P.


Wow! That is some of the best information I have ever seen on model comparison. Great work
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 10:37 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Ok. I think I'd go with the Dragon AIM kit, and Grindcore, I just saw it, I think that's the one I'll get. But now for the all important (rhetorical) question: what to get first? An Academy M1151 or a Dragon M1A1 AIM? Lol.



Both!


Ha. You don't know how badly I want that. But alas... I must settle for one... For now... As soon as I get $50 or more, I'll buy the other as well. I think the M1A1 just because I don't know where I'll be able to find another one.
DeskJockey
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 12:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Ha. You don't know how badly I want that. But alas... I must settle for one... For now... As soon as I get $50 or more, I'll buy the other as well. I think the M1A1 just because I don't know where I'll be able to find another one.


Don't overpay for the M1151! It should only run you around $30. It's on Amazon for around that much right now, and Amazon is not know to be a cheap place to buy models. Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054RRWM8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2HUFQYBB8LM3

Hobby Easy has it listed for around $21. If you are willing to wait and go for the cheapest surface shipping option, the total comes out to around $26.
http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/h2z2flp6h76aykgyhqsj.html
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 02:00 PM UTC
I have found some M1151 kits on Ebay that were pretty cheap, though. But I keep looking for deals constantly.
Frenchy
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Rhone, France
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 04:10 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Did you see Pawel's comparative review ? It should help with earlier M1A1 kits.

HTH

H.P.


FYI, I took a look at the review and the Dragon kit being reviewed there is NOT the current M1A1 AIM kit.


That's precisely why I said it should help with M1A1 earlier kits...

H.P.
MikeyBugs95
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New York, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 - 04:13 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Did you see Pawel's comparative review ? It should help with earlier M1A1 kits.

HTH

H.P.


FYI, I took a look at the review and the Dragon kit being reviewed there is NOT the current M1A1 AIM kit.


That's precisely why I said it should help with M1A1 earlier kits...

H.P.


But I'm not planning on buying an earlier kit...

By the way. I'll be buying a Dragon AIM kit tomorrow from a seller on Ebay.
wing_nut
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Joined: June 02, 2006
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 12:31 AM UTC
This is basically my 1st modern armor piece so I can't give you any comparisons but I am in the midst f the Dragon M1A1 AIM kit and it is really very nice. My only criticism is the mold line seem to be more proud than on the nearly all the Dragon kits I've built so far.

The good news is the instruction sheet is exactly like the other Dragon sheets... so be careful
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2013 - 05:56 AM UTC
Ok. Well I ordered the M1A1 AIM off amazon and it should arrive between 8/14 and 8/19. I also ordered an 1/144 AAV7A1 along with it. Now are there any conversion kit to convert an AIM to an A2 SEP?
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