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"ACES N EIGHTS" My M1A1 from OIF 1
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 10:46 AM UTC
So let me start by saying that I haven't done any modeling in about 20 years, but seeing as this is the 10 year anniversary of my deployment to Iraq, I wanted to do something. This project will most likely take me a very long time as I have a lot of plans for it, including a full interior (yea, that'll be fun...) and all 4 crew members. Anyway, here is a picture of the start, I need to send out a HUGE thanks to Charvat for the mine roller bra.
jezones
Joined: February 05, 2012
KitMaker: 80 posts
Armorama: 79 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 12:54 PM UTC
Thanks for your service... There are a few guys building this kit and doing build logs so you should be able to get some good ideas. What unit where you with in Iraq if you don't mind me asking?
Mark
Mark
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 02:02 PM UTC
I was the gunner on A-13, A Company, 2/37 Armor Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division.
The Iron Dukes
The Iron Dukes
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 02:32 PM UTC
looking forward to this one!
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 05:36 PM UTC
Quoted Text
looking forward to this one!
Haha, Not too sure that i am
MikeyBugs95
Joined: May 27, 2013
KitMaker: 2,210 posts
Armorama: 1,712 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 05:58 PM UTC
I'll be following this if you don't mind. I'm building the same kit and also have a build/help log going with it.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service.
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Monday, August 19, 2013 - 03:35 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I'll be following this if you don't mind. I'm building the same kit and also have a build/help log going with it.
Thank you for your service.
So, an update here, I've not gotten too much more done, just the road wheels put together, today I'm going to get the stuff for the interior, and Friday I'll be ordering 2 of the tank crew that I'll be using to put this together.
I'be been following your build too, so that's cool, and your welcome.
Mike
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 05:21 AM UTC
Some update photos... advice is always welcome.
The first is just an "overview"
This one, I painted the grills black, and then the PE grates go over them, I'm having trouble with the PE grates, and what is best to use to get them glue'd down... Need help/advice with that. you can also see the top of the mine roller bra.
This is a shot of the front of the mine roller bra, the comp-idler, and number 1 road wheel.
On Friday, I'm getting the sheet plastic to start the interior of the the tank, and of course seeing that I am doing the interior, I figured I'd make it fun. I had some old 120mm tank ammo in a parts bin, sparking an idea... I cut the aft-caps off the full round, and will lay them in the bottom of the turret. Here they are
Also on Friday I'm ordering the crew members (I'll only be using one as the loader) and I'm hoping to modify him just enough so it appears that he is loading a round into the breach of the main gun.
Sorry for the long winded update...
Mike
The first is just an "overview"
This one, I painted the grills black, and then the PE grates go over them, I'm having trouble with the PE grates, and what is best to use to get them glue'd down... Need help/advice with that. you can also see the top of the mine roller bra.
This is a shot of the front of the mine roller bra, the comp-idler, and number 1 road wheel.
On Friday, I'm getting the sheet plastic to start the interior of the the tank, and of course seeing that I am doing the interior, I figured I'd make it fun. I had some old 120mm tank ammo in a parts bin, sparking an idea... I cut the aft-caps off the full round, and will lay them in the bottom of the turret. Here they are
Also on Friday I'm ordering the crew members (I'll only be using one as the loader) and I'm hoping to modify him just enough so it appears that he is loading a round into the breach of the main gun.
Sorry for the long winded update...
Mike
MikeyBugs95
Joined: May 27, 2013
KitMaker: 2,210 posts
Armorama: 1,712 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 05:30 AM UTC
Why cut off the aft-caps? Also, did you use CA glue, aka, Super Glue?
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 05:39 AM UTC
It is coming together nicely. Good job so far. I have built a couple with full interiors. They can come out really nice and surprisingly, a lot is actually visible through the hatches.
The end caps are all that is left when the round is fired. The casing is combustible aluminum and the end cap is steel. When the round is fired and the breech is opened, all that is left is the steel end cap.
Quoted Text
Why cut off the aft-caps?
The end caps are all that is left when the round is fired. The casing is combustible aluminum and the end cap is steel. When the round is fired and the breech is opened, all that is left is the steel end cap.
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 05:50 AM UTC
Quoted Text
It is coming together nicely. Good job so far. I have built a couple with full interiors. They can come out really nice and surprisingly, a lot is actually visible through the hatches.
Thank you very much. At one time you had sent me a link to the first interior that you did, and I was going to use those pics as a reference, along with my -1 and -2, and countless photo's but I can not find the link any longer. If you could PM the link to me, that would be great. Thanks again
Mike
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 06:40 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextWhy cut off the aft-caps?
The end caps are all that is left when the round is fired. The casing is combustible aluminum and the end cap is steel. When the round is fired and the breech is opened, all that is left is the steel end cap.
Gino is right, but, cutting them is only half the battle, I also have to hollow them out, (very carefully I might add) and add the Primer tube. Here is a pic of one
MikeyBugs95
Joined: May 27, 2013
KitMaker: 2,210 posts
Armorama: 1,712 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 07:23 AM UTC
Ohh.. Ok. Nice to know. And it makes sense to do that too... Saves space and weight. Although, I don't weight has much to do with it in the Abrams...
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 08:40 AM UTC
PM sent.
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Monday, August 26, 2013 - 03:21 PM UTC
OK, so I hadn't made as much progress as I have wanted to, but here is some more of the build, the first is just a bit of overall stuff that is new.
A bit of the TC's hatch...
Now for what I have been really working on, what a pain in the butt, I guess I bring it upon myself. This is the start if the interior. I have the TC's station, COAX, and ammo (what a job that was...) I scratch built the coax ammo storage box (its not perfect and it bothers me), and placed some belted ammo into it. I also added the radios in the loaders station. I have to get some putty and fill in the gap at the back of the turret.
This is from the back of the turret, yes, I know that the SINGARS is not perfect, but its what I have, and don't look too bad. I have to figure out how to create the main gun arming handle, but that should be fairly easy. Of course, the whole interrior of the turret will be painted white, and then I'll repaint and touch up as needed. I also still have to add the aft-cap deflector.
This is the start of the turret basket. This is going to be fun, this is where my gunner is going to be seated, (yes I will have a full crew in the tank) a HUGE thanks goes out to Gino (AKA HeavyArty) as I am using one of his interior builds for reference. You can also see that I chose to use the molded gun tube rather than the metal one, I just felt that it had more detail in it.
Stay tuned, more to come, tanks for looking
Mike
A bit of the TC's hatch...
Now for what I have been really working on, what a pain in the butt, I guess I bring it upon myself. This is the start if the interior. I have the TC's station, COAX, and ammo (what a job that was...) I scratch built the coax ammo storage box (its not perfect and it bothers me), and placed some belted ammo into it. I also added the radios in the loaders station. I have to get some putty and fill in the gap at the back of the turret.
This is from the back of the turret, yes, I know that the SINGARS is not perfect, but its what I have, and don't look too bad. I have to figure out how to create the main gun arming handle, but that should be fairly easy. Of course, the whole interrior of the turret will be painted white, and then I'll repaint and touch up as needed. I also still have to add the aft-cap deflector.
This is the start of the turret basket. This is going to be fun, this is where my gunner is going to be seated, (yes I will have a full crew in the tank) a HUGE thanks goes out to Gino (AKA HeavyArty) as I am using one of his interior builds for reference. You can also see that I chose to use the molded gun tube rather than the metal one, I just felt that it had more detail in it.
Stay tuned, more to come, tanks for looking
Mike
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Monday, August 26, 2013 - 03:30 PM UTC
I want to clarify something, in my first post, I started that I was sending a huge thank you to Charvat for sending me the Mine Roller Bra, he is TankRider in the forms, so again, a HUGE thanks to you sir.
Mike
Mike
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, August 26, 2013 - 10:13 PM UTC
Off to a good start on the interior. It is looking good.
One small point though. On the coax ammo, there is a chute from the box to the side of the gun that the belted ammo sits in, it doesn't just drape across the main gun. Unless you plan on leaving the turret roof detachable, the whole coax area will not be visible anyways, so it doesn't really matter.
Keep up the good work.
One small point though. On the coax ammo, there is a chute from the box to the side of the gun that the belted ammo sits in, it doesn't just drape across the main gun. Unless you plan on leaving the turret roof detachable, the whole coax area will not be visible anyways, so it doesn't really matter.
Keep up the good work.
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 - 05:24 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Off to a good start on the interior. It is looking good.
One small point though. On the coax ammo, there is a chute from the box to the side of the gun that the belted ammo sits in, it doesn't just drape across the main gun. Unless you plan on leaving the turret roof detachable, the whole coax area will not be visible anyways, so it doesn't really matter.
Keep up the good work.
Yea, I tried to figure out how to build an ammo chute, then I was thinking about getting the chute set from Live Resin, but spending the money just didn't seem right, for something that would not be seen. The ammo coming out of the storage box is also not correct, as it come out from the top, and curves over the top of the tube, again, I couldn't figure out how to recreate that look and for the most part gave up on it figuring that you could't see it anyway. If you have any ideas on how to create the chute, please share them.
Here are the ones from Live Resin.
Edit *Once I got to looking at some old photos I had laying around, I noticed that I may have a solution to my coax chute issue. I have the coax too far forward, and I'll be moving that to where is should be and I'll build the chute from there.*
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Monday, September 02, 2013 - 06:42 AM UTC
OK, so after Gino gave me a complex about my COAX not being correct, I decided to fix it. Now it is correct in both placement and ammo feed. I also attached the turret basket to the bottom of the turret, placed the gunner's seat and the fuse box in the loaders station. I built the gunners sight and attached that the the turret roof, (and it even lines up with the gunners view... yes luck.) the "gunner" is Legend's AFV Driver. he works really well.
W/ Gunner
W/O Gunner
Gunners Sights
I still have to add the TC sights to the turret roof, but that's all for now, enjoy.
Thanks for looking
Mike
W/ Gunner
W/O Gunner
Gunners Sights
I still have to add the TC sights to the turret roof, but that's all for now, enjoy.
Thanks for looking
Mike
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 - 06:49 PM UTC
A little bit of progress made tonight, I got the tank crew all together. Yes, all 4 crew members. I placed the TC's sight on the turret roof, I got the drivers interior together, I had to modify it so that the driver could be seated in the "closed hatch" position, the loader fits perfectly with out any modification needed. And of course the gunner. I'll have to paint them all and get them put into place.
Does anyone know where to get boom mics or how to make them? My TC has been made to look like he is yelling into the mic and it would be cool if I had one to give him the right look. I'll post pic's in the next day or two
Tanks for looking, leave comments and or advice
Mike
Does anyone know where to get boom mics or how to make them? My TC has been made to look like he is yelling into the mic and it would be cool if I had one to give him the right look. I'll post pic's in the next day or two
Tanks for looking, leave comments and or advice
Mike
SdAufKla
Joined: May 07, 2010
KitMaker: 2,238 posts
Armorama: 2,158 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 12:39 AM UTC
Quoted Text
... Does anyone know where to get boom mics or how to make them? My TC has been made to look like he is yelling into the mic and it would be cool if I had one to give him the right look. I'll post pic's in the next day or two
Tanks for looking, leave comments and or advice
Mike
Mike,
That's an ambitious project, but coming along very nicely.
Hornet offers resin headsets with the boom microphones cast separately.
Hornet::HUH07
I usually buy my Hornet products from Colorado Miniatures, but there are other sources:
Colorado Miniatures
Hey, watch out for that Charvat character, or he'll have you roped into being an AMPS Ram Rod!
Happy modeling!
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 04:39 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Mike,
That's an ambitious project, but coming along very nicely.
Yes, it is. As I've been sitting there working on all these little details inside the turret I find myself thinking why bother. But at least I'll know its there, and I'll have photo proof... LOL because your not going to be able to see it.
Quoted Text
Hornet offers resin headsets with the boom microphones cast separately.
Hornet::HUH07
I usually buy my Hornet products from Colorado Miniatures, but there are other sources:
Colorado Miniatures
Hey, watch out for that Charvat character, or he'll have you roped into being an AMPS Ram Rod!
Happy modeling!
Thanks for the info on the boom mic's I'll be picking them up in the next week or two.
Tanks for looking and please leave comments or advice
Mike
IronOwl
Joined: January 07, 2013
KitMaker: 572 posts
Armorama: 302 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 05:24 AM UTC
Awsome looking build following with great interest.
Thank you for your service.
Sascha(Ironowl)
Thank you for your service.
Sascha(Ironowl)
Tankrider
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2013 - 07:08 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hey, watch out for that Charvat character, or he'll have you roped into being an AMPS Ram Rod!
Mike,
Don't pay attention to that SF Sergeant Major Roof about the AMPS stuff... He is always trying to get me in trouble.
But I will give it to him, he is a hell of a modeler, both with tanks and figgies and he is knows his dio terrain. He doesn't knwo that he is going to be Chief Ramrod next year in Fredericksberg.
John
JC
FatMike
Joined: September 11, 2006
KitMaker: 106 posts
Armorama: 107 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 12, 2013 - 07:53 PM UTC
OK, so I haven't updated this in a bit, but this is what I've been working on, a lot of small detail work, and figuring things out on placement. These pics are rough, and the painting needs toughing up and weathering but I just wanted to update everyone.
View of the TC and loader from the top of the tank.
Loader loading the round.
Loader and Gunner
So, I've got all the placement of the figures. They surprisingly fit really well. I have to paint them all, as well as int interior of the tank.
Thanks for looking, leave any comments or advice.
Mike
View of the TC and loader from the top of the tank.
Loader loading the round.
Loader and Gunner
So, I've got all the placement of the figures. They surprisingly fit really well. I have to paint them all, as well as int interior of the tank.
Thanks for looking, leave any comments or advice.
Mike
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