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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
Hosted by Darren Baker
M1A1 build/help log
MikeyBugs95
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New York, United States
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Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 08:37 AM UTC
Well my new Dragon M1A1 AIM Abrams just came in today, 10 days after first ordering it and I like it. I really do. I've read much of what's been suggested that people building this kit read already and I feel that I'm somewhat prepared...




And I'm confused too... In step one... what's the difference between part V20 and part V19?
Shaun6115
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Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 08:47 AM UTC

Quoted Text

And I'm confused too... In step one... what's the difference between part V20 and part V19?


Hi,

V19 represents a drive sprocket that is trimmed. (for weight reduction I think)

Shaun
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 09:28 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi,

V19 represents a drive sprocket that is trimmed. (for weight reduction I think)

Shaun


Ok thanks.
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 02:19 PM UTC
I have a little update... Work on the chassis so far.



Work is slow going. It's very tedious... That combined with forum's checking and updating every few minutes....
Shaun6115
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Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 05:03 PM UTC
Be careful with the suspension arms. My first time with the kit, I had them hanging down too low which made the tank look like it had a lift kit on it. I had to drill them out to fix it. Good luck!

Shaun
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 05:43 PM UTC
Ok. Thanks for the heads up. After just double-checking some of the over 500 pictures I've collected of the M1, I think I have the suspension arms right currently. Thanks again.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 05:56 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I have a little update... Work on the chassis so far.


You mean the Hull. Tanks have hulls, not chassis. Keep plugging away, its looking pretty good.
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 06:11 PM UTC
Alright... Hull... but I can't edit my previous post..

Also, although I'm finished for the night, I have completed the main gun a little while ago.


I opted for plastic over metal because I thought it'd be a bit easier using the plastic.
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 10:36 AM UTC
I painted most of the pieces between Saturday, yesterday, and today and got one of the photoetch pieces done:





jezones
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Georgia, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 11:34 AM UTC
I'm no expert but if I could give you a tip. I don't think it's a good idea to paint the parts before assembly. Most people assemble pretty much the whole tank before painting. The paint will react with what ever kind of bonding material your using and will not make a good bond. There are a few builds of this kit going on at the moment where you can see other people's approach to the build process https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/209093&page=1

Mark
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 01:33 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I'm no expert but if I could give you a tip. I don't think it's a good idea to paint the parts before assembly. Most people assemble pretty much the whole tank before painting. The paint will react with what ever kind of bonding material your using and will not make a good bond. There are a few builds of this kit going on at the moment where you can see other people's approach to the build process https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/209093&page=1

Mark


I know about the builds. I've been following a few of them. Some assemblies I have built before painting, i.e. the main gun assembly. There are many ways to paint model kits, as have been gone over many times by many people on many forums, and I choose to paint MY model the way I want to. I originally planned to paint after most of the parts have been assembled but I changed that plan slightly. It doesn't matter.
jezones
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Posted: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 01:48 PM UTC
Well you must have better luck with paint and glue than I do. I always ends up with a mess. I'm looking forward to see how your build comes out. I'm about to start this kit once I get done with the Bradley I'm building.

Mark
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 02:14 PM UTC
I've had pretty good luck using that technique. I used to build the ENTIRE kit and then paint it, which, of course, didn't always turn out too well.
FatMike
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Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 01:27 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I've had pretty good luck using that technique. I used to build the ENTIRE kit and then paint it, which, of course, didn't always turn out too well.


Yea, this is the first time that I'm putting together the model, then painting it. It's also the first time that I'm going to use an air brush... Should be interesting.
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 02:52 AM UTC
I've had some pretty horrible luck with airbrushes. Which is why I now don't use them too much. To paint this I'm using spray paint. So far I've gone through two cans already. But then again, look at how many pieces there are to paint. It's not unlike my T-62A that I built not too long ago. I went through two cans with that one too.
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Friday, August 23, 2013 - 02:36 PM UTC
I finished the road wheel, drive sprocket, and suspension assembly. Tomorrow I'll work on the tracks, I'll probably only do one but one never knows.


MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Saturday, August 24, 2013 - 09:27 PM UTC
I finished the lower portion of one track. Tomorrow... well, today... I'll finish off one track maybe two. I also started assembly of the upper hull. Unfortunately, I lost the M240B Pintle-mounted mg. I need to find a new one.
FatMike
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Posted: Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 02:55 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Unfortunately, I lost the M240B Pintle-mounted mg. I need to find a new one.


PM me, I think that I have one laying around. (And it's the M240L for the loaders MG or the M240G for the coax. Of course they are interchangeable, and we have a M240B conversion kit on the tank. Some tankers would use the "B" kit and not lock in the back pin so they had better control when firing)


On another note, looking at your main gun, the breach itself should be painted black, and from there forward should be white. If your modeling the hatches open, the inside of the turret should also be painted white.
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 04:13 PM UTC
Ok. Thanks. And no, I'm not modeling it with hatches open, which is why I didn't really paint the breech. But thanks though.
120mmSniper
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Posted: Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 05:02 PM UTC
Just an FYI-
The hubs of the road wheels on a real M1A1 are transparent plastic, allowing a visual check of the oil level. They were pretty mach always covered in dust, though. A squared-away driver would hop out whenever he could and wipe off the hubs.
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 05:13 PM UTC
I know. I plan to paint the indentations on the wheels a oil-like color to make the oily look. What color should I use or make?
didgeboy
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Posted: Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 05:43 PM UTC
The wheels do not seep oil. They are dusty and usually caked with mud or dried mud. Paint them as the vehicle then weather with mud or dust. Cheers.
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 06:14 PM UTC
Ok.... That's not what I mean. I mean what to paint the indent where the clear cap goes... To make it look like theres lubricant in... where ever the lubricant goes... not on the wheel.
FatMike
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Posted: Monday, August 26, 2013 - 10:06 AM UTC
The lubricant is just 10W40 oil, so it would be brownish in color and transparent , but only paint half of the cap as they are only ever half full. The cavity itself where the oil is would be the same brownish/black color. To make it appear half full paint the back of the cap itself the transparent brown
MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Thursday, August 29, 2013 - 03:09 PM UTC
Well... I have here another update. After a few days of no progress on the DML M1A1 (it seemed like weeks, though) on account of me working on a birthday present for my dad, I finally made a little bit of progress:

I finished up both tracks. The MagicTraks were surprisingly good to me, considering this is my first time ever using them.





I'm also now working on the upper hull and turret.





I also painted the windows clear red.

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