Nick,
You are correct, that is why I recommended the replacement of the Tamiya kit track with the T-156 lightweight chevron track from ATM/Trumpeter T-156 track as part of the recipe. The replaceable pad track AKA Big Foot track is the T-158 and was fielded with the M1A1 Heavy. In 1999/2000 the T-158LL, withthe hollow center guides was fielded/became available.

JC

If you have to backdate an M1A1 into an M1, start with the otherwise poor Academy kit, as it has the correct turret dimensions for an M1 (which is why it's a lousy M1A1--they modified their pirated Tamiya M1 molds to make a cheap, quick, M1A1 kit).
If you find a Tamiya kit, note that it has the asymmetrical turret blowout panels on the turret roof, seen only on the XM1 prototypes and the first few production tanks. Most M1's had three rectangular panels.

Check out http://vodnik.net/index.htm for a comparison of all the early Abrams kits.

Cheers Rob.

Vodnik's Article is a comparison on M1A1 and M1A2 kits, not early M1 kits. It is helpful only if you are trying to decide which older M1A1/M1A2 kit to get if you don't want t get the much better Dragon M1A1 AIM or M1A2 SEP kits.

Yes,
But it covers all the kits including the Academy and if you read through it you can see what parts are best for the earlier M1.

Cheers Rob.