Hey Everyone, I was wondering if it is possible to convert Trumpeter's 5 in 1 Abrams kit into a TUSK I kit? I also have Voyager Model's Tusk I ERA kit (PE35556). I was planning on scratch building the gunners' shields as well as the belly armor. Secondly, I was wondering if I may ask someone when and where the TUSK I was used. Thanks again for your help.

Yes, Trumpeter's M1A1 5-in-1 kit can become a TUSK 1 Abrams. TUSK 1 was used in Iraq from about 04-08.

thanks heavy arty, should I use the a1 or a2 version? If I may ask a second question, what are the differences between an 04 tusk I and an 08 tusk I? sorry if this is a bit too specific. I couldn't find any helpful pictures. thanks again.

TUSK was used on both M1A2s and M1A1s. It depends on which unit you want to depict. If you want a camo vehicle though (from a Europe-based unit), it will only be an M1A1. All M1A2s (until about a year ago) were sand.

There is both TUSK 1 and TUSK 2. Tusk one is the initial package that includes side skirt ERA panels, belly armor, , a remotely fired .50 cal on top of the barrel, and loader's gun shields.

TUSK II was an upgrade that added ballistic panels on to of the side skirt ERA and to the sides of the turret. It also adds shields around the commander's cupola and more shielding around the loader.

Tusk II came out around '06 or so. TUSK is also a kit of options that parts can be added or deleted from as the tactical threat dictates. Not all tanks had the same items. Your best bet is to find a picture of a tank you want to model and copy it.

TUSK 1


TUSK 2


Both versions were in use at the same time too.

TUSk 1 and TUSK 2 side by side

Thank you so much for your help; I really appreciate how thorough your information is. Looks like I will have a lot of flexibility here. My goal for this project is to depict a TUSK I vehicle that was deployed late into the occupation c.a 2005-8. Do you know any units that were around at that time. If I may ask a second question,is there any possibility that the ERA panels on the TUSK I could be mismatched? By mismatched, I mean having the occasional green panel among the sand colored ones. I saw someone with a Bradley A3 with mismatched panels and I thought it looked really interesting. Sorry, it's a lot of questions coming from me. But I really appreciate your help and patience with this.

I was last in Iraq in '08-'09 and I think I remember 1 CAV being there at that time w/M1A2s. I think 3ID was there for part of that time too with all M1A1s then. I think all Abrams TUSK ERA blocks come in sand, at least it did at that time. There may be some out there in green, but I haven't seen any.

Thanks, that is a great starting place. Does 1CAV tankers give their tanks nicknames and/or unique insignia? I think I saw some Abrams markings from Echelon but I wasn't too sure if they were from 1CAV. Thanks again.

Yes, just about every unit "names" their tanks. The name is usually along the barrel on either side.

Thanks HeavyArty