I got this kit yesterday and took a quick look at the instructions (very crowded to say the least ...)
According to the paint/camouflage/marking instructions it can be built as either
M1A1 HC, M1A1 D (Digital ??) or M1A1 AIM.
I failed to find details about which parts should be used for the three variants. Any hints ? Should I use a
magnifier and look for differences in the marking schemes?
There is some thin shroud behind one of the exhaust grilles, which variant does it belong to ??
Are the variants as suggested by Dragon correct ??
Any hints or tips will be appreciated ....
/ Robin
Hosted by Darren Baker
Dragon M1A1 AIM (kit 3535) questions ...
RobinNilsson
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 02:59 PM UTC
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 03:51 PM UTC
The versions are accurate. Externally, they all look pretty much the same. The differences are on the inside with different digital equipment and systems.
An M1A1 HC is one that has depleted uranium (Heavy) and has features common to the US Army and USMC (Common).
An M1A1 AIM is a tank that has been through the Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) program which strips them down to bare metal and does a complete rebuild to zero hours zero miles, basically a new tank.
The M1A1 D model is for digital. It was an M1A1 that had all the digital features of an M1A2 added to make them able to talk to M1A2s. It was a type used in the interim while M1A2s were being built and fielded until enough M1A2s could replace them all.
The biggest difference in them is the units they were assigned to. Like I said, externally, they are all pretty much the same.
An M1A1 HC is one that has depleted uranium (Heavy) and has features common to the US Army and USMC (Common).
An M1A1 AIM is a tank that has been through the Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) program which strips them down to bare metal and does a complete rebuild to zero hours zero miles, basically a new tank.
The M1A1 D model is for digital. It was an M1A1 that had all the digital features of an M1A2 added to make them able to talk to M1A2s. It was a type used in the interim while M1A2s were being built and fielded until enough M1A2s could replace them all.
The biggest difference in them is the units they were assigned to. Like I said, externally, they are all pretty much the same.
Violetrock
Joined: March 09, 2003
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 04:07 PM UTC
You are right. The small differences between the variants are shown in the marking schemes.
Thomas
Thomas
RobinNilsson
TOS ModeratorJoined: November 29, 2006
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 04:21 PM UTC
So it is time for the magnifier ...
playing Sherlock Holmes, searching for Important Clues ;-)
playing Sherlock Holmes, searching for Important Clues ;-)
M4A1Sherman
Joined: May 02, 2013
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 04:48 PM UTC
Quoted Text
So it is time for the magnifier ...
playing Sherlock Holmes, searching for Important Clues ;-)
Hi, Robin! I was going to write you back, but Gino and Thomas beat me to it!
IN short, I AGREE with GINO and THOMAS! The exteriors of all the various M1 Abrams tanks are more or less the same, the main differences being in some of the exterior target-acquisition equipment, electronic detection, and communications stuff. Some of the NBC equipment and air conditioning and EPU units are a bit different, too. You're right- get out your magnifying glass. Also, even though the 1/35 DRAGON M1s are THE BEST, there are some errors in the instructions that you have to be on the look-out for- nothing major though. What I do is, I figure out which variant I want to build, and then I go over the ENTIRE instructions. Then, I mark out the parts on the instruction sheets with a high-liter marker so that I will quickly find the parts that I will use for the version that I want to build. I've used this method on my 4 DRAGON M1 kits, and I'll use this method again when I build the new M1A2 SEP V2... GOOD LUCK!!!
chnoone
Joined: January 01, 2009
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 06:28 PM UTC
It also depends on the timeframe you wish to set your project.
Up to the end of the 1990s most units in Germany were M1A1 HA.
1-35 AR had M1A1 Ds in their inventory around 1998 or so.
1-1 CAV & 1-4 CAV, 1-77 AR got their AIMs starting around 2001 as I recall.
And about 2002 -03 the 1-37 AR "Bandits", 1-1 CAV fielded some AIMs but also had the power-socket for the mine-plow just like the M1A2 had to the left of the drivers hatch and later some solar-panel things on their engine deck. These items are not included in the AIM kit though.
Funny thing is that during 1-37 ARs EX "Ready Crucible" in 2005 (although having the socket) the power cable of the mine-plow was still fed through the drivers hatch.
If you can pinpoint which unit and year your tank is suppose to be ... and stationed in Germany ... shoot me mail if you need further info.
Cheers
Christopher
Up to the end of the 1990s most units in Germany were M1A1 HA.
1-35 AR had M1A1 Ds in their inventory around 1998 or so.
1-1 CAV & 1-4 CAV, 1-77 AR got their AIMs starting around 2001 as I recall.
And about 2002 -03 the 1-37 AR "Bandits", 1-1 CAV fielded some AIMs but also had the power-socket for the mine-plow just like the M1A2 had to the left of the drivers hatch and later some solar-panel things on their engine deck. These items are not included in the AIM kit though.
Funny thing is that during 1-37 ARs EX "Ready Crucible" in 2005 (although having the socket) the power cable of the mine-plow was still fed through the drivers hatch.
If you can pinpoint which unit and year your tank is suppose to be ... and stationed in Germany ... shoot me mail if you need further info.
Cheers
Christopher
seanmcandrews
Joined: May 09, 2009
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 07:14 PM UTC
" ...and later some solar-panel things on their engine deck. "
could you elaborate ?
Sean
could you elaborate ?
Sean
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 07:35 PM UTC
Quoted Text
" ...and later some solar-panel things on their engine deck. "
could you elaborate ?
Sean
It is known as the Solargizer system. It is a small solar panel that provides a trickle charge for the batteries so they do not go dead when sitting for a while in the motorpool. They are used on most Army equipment now.
rogerjo1
Joined: November 12, 2010
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 08:17 PM UTC
It is known as the Solargizer system. It is a small solar panel that provides a trickle charge for the batteries so they do not go dead when sitting for a while in the motorpool. They are used on most Army equipment now.
[/quote]http://put.url.here
Are they used on Mrap veichles also like the Cougar, Maxxpro?
Do you know that Gino?
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 08:37 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Are they used on Mrap veichles also like the Cougar, Maxxpro? Do you know that Gino?
Yes, but I can't find any pics that show it.
rogerjo1
Joined: November 12, 2010
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 08:51 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextAre they used on Mrap veichles also like the Cougar, Maxxpro? Do you know that Gino?
Yes, but I can't find any pics that show it.
Thanks Gino!
seanmcandrews
Joined: May 09, 2009
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 09:21 PM UTC
Gino,
thanks from me as well. I'm assuming this isn't mounted on vehicles in the field then ?
Sean
thanks from me as well. I'm assuming this isn't mounted on vehicles in the field then ?
Sean
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 09:37 PM UTC
Yes, once mounted, it stays on the vehicle.
seanmcandrews
Joined: May 09, 2009
KitMaker: 561 posts
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Posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 - 09:51 PM UTC
got it, thanks !
Sean
Sean
RobinNilsson
TOS ModeratorJoined: November 29, 2006
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Posted: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 - 02:33 AM UTC
Thanks to all of you who took the time to answer
My main interest is in "history of military technology" so
I want to build models of different types or generations of
things. I am not so concerned about exactly when or where
it was used unless I am trying to show opponents.
/ Robin
My main interest is in "history of military technology" so
I want to build models of different types or generations of
things. I am not so concerned about exactly when or where
it was used unless I am trying to show opponents.
/ Robin
trakpin
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 667 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 - 06:52 AM UTC
more about the AIM. was a metal barrel included with 3535? I've seem some listed with and without. got mine off evelbay and everything is still bagged, but I'm wondering in the sell kept the gun
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 - 07:25 AM UTC
The original issue a few years ago had the metal barrel. The reissue has only the plastic barrel, which is better detailed and more accurate anyways. The new issue also has the one-piece DS Styrene tracks as opposed to the crappy indi-link Magic Tracks too. A better all-around kit if you ask me.
trakpin
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 667 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 - 08:45 AM UTC
explains that. thx. rather prefer the DS trax over magic
M4A1Sherman
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 - 08:25 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Thanks to all of you who took the time to answer
My main interest is in "history of military technology" so
I want to build models of different types or generations of
things. I am not so concerned about exactly when or where
it was used unless I am trying to show opponents.
/ Robin
HEY!
That sounds a bit like what I'm doing with my self-imposed "Evolution of US/Allied Armored and Soft-Skinned Vehicles, 1916 to Contemporary Times"... I know, "Good Luck with that", right? Anyway, we seem to be on similar tracks... (No pun intended)RobinNilsson
TOS ModeratorJoined: November 29, 2006
KitMaker: 6,693 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 01:48 AM UTC
It can get interesting to show the line-ups ...
"All" the M113s, seemingly endless variations.
In how many ways can an HMMWV be used/abused ...
All the Führers Panzers (ignore or include the
paper panzers) ...
The Tank, where it started and where we are now ...
The Spanish Verdeja 1 prototype, turret at the rear
end with engine and transmission up front (Merkava
anyone ???)
M26-M46-M47-M48-M60 ??
Lots of trends and development lines to dig into,
So many models, so little time
/ Robin
"All" the M113s, seemingly endless variations.
In how many ways can an HMMWV be used/abused ...
All the Führers Panzers (ignore or include the
paper panzers) ...
The Tank, where it started and where we are now ...
The Spanish Verdeja 1 prototype, turret at the rear
end with engine and transmission up front (Merkava
anyone ???)
M26-M46-M47-M48-M60 ??
Lots of trends and development lines to dig into,
So many models, so little time
/ Robin
trakpin
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 667 posts
Armorama: 639 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 05:16 PM UTC
which outer drive sprocket is use for which version of the AIM? I'm thinking on doing Ancient One. thx
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 07:21 PM UTC
The outer sprocket depends on the vehicle. Either could be used and they are not dependent on type. Best bet is to find a picture of what you want and replicate it.
M4A1Sherman
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 08:21 PM UTC
Quoted Text
It can get interesting to show the line-ups ...
"All" the M113s, seemingly endless variations.
In how many ways can an HMMWV be used/abused ...
All the Führers Panzers (ignore or include the
paper panzers) ...
The Tank, where it started and where we are now ...
The Spanish Verdeja 1 prototype, turret at the rear
end with engine and transmission up front (Merkava
anyone ???)
M26-M46-M47-M48-M60 ??
Lots of trends and development lines to dig into,
So many models, so little time
/ Robin
Let's not forget Leonardo Da Vinci's drawings for a 15th-Century tank... Leonardo was SOOOO ahead of his time...
M4A1Sherman
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 04, 2015 - 08:23 PM UTC
Quoted Text
It can get interesting to show the line-ups ...
"All" the M113s, seemingly endless variations.
In how many ways can an HMMWV be used/abused ...
All the Führers Panzers (ignore or include the
paper panzers) ...
The Tank, where it started and where we are now ...
The Spanish Verdeja 1 prototype, turret at the rear
end with engine and transmission up front (Merkava
anyone ???)
M26-M46-M47-M48-M60 ??
Lots of trends and development lines to dig into,
So many models, so little time
/ Robin
I'll be including the T26/M26, M46, M47, M48 and M60-series tanks in my "Evolution"...
junglejim
Joined: February 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,728 posts
Armorama: 1,629 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 05, 2015 - 12:12 AM UTC
Quoted Text
which outer drive sprocket is use for which version of the AIM? I'm thinking on doing Ancient One. thx
'ANCIENT ONE' had the non-scalloped rings. Concord's Special Ops Vol.30 has a few pics of it, probably what they used for reference.
Jim
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