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M1ip kits? And Other Early to Mid 80's Stuff?
Crottykid16
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Iowa, United States
Joined: February 22, 2014
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 01:28 AM UTC
I have done my research a bit on making a M1IP but found out you just gotta build your own...This is ok for advanced modelers but some of the new guys and as well a nice base maybe for even advanced modelers. Would be nice if some company made a M1IP or even a M1(A0). So I ask has anyone heard rumors if any major company is planning on making this? It seems to be a difficult niche as it is in an era not many look for models in. I am stuck if I want a build from the 1980's almost using a kit right from the 80's! I would like to see as with modern production technics and materials something nice could be produced. Not sure if posting in the right spot but. Would there be a market for a model like an M1IP/M1? Or Say Early Bradley's? Or even after market parts and conversion kits for the old kit?
trakpin
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Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 02:08 AM UTC
about the best anyone can do is scour evilfleabay for tam's M1. it may not be completely accurate, but it's something to start with
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 02:43 AM UTC
Here's mine, not exactly 100% accurate. It's the Tamiya M1 with an added bustle rack and other details. Almost positive it's not the regular Tamiya M1 hull and skirts. Decals are a mix of very old and brittle Verlinden and homemade. Still not quite finished with it yet.

lucasner
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Armed Forces Europe, United States
Joined: November 04, 2005
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 05:57 AM UTC
I've the same plans for an IPM1 from Harold Coyle's classic Team Yankee. I've been told the easiest way to do one is to use a complete Tamiya/Dragon M1A1 and just backdate it since the turret is mostly the same between the IPM1 and the M1A1. Remove the anti-slip, CITV, NBC stuff from the left hull, re-do the turret blow out panels and fill in the battery access doors on the rear hull deck. If you have access to the old Tamiya M1 kit, you can fill the hole in the M1A1 mantlet to a smaller diameter for the M68 gun and just use it.
I am sure there are a whole ton of other small changes...but these are the big ones.
I actually went a step further and bought 2 Dragon Panther II kits as the represent early M1 hulls. On this I will mount a suitably modified Dragon M1A1 turret with teh gun tube from the ancient Tamiya M1 kit.
Hopefully I will start it someday...LOL
Dave
didgeboy
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 06:34 AM UTC
I really think the easiest way is to use the bustle rack off an M1A1 (say the old academy kit) and add it on to the Tamiya M1 (old school). This thread:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/230382

should provide some insight into how to do the conversion. Vodnik seems to be the master of Abrams variants, so trust him if he tells you something different than the rest of us. Good Luck!
Crottykid16
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Iowa, United States
Joined: February 22, 2014
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 07:11 AM UTC
So what M1IP's had the longer more M1A1 type turret?

I did pick up the Tamiya M1A2 kit the other day...but would prefer to not butcher that up. Want to build the M1A2 and 3 color nato it and set that to something....

I could run to Hobby Lobby they do have the Hobby Craft USMC M1A1 there and with the 40% coupon they give out daily for one item might be worth the buy for parts and parts to use the rest for a kit mash in the future.
didgeboy
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 10:36 AM UTC
It's hard to say who had what but the D 4/8 CAV (CAT 87 winners) had the standard M1IP I have lots of pics if needed, shoot me a PM.
Removed by original poster on 08/29/15 - 08:15:15 (GMT).
HeavyArty
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 05:02 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I could run to Hobby Lobby they do have the Hobby Craft USMC M1A1 there and with the 40% coupon they give out daily for one item might be worth the buy for parts and parts to use the rest for a kit mash in the future.



Stay away from the Hobby Craft kit. It is a reboxed Trumpeter kit and has lots of issues. It isn't worth the money you may save. Best bet is to stick w/Tamiya kits to build an M1 or M1IP.
Bravo1102
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New Jersey, United States
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 06:42 PM UTC
A Trumpeter M1 is worthwhile for parts. It is only the road wheels and turret front that are screwed up. It would be useful if you just want a bustle rack or cupola.


The old Vodnik comparison article gave bits of it high marks for getting certain details right, it was only the turret and road wheels that were the real let down. Did Tamiya ever get around to putting in the inside fender supports? In fact the best hull before the latest round of Dragon kits was the Italeri or Trumpeter with the Tamiya being a hollow motorized shell from 1980.


I plan on using a Trumpeter Panther II hull with a Tamiya turret because my tight budget precludes Dragon. Always check the turret length carefully because a M1 with a bustle rack is not necessarily an M1IP.
Tankrider
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 06:56 PM UTC

Quoted Text

So what M1IP's had the longer more M1A1 type turret?

I did pick up the Tamiya M1A2 kit the other day...but would prefer to not butcher that up. Want to build the M1A2 and 3 color nato it and set that to something....

I could run to Hobby Lobby they do have the Hobby Craft USMC M1A1 there and with the 40% coupon they give out daily for one item might be worth the buy for parts and parts to use the rest for a kit mash in the future.



Eric,
Find another M1 kit, then get any Tamiya M1A1 kit and use the turret, mantlet, the gunner's sight cover, and the bustle rack. Add the M1 kit's turret boxes and turret rails Remove the kit blow off panels and make new blow off panels from styrene (PM me and I wills end you the dimensions). Add the this turret to the M1 hull and you have a close replication of an early M1 IP ala 4-8 Cav in CAT 87. If you want, extend the turret rails to the bustle rack, then you have a typical M1 IP that was fielded in Germany, 24 ID at Ft Stewart, the National Training Center as drawyard tanks...

I used that basic recipe on my incomplete M1 IP as mentioned above in the January posting on M1 IPs

HTH

John
Crottykid16
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 08:50 PM UTC
Sorry correction. Meant the accademy USMC M1A1 @ Hobby Lobby lol. How is that one's rep?

http://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-%26-Hobbies/Model-Kits/Military/M1-A1-Abrams-Iraq-2003-Model-Kit/p/22241
HeavyArty
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 09:22 PM UTC
Not a good choice either. The Academy M1A1 was a modified copy of the Tamiya M1 kit which they did not lengthen the turret for an M1A1 on. Also, their original M1A1 release was horrible with a largely over-scaled barrel and other horrible parts. Their newer M1A1 USMC Iraq kit fixes most of the problems, but the turret is still the original short M1 turret.

Bottom line, go with Tamiya. You can find older Tamiya M1A1s on eBay pretty cheap, or check the Buy, Sell or Trade Forum here for one.
Tankrider
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 09:23 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Always check the turret length carefully because a M1 with a bustle rack is not necessarily an M1IP.



Nope, it is a M1 with a bustle rack. A good majority of people think that the added bustle makes the tank a M1IP... Not true.

John
Crottykid16
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Iowa, United States
Joined: February 22, 2014
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015 - 11:50 PM UTC
Alright well I guess I had to go to Hobby Town and grab a new M1A2 OIF kit (making my total of 2) this one I plan to kit mask with the M1 kit. Any good after market parts? 105 Barel ect?
Crottykid16
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Posted: Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 02:36 AM UTC


So between these two kits I can make a M1IP? Also any ideas for aftet market parts? Metal 105mm to go with it? Other metal parts that would work well?
HeavyArty
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Posted: Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 03:42 AM UTC
Yes, follow what John laid out a few posts above, copied below.


Quoted Text

Eric,
Find another M1 kit, then get any Tamiya M1A1 kit and use the turret, mantlet, the gunner's sight cover, and the bustle rack. Add the M1 kit's turret boxes and turret rails. Remove the kit blow off panels and make new blow off panels from styrene (PM me and I will send you the dimensions). Add the this turret to the M1 hull and you have a close replication of an early M1 IP ala 4-8 Cav in CAT 87. If you want, extend the turret rails to the bustle rack, then you have a typical M1 IP that was fielded in Germany, 24 ID at Ft Stewart, the National Training Center as drawyard tanks...

I used that basic recipe on my incomplete M1 IP as mentioned above in the January posting on M1 IPs

HTH

John

Crottykid16
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Iowa, United States
Joined: February 22, 2014
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Posted: Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 10:12 PM UTC
Just a quick question here guys! When did the 11th cav receive the M1IP?
Treadhead12
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Kentucky, United States
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Posted: Sunday, August 30, 2015 - 06:01 PM UTC
The 11th ACR never received the M1IP when the unit was stationed in Germany. They kept the M1 tanks fielded to them in 1983/84 until inactivated in 1991/92.
mkp
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Hessen, Germany
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Posted: Sunday, August 30, 2015 - 08:11 PM UTC

Quoted Text

The 11th ACR never received the M1IP when the unit was stationed in Germany. They kept the M1 tanks fielded to them in 1983/84 until inactivated in 1991/92.



The 11th ACR changed to M1A1 in late '80s, but never had M1IP. Most of M1 IP had been with the 3rd AD and 2nd ACR until switching to M1A1.
ptruhe
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Texas, United States
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Posted: Sunday, August 30, 2015 - 11:56 PM UTC
I've got a built M1 looking for a new home. Not sure if that would make it hard for cutting off the blow off panels.

I don't remember if we had IPs in 2AD FWD in '88-89 as I wasn't a tanker but they were overall green.
denstore
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Skåne, Sweden
Joined: January 05, 2009
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Posted: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 05:33 AM UTC
So, what is the recommended path to an as correct as possible M1 and M1IP?
Would it be something like this:

M1: Dragon M1 Panther II hull, mated to a Tamiya M1 turret. Trumpeter T156 tracks.

M1IP: Dragon M1 Panther II hull with a Dragon M1A1 turret, fitted with a M68 gun. Trumpeter T156 tracks.
JoeBev
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California, United States
Joined: June 14, 2007
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Posted: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 06:38 AM UTC
Keep watch on Meng Models. On their facebook page they posted shots of M1 Abranms CWS and they mention the early M1 Abarams. So I think they will do a new early Abrams kit next year. I think wants to be the Abrams King like they have with the Leopards.
Happy Holidays
Joe Bevans
AMPS 2nd VP West region
AMPS So Cal
denstore
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Skåne, Sweden
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Posted: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 07:20 AM UTC
That might be the best and most logical thing to do, but I'm a bit to inpatient to wait for a manufacturer to make up their mind, so I think I have to go ahead with the kit bash alternative for now.
tanknick22
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Posted: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 08:44 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I have done my research a bit on making a M1IP but found out you just gotta build your own...This is ok for advanced modelers but some of the new guys and as well a nice base maybe for even advanced modelers. Would be nice if some company made a M1IP or even a M1(A0). So I ask has anyone heard rumors if any major company is planning on making this? It seems to be a difficult niche as it is in an era not many look for models in. I am stuck if I want a build from the 1980's almost using a kit right from the 80's! I would like to see as with modern production technics and materials something nice could be produced. Not sure if posting in the right spot but. Would there be a market for a model like an M1IP/M1? Or Say Early Bradley's? Or even after market parts and conversion kits for the old kit?




Eric
Here is what i did to build my IPm1 :
Kits used : Tamiya M1A2, Tamiya M1

Hull: built Tamiya M1 hull as per instructions not sure if there were any changes to the hull from the M1 to the IPM1

Turret: modified the M1 mantle mounting so the entire mantle and 105 gun would fit the mounting in the Tamiya M1A2 turret and yes the gun does elevate and depress, removed the 2 section blow off panels on the A2 turret and splice in the 3 section blow off panels from the M1 turret move all the turret side rails and small stowage bins and gunners sight housing from the M1 turret to the M1A2 turret and add the bustle rack as in the M1A2 assembly intructions

It wasnt as hard as it sounds if you want Eric pm me with your email address and I'll send you some pics of it
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