Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Tamiya M1A1with mine plow
Vodnik
Visit this Community
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 17, 2016 - 02:27 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I was checking some sources and noticed that in earlier versions the Smoke Discharger Round Storage Boxes were set lower. I guess that is why Tamiya placed them there:




You would be correct for a Desert Storm Abrams...



But these were older, smaller side-opening boxes. The one in Tamiya kit is a larger one top-opening one and should be in upper position.

But looking at photos of the model, I believe that it is an early M1A1 Tamiya release - with too small turret... Tamiya made serious mistake and first batches of M1A1 kits had too small turret (based on their older M1 kit). Later they corrected it and enlarged the turret in later batches of M1A1 kits. But this one seems to be the original too small one - this is why there seems to be too little space for grenade box in its correct location.
The_musings_of_NBNoG
Visit this Community
Oregon, United States
Joined: January 08, 2012
KitMaker: 520 posts
Armorama: 516 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 17, 2016 - 03:33 PM UTC
I have been wondering what the differences are between
the XM1 {testbed?}

and what has been placed into service

I already have three M1s... and the full DEF ABV,,,
with 13 PE add'ons

honestly I've invested $624 in Abrams and have yet to start the build... I will be totally satisfied to say; "Now I have all the info and pieces to start the build I wish to make".



Thanks for the info...I had totally missed the placement of the pieces you talked about.



( I used the stone texture spray once... I thought it would be cool...But over time I realized it was too strong a texture. Lucky I knew it was semi water reversible...
I've had the tank in water for nearly a year, gonna try to gently see what will now brush off underwater. )

Gonna be an interesting Tiger I...lol
Vodnik
Visit this Community
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 17, 2016 - 04:30 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I have been wondering what the differences are between
the XM1 {testbed?}

and what has been placed into service



It is a difficult question, because XM1 went through many changes before it went to production... Some XM1 tanks were missing the extension tube on coaxial machine gun and the configuration of the rear of the turret was different (at least some XM1 tanks didn't have the raised rectangular "box" between antenna bases, but instead had similar shape on the lower side of the turret). Some other details were missing on XM1 (eg. on the mantlet).
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Monday, January 18, 2016 - 09:09 AM UTC
I am not so sure that I agree with Pawel about the size of the turret on my Tamiya model being too small. In the Concord Publication of the M1A1/A2 Abrams I compared the 1/35 drawing and my model's turret, and it is practically the same size:
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Monday, January 18, 2016 - 09:12 AM UTC
Unless the drawing in the concord publication is also wrong. :-(
Vodnik
Visit this Community
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Monday, January 18, 2016 - 12:37 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I am not so sure that I agree with Pawel about the size of the turret on my Tamiya model being too small.


Trust me, it is too small. I know a thing or two about Abrams.

Compare your turret to this picture of later Tamiya M1A2 kit turret (ignore the Trumpeter turret, as it is badly shaped and inaccurate):


Note how much closer the round "manhole cover" is to the turret front edge in your kit.

Vodnik
Visit this Community
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Monday, January 18, 2016 - 12:38 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Unless the drawing in the concord publication is also wrong. :-(


Yes, it is.
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Monday, January 18, 2016 - 01:51 PM UTC
Oh well. Pitty!
majjanelson
Visit this Community
South Carolina, United States
Joined: December 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,355 posts
Armorama: 979 posts
Posted: Monday, January 18, 2016 - 07:29 PM UTC
If you zoom in, the weld line underneath the front of the turret gives you an idea about how much was added to the front of the Abrams Turret (picture from the web):

ScratchShipBuilder
Visit this Community
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: October 29, 2015
KitMaker: 22 posts
Armorama: 21 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - 03:39 AM UTC
Don't sweat the turret measurements Marcos. Your model looks awesome. Pm me your address and I'll send you another pair of cables from my parts box. They'll be used but usable.
Recon
Visit this Community
Wisconsin, United States
Joined: October 19, 2002
KitMaker: 1,571 posts
Armorama: 764 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - 04:10 AM UTC
I use embossing powder for non slip. It works really great and is easy to use.
Mike
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - 11:29 AM UTC
Actually the stuff that I used (rust-oleum stone) at first looked way off scale, but sanding it down it gave it more of an uneven effect that I think loos pretty good. sort of like this:

zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - 11:40 AM UTC
Gary thank you, but I repositioned the tow cables and I think they are ok now:
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - 11:44 AM UTC
Now I am working on the tracks. Decided to go with the AFV Club set:



Now comes the fun part: painting them and weathering them.
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - 11:50 AM UTC
I think I will try embossing powder on one of my next projects Mike. Thanks.
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 - 08:51 PM UTC
Making the tracks look used:



junglejim
Visit this Community
Alberta, Canada
Joined: February 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,728 posts
Armorama: 1,629 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 - 10:32 PM UTC
If you go the Rustoleum route again for anti-slip, use their 'Multicoloured Texture' spray, you get a much finer grain with a couple light coats.

Jim
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 21, 2016 - 10:43 PM UTC
What do you guys think of this setup? any suggestions or obvious mistakes to correct?
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 21, 2016 - 10:45 PM UTC
I am thinking of adding a bed roll to the rear left.
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 21, 2016 - 10:51 PM UTC
I will also add some bottles (soda and water) and maybe an M16A2 (would that be a weapon found on top of a tank during Desert Storm?)
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Monday, January 25, 2016 - 10:58 PM UTC
setting the antennae:

zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Monday, January 25, 2016 - 11:07 PM UTC

Removed by original poster on 01/26/16 - 18:08:57 (GMT).
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 - 11:50 PM UTC
I will do a dust over. The boxes look too clean.And maybe a bit of dry brushing.
zorrolobo
Visit this Community
Distrito Federal, Mexico
Joined: May 31, 2013
KitMaker: 1,457 posts
Armorama: 1,440 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 28, 2016 - 10:27 AM UTC
Gluingthe hull to the chasis:



This are the figures I will use: