I am in the process of starting the Dragon M1A2 Sep #3536 and have a couple of questions about optional parts what are the proper uses for

V20 or V19
V28 or V14
T6 or T5 Assembly
X16 or U31
X2 or T9
U34 or U33
U27 / U28 option
U37 option
Removal of segment MA7
Q7,Q6 or Q9,Q10
N37 or P20
N50 or Z
F3 assembly

I have gone to the following web sites for help but have not found the explanations for the options above

http://m1a1.primeportal.net/
http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/brent_sauer/m1a2/
http://olivier.carneau.free.fr/photoengins/etats-unis/m1a2sep_v2_1/index.ht=
m

There seems to be a lot of information on the V2 version

Any help would be very appreciated

Thanks to all

Seahawk

Jeff,
I don't have any of those answers, I'd like to know myself.
Keep an eye on this http://vodnik.net/pages/M1A2comp/m1a2comp_01.htm
what you're looking for may eventually show up here.

Sean

I guess that if you shared pictures of the parts or the instructions it would be easier for those in the know to answer.
Just my 2 cents

I guess that if you shared pictures of the parts it would be easier for those in the know to answer.
Just my 2 cents

Olivier,
they're all basically duel options for various parts-
x stamped mudguards vs. smooth mudguards
straight vs. angled headlight guards
scalloped drive sprocket rings vs. smooth, etc.

Sean

Right, but there are reasons there are two options. For example, on the front fenders (mudguards), the smooth ones came on early M1A2s since they were built from original M1IP hulls, later builds had the X-stamped fenders, or ones that had new fenders replaced after damage would be x-stamped. The same is true of the headlight guards on the M1IP hulls. So depending on when he wants his vehicle to depict, dictates which options to choose.

Gino, Oliver and Sean are right I should have been more definitive in my request and tried to include at least a brief description as to what the parts pertain to so let me refine my question,

The tank I would like to build would be either;

1st BTL, 8th CAV RGT, 1st CAV DIV, Iraq 2004

or

3rd BTL, 8th CAV RGT, 3rd BCT "Grey Wolf" 1st CAV DIV, Iraq 2004

Parts

V20 / V19 = Drive sprocket ring
V28 / V14 = Looks like a track cleaner
T5 / T6 = Engine air intake grills
X16 / U31 = Headlight guard
X2 / T9 = Front Fenders
U33 /U34 = Gas cap type
U27 / U28 = Engine Exhaust color,decals
U37 = Steel frame for exhaust baffles
MA7 = possible removal of square block on top of front side skirt
Q7,Q6 or Q9,Q10 = wind mast on back of turret
N37 or P20 = antenna or cap on rear left of turret
N50 or Z = figured it out
F3 assembly= exhaust deflector mounted in center section of exhaust.

The descriptions are my best guess as to the actual part name and may not be correct

Thanks for all the help and advise

Here is the link to the instructions
https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/0/9/4/108094-75-instructions.pdf

I usually build WWII armor and go to site like Tiger1 info. This is my first modern build so please forgive my ignorance on the topic

Seahawk

Gino, Went to your website and looked at the SEP you built. What is the story with the track layout (starting from the second road wheel not the idler??)

Very nice build

Seahawk

Some answers for a 1 CAV '04 tank...

V20 / V19 = Drive sprocket ring

No clear timeframes when these were used or not. Really depended on when the tank last changed out sprocket rings and what they got from the supply system.

V28 / V14 = Looks like a track cleaner

Early tanks had the full cleaner (V28), later they were found to be ineffective and remove, replaced by the cap (V14). I would use only the cap.

T5 / T6 = Engine air intake grills

Early tanks had the one-piece intake (T6 w/MA6 grill), later versions went to the two-part intake (T5 w/MA10, MA11). I would use the later grills. Caution here, the grill #s are reversed on the PE sheet.

X16 / U31 = Headlight guard

X16 is the older, straight version found on the M1IP hulls. I would go with them since 1 CAV had some of the first M1A2s.

X2 / T9 = Front Fenders

I would go with the smooth fenders for the same reason as the headlight guards above. Or, to add some color, put one x-stamped fender in green to denote a replacement part.

U33 /U34 = Gas cap type

Not sure on the difference here, or that it matters.

U27 / U28 = Engine Exhaust color, decals

I believe all 1 CAV tanks at that time had the black painted covers.

U37 = Steel frame for exhaust baffles

This is an adapter to attach a fording stack to the tank. If you go w/the older, one piece intake (T6), do not use it. If you go w/the newer, two-piece intake (T5), use the adapter as well.


MA7 = possible removal of square block on top of front side skirt

This part should be a hollow, square part. You may want to remove the molded piece and replace w/the provided PE (MA7).

Q7,Q6 or Q9,Q10 = wind mast on back of turret

Two styles, depends on which was installed at last rebuild/upgrade. The square version is newer.

N37 or P20 = antenna or cap on rear left of turret

This is for an additional antenna, usually used for the EPLRS tracking system. Some tanks had them, some did not. Add the antenna if you want EPLRS, cap it off if not. If you add it, it is a short (1" in 1/35), thicker antenna.

F3 assembly= exhaust deflector mounted in center section of exhaust.

The deflector is usually only mounted when another tank is towed so that the heat doesn't burn the front of the towed tank. They are occasionally used when there are ground troops operating around the back of the tank as well.

Hope that helps and good luck with it.

On mine, the tank represents one that has had damage to the first road wheel and it has been "short-tracked" (rerouting the track around the damaged parts) to compensate so that it could still roll until taken away for repairs.

Gino,

Do you have a link to your build?

I can't find the build thread, but here it is in my Photobucket acct.

That is where I found it,

Thank you Gino for all the info, it is much appreciated