What would I need to do to backdate the Dragon M1A1 SEP #3535 into a Desert Storm M1A1HC (M1A1HA)? I'm certain there is a difference with the rear of the turret and its associated basket mesh, but am I missing anything else?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Firstly, which kit are you talking about? Kit #3535 is the M1A1 AIM. You would just need to leave off some of the newer features such as the driver's and loader's hatches with lips, EPLRS antenna mount on right rear of the turret, new PE turret basket (used by 3ID in OIF 1), etc.


If you mean the M1A2 SEP, which is kit #3536, then there are quite a few additional changes.

The biggest thing that needs to be changed is the left rear corner of the hull. An M1A2 has a redesigned rear that holds either a generator or a set of batteries and has hatches and fittings for them. An M1A1 has a smooth rear panel with only a fuel filler cap on top.

M1A1 left rear.


M1A2 left rear.


They also have different Commander's Weapons Stations (CWS), the A2 has a Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) on the left front top of the turret where the A1 has a bolted plate in the same spot. Both of these earlier features are in the kit. You also need to leave off all the SEP parts (VCU in rear basket and armored conduits under the turret). Don't use the driver's or loader's hatch with the lips either.

It really is easier to just get the Rye Field M1A1 Desert Storm kit or an earlier Dragon M1A1 ODS Abrams kit.

Gino,

Thanks for the reply

To answer your question, I'm looking to backdate the M1A1 SEP (kit #3535) into an ODS M1A1HC.

Is the EPLRS antenna mount parts N38, P20 and P18?

As Gino says 3535 is M1A1 AIM, SEP refers to the M1A2 kit.

Jim

For clarification, there is no such thing as an M1A1 SEP. It is an M1A1 AIM. There is only an M1A2 SEP.




Yes, those are the parts for the EPLRS antenna.

Yes, I meant the M1A1 AIM. For some reason I had the SEP on the brain.

Sorry to necro this thread, but have some more questions for the Abram's experts.

I'm now currently in the process of going about backdating the Dragon M1a1 AIM (#3535) kit to an ODS M1a1HC

Potentially stupid question, but were the rear mounts for the APU were present on all Abrams even if they did not use the APU?

Is the periscope on the loader's hatch rotatable?

An older thread in Armorama said that the laser coating sets from afv club are not appropriate for an ODS Abrams. Is this information is correct?

Can any of the stowage items be used for ODS?

Which wind sensor is more appropriate for an ODS Abrams Q7 or Q10?

Does anybody have or know where I can find pictures of the device that remotely fires the commander's M2 HMG?

Also, does anybody have, or know where I can find pictures of the two marking options from the old Dragon M1a1HA kit (#3517)? One option is "Doc Holliday" of the 3rd Armored Division and the other is "Lorelei's Gem" from the 3rd Armored Cavalry. I was hoping that Brave Rifles in the Storm might have had something on the latter but it did not.

There were multiple styles of crosswind sensors, even among tanks the same age. I don't recall having the laser reflective coating on the vision blocks. We had M1A1 Heavies, but we sent our old M1A1s to Saudi as well.

Yes, the loader's periscope is rotatable. It is a simple mirror that pops up as opposed to a fixed periscope. It's rather stiff to turn.



The device that fires the .50 is a simple small metal wheel that presses against the butterfly triggers. It is activated by a small solenoid. As a back up, there is also a wire that pulls the wheel, it works just like a bicycle hand brake.