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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
Hosted by Darren Baker
M1A1 sprocket & NBC details
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2004 - 01:13 PM UTC
I posted some photos of the M1A1 sprocket since I was contemplating how to repair the Italeri M1A2 sprocket mud holes. I realized earlier that it would have been much easier if Italeri had molded them solid and left the drilling up to the builder.


The Italeri kit also has some soft detail around the NBC overpressurization system so I took some shots to help me detail that area a little more. I did notice that the Eduard PE set for this kit adds detail in this area. Good to know I wasn't the only one who thought this area needed some work.

TreadHead
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 12, 2002
KitMaker: 5,000 posts
Armorama: 2,868 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2004 - 03:42 PM UTC
Howdy Rob,

Thx for the pics. The drive sprocket holes have been driving me a little silly lately. I believe that most (?) of the Abrams come with drive sprockets that have the holes? If this is true, WHY do most of the manufacturer's make them without?
Anyway, my actual question is; are the new A2 sprockets the same as the old A1 sprockets?
(meaning, 'hole' wise)

Tread.

Oh, and since we're on the subject. Any 'magical' methods to add (read, subtract) holes from the sprockets that have none? (yeah, I know. Tall order :-) )
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 03:32 AM UTC
The sprocket carrier (big, hub thing with the four D-shaped holes) is the same for the M1, M1A1 and M1A2. The actual sprocket itself (gear-looking toothed part) differs. I do not know why the sprocket was redesigned. I have seen M1A2s with the older style sprocket.

Changes like this normally begin appearing on new tanks being manufactured and eventually as old sprockets are worn or damaged, they are replaced on vehicles already in service. The new type would be used after the stocks of the older type are depleted. I venture to say that you will see both sprocket types for many years to come.

As for deleting the holes, why would you want to do this? If I had to, I would make a plug out of an appropriate sized piece of sheet styrene, glue in place, use filler and sand smooth. I plan on using something similar to this to fix the holes in the Italeri M1A2 kit.
sgtreef
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 6,043 posts
Armorama: 4,347 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 11:54 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The sprocket carrier (big, hub thing with the four D-shaped holes) is the same for the M1, M1A1 and M1A2. The actual sprocket itself (gear-looking toothed part) differs. I do not know why the sprocket was redesigned. I have seen M1A2s with the older style sprocket.

Changes like this normally begin appearing on new tanks being manufactured and eventually as old sprockets are worn or damaged, they are replaced on vehicles already in service. The new type would be used after the stocks of the older type are depleted. I venture to say that you will see both sprocket types for many years to come.

As for deleting the holes, why would you want to do this? If I had to, I would make a plug out of an appropriate sized piece of sheet styrene, glue in place, use filler and sand smooth. I plan on using something similar to this to fix the holes in the Italeri M1A2 kit.




Good Idea Rob was wondering how to fix them BIG HOLES!!

So I guess we are doing the same kit??

Ps thanks for the Photos!!!
 _GOTOTOP