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OAID: Gunnie's Italeri M1A2 SEP
USArmy2534
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Posted: Monday, May 10, 2004 - 04:54 AM UTC
I have to say (though a bit biased with this being my first PE and armor model) that I loved the Eduard's set. It added so much detail and cleared up so much on my model, it still amazed me. As for the handles, when you paint over the tank (at least in USA/USMC sand), they blend in and give just enough depth, despite being flat. Not sure if you have started on the turret in terms of details, but the two things that were the worst for me was the stowage boxes on the sides and thus the tow cables (already covered) and the GPS. If you intend to use the Eduard GPS covers and sight panel, I would advice having it closed. For the love of everything holy, the interior panel (the one you have to fit in from under the turret, would just not go in. After a lot of fiddling, I said screw it and molded it closed (which didn't turn out so well either. In hindsight, I think the best way to install it is to install the panel and then the sight housing covers afterwards (something I neglected to do. I'd add wire to the smoke dischargers, the and the stowage APU. I'd definitely detail the stowage APU with the PE set and, in your case, the solder. This is all coming from the definition of a novice, but also as a person who seems to be a little ahead of you in the building process.

By far, the painting and weathering is the best part of the project (so much, I don't want to stop ). Whenever you finish it, it'll look awesome. I'll be waiting for your next post.
BroAbrams
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Posted: Monday, May 10, 2004 - 08:32 AM UTC
Gunnie, just so you know, the sponson bottoms that you have added in with styrene only go as far forward as the upkick in the sponson (just in front of the toolbox on the right hull and the NBC exhaust on the left hull). Also a really cool detail I added to mine was to cut out the intake screens and add in some strip styrene just below the lip then put the Eduard screen on top of them. Gives the model some really cool depth.

Rob
GunTruck
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Posted: Monday, May 10, 2004 - 08:43 AM UTC
Thanks Rob. Precious little (plastic mostly) is actually "glued down" at this point - only tacked in place for photos. I wondered about the sponson floors, and these are easy to trim back and glue into place. I liked the Eduard vents and grills too. They have parts that allow you to add the vents into the cutaway cavity, and then place the grills on top of the vents. That just got me pondering what's underneath the vents...

Now, I have nothing but time to do these detail changes too before moving on to finishing out the Turret...

Gunnie
GunTruck
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 02:17 AM UTC
I can't believe I've puttered around with this model for over a year now but it has turned into a lot of fun. I wanted to show mine too - since the site has been showcasing a lot of Abrams tanks lately.

This is really for Gino - as we've chatted briefly about it from time to time over the last year. He might think the model doesn't exist anymore. I couldn't finish it for the original campaign, but I did finish it in the end!

Gino - I decided not to add the FBCB-2 Box because I couldn't find it on any of the tanks in this particular company during that time period. I modeled it anyway though, so now I guess I'll have to build another Abrams to put it on. Also, I feel reasonably sure that "BOOM STICK" kept the MCBS mounted a little longer once in country than I originally thought...

Here's the latest photos - minus the smaller items still left to be mounted, like Smoke Grenades and the little blisters ahead of the Tow Cables, and other small detail items. Gear to come later too...

Gunnie










jimbrae
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 02:22 AM UTC
Well Jim, knowing absolutely zip about the M1 (or any of its variants), I will say that this wa definitely worth waiting for! Now finish it and do a full feature ..Jim
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 02:24 AM UTC
Gunnie,
Looks good to me . Only thing I would add is the right side antenna, all M1A2s have two radios, hence two radio antennas. Great job.
animal
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 02:27 AM UTC
I guess you could rate this one as good as the one's that Guntruck does. LOL :-) You have out done yourself this time. Can't wait to see it completed.
M1A2sep1CD
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 03:24 AM UTC
here gunnie here is a photo of the exhaust, one of my photos for DML for their newest project......Anyone else need to see any thing?
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 03:26 AM UTC

Quoted Text

here gunnie here is a photo of the exhaust, one of my photos for DML for their newest project......Anyone else need to see any thing?


If you look at his pics, Gunnie modeled that area correctly, no need for the pic. Thanks anyways though.
USArmy2534
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 04:19 AM UTC
Watching this with awe from the very beginning as I built my Italeri -A2 while everyone else breezed through their Tamiya's, I still stand in awe. This is so well done that it proves that your patience is for the better. Great, great job. I admire your persistance.

Jeff
rfeehan
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 05:41 AM UTC
Fantastic work. Was fun reading through this thread today and then seeing the finished model. Definitely a well done build.

Rob
GunTruck
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 06:09 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Gunnie,
Looks good to me . Only thing I would add is the right side antenna, all M1A2s have two radios, hence two radio antennas. Great job.


Heh heh - the second one is on there - post this set of pictures. I left the original Italeri molding in place until the very end. Then, I got a hold of the Technical Manual to convince me to add the second antenna.

I cut the little plate away originally and just white glued it back into place until I was sure it was right to remove it in the first place...

Gunnie
GunTruck
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 06:14 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Watching this with awe from the very beginning as I built my Italeri -A2 while everyone else breezed through their Tamiya's, I still stand in awe. This is so well done that it proves that your patience is for the better. Great, great job. I admire your persistance.

Jeff


Thanks Jeff! You breezed through your's so fast, you shamed me! I had to get off my duff to keep plugging away at it.

At first I was cursing the Italeri plastic and the molders who unleashed it upon the World, but began to enjoy working on the kit more and more as time went on. What I really like in the end - it looks and 'feel' like an Abrams.

I'm really looking forward to the M1A2 AIM from Dragon - I suspect that with Pawel's input - that's gonna be a real gem!

Gunnie
GunTruck
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 06:17 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Well Jim, knowing absolutely zip about the M1 (or any of its variants), I will say that this wa definitely worth waiting for! Now finish it and do a full feature ..Jim


Okay - this will be one to answer Rob's (Sabot) challenge for submitting material to site before the end of the year.

Gunnie
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 06:25 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I'm really looking forward to the M1A2 AIM from Dragon - I suspect that with Pawel's input - that's gonna be a real gem!


They should be great kits. Just a note though, you are combining their two future kits in all your excitement. Take a deep breathe, calm down.... They will be doing an M1A1 AIM and an M1A2 SEP. No such animal as an M1A2 AIM. There is also rumor of an up to date USMC M1A1HC in their future as well. We shall see. Can't wait for them all to come out. Wouldn't a 3-in-1 combo kit, like they are doing with their WWII kits, be nice? Just a thought.

Good deal on the antenni as well. Didn't think you would have missed that.
Vodnik
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 06:35 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Wouldn't a 3-in-1 combo kit, like they are doing with their WWII kits, be nice? Just a thought.

I tried to convince DML to release 3-in-1 kit with similar options to those in Tamiya M1A2 model, but they decided that it would be too confusing for retailers and distributors... Go figure... They prefer separate kits (hint, hint! ).

By the way, at the show in Japan this week DML showed the first poster with computer generated drawings of M1A1 AIM turret details, so I expect them to be on their website very soon. Turret design is now finished, although some changes are still possible after evaluation of test shots. The hull design is almost there and accessories design is also well advanced.

Pawel
GunTruck
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 08:24 AM UTC

Quoted Text

They should be great kits. Just a note though, you are combining their two future kits in all your excitement. Take a deep breathe, calm down.... They will be doing an M1A1 AIM and an M1A2 SEP. No such animal as an M1A2 AIM. There is also rumor of an up to date USMC M1A1HC in their future as well. We shall see. Can't wait for them all to come out. Wouldn't a 3-in-1 combo kit, like they are doing with their WWII kits, be nice? Just a thought.

Good deal on the antenni as well. Didn't think you would have missed that.


Aw sorry there - you know I meant 'A1 AIM.

I think a 3-in-1 Abrams would be really nice too, but can see it getting confusing.

To switch gears a little bit, I got my Trump' LAV-25 last week from HLJ. Anyone got thoughts about that kit - point me to the thread perhaps???

Gunnie
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 10:41 AM UTC

Quoted Text

To switch gears a little bit, I got my Trump' LAV-25 last week from HLJ. Anyone got thoughts about that kit - point me to the thread perhaps???


Here is a review from PMMS, Trump LAV-25

The only things I have heard about is is that it lacks the M240B mount on the commander's cupola and an M240 coax. Also not really an issue, but would have been nice to have, it is missing the spare tire, as seen on the box top.

Couple guys over at M-L have also stated that the upper and lower hulls do not line up well and upper hull warpage, others have had no problems.

M-L posts about posssible problems:
M240B
Hull Warp

Let us know what you find out.
ShermiesRule
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Posted: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 10:56 AM UTC
Well what a blast from the past thread. The tank looks great. I know nothing about the M1 but I know good work when I see it
SEDimmick
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Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 02:28 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Wouldn't a 3-in-1 combo kit, like they are doing with their WWII kits, be nice? Just a thought.

I tried to convince DML to release 3-in-1 kit with similar options to those in Tamiya M1A2 model, but they decided that it would be too confusing for retailers and distributors... Go figure... They prefer separate kits (hint, hint! ).


But its not confusing if they do it for German subjects?
HeavyArty
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Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 02:32 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Wouldn't a 3-in-1 combo kit, like they are doing with their WWII kits, be nice? Just a thought.

I tried to convince DML to release 3-in-1 kit with similar options to those in Tamiya M1A2 model, but they decided that it would be too confusing for retailers and distributors... Go figure... They prefer separate kits (hint, hint! ).


But its not confusing if they do it for German subjects?


My thoughts exactly.
Vodnik
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Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 02:40 AM UTC

Quoted Text

My thoughts exactly.


What can I say? I also don't understand it...

Pawel
GSPatton
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Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 05:19 AM UTC
I built the Italeri M1A1 and had very little in the way fo fit issues. It makes me wonder what when sideways with the kit you built. Thanks for the great write-up.
GunTruck
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Posted: Friday, September 23, 2005 - 02:22 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I built the Italeri M1A1 and had very little in the way fo fit issues. It makes me wonder what when sideways with the kit you built. Thanks for the great write-up.


I dunno. I also but a Revell AG version - with identical problems, and thought that uncanny. I went to the local store to look at the M1A1 with resin interior parts - and it too suffered from the same malady.

Maybe I'm a magnet for distorted plastic - I've never run into three like that before now...

Gunnie
Kelley
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Posted: Friday, September 23, 2005 - 02:28 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Maybe I'm a magnet for distorted plastic - I've never run into three like that before now...

Nah, it's not just you Jim. I had the same fit problems with the Italeri kit also. I think in this case Frank may be the exception. Regardless you have done an excellent job on your kit.

Cheers,
Mike
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