Darren Baker reviews and builds the M1A2 Abrams SEP V2 TUSK II from Academy in 1/35th scale.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Great review and info on the build.

Quote:
"Stage 27 to 29 – Bustle Rack and Mounted Parts
The bustle rack itself is very nicely done in that it assembles reasonably easily for those that don’t like to test themselves, for those that do like to add a struggle to their builds there is some photo etched parts that are optional replacement for plastic parts. The floor of the bustle racks is provided in photo etch that I found fitted extremely well, so well that I only used PVA glue to secure them in place. Once this is done it is secures to the rear of the turret and it is a very good fit. The air conditioning unit is the first of the box structures you work on and once built and installed I was very pleased with the look plus it appears accurate. One thing I will say here is that the large number of handles present on this vehicle that are flat against the body of the tank would look better if added by the modeller rather than the moulded on detail. I should point out that I am not annoyed with Academy over this just that it is an option open to the modeller. The DUKE system is next on horizon and is easily assembled, but adding it requires alternate reference in my opinion as the instructions are weak in this respect. The last aspect in this area is the FBCB2 mount, looking at my reference I feel that Academy got the details wrong on this one."

Can you elaborate more on the FBCB2? I think that Academy simply does not provide the top cover of the box.

In case anyone is interested, the Duke by Academy is far superior to the Dragon one, which is off scale and had wrong details.

Looks good, however, in that configuration, M1A2 SEP v2 W/TUSK II, it is not really accurate as an in-service tank. Other than training events like this video where the soldiers are being shown how to install them while on an Atlantic Resolve rotation to Europe, none have been added to M1A2 SEP v2s. The TUSK ERA is only used during wartime and has not been used operationally since Iraq. The M1A2 SEP v2 is a post-Iraq version of the Abrams.

Gino: Thank you for your input on this. I was aware that the configuration was questionable, but in this case I wanted a brutish look that at the same time showed the viewer the options.

Nikos: the location is off according to my reference and the top detail is wrong.

Great build review as always. Looks like another great addition to the stash from Academy, a great if underappreciated model company. Wondering how this one compares with others on the market like the Tamiya and Dragon offerings.

Thanks for the review Darren, always helpful.

I have the original release (the one with only rubber band tracks), and I found it great: not too complicated to build, good details overall but for a few issues, and you can´t beat the price!!! Maybe the rubber tracks are soft on guide horn details, but I can live with that.

Anyway, I just bought a DEF detail set and Legend stowage to give it a busy look.

Cheers!

terrific review Darren, really enjoyed reading it. i have the same kit and your pointers and advice are gold. i too think going the tusk II route, with the same reasoning

Other than the issue of the distorted area I found this one of the most enjoyable builds I have managed to get done and despite other options on the market I do think that Academy has a winner on their hands with this release.