I presume that the M1A1s had to run their main engines for any kind of aux power?

Does anyone know when the first M1A1 AIM tanks were fielded?

Are there any complete lists of what M1A1, M1A1 AIM, M1A2, and M1A2 SEP had, as far as auxiliary power sources (and when those aux power options became available)?

The Dragon AIM kit includes the parts to build the older M1A1HC used on the Thunder Run. Ditch the extra antenna mounts, Boxes on the back (field phone etc). Use the earlier model hatches and blow out panels. Lose the GPS antenna. Also lose the APU. Keep the add on bustle rack. Also either the T158 or T158LL track can be used.

HOLY CATS!!! Gino and John are the "Go To-Guys" when it comes to Modern US Equipment!!!

PS- Mike "165th', too!!!

Yup, you are all over it Curt. The Rye Field kit can be pretty much made into any M1A1-M1A2-M1A2 SEP variant with the parts in the box, you just have to sort them all out. It even has the HOB (Hang On Back) APU that Steve mentions on the same B sprue area as the turret basket APU parts. As a note, the HOB APU was only used in limited numbers and mainly stateside in the late '80s to about ODS-timeframe. Some units deployed with them to Saudi for ODS.

Good luck.

The HOB APUs were used by 2/13 and 2/81 AR at Ft Knox until at least 99. They were a PITA to mount and dismount every cycle before we took the tanks to the field. Great to have in the winter when the batteris turned into slushies. You could use a CUCV to slave start them from the tanks receptacle.

If you model them with the battery box open, run 2 thick wires from the rear bulkhead of the battery box to the positive and negative terminals on the bus bar. The positive wire has red tape at the terminal. Pre 93 tanks have metal bus bars in the battery box. Post 93 the metal bus bars were removed and much safer cables were installed. For the tanks build a 1991 ODS tank with the T156 track or a slick M1.

Hi Curt,
I'm guessing this is the later cabled setup he describes

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m1a1_abrams_65.jpg

Sean

in the first picture, is that black round item to the left of the sprocket the base of an expended 120mm round?

Hello everyone,

Speaking of RFM Abrams kits, none of the RFM 5007 ones had the J sprue (the one with VCU) when I bought them at the beginning of 2017. RFM were kind enough to send them to me later.

Did the later batches have any other inprovements/additions?

Also, I remember that the original 3-in-1 5004 kit had some sprues retooled in later revisions. I think commander's cupola was enlarged. Does anyone remember what other improvements were made? And if the improved parts were then used in the 5007 and later kits from the beginning?

Many thanks in advance!
Majek

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Hello everyone,

Speaking of RFM Abrams kits, none of the RFM 5007 ones had the J sprue (the one with VCU) when I bought them at the beginning of 2017. RFM were kind enough to send them to me later.

Did the later batches have any other inprovements/additions?

Also, I remember that the original 3-in-1 5004 kit had some sprues retooled in later revisions. I think commander's cupola was enlarged. Does anyone remember what other improvements were made? And if the improved parts were then used in the 5007 and later kits from the beginning?

Many thanks in advance!
Majek

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Hi Majek,

1. Yes, RFM eventually got around to adding the missing J sprue with the VCU. I have two boxings of this kit; in the first one it's missing; in the second it's in there. I have no idea how you know which one you're ordering without peeking inside.

2. Yes, RFM did a lot of retooling of their original 3-in-1 TUSK kit (2004) after it was issued and the retooled parts found their way into all the subsequent kits. IIRC Pawel Krupowicz advised them. The M1A2 cupola was enlarged and updated to represent the later type; the M1A1 cupola hatch opening was made more accurate in shape; there were a bunch of detail changes, for example to the .50cal ammo feed parts; the track end connectors were improved; and a number of other tweaks. RFM did a good job on improving their Abrams. Also...

3. A lot of the improvements found their way back into the later issues of 5004 TUSK 3-in-1 kit. Again, I have two of this kit and they have different parts. The later one has all the changes above, plus more accurate belly armour, improved parts for the TUSK shields around the M1A1 cupola, and probably a couple of other tweaks.

Long story short, RFM made a lot of improvements to their M1 in the course of production, but it's hard to tell which parts are in which box.