in leaving a few parts off, the APU and power conduit and extended rack, anything else to backdate as an A1? thx

You have to be more specific - what era A1 and what user, Army or USMC?

But generally the Flyhawk kit does not seem to include M1A1 commander weapon's station, only M1A2 ICWS. I believe that only SEP specific details are included for the left rear hull corner, not suitable for A1.

By the way, M1A2 SEP, as in the Flyhawk kit, does not have APU. You probably think about VCSU, which is part of the AC/cooling system.

it'll be army. so basically it can't really be done. that's unfortunate, but no matter. still the best available from what I've read. havn't realy researched it. ordered it up on the spur. thx anyway

Not without tricky scratchbuilding or "borrowing" parts from some other 1/72 M1A1.

Flyhawk have announced an M1A1 for release sometime this year.

You also have to change the commander's cupola/hatch. I cut out the cupola from a Revell M1Al and it was a perfect drop-fit. Also the commander's MG mount (from the Revell kit) needs to be used and detailed. I lost my stock pics of my conversion, but here's a link to a posting:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/268422&page=1

Found the link: http://www.moxingfans.com/new/news/2018/1210/5295.html

surgery on something this small I'll build as is and maybe pick up the A1 later