Welcome to 'Project Abrams'

This build log will document my attempt to build several versions of the venerable Abrams Main Battle Tank over the course of several months but more likely years... ...there is no schedule for completion just whenever I feel like I'm done.

Before I get started a quick word about what the Blog will and will NOT be.

-NOTE One: This Blog will NOT be about which kits are better and which are most accurate. I have several Abram kits on hand which I have had for years. But also I have a few new ones as well. Nor will I necessarily be adding "ALL" details, I'll add some but not every little thing.

-Note Two: Each build will have a healthy dose of "Artistic License". Each Abrams build will be based off an inspirational photo. It is not my intent to recreate the photo just elements from it. The first build will be a perfect example of this "Artistic License"

Ok with no further ado let's get to the first Abrams Project!

Project One: Desert Storm M1A1

Found this rather interesting shot of an M1IP.



Since I don't have an IP version just yet it's going to be an early A1-ish. I'm not totally sure this is even a Desert Storm or rather an NTC photo, but I'm not going to worrying about it as this first Project is just to get things rolling.

Here is the Tamiya kit I'll be using with the adapter from DEF and just a smidge of PE.



The first thing I do is make sure all the major components fit well...and being a Tamiya kit, even an older one the fit is great.




After that I wanted to try my hand at the Rust-Oleum Terra Cotta technique for the anti-slip.





Happy with the results I'll be moving on to building out the rest of the kit.

Thanks for stopping in and comments are always welcome!

Tuned in and watching. I have about 8 Abrams kits from various manufactures in the stash.

Cool project! But how the heck did they attach those cans and bags to the front of the turret? Also, don’t think it’s NTC, I’m about 99.9% sure nobody wore chocolate chip BDU’s stateside

As a former 19K, I'll be watching this.
Dan

The markings and uniforms in the pic indicate it is from Desert Shield/Storm. The stuff on the front of the turret looks cool. Good luck on this!
Ken.

Thanks Gentlemen!




That is the $64 dollar question. At first I thought maybe the attachment points were welded to top of the turret. But after giving it more thought I cant really see them doing that. Once the turret is built up I'll work through it and see what logically pops up for mounting that stuff on the turret front.

I will follow along too. I used the Terracota for the anti-slip on a Challenger and I too am happy with the results.

I absolutely love the Abrams. I'll be watching too.

As an old M1/M1A1 crewman I am looking forward to your work. Thanks!

Hello Everyone!

It's been a bit longer then I would have liked for an update but been working on several other projects this past month or so. Anywho the ODS Abrams is about 90% finished with the construction and I'll start working out the stowage and them sandbags/ammo cans hanging off the front. Also worked up a display and figures, so I'm moving forward...though slowly.





I got quite a few of these stowage kits so I'll try and use as much as these as I can, hopefully they will not look to horrible.



Thanks for stopping in as always!

It's tough to say looking at the photo, but it DOES look to my eye like they have welded some type of hooks onto the upper angled faces of the turret and everything is hanging off those.

This raises some questions: does the modern American military do stuff like that? Would anyone care? Is it easy to weld onto the armor from a metallurgical perspective?!

I would bend tiny hooks from spare P/E sprues and glue them onto the front faces I think.

That was done all the time on German stuff in WWII, but I realize this is not German or from WWII!

Good luck with it; it looks great so far!

I can't imagine the army letting things being welded to any vehicle.
Dan

Individual tanks probably wouldn't have stuff welded on but units might do so. Like, every tank in a unit might have big ammo cans welded to the back of the bustle rack. So long as they're consistent with each other and approved by the CO.