This is my recently built M1A2 SEP, Dragon 3536 Kit with Tamiya modern US accessories kit.

The lower hull is seriously deformed

I put some efforts to fix it.

Paint with TS-46 spray paint and oil paint mixing color and weathering.

Overall, I feel The Dragon kit is good, but next time I'll definitely go for MENG or Rye Field Model Abrams kits.

Looks like it came out pretty nicely. Good job on it.

Very nice looking modell. I really like the paint scratches on the side skirts.

Looks really good, has a very genuine used look going for it and not overdone. Just a Q on the anti flash on the episcopes - how or what do you use to get that finish on them ?

Thanks, John. I was using the AFV Club anti-reflection coating lens, cutting the shape and then adhere it to the clear part directly. The effect of AFV Club product is really nice , I highly recommend.

Thanks for the info YJ, I will look at trying to source that in the UK as I want to broaden my horizons and get a few pieces of American hardware - M1's, Strykers - LAVs etc. Once again, great build and thanks for showing.

Nice looking tank, great job 👍

As a retired 19K I give you a thumbs up!
Dan

Damned fine job. Nice restraint on the weathering

Very nicely done, and I agree with John's point about having that used but not abused appearance. Did you decide against decals/markings? Cause it seems just a bit naked without any.

Hi, Jack. Glad you like it. I actually put some decals (3-67 Armor) to the tank body. I noticed in several photos that some M1A2 during OIF neither had CIP attached to the front turret nor markings painted on the side skirts; so in this build I decided not to use CIP and decal markings on the side skirts. Yes, you are right, markings will definitely make model looks better. From my next build, I'll start looking at which markings I would like to use.

Hey there .... really like your weathering and scratches ... nice!
If I may contribute a personal observation .... not being aware of your exact reference supporting your build ..... how about adding some "small" items like binoculars, MRE pouches, slave cable .... make the turret look a little more "busy" such to say.

Cheers
Christopher

Very nice looking tank and superb weathering; light, yet very convincing. Can I ask why you'd prefer to use rfm or meng for your next abrams ?

Hi, Christopher, thanks for the suggestions! Actually the Tamiya accessories kit does have binoculars, probably I will also look for resin parts like MRE pouches.

Hi, Tom. I feel the dragon kit very complicated to assemble though the details are really really good. As I mentioned in my posts, the lower hull is deformed seriously and I tried multiple ways to fix it and luckily I fixed it eventually. I spent around 2 months to assemble and put a lot of efforts. Such obstacles during assembling really diminish my interest to finish this build; so I want to select a kit that is more "friendly" to assemble like MENG, RFM or Academy for my next build and I would like to focus more on painting, markings and weathering.