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Abrams almost done
Burik
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
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Posted: Saturday, July 24, 2004 - 11:44 PM UTC
Please take a look at these photos and let me know what you think. I plan on taking this to Phoenix and later putting it in a dio. This is an Abrams takiing part in the Thunder Run attacks outside of Baghdad. I still have to put the shell casings for the loaders MG on the turret and put pastels on for the weathering.
Maki
Senior Editor
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
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Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 01:46 AM UTC
Good work... I like it alot. The stowage is perfect; what is that water bottle you used? Spent shells look wonderfull... How did you do anti-slip surface? Is that an RPG hit on the left front turret?
One thing though; crew jackets look a bit shiny... it could be the photos.
Mario M.
One thing though; crew jackets look a bit shiny... it could be the photos.
Mario M.
Burik
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
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Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 02:07 AM UTC
The two water bottles come with the Tamiya kit, which is their latest M1 offering. The anti-slip coating was done with fine sand and glue. Yes, that is an RPG hit. The photos I have of M1s getting hit do not show any spalling, just a small hole and alot of smoke stains. I think the figures look shiny from the bright lights I used to take the photos. They do not look shiny otherwise. Thanks for the comments.
I forgot to mention that I still need to add straps for the equipment hanging off the sides and two spools of razor wire crews had attached to the rear of the tank.
I forgot to mention that I still need to add straps for the equipment hanging off the sides and two spools of razor wire crews had attached to the rear of the tank.
tazz
Joined: July 21, 2002
KitMaker: 1,462 posts
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Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 02:08 AM UTC
wow thats great looking Abrams .
what kit is that
what kit is that
Jurgen
Joined: October 29, 2003
KitMaker: 651 posts
Armorama: 510 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 05:53 AM UTC
Hoaah! good looking beast you've got there!
I take it, this is the Tamiya M1A1, you did a good job on creating the anti-slip surface, alltough I think it looks a bit to rough (but, I wouldn't have done it better
)
Excellent work on the .50 shells, are those aftermarket?
Anyways, great Abrams!
I take it, this is the Tamiya M1A1, you did a good job on creating the anti-slip surface, alltough I think it looks a bit to rough (but, I wouldn't have done it better
)Excellent work on the .50 shells, are those aftermarket?
Anyways, great Abrams!
Burik
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,303 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 06:28 AM UTC
Thanks guys. Yes, this is the Tamiya kit. The .50 shells and links look great. They are from Mission Models. I got mine through VLS at my membership discount, otherwise I don't think I would pay full price for them. All of this aftermarket stuff is so expensive. At least the spent shells that I will be using for the loader's MG will be just brass rod. I don't want to overdue the effect, but according to all accounts the crewman fired ALOT of MG rounds on the thunder run, and very few main gun rounds.
Levran007
Joined: July 10, 2004
KitMaker: 19 posts
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Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 02:10 PM UTC
wow ... very good work .
the anti-slip surface is amazing !!!
i want to do this effect on my merkava 3d model but i am afraid to destroy the model.
this is hard to do anti-slip surface ?
Burik very good work!
the anti-slip surface is amazing !!!
i want to do this effect on my merkava 3d model but i am afraid to destroy the model.
this is hard to do anti-slip surface ?
Burik very good work!
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 02:17 PM UTC
Quoted Text
At least the spent shells that I will be using for the loader's MG will be just brass rod.
Burik,
There would not be any rounds from the loaders M240 present. The box that is under the MG on the mount catches the spent brass and links. No brass or links fall on the turret roof. This was designed this way to keep the shells and links from fouling the turret floor and gears if they fall through the loader's hatch.
Bottom line, you can keep it as is and it will be correct. Looks good.
armorguy
Joined: June 25, 2004
KitMaker: 269 posts
Armorama: 178 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 10:32 PM UTC
Wow, Burik. That's a nice looking tank! I do really like the shell casings. You've got lots of gear on there, which is a nice touch. The RPG hit is great and the off-color wheel is a great idea. Very cool...
cardinal
Joined: October 05, 2003
KitMaker: 1,008 posts
Armorama: 469 posts
Posted: Monday, July 26, 2004 - 12:50 AM UTC
Very nicely done indeed. Got nothing more to say but congratulations on this good build Burik.
Burik
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,303 posts
Posted: Monday, July 26, 2004 - 04:18 AM UTC
Thanks alot guys for the comments.
Levran007: It's not hard to do the anti-slip surface, but it just takes a little time. VODNIK actually has a better results oriented way than mine, but I don't have an airbrush, so I just came up with my own. I only work on small sections at a time and use a brush to lay down the liquid glue, then sprinkle on the sand and press it in with a flat object. I did the hull in one evening and the turret in another evening. I know it is a little heavy looking, but I still think it is okay.
Heavyarty: Thanks for the info! Once again as a result of this website and everybody's vast knowledge, I learned something new. I guess though that I could put some small spent shell casings on the front hull? Don't they spill out of the bottom of the glacis?
Levran007: It's not hard to do the anti-slip surface, but it just takes a little time. VODNIK actually has a better results oriented way than mine, but I don't have an airbrush, so I just came up with my own. I only work on small sections at a time and use a brush to lay down the liquid glue, then sprinkle on the sand and press it in with a flat object. I did the hull in one evening and the turret in another evening. I know it is a little heavy looking, but I still think it is okay.
Heavyarty: Thanks for the info! Once again as a result of this website and everybody's vast knowledge, I learned something new. I guess though that I could put some small spent shell casings on the front hull? Don't they spill out of the bottom of the glacis?
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
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Posted: Monday, July 26, 2004 - 10:57 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I guess though that I could put some small spent shell casings on the front hull? Don't they spill out of the bottom of the glacis?
Yes, they are ejected from the slot in the mantlet below the coax barrel.
Levran007
Joined: July 10, 2004
KitMaker: 19 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 08:45 PM UTC
Burik:
first of all thank u for ur explanation !
i need to do some test and check this system.
u do this only with sand ?
first of all thank u for ur explanation !
i need to do some test and check this system.
u do this only with sand ?
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 09:05 PM UTC
Quoted Text
If you are talking about coax rounds, no they do not come out of the slot below the coax barrel. They remain inside the tank in a big white bin similar to the loader's M240 catch bin, but much larger. It is located to the lower left side of the main gun adjacent to the gunner's left shoulder.Quoted TextI guess though that I could put some small spent shell casings on the front hull? Don't they spill out of the bottom of the glacis?
Yes, they are ejected from the slot in the mantlet below the coax barrel.
The slot below the coax is the GAS or gunner's auxilliary sight. This is basically a telescope slave to the main gun and used when all other optics are inoperative and you are in the total manual mode.
The only spent casings on the tank would be the .50 cal rounds. Here is a photo showing the coax spent brass catch bin. It is not mounted in place but you can see it in the lower left side of the photo:
It is the long slender box-like item with the right side slightly bowed in and the handle of the end. The unhooked latch is covering a white label that says "SPENT BRASS".
Red4
Joined: April 01, 2002
KitMaker: 4,287 posts
Armorama: 1,867 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 01:00 AM UTC
Nice looking build, just a thought though, not sure if anybody touched on it, but the RPG blast more than likely would have shredded the smoke grenade box or at least damaged it in some way. Other than that, it looks pretty good. Nice job. "Q" 
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 02:13 AM UTC
Quoted Text
If you are talking about coax rounds, no they do not come out of the slot below the coax barrel. They remain inside the tank in a big white bin similar to the loader's M240 catch bin, but much larger. It is located to the lower left side of the main gun adjacent to the gunner's left shoulder.
The slot below the coax is the GAS or gunner's auxilliary sight. This is basically a telescope slave to the main gun and used when all other optics are inoperative and you are in the total manual mode.
The only spent casings on the tank would be the .50 cal rounds. Here is a photo showing the coax spent brass catch bin. It is not mounted in place but you can see it in the lower left side of the photo:
It is the long slender box-like item with the right side slightly bowed in and the handle of the end. The unhooked latch is covering a white label that says "SPENT BRASS".
Rob,
Thanks for the correction. That's what you get from an Artilleryman who thinks he knows all about Abrams tanks. Looked like a shell ejection port to me.
Burik
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,303 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 04:59 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Nice looking build, just a thought though, not sure if anybody touched on it, but the RPG blast more than likely would have shredded the smoke grenade box or at least damaged it in some way. Other than that, it looks pretty good. Nice job. "Q"
Hi Red4. Thanks for your thoughts. I would think the same thing too, but I took my idea from a photo of an M1 after the battle that had an RPG strike even closer to the smoke grenade box than I depicted. The box was fully intact and only smoke stains on it. Actually there is a photo of it posted by Vodnik somewhere in the Abrams build done awhile ago. I would also expect some spalling around the entry point, but there does not appear to be any.
Again, thanks for your thoughts!
Burik
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,303 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 06:12 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Burik:
first of all thank u for ur explanation !
i need to do some test and check this system.
u do this only with sand ?
Yes, I only use sand, but very fine sand. After I finished it I thought of trying something even finer, like talcolm powder. I have another M1 in the works and I will experiment with that. There was also an article in Tamiya Magazine (issue 104 April/May 2004) in which the auther used Cast A Coat texturing system and it is probably better than mine. However, I have no idea how to get a hold of this stuff. It apparently is a powder system with four bottles. I don't know why four bottles are needed. Anybody out there have more info on this stuff? Can it be bought in the US? How about Israel?
GSPatton
Joined: September 04, 2002
KitMaker: 1,411 posts
Armorama: 609 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 06:49 AM UTC
Very nice...
I like the fact you added the smoke gernades - often this is overlooked.
I like the fact you added the smoke gernades - often this is overlooked.
gunnerk19
Joined: December 25, 2002
KitMaker: 354 posts
Armorama: 217 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 09:11 PM UTC
Looks great! I love the detail... I noticed you went so far as to add the fender spring bars too? Nice touch 
Burik
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,303 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 01:18 PM UTC
Thanks everybody for the comments. I was fairly happy with the outcome and the model went to the IPMS Nationals with me. It did not place in it's category and if anybody that judged the closed top modern AFVs I would appreciate any comments so that I can learn from them.
Just a week before the show a friend's kid got a hold of the model and decided to use it as a toy. The right rear of the hull was crushed in and there was nothing I could do about it. The plastic was bent. I tried to hide it with putty but there really was no way. It's really only noticeable if someone like a judge looks at it.
I am about to build another Abrams for a vet from OIF and I hope to improve upon it. So, again, if anybody judged this M1 I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks.
Just a week before the show a friend's kid got a hold of the model and decided to use it as a toy. The right rear of the hull was crushed in and there was nothing I could do about it. The plastic was bent. I tried to hide it with putty but there really was no way. It's really only noticeable if someone like a judge looks at it.
I am about to build another Abrams for a vet from OIF and I hope to improve upon it. So, again, if anybody judged this M1 I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks.
melon
Joined: November 21, 2003
KitMaker: 347 posts
Armorama: 313 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 08:17 PM UTC
Looks great. I like all the detail on it, the crew gear looks good too.
I noticed the crew isnt wearing the new style body armor, but as of yet, I dont think anyone is making this available as a kit. I made mine by mixing and chopping the DML Modern US Marines and an old Verlinden Desert Storm Tank Crew. This would be something I think your OIF would appreciate, IMO.
Also, for some great action shots, try the link enclosed, I used it extensively for my Abrams build last spring.
If you would, check out my Abrams in my gallery as well. You should also repost you photos with the razor wire strapped to the rear. I havent yet come up with a decent way to show this, always looking for new ideas.
Another note, I assume you are using a digital camera? If so, see if it has a macro setting, this will allow great close up shots to show off all your detail.
Again, great build.
http://www.combatindex.com/hardware/detail/land/m1a1.html
I noticed the crew isnt wearing the new style body armor, but as of yet, I dont think anyone is making this available as a kit. I made mine by mixing and chopping the DML Modern US Marines and an old Verlinden Desert Storm Tank Crew. This would be something I think your OIF would appreciate, IMO.
Also, for some great action shots, try the link enclosed, I used it extensively for my Abrams build last spring.
If you would, check out my Abrams in my gallery as well. You should also repost you photos with the razor wire strapped to the rear. I havent yet come up with a decent way to show this, always looking for new ideas.
Another note, I assume you are using a digital camera? If so, see if it has a macro setting, this will allow great close up shots to show off all your detail.
Again, great build.
http://www.combatindex.com/hardware/detail/land/m1a1.html
Burik
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,303 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 02:05 AM UTC
Thanks Melon for your comments. Actually, I did use the new Interceptor body armor on the loader figure. I guess it can't be seen since he is crouched low in his hatch and his arms are up, all blocking the view to his chest in the photos. The TC is wearing the older body armor that still many guys were wearing in OIF. I think I have every book published in the US on OIF. I have many photos showing guys with the older flak vest. The TC in my model also has a bondaleer of pistol ammo strapped to his chest.
The loader figure is from the Tamiya set (soft on detail but still okay for what I wanted to show with him low in the hatch) and the TC is from the old Dragon M1 from the first Gulf war. That kit came with a crew set and I guess is not available anymore.
For my next model I plan on using the newer Warrior figures (the ones outside of the vehicle) and they have the older body armor too. I do also have the Verlinden upper torsos with Interceptor body armor. When I find out from the vet which he wore I will be able to make up my mind.
Melon, I noticed your M1 is a Marine one. I plan on doing that next after I complete the vet's (3rd ID). I think I'll be sick of Abrams' after that. I see that you have the tow cables in the back and on the front hull. What did you use to attach them? I like your attention to detail. I think I have studied just about every available Abrams picture of OIF out there, and it seems you picked up on all of the Marine Abrams' nuances. Maybe I should just buy yours and claim it as mine and be done with it.
The loader figure is from the Tamiya set (soft on detail but still okay for what I wanted to show with him low in the hatch) and the TC is from the old Dragon M1 from the first Gulf war. That kit came with a crew set and I guess is not available anymore.
For my next model I plan on using the newer Warrior figures (the ones outside of the vehicle) and they have the older body armor too. I do also have the Verlinden upper torsos with Interceptor body armor. When I find out from the vet which he wore I will be able to make up my mind.
Melon, I noticed your M1 is a Marine one. I plan on doing that next after I complete the vet's (3rd ID). I think I'll be sick of Abrams' after that. I see that you have the tow cables in the back and on the front hull. What did you use to attach them? I like your attention to detail. I think I have studied just about every available Abrams picture of OIF out there, and it seems you picked up on all of the Marine Abrams' nuances. Maybe I should just buy yours and claim it as mine and be done with it.
Burik
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,303 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 02:21 AM UTC
Oh, I forgot to respond to Melon's razor wire question. Verlinden had a nice set of it but I bought mine years ago, so I am not sure it is still available. It is very shiny and so with the dust in the rear of the vehicle it will need to be dusted up quite a bit. There were a number of ways crews attached it during OIF and mine (I went with one instead of two) was just tied on to one of the rear tow points. The hard part was getting it the right circumference to match those in my photos.
I have seen other guys use window screen cut into strands and then coiled up and I believe there is an article on this site about it.
I have seen other guys use window screen cut into strands and then coiled up and I believe there is an article on this site about it.
Whisky-Delta
Joined: August 10, 2004
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Monday, August 16, 2004 - 03:34 AM UTC
that tank is simply amazing...the shell casings and RPG hit make it unique. Are the shell casings sold seperatly?...what paint did you use for the desert base coat?
Fantastic model, i hope to purchase the same model kit in the short term future!
Fantastic model, i hope to purchase the same model kit in the short term future!
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