I have a couple of questions/requests:
I saw a picture on the internet of an Abrams in Iraq driving down a street with two tow bars slung on the front lower hull. I didn't save the picture and was wondering if anyone else had seen it and may have it saved somewhere. If anyone knows the dimensions of the tow bars used for tank-to-tank recovery ops, that would help too. Just the diameter and overall length would do me.
Second, anyone know what the equipment attached to the front of the Abrams in the picture below is? I am assuming that it is for some type of engineering equipment.



Thanks as always,

Shaun

The attachment on the front is for mounting a mine roller set. One of the Trumpeter kits has this, but it is pretty basic. I'm attempting to scratchbuild one based loosely on the Trumpeter one. The tow bars are also seen on the back plate, attached to the large lift lugs on either side of the engine grills. The AFV Club M88's have nice tow bars.

Cheers,
Jim

This is the mount for a mine roller system. According to my sources, the Cav is supposed to havd one mine plow and one mine roller tank in each platoon.
I don't have dims yet in the tow bar.

The tow bars you mention can be found in the Legends update set. There are two bars and all the associated mounting hardware involved. The accessory kit also includes helmets, the misc. tarps and camo kit bags, water cans, spare wheels, ect. Great kit to own for customizing an M1A1.

Good luck.

I've got beaucoup tow bars in my motor pool, one is semi-permanently attached to an Abrams that we use to train mechanics on how to pull the pack. I can take photos and post dimensions later if you want them.

Thanks everyone!! I have the Trumpeter Abrams with the mine plow kit but never broke the shrink wrap. If I had I guess I could have answered my own question. I guess that is a sign I have too many M1 kits...

Thanks again,

Shaun

I posted the photos in the new gallery motor pool: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/photos/showgallery.php?cat=13731&password=.

As I stated in the PM, the diameter of the bars is 4" and the steel tubes are 6' from weld to weld.

Great pictures Rob. That is exactly what I needed. Thank You.

Shaun