Here is my latest. USMC M1A1HC "Angry American" from A Co, 1st Marine Tank Bn, in OIF 1. I will be using the Angry American markings from the Echelon sheet. I used the Academy M1A1 USMC Iraq hull, a DML turret, and parts from DML, Academy, Trumpeter, and Tamiya kits, along with some scratchbuilding to get what I wanted. I also put a full driver's area and full turret interior, including lower basket with gunner's station in it. Of course I forgot to take interior photos before closing it up. I have taken some through the hatches to show some of the details. Here it is.




Some of the interior shots:




More here.

Gino:

Looks nice so far. I love interiors on AFVs. Yours looks good. The only thing I would take care of is the ejection mark on the back of the hot dog site on the TC cupola. Can't tell from the photos, but did you add the connections for the Dazzler? You also might want to add the nylon grab handle on the top inside of the TC hatch. It is secured by two bolts; pretty simple addition.

Will you be putting this in any kind of setting? Figures?

Bob

Gino,
Great job, where did you get the bussel extension from?
regards,
Robert

Bob,
I too saw the pin mark in the photo. Amazing what you can see in a photo and otherwise miss. It has already been fixed. Wire is there for the MCD, along with wires to smoke launchers and the extended electrical connector box between the MCD and the smoke launcher on the left side. Any better pics of pisition of the TC hatch handle, I haven't seen this?

Not sure about setting and figs yet. I also plan on doing an AAVP-7A1 with full interior and RAMS upgrades. I may put them together with some figures. We shall see.




Robert,
The busle rack extension came from the Academy M1A1 USMC Iraq 2003 kit. It is one of the nice items you get on the new sprue. Along with a few other parts on the new sprue, they are the best part of a pretty weak kit. The hull, with a couple modifications, and running gear are usable, the rest, from the hull up is junk with the new sprue good for parts. That is why I had to use a DML turret.

Gino:

Here is a good shot of the handle:

http://photos.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/79472/cat/14000/page/1

You also might want to try your hand at adding that detail to the hot dog site; that tube-like connection that is on the left side of the site as you look at it in this photo. It is on every tank and is meant to hold the cupola remote control. The end you can not see in the photo is hollow so the remote can slip in.

Bob

Very nice on a beautiful Abrams. I wasn't suprised when I read you went all out and used parts from 4 kits, plus scratchbuilding! Is all the interior scratchbuilt?

How was the fit between the Academy hull and DML turret?

I noticed you haven't put on tracks, at least in the above photos. Whice do you plan on using?

Jeff

Looks great! It's some serious hard core modeling right there. The interior looks impressive.

Now some questions: I've read that the Academy kit is the only one with the infantry telephone (attached on the right rear) part included. What does it look like? Is it accurately depicted? I've searched the net and Armorama to find good reference photos but could not find any. Does anyone have such photo?

A stupid question, what brown did you use in your camo job?

I love your M-1, the interior is just fantastic!

Bob, Thanks for the pic. I'll probably add the cloth strap. The cupola remote holder is actually taken off most Abrams by the crew, it isn't used much.






Jeff, The interior of the turret is mostly scratch. I used the partial turret parts from DML and added the rest from scratch. The turret hole in the Academy hull had to be made larger to accept the DML turret ring. I plan on adding DML length & link track.




Petition2God, The TI (Tank-Infantry) phone box is pretty simple. A square box about 12" square and about 4 deep that is hinged on the left side and has a latch on the right side. The Academy part is pretty accurate. This pic of the proposed/experimental TUSK (Tank Urban Survival Kit) upgrades show a T-I on the Abrams.







Steven, Here are the colors I use for 3-tone NATO camo, all Testor's Model Master enamels.

Brown - Field Drab FS# 30118
Green - Medium Green FS# 34102
Black - Flat Black FS# 37038

Thanks for all the comments and hope the above helps.

[quote] The cupola remote holder is actually taken off most Abrams by the crew, it isn't used much.

Gino: The remote is hardly used at all, but the holder is usually there. I think it is welded on. I suppose the best thing to do is check your photos. Maybe the Marines do remove theirs.

Bob