Ok, a quick post for all to enjoy.

I recently finished 2 commision builds of M1A1 tanks. 1 for the 2nd AD in Europe early 1990's and another for the 3rd ID in OIF.

Here is the 2nd AD tank in 3 tone NATO cammo. It is the 1/35 Trumpeter kit with appropriate fixes to the turret front, Tamiya tracks, add-on baggage from the newer Tamiya equipment set, new handles from Tiger Model Designs, proper periscopes from reflective confetti, a Pepsi box from resources found here at Armorama, and custom markings. Phew.



The second build is a 3rd ID tank in Desert tan. It is from the 1/35 Tamiya M1A2 OIF kit with bits for the M1A1. I added baggage from kit pieces, many paper boxes from rsources found on Armorama, new handles from Tiger Model Designs, and periscopes from reflective confetti.





Both tanks had tarps added to the bustle racks after they were filled with "proper field gear" and both pieces were placed on custom bases that had a few extraneous pieces added to liven them up a bit. The 3rd ID plate is as specified by the buyer...I have no idea what it really pertains to.

Sorry the pictures do capture the periscopes well...only a small amount of free gallery space left....gotta join the A-guard! :-)

Any comments or questions welcomed.

Superb work mate, only comment it´s ¡congrats!
A question though....what you can say about the Trumpeter kit? Because I´m planning to buy some.....
Thanks in advance

I have to agree with Klaus. Sgt Rodriguez should be very happy with his tank.
Only one question, which is acctually a general one: I have seen most of the Abrams on this site modelled with a lot of stuff stored on top of the turret. Is the ride so smooth that the cartons and gear will stay put, without being strapped down?

Cheers
Erik

Not Jacques, but all I know is that the Trump kit has a mishapen turret face, that it has nice anti-slip coating, that it has good suspension detail, that it has lots of extra parts, that the fit is bad, that it is cheap, that it is a nice kit for starting a more-or-less accurate M1.

Jacques: Could you point to me where those paper boxes can be found? Me likes 'em hehehe

Thanks GI




Same question....

Cheers

Gino (HeavyArty) has posted these boxes on this site

Soft drink boxes by HeavyArty

I'm not sure if these are the boxes you are looking for, but they are just like the rest of Ginos stuff: Excellent.

Erik

Thanks Erick
Greetings from the end of the world

I did not use Gino's boxes, although they are VERY nice as well. I cannot find the thread at the moment, but I ended up contacting another Armorama member for the file. If you want a file with these other boxes, that include banana boxes, Middle East water boxes, and USPS shipping boxes, drop me a PM with your e-mail address and I will send the file to you, one and all.

Thanks for the comments. As for the ride, yeah, it is really smooth, like a cadillac. I was really surprised myself the first time I rode one...I had been running around in M88's for a week adn then we learned to drive the M1...what a difference. And I have seen lots of photo's of stowage on the top of the tank without any visable tie-downs, but always with the bustel rack so darn full that it acts like a protective wall. :-)

And the Trumpeter kit is just like Tomas said. If you want to save the hassle of adding non-slip to the Tamiya tank (I forgot to mention I did add it with rough spray-can paint) the Trumpeter kit will work fine. My biggest complaint is the suspension is really weak, so you end up needing to use link-length tracks instead of rubber bands that will bend the suspension arms out of whack. 'Course, you can build three Trump's for the price of one Tamiya...easy. and get a similar result, although it is more work... My suggestion is to take a look at the two and see what you think.

And yeah, I hope Sgt. Rodriguez likes his tank too...

Hi,

Still new to the site, what's a PM ?

Personal Message. You find the button "Message" under each post or at each users site. Work pretty much as an e-mail.

Erik

Superb job mate! I noticed you went easy on the weathering but being on a varnished based, a cleaner model does look more appealing than a heavily weathered one.

I PMed you as im keen on getting the file for those boxes.

Well done!

Yeah, it is pretty much a given building commisions...they want the tank, not the dirt! :-) I think if it was not TOO obvious, they woudl ask for their tanks gloss coated! When I have sold other models with correct weathering, they tend to sell for less unless I run across a serious collector.

However, when I build and sell diorama's, then people want the tank to "fit in".

And buyers are not very excited about having figures with the vehicles. You would think they would want the scale reference. But they also want to have a pile of "stuff" on the ground.... I gave up trying to understand the buyer long ago.

So be warned if any of you decide to go into building for money!

Like eveyone else on the site has agreed , I think you did a fine job with both projects. I do have one question though what did you use as a base color? I have several OIF projects that I have models for, but I'm unsure what is the best base coat for these desert vehicles.

Jacques: What I do for a commission job is I first give a list of options the customer might be interested (say, for the Apache, I gave him pix of various Apaches and paint schemes - he settled for the Saraf), then asked the customer what he wanted else (weapons outfit, crew, etc), then tailor-made the model to his specifications. That way, they get what they pay for - and more (since I include the base and the reference material free).

My first customer was quite satisfied he now wants me to build a 1/200 Lafayette class sub with interior. He's just waiting for the funds. Others have seen the Saraf and have expressed interest in having their own vehicle made - ranging from a sports car to a tank - no planes yet, thank you very much. :-)

Could you email me those boxes? Thanks.

Nice job on the washes and dry brushing. They both look very good.

Sean

What unit is that with the 3rd ID? Dan

Hiya Dan,

As for the unit ID, well, the marking on the model are NOT what are on the brass plaque. I just had the plate made up for what the customer wanted, even though I could NOT find ANYTHING to come even close to matching it.

Here is what I got: 3rd ID has M1A1's, but no 115th Armor and not the buffalo soldiers.

115th - only thing I found was for a forward supply unit.

Buffalo Soldiers - 10th Cav Regiment, right?

So I cannot explain it at all...remember my warning about understanding buyers?

I noticed that on the spare smoke grenade lancher box is a black panther-that from the Regimential crest of 69th Armor which I served with while at Ft. Stewart. Just asking... Dan

Now that is some fine modelling. Excellent work. The finish product is just awesome.