Hi all, I was wondering if someone could tell me what details I would need to add to the Tamiya M1A2 kit to accurately depict a Marine Corps M1A1 as seen in some of the various documentaries of the initial push to Baghdad in March 2003 (specifically, a tank with the 3-color euro scheme and tan CIP panels), and how to go about these details? I know that some of the differences are the MCD in place of the CITV periscope, the smoke grenade launchers that look like several individual barrels grouped together instead of the triangular Army ones, and there's also supposed to be some sort of rear bustle rack extension, but are there any other fine details I might be overlooking, and how do I make the bustle extension? Any info anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.

If I recall correctly, Tamiya has included everything you need to make a marine A1 in the kit. And the directions are more han adequate in building it.

Does this include the bustle rack extension on the rear of the turret?

No, but Eduard does have an excellent etch kit of the rack available.

Roger that Staff Sergeant.

Hi Chris,
first welcome on board.

The Tamiya kit comes with nearly all needed to turn into a USMC tank.
As stated above, the bustle rack extension is missing but you can do it from scratch providning you have the dimensions. If you're interested I got from a Marine member a Word file with them. Drop me a PM with your e-mail if need be.

olivier

By the way, I noticed that the ends of the smoke grenades on both the Marine M1A1's and the Amtracks are a whitish-green color. Which paint would be good for depicting this shade?

The color on the extended grenades is a good match with the Zinc Cromate used on the interior of US army vehicles (e.g. Bradley). The USMC also had an infantry telephone on the rear plate. MMiR had a nice review of doing a Marine Abrams in one of their recent issues.

Also, if you are looking at doing a USMC tank from the occupation rather than the 2003 war, there are some minor changes.

Color for smoke grenades is not Zinc Chromate Green. ZC Green is too dark. Neither is it the interior color of US APCs. The actual color is called SeaFoam Green. Pale Green by Testors Model Master, with a little white added is a good color for SeaFoam Green for APC interiors and smoke grenades.

Check out my USMC M1A1 "Angry American" for some pics of a USMC M1A1 in Iraq, OIF 1.

Damn General, you earned every one of your stars with that kit! Especially your work on the inside of the turret, AND inside the Driver's hole. It's like you shrunk down the real thing and called it a model! How did you do the US Postal Service and Coke boxes on the turret roof?

What's the kit number for this set?

Yeah, but the metal is too thin and it's terrible to build it without warping the thing beyond recognition.

I just did mine and it took me 2 days to do it. Thank god that the tanks show some wear and some dents here and there, coz that's the way the BRE will look in the end.

Here's the URL Eduard BRE

Olivier.... I'm doing the M1A1 from Dragon and an essential part is missing. The channel that connects to the APU on the BR.
On your model I saw that you scratch built that part.
How did you do that and do you have any good pics for reference?
Merci en avance

Here is a link to Ginos Soda boxes. Since the gallery is down at the moment you will not be able to see them yet, but thrust me, these are sweet.

Erik

If I might add on those water boxes. I print mine on 80 lb cardstock. But a thin coat of any non water based glue between paper and a file card would do it. Epoxy maybe? When I tried my hand at paper models I used a 3m spray adhiesive to laminate. I laminate mre boes to manila envelopes to make them more managable. You need cardstock the color of the printing.

I'm not Olivier but you should find useful pictures on Tanxheaven :
http://tanxheaven.com/m1a1aim/m1a1aim1.htm

HTH

Frenchy

Merci mon Colonel!!!

Thanks for the compliments and thanks Erik for the link to my soda boxes. I made the Postal box, MREs, and water boxes the same way. Amazing what you can do on your hoe computer.

Thanks for the link Frenchy, this is exactly the one I used.

Antonio, I just used square plastic rod that I cut in its length then sanded to fit along the blast panels.

olivier