Hi all, this is continued from my other post https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/71157&page=1

Thanks to All of ya who's helped with my project...I'm still waiting for some more help from some fellas inorder to complete my info. (Thanks guys..not rushing you)

Tamiya and Trumpeter kit , I intend to depict the M1A2s over at prime portal's site....but before they got damaged..

Here's what I've done so far..sorry the pics are lousy, just snapped a couple at 330 in the morning...working all night. I'll get better pics when I get more done.
And I'll do an article when all's ready.

Most of the modifications are done simply with cutting out estimated sizes from various thickness from styrene sheet and evergreen strips,L and rods. and rivets/bolt and nuts from an old Bradley side armor.


Cheers...




Here's some clearer pics.

Trumpeter on the left,Tamiya on the right. I haven't added the handles to any of the parts yet. I'll most likely spend $5 bucks for the thinnest everygreen rod instead of using wire..(hate using super glue)



Stowage boxes in process. That's the trumpter main gun, modified for more accuracy.
Cut back the hull of the turret as well as you can see.

I know exactly how you feel.

Just to let you know that the smallest Evergreen rod is many times too large for small handles (i.e the size of grab handles)

Jeff

Looking pretty good. One correction for you. The square piece you have added on the side of the hull in the below pic is the air intake for the Under Armor APU (UAAPU). It should sit off the hull with a square block spacer at each bolt, not flush against the hull.


You can see it here on mine.

Too Small!! DOOoooH! maybe I'll stretch some Dragon sprue..

Jeff..this is strange..why is it I'm seeing HeavyArty as the one who's posted instead of you..? over at the forums page?

Hey, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. If you don't want advice from all, don't ask for it.

So far, nice work Nick - keep at it!

Also, I agree with Jeff about the Evergreen Rod. It isn't "round" and too thick for the application. For me, solder works better. But, as long as you are happy - go for it!

I'll be watching this thread for your progress.

Gunnie

(P.S. I am still pulling together info for you. We've got a serious family situation going on right now that's kept me away from home past couple of days...)

Looks like I've to go back to super guling my fingers again
I try to keep that for my resin kits..

Jim..take your time -- of course family first..and thank you..

On the UAAPU, the intake block was often reversed, to keep any dust from entering and building up. It was more rare to see a reversed one, in the 1CD.

Jed Sargent

I love the stowage bins. What are they made of, just rod or rectangler tubing?
I've got to make two for this Lav I'm building.
There's one on each side of the turret.
http://www.primeportal.net/apc/jason_taylor/oif_lav/
zoom in if you can't see them.

Also great job on the A2's. Can't wait to see them finished. I think all modelers hate CA, it burns!

I'm assuming this was on tanks with non-operational UAAPUs. If the plate is reversed, basically closed off, the APU has no way of taking in air to run.

Sarge18

Hmmm...yup I've notice that.. block being reversed..Also heard that the MCDs on Marine tanks were usually left switched off..something about them working too well..thus overheating.




What's "1CD" ?





MIke

Stowage bins are made of Evergreen's 0.75mm Rod for the the 3 bars that run the lenght,and the left and right sides.
The rest are done using 0.4 x 1.5mm and 0.4 x 1.0mm Strips. Based on the info I got, I think the thickness is pretty accurate.
I experimented using this bussel rack made up in plastic, as I was pondering to get it (as well as some other stuff I'm working on) designed on CAD then send to a styrene cutter and marketed as AM sets... Glues easy, I prefer styrene...but too delicate and time consuming to work with. Heck it'll stick to havng it done it photoetch...although I know it's already available by some other company..


Those racks on the LAVs..seem different from eachother..Is it just me..or are some versions made of round/tube metal bars ..yet on the right-4th photo (rear of LAV) the rack is made up of square metal bars...?

Are you going to depict the camouflage netting? I've yet to see this done really realistically... Maybe some AM company should come up with the thinist photoetch netting...

By the way...I think the most challenging part about the scratch builds in these 2 tanks are going to be the Mine Plows' Extender Deflector.. not the build but the measurements and getting it altered to suit the Dragon Plow.

1st Cavalry Division, a.k.a. 1CAV, stationed at Ft Hood, TX.

Gino,
There has yet to be an operational Under Armor APU. If there are intake blocks reversed, it does not indicate that there is an APU in there. The UAAPU is a much-touted benefit of the SEP, but has not been deployed to the Operational Force.

Now, just from doing some quick research, the Army is fielding an APU - of sorts. It is a cell of 8 batteries that sits where the UAAPU would sit, and extends the life of the batteries for watch cycles. It was tested with 4ID, but not fielded, and plans to be fielded with the M1A2SEP's that are being fielded to 3ACR this summer.

I've got pictures requested. If I get them and figure out how to post them, I will. The rear sponson changes the shape, and supposedly starts to mirror the the right side.

But, that's the current skinny.

As for the MCD, never had one, was a surprise to see a TM when I hit Korea in 2001 that referenced them. One of the chuckles we had over reading it was the possible threat of sterility if standing too close to a power up one.

Jed

Yes - I learned about the non-operational UAAPU from the GLDS 'A2 SEP Program Manager when I was building my model. I built it in the "as accepted" configuration. "BOOM STICK" did not carry an operational UAAPU - none were operational at that time.

Gunnie

Didn't know they haven't gotten them to work, nor fielded them yet. Interesting. I guess I built mine in the "as accepted" configuration as well.

Yes - you did! You had good reference material to follow!

Gunnie :-)

Guess I should have read your article a little more closely.

Now, what will be interesting to see is this new variant, with the UAAPU area modified for this power supply system.

Jed