Hosted by Darren Baker
New Dragon Abrams Build in progress
BroAbrams
Joined: October 02, 2002
KitMaker: 1,546 posts
Armorama: 1,081 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 06:03 AM UTC
I have just started the new Dragon M1A1 AIM this afternoon. The suspension is going together well with not a lot of cleanup. I have noticed the suspension arms mold lines are exactly where the mold lines of the real ones are, so I am leaving them in place, but toning them down a little.
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 07:56 AM UTC
Looks great so far. Keep us posted.
Eisen
Joined: November 13, 2005
KitMaker: 134 posts
Armorama: 106 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 08:06 AM UTC
Where did you get it? I wasn't aware it had been released yet.
BroAbrams
Joined: October 02, 2002
KitMaker: 1,546 posts
Armorama: 1,081 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 09:09 AM UTC
Robert, I recieved one of the first production kits as a thanks from Dragon for supplying some drawings they needed during the design process.
Here's some more pics from this afternoon. There are two different parts supplied (T4 and T5 I think) that go under the air intake grill to support the air intake screen (a PE part). When I tried to put the one I wanted in place it was too thick. The screen is recessed below the side of the sponson and the supplied parts both held the screenup too hi. I used sandpaper to thin the piece down until the PE screen was recessed enough.
On the underside of the left sponson is a circle that needs to be drilled out for the crew heater exhaust plug that is evident on most AIM's. As you can see I didn't realize it had to be drilled out before I cemented the upper and lower hulls together. Make sure when you do it to drill this first.
Here's a good look at the details evident on the upper hull.
Progress so far.
Here's some more pics from this afternoon. There are two different parts supplied (T4 and T5 I think) that go under the air intake grill to support the air intake screen (a PE part). When I tried to put the one I wanted in place it was too thick. The screen is recessed below the side of the sponson and the supplied parts both held the screenup too hi. I used sandpaper to thin the piece down until the PE screen was recessed enough.
On the underside of the left sponson is a circle that needs to be drilled out for the crew heater exhaust plug that is evident on most AIM's. As you can see I didn't realize it had to be drilled out before I cemented the upper and lower hulls together. Make sure when you do it to drill this first.
Here's a good look at the details evident on the upper hull.
Progress so far.
jazza
Joined: August 03, 2005
KitMaker: 2,709 posts
Armorama: 1,818 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 01:36 PM UTC
Looks to be a real beauty this one. Wonder how long its going to take to hit the LHS here but the minute it gets in, its joining my collection.
More progress shots please!
More progress shots please!
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 01:55 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Robert, I recieved one of the first production kits as a thanks from Dragon for supplying some drawings they needed during the design process.
That's great to hear that they sent them already!
Quoted Text
On the underside of the left sponson is a circle that needs to be drilled out for the crew heater exhaust plug that is evident on most AIM's. As you can see I didn't realize it had to be drilled out before I cemented the upper and lower hulls together.
I made the same mistake in the one I build now...
Even though of course I knew very well that it has to be drilled out - I just hurried too much to glue hull parts together... Luckilly before I corrected this "error" I checked my references and noticed that this one tank I build (1-77) did not have the plug - just smooth armor there. Most other tanks indeed have it.Pawel
Ric_Cody
Joined: May 22, 2005
KitMaker: 299 posts
Armorama: 294 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 02:18 PM UTC
Quoted Text
On the underside of the left sponson is a circle that needs to be drilled out for the crew heater exhaust plug that is evident on most AIM's.
Are you refering to the mushroom that use to be on the hull just in front of the NBC sponson/ heater exhuast port?
I did not actually see the hole that you drilled out, so I thought I would ask about it.
Ric
Eisen
Joined: November 13, 2005
KitMaker: 134 posts
Armorama: 106 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 05:47 PM UTC
Thanks Bro. I'm excited about this one. Goodluck on the build. Looks great so far. Wish Dragon would make more Modern AFV's. I know. I know. Old argument.
Bob C.
Bob C.
Epi
Joined: December 22, 2001
KitMaker: 3,586 posts
Armorama: 2,556 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 06:31 PM UTC
WHOOHOO!!!!!!!! Today is my birthday and hearing that you got yours yesterday Rob, sends shivers down my spine thinking that mine might be here in the next day or two. This past Thrusday, I even put two more on order at my LHS.
BroAbrams
Joined: October 02, 2002
KitMaker: 1,546 posts
Armorama: 1,081 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 10:11 PM UTC
Rick, that is, indeed, the one I mean, I didn't drill it, so I am just going to leave it alone.
LOL Pawel, and you knew about it before hand. I am glad I mentioned it now since even you forgot to drill it.
Pete, I am going to buy at least two more myself but I think I can wait a little while now that I am building this one. I am going to point out that Spruebrothers.com has them for $32.49 for pre-order. http://spruebrothers.zoovy.com/product/DML3535PRE
LOL Pawel, and you knew about it before hand.
I am glad I mentioned it now since even you forgot to drill it.Pete, I am going to buy at least two more myself but I think I can wait a little while now that I am building this one. I am going to point out that Spruebrothers.com has them for $32.49 for pre-order. http://spruebrothers.zoovy.com/product/DML3535PRE
BlackThor_06
Joined: August 12, 2003
KitMaker: 200 posts
Armorama: 114 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 04:04 AM UTC
Please keep it coming...looking forward on how to assemble this once it hits our LHS.
Thanks!
BT6
Thanks!
BT6
BroAbrams
Joined: October 02, 2002
KitMaker: 1,546 posts
Armorama: 1,081 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 05:22 AM UTC
Okay, back with some more.
This is after the engine deck is on. It didn't fit very well until after I trimmed down the taper on the edges.
Here's a detail shot of the headlights showing the improvements made in this area.
On the transom parts U24 and U25 are reversed in the instructions. These are the guards around the taillights.
And here's the other deck hatches in place. The b*tch plate lives up to its reputation, but it looks okay once in place. Make sure all the hatch edges are trimmed flat or they won't fit easily.
This is after the engine deck is on. It didn't fit very well until after I trimmed down the taper on the edges.
Here's a detail shot of the headlights showing the improvements made in this area.
On the transom parts U24 and U25 are reversed in the instructions. These are the guards around the taillights.
And here's the other deck hatches in place. The b*tch plate lives up to its reputation, but it looks okay once in place. Make sure all the hatch edges are trimmed flat or they won't fit easily.
Ric_Cody
Joined: May 22, 2005
KitMaker: 299 posts
Armorama: 294 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 02:25 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Rick, that is, indeed, the one I mean, I didn't drill it, so I am just going to leave it alone.
Thats good cause back in the mid 90's they did an MWO and took those exhaust ports out and covered them over. So I would hate to see you go backwards with it. Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.
Ric
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 02:36 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Thats good cause back in the mid 90's they did an MWO and took those exhaust ports out and covered them over. So I would hate to see you go backwards with it. Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.
Ric,
The kit includes the cover that was welded in place of exhausts, not exhaust parts. But to attach the cover properly you must drill out the hole. So in this case you have to open this hole only to cover it later with a plug part
Rob,
I noticed on your photo that there is a piece of plastic missing from the rear left corner of the hull. I mean one of the loops used to hold number 7 skirt in place. Did your kit include part damaged this way?
EDIT: Arghhh!!! I just noticed that part in a kit reviewed by Vinnie had the same exact flaw!... I need to contact DML ASAP.
Pawel
BroAbrams
Joined: October 02, 2002
KitMaker: 1,546 posts
Armorama: 1,081 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 07:15 PM UTC
Yes unfortunately that piece was missing. I am hoping to replace it with some small rod I have. One of th bustle rack pieces is already broken as well. These are the only two flaws I have seen so far.
Ric_Cody
Joined: May 22, 2005
KitMaker: 299 posts
Armorama: 294 posts
Posted: Monday, August 14, 2006 - 02:46 PM UTC
Quoted Text
The kit includes the cover that was welded in place of exhausts, not exhaust parts. But to attach the cover properly you must drill out the hole. So in this case you have to open this hole only to cover it later with a plug part
Ah ok got ya Pawel. interesting how that got molded.
Ric
p.s. my package has arrived, just got to get the wife to get over to the post office and pick it up.
Thanks again
Epi
Joined: December 22, 2001
KitMaker: 3,586 posts
Armorama: 2,556 posts
Posted: Monday, August 14, 2006 - 05:43 PM UTC
YIPPIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got mine yesterday!!!!!!!!!!
Before I forget, my kit had the same little peice missing on the rear too that you all mentioned.
Well, there is just now words to describe this kit. I want to say thank you to Dragon and to Pawel for including me in this project. And just to let you all know that I didn't do this for a free kit, I have two more on order at my LHS and will probably add another one.
I brought the kit in to work today to show the two tanker co workers that are here in the shop I work at. They fell in love with it too!!!!!!!!!!!
Like PAwel said, the plastic barrel is way better than the mettal barrel.
Oh, I did have some other parts dammaged too, but nothing to bad. The tow anntena's where broken but at not anywhere noticable. Both left and right side hand rails had two broken spots, but once again, easiely fixed.
Before I forget, my kit had the same little peice missing on the rear too that you all mentioned.
Well, there is just now words to describe this kit. I want to say thank you to Dragon and to Pawel for including me in this project. And just to let you all know that I didn't do this for a free kit, I have two more on order at my LHS and will probably add another one.
I brought the kit in to work today to show the two tanker co workers that are here in the shop I work at. They fell in love with it too!!!!!!!!!!!
Like PAwel said, the plastic barrel is way better than the mettal barrel.
Oh, I did have some other parts dammaged too, but nothing to bad. The tow anntena's where broken but at not anywhere noticable. Both left and right side hand rails had two broken spots, but once again, easiely fixed.
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Monday, August 14, 2006 - 06:02 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Before I forget, my kit had the same little peice missing on the rear too that you all mentioned.
I think these parts were still in the plastic bag in which the hull part was packed. They were in my second sample (first sample was undamaged). DML today informed me that this is a problem with damage during transport of boxed kits and considering that these broken off pieces were indeed in the bag in my kit I agree with them. Unfortunately with some fragile parts in the kit and with a cramped box full of sprues, such problems are almost inevitable
Pawel
USArmy2534
Joined: January 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,716 posts
Armorama: 1,864 posts
Posted: Monday, August 14, 2006 - 06:43 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Well, there is just now words to describe this kit. I want to say thank you to Dragon and to Pawel for including me in this project.
Hehe, Pete you sound like you just got an Oscar or something.
Anyway I think there are a lot of modellers watching this page, keep it up.
Jeff
BroAbrams
Joined: October 02, 2002
KitMaker: 1,546 posts
Armorama: 1,081 posts
Posted: Monday, August 14, 2006 - 07:42 PM UTC
Sorry I didn't update yesterday, we are buying a new house and did the final walk through last night. I will be able to get some more done tonight.
ViperAtl
Joined: August 22, 2005
KitMaker: 331 posts
Armorama: 191 posts
Posted: Monday, August 14, 2006 - 09:05 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Sorry I didn't update yesterday, we are buying a new house and did the final walk through last night. I will be able to get some more done tonight.
I guess this will be the last update for a while. When my girlfriend and I bought a house it took about 2 months before the model bench was back up and running.
Ric_Cody
Joined: May 22, 2005
KitMaker: 299 posts
Armorama: 294 posts
Posted: Monday, August 14, 2006 - 09:47 PM UTC
Yippie KaiYeah............I finally got my model out of the post office impound. Got to briefly look through it, Cant wait to tackle it this weekend after my House Hold Goods arrive.
Thank you very much Pawel for the awesome looking model.
Ric
BroAbrams
Joined: October 02, 2002
KitMaker: 1,546 posts
Armorama: 1,081 posts
Posted: Monday, August 14, 2006 - 10:04 PM UTC
No we are not moving just yet. I hope to have it done before the move.
StukeSowle
Joined: November 08, 2002
KitMaker: 599 posts
Armorama: 357 posts
Posted: Monday, August 14, 2006 - 10:08 PM UTC
Nice to see this being built up finally! And having been through the process of buying a house I know that it takes as long to fnish up the paperwork as to finish a decent kit.
BroAbrams
Joined: October 02, 2002
KitMaker: 1,546 posts
Armorama: 1,081 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 06:14 AM UTC
Okay, a few more pics today. First the Transom showing how it looks after the grill doors are installed.
And the main gun. I wanted to use the plastic ones because of the details included but when you put the bore evacuator on it caused the gun tube to bow upwards, so I used the turned aluminum one.
And the main gun. I wanted to use the plastic ones because of the details included but when you put the bore evacuator on it caused the gun tube to bow upwards, so I used the turned aluminum one.
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