Well, if you are one of the guys who need a model to be 100% accurate you should probably move on to the next topic. Nothing wrong with accuracy but this one is built mostly for fun.
Some of you have probably seen my initial post. I have given it some paint and put on decals. The weathering process has not really started yet. I used the original Tamiya decals for 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Iraq 2003 and therefor I guess my Abrams is anything but correct since the vehicle configuration is more like a 2004/2005 model. I have added a USMC style BRE, extra armor for the exhaust grills from Eduard (which I guess is a bit wrong) and some small scratch built details. Basically I looked through a bunch of Abrams pics and added whatever I thought looked good. I usually put on the stowage with blue tac to get an impression of how the tank will look when finished, so I decided to take some in progress pics. There is still a lot of work to be done, but so far it is a fun build. Comments and questions are welcome as allways .

Erik

Wow. The Anti slip coat came out looking pretty good in the end.

The extra armor at the exhaust does indeed make the kit look alot better. I do like a kit that has alot of stowage equipment like you have done on yours. Try adding some boxes on it if you can afford the space.

As you can tell, i dont really care too much about accuracy either.

Great progress shots. Really want to see the final completed kit.

You will. And of course there will be water boxes, MREs etc. I just have not folded them yet.

Erik

Looks good

A bit shiney though

Once in a while accuracy can be thrown out the door, hell, I do it once in a while. but there are times when you want to build just for fun.

I like it Erik. I don't see a thing wrong with it so far.

It sure looks good to me Erik. Really like the extra armor and stowage.



I always build for fun.

It might have something to do with the fact that Johnson Future is rather shiny... :-)

Erik

Erik,
it's a really nice kit. I guess it'll be far better after the weathering. If I may, just one point, you should drill the .50 MG muzzle.

I have one question for the experts : does not the extra-lengthened bustle generate some engine cooling trouble ?

Olivier

I have a question.

Where did you get the storage box that is on the back of the extended bustle rack, and the burrito roll in the extended bustle rack, did the kit come with them?

I like it, specially how it looks loaded up with the stowage.

If I may say, the pics show that the COAX tube may seemingly be pointer higher than the main gun?



BT6

I like it. I can picture in my mind where you are headed at the end.

Only suggestion is that you move the pole bag from laying on top of the loader's sponson box. Most crews would avoid storing things on top of them, because the crew accesses the contents on a regular basis.

To answer an above question, no, for the most part, there are no cooling issues. The airflow into the tank isn't noticeably blocked as long as there's a gap between the bustles and the back deck for air flow. The majority of the cooling is accomplished by large radiators in the rear, to the left and right side of the engine exhaust. These are serviced by two high volume fans driven from shafts coming out of the transmission.

But I like it. It's nice to see a fully geared up tank. *grin*

Jed

Although it looks really cool. Most crews try to avoid putting personal gear outboard of the tank. Loosing a rucksack with all your personal stuff is not fun. Most of the time all personal gear is rolled up in the tanks tarp in the bustle rack. The tarp keeps the gear clean and dry.

In the units i have been in the camo nets, poles, cots, map tubes and all the rest of the useless garbage went outboard first. Web gear almost always found itself wrapped around the crosswind sensor or draped on the back of the TC's hatch.

POL went in the 25mm cans on the back of the turret and water jerry cans on the outside of the bustle rack.

Of course in war all the nice fancy load plans go out the window.

The air intake is on the left side of the engine, (the vents) just behind the NBC System, and the cooling is done by the rear intake fans on the left and right of the engine exhausts, so there is no cooling trouble with it. BUT the rear deck does get rather warm, and I have heard of things melting if they are stored the wrong way. I also personally wouldn't put my extra cases of MRE's and water back there.

Sorry for a late answere. I've been on a FTX and just returned.




They are scratch built. It will be some more work done soon. Thanks for all replies and suggestions.

Erik

In Korea we secured our Alice packs to the outside of the bustle rack similiar to what you have done with your model. We found they stayed out of the way much better there and if the turret was turned they were still pretty easy to access.

Nice model. Should look real good once she's all weathered up and the gear is painted.

really nice looking abrams. I also build for fun more than accuracy. I just recently picked up this hobby. I knoewthat this is a dumb question but what is the purpose of using johnson's floor wax? does this help as far as weathering?

It gives a smooth base for decaling and makes the washes flow more easy.

Erik