I can tell the difference visually between an M1 and an M1a1. Now there are M1a2, M1a1 HA, M1a2 SEP. What is the VISUAL differences between them. I know they have done considerable interior upgrading with digital stuff links and improved sights, but were any major changes done in appearance. I googled some stuff up and even if I am an experienced tanker, they all look pretty much the same to me in the pictures I mean look at the Leopard. You can readily see the difference between a Leopard 2a4, a5, and a6. From a modeling standpoint. Any recommendations on the best kit FOR THE MONEY. Why spend $40 for a Tamiya when a $25 Dragon or Trumpeter will look just about as good or better.

Not much on the recognition part but as for the best kit... Dragon AIM for the money. Loads of plastic along with extras.

Ginos article on the different M1 Abrams variants should help you out a bit. For more detailed references I would recommend "M1 Abrams at war" by Michael Green & Greg Stewart.
About M1 kits my favourite is the Dragon M1A1 (Don't have the AIM yet...) It is cheaper than Tamiyas, and better detailed. A bit more complex to build though.

Erik

DML M1A1 AIM ALL THE WAY trust me, I've built (or tried to )Trumpeter(M1A1), Dragon(M1A1HA and M1A2), Academy(M1A1), Italeri(M1A1) and Tamiya's(M1A1)...

Couldn't agree more. Dragon's M1A1 AIM by far!

Hate to sound like a broken record but I have to agree. Dragons newest M1A1 AIM is by far the best Abrams on the market by a HUGE margin and is arguably one of the best styrene Armor kits to date in my opinion.

And whats so striking about it is that for all you get, the kit still falls under $40.00, which will even make sales for it that much greater! and more sales means more variants and types like we all want!!

Thanks for the resounding recommendation guys. Loved the picture sort of reminded me of the old Byrds song "You all look alike".

I haven't built the Trumpeter, Italeri, Academy or (older-tool) Dragon kits, so I cannot comment on any of them.

As far as Tamiya goes, it is a simpler kit to build that is less-detailed and often more expensive to buy. But it does "look like an Abrams" when finished.

As for the new-tool Dragon AIM kit, it's far more accurate and detailed, less expensive than Tamiya, but is more complex and some of the "little fiddly bits" can be a bit taxing on the patience level if you're ham-handed like I am.


Just my 2 cents.

As a builder of 350 scale ships with PE stuff, you don't know "little fiddely bits" until you've dealt with one of those. Thank god for optivisors !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-) :-)

*chuckle* Ya got me with that one !!!! :-)