ARMOR - M1 Abrams Group Build

QUOTE: Originally posted by zokissima Go for it frosty.

zokissima:
i have been wanting 2 build another abrams ever since i finished my winter scheme one,
and even bought some p/e & a hold'n'fold bending tool 4 this project...
my only worry was the time factor, but i think i can finish my m32 & get this pup going in the near future.
boy, r there a lot of tiny parts on those p/e frets !
gonna have 2 watch the tweezerpult effect on this build...
but i'm definitely still in !

thanx 4 more encouragement. !

frosty

Well I have a few pics of my M1 but dont know how to attach them.Help pleeeeeeeeeeease!!

Just picked up the Tamiya M1A1 from a local model shop and will join the group build. I normally do ships but I have lost interest due to the s**t detail on my recent models.
I am a returnee to modelling community after a 20 year break for life`s issues.
I can make some progress on this model over the next couple of weeks as I am in hospital on Monday for a re-arrangement of my airways. I will then have some free time to put some effort in before I have to go back to work.

good luck with you surgery add welcome to the forum. You should bepleased with you M1 it is a nice kit.

Painted some of the tracks. got a little tired, quit for now. U know what sucks about M1 tracks?? You feel like you're painting everything twice :)
I'm going to continue with them tomorrow. I play to have them, and most accessories on by the end of the weekend...

Well here is one pic it is not finished yey but had to try the didgi cam.

very nice!!!! can't wait to see it finished

First you need a compatable webhost Thundergod this is the most common one for the FSM forum is http://rongeorge.com/modules/Gallery/albums.php now go to upload photos section , when that loads log in using name and password as follows User: newfsm
pword: models .....go to admin options , go to add photos,( the window for this may go under your main window so either minimize it or move it to see !)( I am a windows dummy if you couldn't tell ) and add the appropriate amount of photos to that 1-5, Now heres the tricky part after you have added the pix , open the picture form the thumbnail photo right klik on it ,.... copy image location this has to end in photo format .jpg or similar , and put it in between the <<< no spaces of course throughout ,html post (insert imagebox above^) Hope this helps, took me forever to figure this out , Yahoo basic sites are not compatable as are many other free sites so keep this in mind ( they don't allow sharing form them unless you pay ) Good luck ... Shawn

Ya i found out last night i opened a yahoo site and it worked for a few now it is not thanks for the info i will try this.


Dwight

how did you do your antenna on that dirty little M1 of yours im interested on the bulb tips and coiled ends, almost looks like guitar string.

Thundergod.

The main part is a stretched sprue. Try to make two almost identical size antenna using stretched sprue. Put a drop of glue on the thinner tip and hang it upside down to let it dry. When it dries it will be shaped like a bulb. On the base I wound around a piece of string wetted with glue to simulate the coil.

Sorry I can't see the pictures yet but Spector already explained how to get to ron's site.

Good luck.

Glue thanks Dwight I tried the hard way of streching spure about 6 inches and cutting boyh ends which left more of a wedge shape. Thanks again I will posts some pics of this baby tommorrow.

Well, I've managed to move along enough. I finished painting the tracks, spare wheels, figures (almost) knap-sacks, tools, ammo boxes and crates, and a few other minor extras. Tonight, I will finish up what painting I have left, so that I can attatch everything by Wednesday, then it's on to some chipped paint and a final dustcoat to blend everything in. Should be done by Wednesday night. Well, hopefully :)

If you think you have earned it...

Then wear it...




I think I will...he-he-he.


Here's the link

http://www.info.com.ph/~tdwight/m1badge.jpg

Well here is a few pics of the almost finished M, I would like to wheather it to look as if it were in bahgdad, any suggestions on how to do it would be appreciated for I lack the knowledge of doing the WASH.





I almost forgot I cant find what color the glass is on the site(square on frontof turret forgot the name )It looks goldish on the box.

Great job there, thundergod. Looks very nice.

Coming along nicely there Ron. I like that dog you got there.

Cool Group Badge Dwight. I have a feeling I won't earn mine. I haven't even started yet and if my M1 goes as slow as my Panther it will be a long time before I finish.

Well, what are you waiting for. Start now. LOL.

Looks really good thundergod. The camo is done very very nicely, although I don't know whether there were any tri-colour NATO schemes in Baghdad. Correct me anyone if I'm wrong, and tell me the story with that one :)

I managed to finish ALL assembly and painting last night. Not the weathering yet, as I have a cold and a headache, and I just wanted to sleep.

If anything, just a final dust-coat is left, and I'm done.

Well from what I gathered from the web,CNN and Fox, the marines had their nato schemes there which is what my M1 is representing ,and also the box which my M1 came in shows this here is a pic..



Weird yes but war is war no time for paint jobs when your in the marines

Wow, that's cool. I had no idea, but you're right, when they're deployed, probably the last thing on their minds are paint jobs :)

Here are 2 pics of my in progress Tamiya M1A1(if I got the link right). I am doing 3 colour camo and have just completed the base colour. I have done the tracks first in gunmetal, then dusted in matt black and then sprayed with "real rust" dissolved in water. The photos seem too bright so the effect on the tracks may not be apparent, but I will try to get a good shot in natural light for my next update.



All observations welcome

I know I'm late but I I'll try to build an M1 by June 15

QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could the M1 plow be in Euro camo/OD? just attached to a Desert storm M1?

Also, um, lets see, i forgot!
Oh yeah, Antennas! how are those created? I have seen some fancy ones that split halfway through, and some straight ones also-what is the easiest?

Well I started the Dragon M1A1 and whoa what a puttiers dream. This might be the worst Dragon kit I have built. Every part seems to need T.L.C. Parts don't fit well and the front of the hull is inaccurate as seeing the front of the box. This is what I get for trying to save $20. I should have bought Tamiya's eons ago and I could have saved time and grief as well as some extra money from buying kits that just stink. I'll see how much more I can take on this piece of plastic. May have to move on to the next group build. LOL

well I put some paint on tonight on one of my hasegawas.

Beav

Anttennas are created by streched spures I do mine over a candle the split ones you might be refering to if I am correct are Dwights and mine are bent over and held down by string which gives it a split look and there is a post that I posted a few days ago titled" M1 mineplow referances" you might wanna check out, hope that helps

Tigerman

I know whatcha mean. I had the same issuies but it turned out nice.

Beav, just as thungergod said, I create mine with stretched sprue as well. Good results, and very cheap!

QUOTE: This might be the worst Dragon kit I have built.

hehe, try building their MAZ 543-TEL (The SCUD launcher). It's a bi***. It took FOREVER to fill all the gaps. That was definitely the worst dragon kit I ever built

Well, since the tank is done, I decided to start detailing it a bit. I'll be 100% done tonight. I ended up painting and weathering spare wheels, track links, knapsacks, ammo boxes, and a helmet
Tonight, all that's left to do is colour some tissue and wrap it up.
I saw a builtup model on Armorama.com ( http://www.armorama.com/modules/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=528&password= )
I like the way this guy built his. It's very nice. I especially like the 'cloth' tied around the antenna posts. That's pretty much what I have left to do on mine. Gotta admit, building this M1 turned out to be a lot of fun, albeit it took a lot longer than what I originally planned.
If I have any complaints with the Trumpeter kits, they're as follows:
The road wheels for some reason just appear to be a little too small. Dunno, maybe it's just me. In a few weeks, I'll take pics and post.
The fit of the bustle rack, especially around the sides of the turret, is just CRAP, but that's not a surprise, since I've had that experience with pretty much all Trumpeter kits. Other than that, great kit, and a VERY fun group build!

After another day`s work on the M1A1, I have pencilled in and freehand sprayed the 3 colour camo. The brown colour is not quite right but it will darken as I start the weathering etc. Should get a lot more done over the Easter holiday break.
The tracks are fitted but masked off until the weathering begins.

well, I decided to change my hasegawa m1e1 into a m1a1 from the recent Iraq conflict. so I am putting on some extra details.