Dragon`s M1A1 kit info.

The M1A1 AIM (#3535) and the M1A2 SEP (#3536) are completely new-tool kits which have absolutely no parts in common with the previous generation kits, which date back to the early 90's.

The newer kits also include some upgrades and additional equipment not present in the older kits which means that they can be built OOB to represent recent vehicles.  However they do not include any interior detail like the kit which you built (3533). 

Having said that, though the older kits show their age and require a little TLC, they can be built into very nice representations of the M1A1 with a little work. They're just not the best choice for the inexperienced.

 

The new kits are wonderful works of art and are a must have for any modern armor builders, buy these kits NOW!

Just throw that M1A1HA to the bin, the new kits are far best tooled, and have an ultimate detail, Even the Trumpeter M1s are best than the old DML kit, but with a lot of fit issues. I only have the M1A1 AIM, but I fully recommend you to purchase both kits, they're simply stunning. Best regards.

 

José 

XLNT wrote:

Can anyone give me some info on Dragons M1A1 kits. I have just seen a mag with a write up on the M1A2 SEP,3536.The review said how great the kit is with no fit issues.I had the Dragon M1A1HA "Iraqi freedom" 3533 kit and was very disapointed with the kit overall with fit and parts warped.To be honest i ditched the kit semi finished BUT i am still a noobe. Is this SEP version a new kit or does it still share the main parts,i would like to try again.My LHS has the SEP 3536 and a M1A1 3535.I am hopeing these are both new kits. If i can remember correctly the turret on my earlier kit was a nightmare fit wise and the deck was warpped in both directions.also flash was quite heavy.

If you don't want the M1A1HA I'll take it off your hands.

Thanks for the info guy`s. I will give one of the new kits a go,they sound much better than the M1A1HA i failed badly with.

I was in the LHS earier and the SEP kit has gone so i will have to settle on the M1A1 (3535). 

Dragon's older M1 kits are actually pretty nice and were the best of the older Abrams kits.  They may not be the easiest to build, but were the most detailed and gave you more options than the others that were out there.  With a little TLC and by taking your time, they can be turned into great models.  Trumpeter's has issues with the shape of the left front of the turret and a couple other issues.  Tamiya's was missing many details and has no surface texture.  Academy's M1s are just horrible.  They are copies of Tamiya with all their faults, and even their newer one has turret size issues and the wrong track.   

The new Dragon kits are awesome, but have about 400 pieces each and still have some fit issues.  They look great when done, but don't expect them to just fall together either.  There are some issues with the instructions not being clear in areas too.

If you had problems with the older kits, you may still have issues with the newer ones.  Take your time on them and be patient.  They are not beginner kits.

HeavyArty wrote:

Dragon's older M1 kits are actually pretty nice and were the best of the older Abrams kits.  They may not be the easiest to build, but were the most detailed and gave you more options than the others that were out there.

I agree, they were very nice back in the day, but the fit issues really turned it into a frustrating experience, but I was able to churn out a couple of nice ones as I recall.  

actually the track problem is easy enough to fix with AFV clubs M1A1-M1A2 workable track links I got a set for my Academy Iraq 2003 Abrams and a set for the M1A1HA. Another quirk for the M1A1HA is the fact it has the wrong bustle rack for the version pictured on the box. The M1A1HA is keyed for a 3ID tank and it is supposed to have the army style bustle rack but the kit includes a Marine corps version which is easy enough to fix by switching out the bustle rack in the Academy kit which is the correct bustle rack.

actually the track problem is easy enough to fix with AFV clubs M1A1-M1A2 workable track links I got a set for my Academy Iraq 2003 Abrams and a set for the M1A1HA.

 

The Dragon Abrams have nothing wrong with their tracks.  The Academy M1A1 USMC 2003 kit still has turret length issues after replacing thr tracks.  About the best bet with it is to keep the J sprue of new parts and throw away the old parts.  Use the J sprue parts to detail out a Tamiya kit.