The older Tamiya M1A1 w/Mine Plow (kit #35156) works well for an ODS Abrams.  It has older features such as the angled gunner's Primary Sight, T156 tracks with chevron track blocks, etc...

Thanks a lot for info.

Was hoping Dragon might have done something as an alternative , due to Tamiya`s errors with missing

anti-slip pads - lower hull etc

If i stay with the Tamiya version and leave off the m/plow will that  leave alot of gaps in the front hull section.

Think i can still find the kit in the UK but marketed as kit #35158 assume this is the same kit

You could leave the mine plow off without any problems, as it attaches to the towing points, just like on the real thing. Alternatively, you could simply buy the kit shown above (35156), as it's the same kit, just without the plow parts.  

PS: Dragon's older kits may work for you, (3516 with mine plow, 3517 without, & their corresponding CyberHobby re-releases) but these have the T158 tracks with the rectangular track blocks (tracks are in a link & length format).

They're a fiddly build compared to the Tamiya offerings, but build up nicely with a little care. Also, IIRC, they also include a partial interior, if that makes a difference to you.

However, given that they're older kits, availability may be a bit of an issue.

I have the older Dragon Abrams w/Mine Plow. It will work for what you are wanting to do. Just leave off the plow and the power box that goes on the back.

The Dragon kit also has the anti-slip? texture, while Tamiya doesn't IIRC.

I've heard that the turret on the dragon kit is shaped wrong.  I've done two of the Tamiya Abrams kits, with a little work those look fine.

You can do the anti-slip texture with a can of rustolium textured paint, I forget the exact name of the product line, but it comes out with a texture similar to fine to medium grit sandpaper and is a really good approximation of the anti-slip.  The only other major flaw in the Tamiya kit, that I can recall, is the placement of the grab handle on the front left of the tank, that should be moved to be even with the foot hole in the sand skirt.  Other then that, pay attention to reference photos and you'll be alright.

Also, don't bother with the APU box that fits on the back, I've been told they didn't really use those much after Desert Shield.

The Dragon turret is fine.  It is the Trumpeter turret that is miss-shapen.  The APU on the right rear of the hull was only used by a few units stateside in the late '80s and early '90s.  A few weer seen in ODS, but not many.

right, thanks Gino, somewhere there is an article that compares all the major brand 1:35 Abrams kits, but I don't remember where it was.

If I recall correctly, the reason Tamiya's Abrams don't have the anti-slip molded on was because they didn't want to retool the parts left over from the original '80s era M1 kit.

I've been wanting to do another M1A1 myself, maybe that will be my next kit after i finish my M4A3(105) for the Armour in the West GB

Ghostrider114

right, thanks Gino, somewhere there is an article that compares all the major brand 1:35 Abrams kits, but I don't remember where it was.

If I recall correctly, the reason Tamiya's Abrams don't have the anti-slip molded on was because they didn't want to retool the parts left over from the original '80s era M1 kit.

This may be the article you're thinking of. It pre-dates the release of Dragon's later M1A1AIM & M1A2SEP kits. http://vodnik.net/pages/m1-comparison/m1comp1.htm

that's the one, thanks

I've heard of a $500 book that is the definitive source on the Abrams. My buddy won't let me borrow it.

Hey guys guess now I'm bringing up dead threads but at least this one isn't totally ancient yet...

Squadron has these two 1/35 Abrams M1A2 kits on sale Monday 3/21/2016 ONLY:

Dragon 1/35 M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams - DR3556

http://www.squadron.com/Dragon-1-35-M1A2-SEP-V2-Abrams-DR3556-p/dr3556.htm

Tamiya 1/35 M1A2 SEP Abrams Tusk II - TM35326

http://www.squadron.com/1-35-Tamiya-M1A2-SEP-Abrams-Tusk-II-TM35326-p/tm35326.htm

My question to the modern armour experts: are either of these worth picking up for a modern Abrams and which would you chose between the two of them?

BTW: They've got a boatload of 1/35th armour on sale, mostly Cold War Soviet/Warsaw Pact stuff but with a sprinkling of other stuff as well. 

.

Thanks a bunch Rob, I'm going to order the Dragon kit when I get home (assuming it's still in stock). I have a Dragon M1A1HA that I've done some work on (really need to finish it) and yes it is a bit finicky but the detailing is impressive. 

I used the Tamiya M1A1 kit(35156)for my 25th Anniversary of Desert Storm build...I also applied the anti-slip using the Rustoleum Texture spray mentioned above. It is an a M1A1 from Charlie Tank 1-64 Armor, that was part of Task Force 3-15 Inf, during the ground war.

Whoa, Elevenbravo87, if mine turns out even a tenth as well as yours I'll be thrilled! I've used that Rustoleum texture paint for concrete and asphalt but haven't yet tried it for anti-slip coatings- yours looks terrific! 

Well, though I'm normally a little paranoid about security the office computer should be safe and some stuff I was looking at had already sold out so I went ahead and ordered the Dragon kit as well as a few other cool Soviet/Russian kits like the Meng T-90 with dozer blade and the Takom kit of that weird Soviet Objekt 279 'UFO' tank that Doogs built:

http://www.squadron.com/Meng-1-35-T-90-w-TBS-86-Tank-Dozer-p/mmts014.htm

http://www.squadron.com/Takom-1-35-Object-279-Soviet-Heavy-Tank-TAK2001-p/tak2001.htm

I need more kits like I need another hole in the head.... 

Gamera

Whoa, Elevenbravo87, if mine turns out even a tenth as well as yours I'll be thrilled! I've used that Rustoleum texture paint for concrete and asphalt but haven't yet tried it for anti-slip coatings- yours looks terrific! 

Thanks...here are some more views.

The background is a personal pic is of Jalibah Airfield I took from my Bradley as we (Task Force 3-15 Inf.) was attacking it on 2-27-91...I plan on making a diroma using it the M1A1 and the Tamiya M2 Bradley I built (as myBradley during Desert Storm) in it.

Oh wow, she looks great! Thanks for sharing though now I'm a bit intimidated!

Great Looking Abrams.  You've done a hell of a job.  Funny, we used Jalibah as a helicopter base in 2003.  It was home of the 3rd Marine Air Wing for a month or two.  It wasn't very suitable for fast movers, but our helicopters made good use of the old Iraqi airbase.