Tamiya M1A2 as USMC M1A1HA

Ghostrider114

Member since
August 2010
From: Beaverton, OR

Tamiya M1A2 as USMC M1A1HA

Posted by Ghostrider114 on Saturday, June 4, 2016 10:55 PM

Looking for a nice comfortable build after the F-15E I did for the Being GB, I picked up the Tamiya M1A2. It's not the fancy new one with TUSK, I didn't have that kinda money and I wanted to try my hand at 3 color NATO camo, everything I found only mentioned desert camo in the TUSK version.

I've done this kit before, for the 2012 Gulf Wars GB (badge lost in forum crash), but I built it as the A2 version, so I decided to build this one as the USMC M1A1HA. I picked up on a few of the Tamiya inaccuracies last time, but feel free to mention any that you can think of, I'm sure there's something I've forgotten.

I also picked up the USMC style Bustle Rack Extension and a M1A1 detail set from Eduard.

I'll post pics of the build as I go.

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Sunday, June 5, 2016 11:46 AM

.

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Ghostrider114

Member since
August 2010
From: Beaverton, OR

Posted by Ghostrider114 on Monday, June 6, 2016 6:22 PM

Ok, I've finally gotten around to starting this kit.

Quick question, the Eduard set has two brackets (PE60) that fit on the back of the engine hatches, but I don't see them in any reference shots I've been able to find. what are they for and do I need them?

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Ghostrider114

Member since
August 2010
From: Beaverton, OR

Posted by Ghostrider114 on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 11:34 PM

Ok, none of the pics in my copy of M1 Abrams in action show this part, so I'm assuming I don't need it. I've started applying the anti-slip coating on the hull and turret.

Admittedly, while the Abrams in Action has lots of good reference pics, it's not good at explaining what modifications apply to each tank variant. A lot of these parts are seemingly randomly applied to tanks of all variants.

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Thursday, June 16, 2016 9:30 AM

.

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Ghostrider114

Member since
August 2010
From: Beaverton, OR

Posted by Ghostrider114 on Thursday, June 16, 2016 1:05 PM

ok, thanks, that's as good a guess as any. I don't have any concertina, so I think I'll still leave 'em off for now.

I've seen a lot of pictures of Abrams with the rear-most panel of the skirts missing, just like both those above, anyone know how common that is, or why they're taken off?

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Thursday, June 16, 2016 5:08 PM

.

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Ghostrider114

Member since
August 2010
From: Beaverton, OR

Posted by Ghostrider114 on Thursday, June 16, 2016 5:42 PM

thanks, For some reason I thought the skirts were armored, but that makes sense.

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Thursday, June 16, 2016 6:34 PM

.

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Ghostrider114

Member since
August 2010
From: Beaverton, OR

Posted by Ghostrider114 on Thursday, June 16, 2016 11:06 PM

thanks, I've hacked off the end panels and I'm in the process of figuring out how to scratch build thinner panels to replace the next to last ones, so they aren't so obviously out of scale thickness.