Tamiya 1/48 M1A2 Abrams

I did see this announcement

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=25871

I've seen the announcements, but was wondering what's in the box. One of their 1/35 scale M1A2 kits is actually a 3 in 1 kit that builds into an M1A2, US Army M1A1 and USMC M1A1. I was hoping they may go that route.

If it is a plain jane straight M1A2, there's very little options for that tank. It was fielded in limited quantities to just the 4th Infantry Division, a couple of battalions in 1st Cavalry Division and the 3rd ACR. They were replaced with M1A2SEP tanks fairly quickly.

If it has the parts to make an M1A1, it has the ability to be made into a tank from 1989 to 2017, nearly 20 years of peacetime and combat service if it has the newer tracks pictured on the box.

No matter which version they come out with, this is long overdue. And it is also very welcome! I hope that Tamiya is going to start producing more modern armor in 1/48. The field is wide open. 

I've been hoping for this since I built their KT. The field really is wide open! :)

I do assume this one will test the waters and that they will issue virtually identical kits with a few variant sprue swaps sort of like they did with the M4/M4A1/Firefly.

Tamiya posted a few pic on their Facebook page, see https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154850369657874&id=78364977873&set=a.10151130758787874.437557.78364977873&source=54&ref=page_internal

Well the photo of the built kit looks good... not that I would expect anything less

I think the finished kit pictures are of the 1/16 scale RC kit, but I could be wrong, but the level of detail looks too good to be 1/48 scale, especially with the clear road wheel hubs, red clear tail lights to include the black out markers, clear head lights and clear optic and vision blocks. The only photo of the 1/48th scale kit I could see is the box art that does says model may vary from image on box.

The photos of the assembled 1/16 are definitely of a straight M1A2; the left rear hull still has the fuel filler cap instead of the under armor APU found in SEPs. That's sort of good news since just a few parts can make the straight A2 into an A1.

Tojo72

Once they stopped using the metal hull,their 1/48 stuff has been superb.It started me in armor modeling.

 

I think starting with the M26 Pershing, they stopped the metal hull and just added metal rods that glue inside the hull to give weight. It is probably cheaper that way; use the same metal rods for virtually any tank kit and uses less metal than an entire lower hull.

Brookhurst Hobbies here received one the other day and I got to peek at the sprues when they opened up the box. It looked quite nice. The TC cupola and viewer are seperate parts molded off the turret, so it looks like it would not be too much work to make an A1 variant. I am not familiar enough with all the other details to say what's what  for other fittings that are different from the A2 and earlier variants.

waikong

what? You had the sprues in front of you and didn't take pictures to share?? just joking, good to hear it's already in stock. And Brookhurst, I like that store! I try to visit everytime I'm in the LA area on business. Great display of finished models.

 

Yeah, I did not even think of taking photos until after I was on my way home. I was more concerned with buying what I found and jaw jacking with the guys working about "Dunkirk" than thinking about taking any pictures. I'm so easily distracted from the important things  

It is a great shop. They will be hosting out AMPS Chapter meeting this month. They are very supportive of local model clubs and really do their best to take care of their customers. And yes, quite the display of finished models  at the shop.

waikong

what? You had the sprues in front of you and didn't take pictures to share?? just joking, good to hear it's already in stock. And Brookhurst, I like that store! I try to visit everytime I'm in the LA area on business. Great display of finished models.

 

http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/48/tamiya32592reviewbg_1.html