Wich 1/35 M-1 Abrams is the Best?

Which version and what era are you looking to build?  Those factors will make a differance as to the bext one.

MonsterZero

I've never built an M-1.

 

A Desert Storm era M1A1?

Post Desert Storm/early Iraqi invasion M1A1?

Later M1A1AIM or M1A2SEP?

Building the Meng M1A1 AIM right now and I have to say that it is probably the best kit I've ever built.  Everything fits together perfectly and simply.  The instructions are decent for the most part.  And from what I've read from Vodnik's site among others, it's one of the more accurate kits, too

laskdjn

Building the Meng M1A1 AIM right now and I have to say that it is probably the best kit I've ever built.  Everything fits together perfectly and simply.  The instructions are decent for the most part.  And from what I've read from Vodnik's site among others, it's one of the more accurate kits, too

 

So, something to note...just started on the tracks for the Meng M1A1 AIM.....while the tracks they produce are works of art in and of themselves, they're a touch fiddly...anyone got some tips on how to put them together efficiently? 

laskdjn

So, something to note...just started on the tracks for the Meng M1A1 AIM.....while the tracks they produce are works of art in and of themselves, they're a touch fiddly...anyone got some tips on how to put them together efficiently? 

 

Haven’t got that far yet,got more then half way done with the kit and had to box it up in preparation for my move.Are their any build logs or better any video logs out their ?

Tojo72

 

Haven’t got that far yet,got more then half way done with the kit and had to box it up in preparation for my move.Are their any build logs or better any video logs out their ?

 

Wasn't able to find one.  However, I've been enjoying this kit so much that I bought another copy.  Perhaps I'll do a WIP thread when I do that.....and actually follow through with it....unlike the Academy F-4N Phantom....that then got thrashed by my dogs before I could finish it.

I just finished building the Academy and Tamiya M1A1 kits from the 1990s.  These models are for adding to our club's display cases in the local VA hospital here in Grand Junction.

Anyway, about the 2 kits: Avoid the Academy kit.  Inexpensive and there's a good reason--it's very inaccurate, plus it doesn't assemble well.  The Tamiya kit builds fine, but it is also a bit inaccurate.  I bought both kits on eBay for a fraction of what more current Abrams kits sell for, so there's a trade-off.  I needed many 'Nam & sandbox models, as that's what the vets asked for, so I sought out some cheap stuff on ebay.  You get what you pay for.

If I were building an Abrams for my own collection, I would definitely want a more current model that better represents what was/is being used in the sandbox.

RickC5,

They have models on display at the Junction VA? Guess I'll have to check it out next time I'm there.

Do you live in Junction or nearby? I'm over here in Rifle.

RickC5

I just finished building the Academy and Tamiya M1A1 kits from the 1990s.  These models are for adding to our club's display cases in the local VA hospital here in Grand Junction.

Anyway, about the 2 kits: Avoid the Academy kit.  Inexpensive and there's a good reason--it's very inaccurate, plus it doesn't assemble well.  The Tamiya kit builds fine, but it is also a bit inaccurate.  I bought both kits on eBay for a fraction of what more current Abrams kits sell for, so there's a trade-off.  I needed many 'Nam & sandbox models, as that's what the vets asked for, so I sought out some cheap stuff on ebay.  You get what you pay for.

If I were building an Abrams for my own collection, I would definitely want a more current model that better represents what was/is being used in the sandbox.

 

 

The best!!!!

Just playing.... But at least it could be quick and fun...

That is a great kit I gave to my youngest nephew.

Rob Gronovius

That is a great kit I gave to my youngest nephew.

 

One of the guys in our AMPS chapter here brought one in for a build nite. It looked good enough. Definitely more for the fun side. This hobby is supposed to be fun, right?

stikpusher

 

 

Rob Gronovius

That is a great kit I gave to my youngest nephew.

 

 

 

 

One of the guys in our AMPS chapter here brought one in for a build nite. It looked good enough. Definitely more for the fun side. This hobby is supposed to be fun, right?

 

Rob Gronovius

 

Some folks have fun trying to replicate a kit down to the tiniest minutia. Personally, I'm somewhere in between. 

 

 

Likewise... 

The way I see it is if you served in it, your knowledge is gold.

Anything beyond that expressed on any forum is ok, and for the people who really do research, tends to cycle back to those who served, in the law of diminishing returns.

Then there are all of the other factors in multiple small amounts such as ease of build, cost and then availability.

Kind of never thought of building an M1A1 but if I did I like that Snaptite kit.

It's a great kit for a child to begin modeling on is what I mean. I'm not saying it is an accurate representation of an Abrams. It is a kit that would take a lot of detailing and correction to bring it to even up to the standards of an old Tamiya M1A1 kit.