MikeTheMediocreModeller

Hi everyone , 

So lately I've been thinking about building an Abrams , 1/35, but I can't seem to find what's the best kit out there. So far I'm thinking about getting the Academy " 2003 Iraq" version but I've read negative reviews because it has mixed parts of an old and new Abrams kit .

What do you recommend 

Thanks in advance , Mike 

 

 

In my opinion, hands down, the Meng M1A1

It all depends upon which version of the Abrams you want to model. If you want an IP M-1, there’s really only one  game in town in 1/35. If youre looking for current M-1 in TUSK configurations, there are several very nice options. 

As Stik said above, there are several versions available, it's great to have a choice. I would suggest  looking at reviews online to sort them out. In my case I choose the Academy kit because I wanted a TUSK II, knowing that there are a few problems to either overcome or live with.

The Academy TUSK II M1A2 kit is very nice. It is a completely new tool kit. All of the issues with their previous M1A1 Iraq and older M1A1 kits were addressed. 

As above, it's a new tool and builds a couple versions. I was swayed by a build in Airfix Model World that compared it to the Rye Field kit. The downsides, according to the article, are sink marks in the armor glass and the somewhat simplistic rendering of the tracks. The pluses are the optional variants and a relatively low parts count (I don't need 500 or more little parts to make a model). So look at some reviews, decide which version you want and determine how much complexity you will enjoy.

Happy modeling!

MikeTheMediocreModeller

Hi everyone , 

So lately I've been thinking about building an Abrams , 1/35, but I can't seem to find what's the best kit out there. So far I'm thinking about getting the Academy " 2003 Iraq" version but I've read negative reviews because it has mixed parts of an old and new Abrams kit .

What do you recommend 

Thanks in advance , Mike 

 

 

You are correct. It is their very first Desert Storm Abrams that was basically a copy of Tamiya's M1 kit but updated to look like an M1A1. So not a good base kit which is based off a 1980s kit. The updated fittings are nice though.

You also want to decide what variant from which era, Cold War, Desert Storm, OIF, US Army or Marines, etc. Each one will be similar to totally different.

Then is money of no concern or do you want a relatively good kit for a decent price?

What's your skill level, will Tamiya's Abrams fit the bill or do you like a challenge?

Yeah, as the guys said it's a compromise. I'm working on the Dragon M1A2 SEP V2 and the detail is fantastic but there's a bajillion fiddy bits. I've been going a couple of weeks on and off on the bustle rack just by itself. And there's some places where it's still crooked or broken that I'm going to cover with storage or toss a wadded camo net or tarp over. 

As you can see, you're getting a lot of different opinions. Like stck has mentioned - what version are you looking to build. Another site I would suggest is head over to: 

www.scalemates.com

Do a search, read up on the reviews, then go from there and make your own decision.

OIF - US army  , as the name implies my skill level is mediocre , I can go as far as 60$ , I always like a challenge

For an easy build that looks pretty good, go with the Tamiya M1A2 OIF kit.  It will build up as an early OIF Abrams.  It can also be built as an M1A1.

If you want a later OIF Abrams, Tamiya's M1A2 SEP TUSK II is also a pretty easy, complete build.

I will second Gino's recommendation on either Tamiya kit. The M1A1 three in one kit (US Army M1A1, USMC M1A1, US Army M1A2) is good for OIF. The M1A2SEP is a very neat kit that gives the more rugged look of the TUSK armor.

With all the newer, complicated part kits of the Abrams, a lot of these "lesser" kits can be found on the secondary market for very reasonable prices. There are a number of them available on eBay for $25-35, some with extra items included.

If you are not stuck on 1/35 scale and have a Hobby Lobby nearby, they sell the 1/48 scale Tamiya M1A2. With their 40% off coupon, it is quite reasonably priced and a very neat kit.