shanghai dragon or trumpeter M1?

Major G,

Thanks for the tip on the Trumpeter turret inaccuracy. I knew it looked odd, but wasn't sure exactly what was wrong with it. I've since corrected it with sheet styrene and super glue and it looks correct now.

QUOTE: Therefore no need for an expensive resin kit. It would not sell well when there are about 8 different accurate M1s that can be bought for under $20.

I hear ya! But in my own feeble defense, I usually wind up spending a bunch of dough on aftermarket stuff anyway, and the M1 is notoriously badly represented by models, at least according to some rivet counters (naturally I defer to the guys who get up on the things and ride around).

So when the last word is said, I would actually welcome some fanatic company coming along and representing the Abrams in resin in loving detail with an interior and so on. "I'll buy that for a dollar!"

I recently bought Accurate's little Panzer I kit with interior and MK individual-link tracks, and I can tell you despite the high price tag and the nice new Tristar injection Pz I, I'm still glad I did it. It matches up 100% and has all the interior goodies I'd normally wind up paying for anyway. It's a little beauty of the tankette that was there at the Blitzkrieg.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Larry_Dunn What about Tamiya? I've heard that the very early M1A1 kits had the wrong turret, but they fixed it. Too bad the M1 isn't a British tank, or we'd have one from Accurate Armour as beautiful as their Challenger II (and too bad that is an absolutely hideous tank)!

Yes, the very first Tamiya M1A1 kits basically had the same turret as their initial M1 tank. They just added the A1 specific parts to it. That made the turret too small. There weren't that many of the error kits made, in fact they are semi-rare. They've long since corrected that problem and if anyone finds an error turret kit, let me know. I need it for my collection of Abrams kits.

Regardless, the Tamiya M1A1 is still an inaccurate kit with a lot of simplified details. This is due to it being based on their M1 kit, which was an initial production vehicle. They also cut some corners since it was designed to be motorized.

The DML Abrams kits (3 different M1A1 and M1A2) and the Trumpeter Abrams kits (2 or 3 different M1A1 and an M1A2) are nice and fairly accurate models of the Abrams tank. The new Italeri M1A2 is also a very nice kit as well. Therefore no need for an expensive resin kit. It would not sell well when there are about 8 different accurate M1s that can be bought for under $20.

Right on Rob!!! Well, i made up my mind nd purchased Shanghai Dragon's USMC M1A1HA from squadron so hopefully it's a good decision. Thanks for all the advice guys.

What about Tamiya? I've heard that the very early M1A1 kits had the wrong turret, but they fixed it.

Too bad the M1 isn't a British tank, or we'd have one from Accurate Armour as beautiful as their Challenger II (and too bad that is an absolutely hideous tank)!

I assume he meant LaCrosse sticks. Those netted poles that are used to play a sport up here in the Northeast.

Lax sticks??

well, i'm not not one of those anal-retentive modelers who must have something perfect, i can hardly care about little mistakes and such,i just wanted to build an m1 with doing as little cleanup as i can and have one that cost lest than the tamiya since i unfortunately blew my money away on lax sticks and a new brush guard. But the info you gave edog, was enlightening so thanks again.

I’m sorry that my post turned you away from making an M1. If I may, I will make a suggestion here. I doubt that there will ever be a 100% historically accurate model EVER!! It is up to the modeler to decide how much “slack” should be allowed in accuracy. I have built a great many models, and unfortunately disassembled almost as many after finding out that something was wrong . Many of my models have been refurbished several times, and most have been disassembled with the intent to reassemble them but just end up in the parts box. I have, within the last year, accepted that none of my models will be 100% accurate. LOL!! Have fun building the kit, that’s why we do this hobby. If you want to make the most accurate model possible you will have to start with a library of books, and most of your time will be spent on research. Its up to the individual how much accuracy they need, but remember to have fun!!

Just a thought.

Oh yah, build the m1 out of the box and have fun with it. If some anal-super-accurate modeler asks you, call it practice for the SUPER M1 project you plan in the future.

thanks for the site edog, after reading that, i'm like screw buliding an m1!! So i decided to go and build a flak 88 or mrc's cobra. So many choices.......

Well, you asked for this. I will let you make your own decision about which kit is the easiest to clean up. You’ll either love me or hate me after this, or perhaps both. LOL.

http://www.elccweb.com/MissingLinks/index.htm

click on the m1 link. GOOD LUCK!!

thanks for the help, i greatly appreciate it

The DML Abrams kits were the best, but the Trumpeter ones are very good. Only shortcoming is the front of one of the turret faces. It angles upward instead of being horizontal. A wedge of sheet styrene is requied to truly accurize it.

The DML kits are a fidgety build. I haven't noticed a DML vs. Shanghai quality difference. Single link track is a turn off to some builders.
DML has a variant with a rudimentary interior and a real nice crew.
The USMC M1A1HA has wading gear and IFF panels as well as USMC smoke grenade lauchers.

The Trumpeter kit comes with both one piece vinyl and link&length tracks (you get two sets of track).
Trumpeter also produces the only one with a mine roller.
Both make one with a mine plow.
Some of the Trumpeter kits come with a motorization system.
Eaiser to build.

Bottom line, if you want an interior and crew, look for the DML kit. Same for a USMC variant. First tank you're ever building, go for a Trumpeter kit.

If you want an M1A2, I just got Italeri's M1A2. It is a great looking kit.