Pics of my M-1A1s

Eric, Modelkid, Colin, and Tigerman,

Thanks fellas. Your kind words inspire me more.

Frostygirl,

Thanks a lot! The firm ties me up about 11 hours a day on weekdays, so I measure building time by the month. On the average I could spend about a month or two on an armor project, but that could mean only on an average of about an hour a day.

Abrams,

Still not too late to again greet you on your birthday. Thanks, my friend. I happen to have a personal bias in favor of the M-1 myself. Best tank in the world.

oh yeah!!! best tank in the world!!! you did a very good job on them!

Nice work Allen. Makes me almost want to switch scales. I love the weathering on the M1 w/plow.

Excellent work!

Gret models wish i could find an
M1A1

WOW Allen. That's impressive. I couldn't work on something that small!!

Eric

allan:
triple wow ! first the sheridan, now these two... i'm totally in awe and just want to ask how long ur average 1/72 build time is.
thx again for something inspiring to look at !
frosty

Thanks, Rob.

I believe the ESCI kit had the shorter sponson boxes. Ive been planning on building a 72nd M-1A2, but I guess I'll wait a while. Some manufacturer might come out with a kit when Im about 80% through.

By the way, great site you got there. I was especially interested in the CUCV truck. Must be really cute in 72nd scale.

Great job Allan. I've built all of the 1/72 scale Abrams kits (including the Italeri reissue Esci kit) and hand down the Revell of Germany kit is the tops. Add the ExtraTech PE set and it is superb. The old Esci M1A1 is not worth finding unless you collect Abrams kits like I do.

The old Esci M1A1 includes the 120mm instead of the 105mm main gun, as well as an incorrect bustle rack/grunt rails. I think the Esci (now Italeri) M1 is the best straight M1 available (when compared to the Hasegawa and Matchbox offerings). The old Esci M1A1 turret has some dimensional issues since they just do a mold swap and only change the gun tube and add a bustle rack. No modification to the hull sponson box to add the NBC system or armor changes to the front slopes of the turret. I don't recall if they add the longer turret sponson boxes or not. I also believe they retain the M1 style blow off panels.

The older style T-156 tracks are just fine for an M1A1. Even though all M1A1HA and M1A2s have the newer T-158 tracks, there are still M1A1 tanks with the older style tracks, believe me, I have a few myself. Besides, most tanks during Desert Storm still used the older style tracks.

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk Excellent work Allan! I saw these over on Ron's gallery whilst trying to set up my E-100 pix. Great paint on both kits. I'm with Erock68; I really like the mineplow version. I have the Revell kit (the M1A1 HA, right?) but I've never seen the Esci kit. I love the Revell, but how would you compare the two?

Thanks, J-Hulk. Between Revell and ESCI (which is now quite difficult to find) I'd pick the Revell hands down. The Revell kit is very nicely detailed, and except for the old chevron tracks appears to be an accurate M-1A1. The ESCI sample provides you with an M-1E1 if Im not mistaken, with the 105mm gun. They have the old blow-off panels, turret bins and bustle rack. And they have single unit road wheels too that you have to groove down the middle. For this model I used commercially available dry transfers to replicate the DML markings.

Moses, DJ, Robert, Juniormodeler and J-man,

Thanks guys. Glad you liked em.

Captain Caveman,

Special thanks to you, my friend!

I must say they are all very nice. Good job.

it looks like a 1/35 scale model, and i lioke the weathering

These are great little pieces Allan !!!

Very impressive for braille scale.

Keep up the great work, and thanks for sharing the pics.

here they are for those that dont like to click on links

Superb!

Excellent work Allan! I saw these over on Ron's gallery whilst trying to set up my E-100 pix.

Great paint on both kits. I'm with Erock68; I really like the mineplow version.

I have the Revell kit (the M1A1 HA, right?) but I've never seen the Esci kit. I love the Revell, but how would you compare the two?

Nice work Allan. I am also nt one for 1/72nd scale, but you have done a wonderful job. Thanks for showing the pics.

Cheers

Mo/Rob

Thanks, Eric. Youre too kind.

Allan,

I was never a fan of 1/72 scale armor. I thought there wasn't too much for detail. You however, have proven me wrong.

I especially like the Mine Plough version!

**APPLAUSE**