Tamiya M1A2 Abrams- UPDATED PICS 5/30/10

hey day....any chance your lhs has more of these kits for $20??? that's an AWESOME deal!!!!!!! you picked a great build! and so cheap man im jealous!!! i'll be watching. here is mine...that i never finished! man...can i send you like $100 bucks and you buy me 5 kits???

LOL, sorry- this was the only one!  They had mostly A/C (picked some of them up as well!) and a couple of armor kits, and I couldn't pass this one up!  If I see more of them at that price, I'll pass the info your way.

Love your build, is it OOB, or did you add anything else to it?  It's been a LOOOOONG time since I built an armor kit.  Last one was Tamiya's 1/35 M-26 Pershing, had a blast with that one.

daywalker, I am anxiously looking forward to your build.

Camo, nice build.what did u use for the optics on ur tank?

FRANK!!!!!

Hey buddy... welcome to the armor forum.  Good to see you here.  No worries, you will get all the help you need form these guys.  Not from me though.  Not cuz I wouldn't want to but the closet I've done to "modern" is a modern iteration of a cold war design.

Hey Frank,

Welcome to the other side...

Looking forward to seeing your build. Lots of guys here to offer assistance and guidance on the Abrams. Should be a fun build - I'll be following your progress, I've got one of these in the stash too.

Another lost soul returns to the fold!

I've got the same kit in the stash, and from what I've heard (mostly here) is that it builds into a decent replica, OOB. There are supposed to be a dimensional gaff or two in the turret, but it's not obvious.

thanks tiger...anyhow i thought you (or anyone) might like these pics day...basically a walk around of the m1a2!! not sure how accurate you want to make your kit...but the pics are here if you need them! enjoy!

Welcome to the armor side of the hobby, looking forward to seeing your build.

Rob

Daywalker wrote:

Tom- Thanks for those photos, I have saved them for future reference.  Hoping to get started in a couple of daysand shall post pics as I go!

n/p day. i try to help where i can. hopefully when i need help someone will be there for me...and so on! let me know if there's anything else i can do...my knowledge on this subject is limited so there are other's who know more...*ie rob, etc.

I dug out the M1A1 I built many years ago, don't recall the year but it was right after Tamiya released the M1A1.  Here are a couple of photos...

This model has been stored in a box for a few years, and while there the main barrel cracked along the top seam.  I can also see how badly the decals are silvered, and my weathering leaves a bit to be desired.  Still, I was mighty proud of it when I built it!

I was pouring over some reference photos tonight over at Prime Portal, and I have a couple of questions if anyone can help.  Some of the M1A2's have an "extra" bustle rack on the back of the mian one on the turret, others do not.  Is there a reason for this?  Is it a field mod, or an optional piece of equipment?

Also, there is a flat sloped panel on the left rear of the rear hull plate, just inboard of the left tailight.  Most photos show this, but the Tamiya kit does not mention it.  What is it, and should it be added?  

Thanks in advance!

Daywalker wrote:

I was pouring over some reference photos tonight over at Prime Portal, and I have a couple of questions if anyone can help.  Some of the M1A2's have an "extra" bustle rack on the back of the mian one on the turret, others do not.  Is there a reason for this?  Is it a field mod, or an optional piece of equipment? Also, there is a flat sloped panel on the left rear of the rear hull plate, just inboard of the left tailight.  Most photos show this, but the Tamiya kit does not mention it.  What is it, and should it be added?   Thanks in advance!

Hi Frank,

You will see pictures of two styles of bustle rack extension.

One was a "box frame" style made of flat stock and mesh, which was used on M1A1's of some units of 3ID during the initial invasion phase of OIF. These were (I believe) made in Kuwait and only used temporarily - they weren't applicable to M1A2's.

The other style was the folding "USMC" style BRE made of tubular stock, with outrigger platforms on either end for carrying jerrycans. This type has also been adopted by the Army and can be seen on both M1A1's and M1A2's when additional carriage is required.

This type is pictured here:

http://svsm.org/gallery/m1a1abramsjh2/DSC08831
http://svsm.org/gallery/m1a1abramsjh2/DSC08872
http://svsm.org/gallery/m1a1abramsjh2/DSC08871

On some models of the M1A2 SEP, there is a small angled panel just inboard of the left tail light.

http://data4.primeportal.net/tanks/jeff_derosa/m1a2_details/images/m1a2_details_043_of_125.jpg

This is the exhaust deflector for the UAAPU (Under Armor Auxilliary Power Unit) Some M1A2 SEP's use a high capacity battery system in place of the APU and the exhaust port is blanked over and the deflector not fitted. This is not present on older M1A2's (like that represented by the Tamiya kit, which has the bustle rack mounted APU). The small box inboard of the right tail light contains a slave cable receptacle, which is also not represented in the Tamiya kit. (nor is the T/I phone, which may be fitted below the cable receptacle.)

You may also wish to add a small section of angled stock for the wiring conduit for the bustle rack APU, which follows the outboard edge of the left blow-out panel to a junction box at the corner as shown here: http://data3.primeportal.net/tanks/marc_peters/m1a1/images/m1a1_25_of_71.jpg

And a small power outlet receptacle which sits between the CITV and the smoke discharger
http://data3.primeportal.net/tanks/marc_peters/m1a1/images/m1a1_29_of_71.jpg

On the front deck between the driver's hatch and left fuel filler cap, there's a power outlet block. http://data3.primeportal.net/tanks/brent_sauer/m1a2/images/m1a2_21_of_33.jpg

Hi there Frank, I must admit I was a little surprised when I saw your name next to this thread.  Good luck buddy I'll be looking forward to watching this come together.

Cheers

Thanks for the welcome Jim, I appreciate that!

Phil- Thank you very much for the detailed response, just what I was looking for!  Glad to hear that the kit-supplied bustle rack is OK, as I wasn't quite sure how to make a new one anyway.  Good to know about the left rear vent, I shall leave it off on mine.  Also, those pics with the missing details will come in handy for adding them myself, thank you!

Darren- Thanks for stopping by!  I have admiried the work by the people here in armor, and must admit that wanted to have another go at an Abrams.  Couple that with a smokin deal at the LHS, and here I am!

day,

 not a bad looking abrams for a "first try". i have to admit mine looked very similiar...however, i wont post any pics of that. as i said i dont want to take over your thread. (again sorry for that). . im sure though after all this info your getting and such you'll be in love with this new build! (still envious on the $$$ u paid ).

By all means, share your photos if you like!  and don't worry about taking over this thread, I am glad to see the interest and the photos! 

And, if I run into any other deals like that- I shall let you know.

Hi Frank,

Happy to help

While I remember, another omission from the kit is the EPLRS antenna mount at the rear right of the turret. You can see it in these pics:

http://svsm.org/gallery/m1a1abramsjh2/DSC08885 Pic is from directly behind the right rear corner of the turret looking forward.

http://data3.primeportal.net/tanks/brent_sauer/m1a2/images/m1a2_13_of_33.jpg Another view showing the antenna mounted. Directly to the left of the spare wheel on the turret rail.

Daywalker wrote:

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

Be careful Frank.  That's how it starts. "Hey Nice to see you here."  " Welcome to the armor forum, glad to have you!"

Then the night gets dark and the howling rises in the mist.  You wake up the next day and your neck is all bloody and you can't see youself in the mirror any more.

Marc- Sounds like I am doomed!!! LOL

Does anyone if those little U-shaped loops (sorry, I don't know the technical term for them ) that connect to the welded-on tow brakets are available anywhere?  The kit does not come with any, and I am trying to find some so that I can pose the towing cables across the nose.