Tamiya M1A2 Abrams- UPDATED PICS 5/30/10

Marc has warned you......welcome..to the dark side....you don't know the power of the dark side....look at Marc

Frank, I am one of the artillery guys but I see some of our tankers are giving good advice....nice to see new blood.

Rounds Complete!!

Mikeym_us wrote:

I think those are called Shackles.

That is correct !

Hi Frank

Thanks fellas!  I appreciate the welcome and the terminology help.  Now, just need to locate some shackles for this one.  Cannot believe Tamiya includes clear plastic water bottles (very cool!) and a dog, but no towing shackles.  Does anyone know where I might find some?

I have what I think is the scurge of armor building... ROADWHEELS!!!   Dang, there's a lot of them.  I have completed a few, with associated damage and such.  I also added the lightening holes in the drive sprockets.  Took some time to get them positioned properly and opening them up without damaging the hub was tricky.

I added the little half round hooks on the top of the rear plate, and some wiring for the tailights (there is detail behind the gaurd on the left side as well, but you can barely see it).  Even though I do not think it would have been noticable, I filled in the area above the sprocket drive housings.

This I like...

Only a couple of days in and already it's starting to look like an Abrams!

Have spent most of my time looking at reference photos, and deciding what I wanted to fix/add.  Thanks for stopping in!

Hey Frank,

Making good progress there - she's really starting to take shape.

I don't know of any towing shackles specifically for the Abrams. Dragon's uber-kits of the M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP include these, but I've not seen them on other kits. Aber makes several sets for WW2 tanks (and, I think, a generic set) which might be adaptable. Alternatively, you could bend a few out of solder - I'm sure I;ve seen a tutorial somewhere about this.

From the pics I've seen, the shackles only appear to be used on the lower (tie-down?) points. The upper mounts between the headlights and fenders seem to use the "hook" arrangement more commonly  (when fitted).

Thanks Phil!

I was working on a box for the right rear next to the tailight, but it wasn't working out for me.  So, I saw a photo of one with the style molded on and decided to let that one stand.  Not sure if it's correct or not, but I'm OK with it.

Good idea on making my own out of solder.  I have also considered using brass wire, just have to experiment with it.  Even if I can only turn out a couple of good ones, then I can at least pose the tow cables across the nose to liven it up a bit.   I see what you mean about the shackles on the lower points and the hooks on the upper, perhaps making hooks and attaching the cables to the headlight gaurds (saw a couple of photos with that arrangement) might be easier.

I found this tow bar from Trumpeter, considering getting it for something different. 

Hi, Frank to the armour forum and good luck with your kit.

Terry.

Phil_H wrote:

Hey Frank, Making good progress there - she's really starting to take shape. I don't know of any towing shackles specifically for the Abrams. Dragon's uber-kits of the M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP include these, but I've not seen them on other kits. Aber makes several sets for WW2 tanks (and, I think, a generic set) which might be adaptable. Alternatively, you could bend a few out of solder - I'm sure I;ve seen a tutorial somewhere about this. From the pics I've seen, the shackles only appear to be used on the lower (tie-down?) points. The upper mounts between the headlights and fenders seem to use the "hook" arrangement more commonly  (when fitted).

Actually those are really lift points and are not really used for towing but can be if you really want to pull things. And I think there are some lift points on the turret for removing it with a crane to do repair work on the internal area of the fighting compartment and for work on the turret in particular when said work can't be accomplished with the turret in place.

Also if you are planning a current use M1A2 in use in Iraq and Afghanistan they are equipped with the TUSK armor system. Legend productions produces a TUSK upgrade set for the Dragon and Tamiya M1A2's (one for the Tamiya and one for Dragon). Also I believe isn't there supposed to be a adaptor for the mine plow on the M1A2?

Thanks fellas for stopping by and saying hello!

Did some more work today, adding the EPLRS antenna mount, the six discs on the blow-out doors, wiring for the smoke launchers, triangular conduit and junction block for the APU, turret power receptacle, fender springs, and relocated the grab handle on the hull left front.  Looking forward to finishing adding the extra details so I can add the anti-skid surfaces.  Tried a few different techniques today, and I like the look of the mildly-thinned Mr Surfacer 500 splattered on.  Phil- thanks for those pics and links, they really helped for locating those missing bits!   I couldn't quite tell where the wire for the hull power receptacle went, so I may forgo that detail.

Next up, replacing the front mudguards with lead foil, replacing the foot step on the side skirts with wire, replacing the rectangular piece on the front of the skirts, and adding some bolt detail to the EPLRS mount and headlight guards. 

Hummmmm....we realize you are new to armor....it appears you are progressing well, so I throw this out....are you thinking of replicating the non-slip finish on the top flat surfaces?????

Rounds Complete!!

Hey Frank,

Was looking for some anri-slip layout diagrams and came across this cool page - http://www.tankmastergunner.com/abrams%20bw%20art.html 

A better view of the anti-slip layout may be found here: http://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=138118&page=1

Yes, I am planning to add the non-slip surface to this one.  I decided to do the scratchbuilding work first as it would require a lot of handling of the model, and hopefully by the time I add the texture most of the hewavier work will be complete.

Phil- Thanks for those links!  I had seen the one on Armorama before, but not the other one.  Someone there mentioned using the Mr Surfacer technique, and liking it at first but had trouble with it later one.  Has anyone else tried that method?  Was it just the handling of the model that caused the trouble?

Thanks for the help and the feedback guys, it really helps.

hey day, check out tankrats afv depot. (just google). they have 1/35 shackles for $4.99 for a pack of 4. here's a pic from the site!

you'll also see many other stuff you can probably use!!

Daywalker wrote:

Thanks Phil! I was working on a box for the right rear next to the tailight, but it wasn't working out for me.  So, I saw a photo of one with the style molded on and decided to let that one stand.  Not sure if it's correct or not, but I'm OK with it. Good idea on making my own out of solder.  I have also considered using brass wire, just have to experiment with it.  Even if I can only turn out a couple of good ones, then I can at least pose the tow cables across the nose to liven it up a bit.   I see what you mean about the shackles on the lower points and the hooks on the upper, perhaps making hooks and attaching the cables to the headlight gaurds (saw a couple of photos with that arrangement) might be easier. I found this tow bar from Trumpeter, considering getting it for something different.

Frank that Towbar from Trumpeter will do better for you than trying to attach tow cables to the front liftpoints. The towbar assembly attaches to the lift points and are more common on the M1A2 and M1A2 SEP.

Thanks a lot marc, I appreciate that.   You have really raised the bar for all of us airplane guys, in fact- I can barely even see it from down here.

Funny you mention those shackles, I was just looking at those yesterday!  Now I just have to decide whether to get the shackles, or the towbar.  May go for the towbar, as it may be more correct and besdies- it looks cool too.

Hey Frank it looks like you're really going the whole nine yards on that kit and it's looking great so far.

Are you still considering spraying Mr Surfacer through your AB for the anti slip or are you thinking of something different now?

Darren,

I picked up some Rustoleum fine texture spray paint, and am going to give that a go this weekend on some scrap parts.  I like the effect of the Mr. Surfacer, but wanted to try this stuff to see how it looks.

Daywalker wrote:

Darren, I picked up some Rustoleum fine texture spray paint, and am going to give that a go this weekend on some scrap parts.  I like the effect of the Mr. Surfacer, but wanted to try this stuff to see how it looks.

actually have you thought about using Mr.Surfacer and a paper towel to make the texture.

Mikeym_us wrote:

actually have you thought about using Mr.Surfacer and a paper towel to make the texture.

OK now I'm curious, what's the Mr Surfacer and paper towel method?

I am not familiar with that idea either.

I have spent a little time this week on the kit, cutting and bending brass shim stock into brackets and such for the tow cables.  I am off tomorrow, so hope to have those installed soon.

Dunno if you've seen this already Frank but this looks like an easy method with nice results.

http://armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=382

darson wrote:

Mikeym_us wrote: actually have you thought about using Mr.Surfacer and a paper towel to make the texture. OK now I'm curious, what's the Mr Surfacer and paper towel method?

Ok are you familiar with Faux finish applicators well this would be similar first you apply the Mr surfacer to the areas the nonslip surface would be at then while still tacky use a paper towel (small piece) and dab it onto the still tacky Mr. Surfacer which will then leave you with a simulated rough surface due to the texture of of the paper towel. just practice with a piece of sheet styrene to get it just the way you want it.

wing_nut wrote:

Dunno if you've seen this already Frank but this looks like an easy method with nice results. http://armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=382

Ah cool that is even better than the method I just described.

Hay Daywalker how about adding that (Abrams TUSK Armored variant)? It's just an idea..... There's two kits out for it. If you want this kit I'd look around for the best pricing first.

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=LF1177

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=LF1185

These kits look to have every-thing you will need.

It build up int to one "Monster of a Tank"!

White_R34 wrote:

Hay Daywalker how about adding that (Abrams TUSK Armored variant)? It's just an idea..... There's two kits out for it. If you want this kit I'd look around for the best pricing first. http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=LF1177 http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=LF1185 These kits look to have every-thing you will need. It build up int to one "Monster of a Tank"!

That last pic is an ERA equipped Abrams

But yeah I got the one for the Dragon kit it even comes with a sheet of clear acetate for the vision blocks on the M240 station.

Daywalker wrote:

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.

that's called a "clevis". I know some here refer to it as a shackle, but trust me it's known as a clevis. A shackle is a restraining device that is also used as a connecter. I might have some in an old Tamiya kit, and I'll have a look tonight. If nothing else you could resin cast the the "U" part, as the pin is very similar to a standard shoulder bolt in the way it looks, but with a different head.

gary