Tamiya M1A2 Abrams- UPDATED PICS 5/30/10

Daywalker wrote:

Mike- I tried the dark brown primer idea, but I think I would go with black the next time around.  The dark brown would be an excellent choice for a REALLY worn desert vehicle, as it lends a sense of rust and neglect to the model.  I ended up covering most of it up, which is fine as most of the Abrams' I have come across in photos are maintained quite well.  Not much for weathering at all.

 Ugh, I am sorry Frank that the dark brown primer did not turn out as I thought.... I really did not put a lot of thought into it but figured a dark colour would still bring out the tones.. Never really realising that a different look would be created.. lol Although, now you have discovered how to achieve a well worn look as you mentioned.. And yes I too have just learned something new!!

 With what you will be doing, how much further do you have to go until everything comes together? 

 Flaps up,

Mike

Rangers Lead The Way

Frank - Very nice work, moving through it like a true tread head.

You feel there is more armor in your future.......wait, and now a message from our leader

Frank....you don't know the power of the dark side!!!!

Nice work, keep it coming

Rounds Complete!!

Daywalker wrote:

Still love my airplanes, but I can definately see some more armor in my future.

Well that's certainly good to hear.

Thanks for looking in fellas!

Rob- Phil gave me this link for a diagram over on Armorama, hope it helps!

Bill-   Still love my airplanes, but I can definately see some more armor in my future.

Nothin' but love for ya, bud

-Fred

Geez, Frank - don't you ever get tired of being terrible at this whole modeling thing?  If I were you I'd just throw in the towel and give up for good.

At least if you gave up, my stuff wouldn't look so bad - and at the end of the day, isn't that what's really important ?

-Fred

Daywalker, this is a really fine looking project! I really have to bookmark this for when I build an Abrams!

That anti-skid stuff looks really excellent! 

Sorry I haven't looked in til now--my mistake. This should be a really great-looking model!

Thanks Phil, glad you are still checking in!

Mike- I tried the dark brown primer idea, but I think I would go with black the next time around.  The dark brown would be an excellent choice for a REALLY worn desert vehicle, as it lends a sense of rust and neglect to the model.  I ended up covering most of it up, which is fine as most of the Abrams' I have come across in photos are maintained quite well.  Not much for weathering at all.

Howdy Frank,

 Things are sure shaping up and might I add, really looking good!! You asked in an earlier post what am I doing here?? Um well you see sir... I was given wrong directions.... Yeah that's it..  But since I am here, I figured I'd try my hand at the armored thing as well!! The LAV 150 made me do it!!

 Oh yea, do not forget your dark primer..!! Looking forward to more updates

Flaps up,

Mike

Rangers Lead  The Way

Daywalker wrote:

Um, it was Phil- yeah that's it!  Phil told me. Thank goodness for the knowledge here, because if I were left on my own I would probably accidentally paint it EDSG/DSG/Sky.

Hey Frank,

Like I said recently, the real thanks go to the guys here who have worked on, driven/commanded and actually fought in the Abrams, for sharing their knowledge with us. I wouldn't have known what an EPLRS is either, without them.

All the little extras you have added are really taking this build the extra mile. She's going to look great when finished.

sfcmac wrote:

Ok who told you what an EPLRS is? LOL!  Jeeze Frank don't forget to add the safety wire and lead seal on the fire suppression handle.  Looks like you got everything else covered.  Snazzy bins and bits are really making it jump and your no skid pain tsurface shows up well. I'd say you not only have beaten the jinx but countered with your own kind of marvelously skilled sorcery!  Going to be one of the best Tamiya Abrams ever to grace the battlefields of Mustardland!

Um, it was Phil- yeah that's it!  Phil told me.

Thank goodness for the knowledge here, because if I were left on my own I would probably accidentally paint it EDSG/DSG/Sky.

A couple of photos of my progress...

In the next photo, you can see the strip brass and wire tow cable mounts on the lower side of the turret.

besides the kit parts, I added a wire lift handle to the loader's hatch, extended the conduit for the EPU, and finished adding and detailing the EPLRS antenna mount.

Hope to get the wheels and the area behind them painted this weekend so I can soon start to add the side panels.  A few more turret details to add and it should soon be ready for some paint.  Thanks for looking!

Cant say enough about that textured finish, it really looks superb.  Cant wait to see some more pics.

Bob

Wow, that last pic really shows the no-slip surface. Very nice job!

Nate

Thanks guys!  Yep, I think the paint I used is the same as what you fellas use.

Mike- Thanks buddy, what are YOU doing here?   Great tip on using this stuff for GBU's, that will come in handy on my Tamiya 1/32 F-16!

Phil- You got that right!  Thought I would build some armor to avoid things like extensive masking sessions, seam filling/rescribing, etc. LOL

Tom- The surface seems similar to 120 grit sandpaper, and I tried to take a better photo of it- hope this helps!