M1A1 Bad Blessing

nice! Your model looks just like the ref. 

what material did you use for the clear armored windows in the shields? 

Thanks SprueOne.  It was a fun project.  The armored glass is thick, clear styrene (about 0.060 I think) that comes in the Legend TUSK II set.  It is included for that purpose.

Excellent M1A1!

Yes agreed the model is a miniature of the reference photographs.

Not shown is the right side, did you replicate the rather large stain on the skirt armor?

I really like the chains on the back, with a suitable background a 'eye level' photograph could capture the tank to look exactly like your reference pictures.

Thanks SupressionFire.  I tried to get it as close as possible.  The stain is there too...

The reference picture looks like a oil can was shot right beside the tank and the stain has picked up dust / dirt.

With the picture to support this theory it would fly on a contest table, to just have that large odd stain would create negative points at a contest. I see your restrained version will 'keep it real' without creating a 'WTF is that on the side?' comment at said contest.

OH man you have been holding out!!!....Very nice, great to see a camo and sand mix modeled. Love the cooler on the turret roof. Stunning, As usual, right on target!

Rounds Complete!!

Wow! Beautiful job. I especially like the precise application of the 'no slip' surface......excellent!

Nate

SuppressionFire - the actual stain is most likely a fuel overflow.  The filler for one of the forward fuel tanks is right above it on the hull top.  I did tone it down a bit though.  Glad you like it.

Mike - thanks buddy, I'm glad you lik eit.  Yup, I've been busy and didn't have time to post about it.  I too like the sand on camo look.  This one is actually on commission, so I think I will have to do a sand/camo version for me too.  The cooler is from a Legend Abrams accessory set.  It is probably the best cooler I have seen in 1/35.  It is really nice.  

Nate- Thanks.  The spray on technique for the non-slip coating makes it pretty easy really.  You should give it a shot.

Wow, awesome looking Abrams. You have certainly raised the bar with this one.

Denis

Excellent Build Gino .  Thanks for sharing.

Regards,  Rick

NICE JOB, Heavy!!! Really nice. I like the scratch-work you put into it a lot.

Just FYI ... in the future, if you have a kit that needs armored glass but doesn't come with it, you can get small acrylic sheets at places like Home Depot. Then just cut out small squares for the windows using a cutting wheel/ disc on a dremel. POOF! Instant armored glass .... (I think you can even buy it in green tint...)

Nice job again, Gino ... hadn't heard of that anti-slip technique before .. thanks for the link!

That's cool. Very different rendition of the M1. Refreshing to see it in the tri-color cam as well. I like the subtle weathering on it and say you did a fine job replicating your reference.

Thanks for the compliments guys.  I too really like this one, especially the contrast between the camo and sand paints.

nice job.Ron

She is just a beauty, I love every aspect of your build. By far the best modern piece of armour I've seen in a long time.

Terry.

Thanks Ron and Terry.  I did enjoy building this one.

Very nice work Gino, as the others have mentioned the different camo schemes really makes this one an eye-catcher and the replication work vs. the photo is top-notch as well.

Awesome as always Gino although, this one has got to be one of my favorites. Don't know how you do it but I'd have a hard time giving these up after putting my heart and sole into them like you do. I'm not so sure that I could put a price tag on those.

How did you cut the tank out of those 1st pics so perfectly?  I can't do that.

Gino

Really great build. Pretty interesting that even that late in the war some of the tanks were sent without a desert paint job.

Good stuff!!

Thanks Bill and Marc or looking in and for the compliments.  I enjoyed this one. 

Kevin - Thanks for the compliments.  I figure I can always build another for myself.  It also gives me a way to keep from needing more shelf space for them.

bbrownii- actually, no vehicles are repainted from camo to sand when they are sent to Iraq.  I guess the powers that be figure it is cheaper to leave them in the camo than repaint them.  The color isn't really an issue anyways, they are the only amor there and a few days in the desert and they are covered in sand anyhow.

have to throw my 2cents in gino...looks really good. just out of curiousity only, how much extra weight is all that armor on the actual tank?

your level of detail is oalways outstanding.great job.

Awesome.
I am fortunate to say that I have never seen one of these before.
That is one scary Abrams and the accuracy of your build is just top notch.
I am going to try your Anti Slip technique on my next STRF 90, looks just right!

Very Best Regards
Johan

Hello Gino!

I noticed this one a little late, but it's an excellent model as always. This time I even like your painting on this one A beautiful blend of sand and woodland components. So what are you working on now? Good luck with your projects and have a nice day

Paweł

Thanks for the compliments guys.  I'm glad you like it.

Camo - I don't know how much extra weight the TUSK adds, but it is quite a bit.  The Abrams has plenty of extra power to carry it all though

Pawel - Thanks, I'm glad you like the painting on this one.  No pre-shading though.  This is my standard washes and drybrushing as always.  It just shows up better in pics on the darker camo background.

HeavyArty

bbrownii- actually, no vehicles are repainted from camo to sand when they are sent to Iraq.  I guess the powers that be figure it is cheaper to leave them in the camo than repaint them.  The color isn't really an issue anyways, they are the only amor there and a few days in the desert and they are covered in sand anyhow.

Gino

Really!? I'm embarrassed to admit that I had no idea - all of the Marine Corps M1s I saw in 2005 were sand so I just assumed... guess we all know where that gets us, huh?

No problem and that was a good guess.  Another example of the Army not always doing what one would expect.

Regarding the weight, according to the Tankograd TUSK book, the belly armor alone adds 1300 KGs; not sure about the tiles. Gino, again, very nice job...you continue to be a true inspiration.