Thanks Bob. That makes me feel great.

That's a great pick up by Rob on the construction. i make those sorts of mistakes all the time, normally because i'm not much of a researcher, simply a builder.

I'll keep that in mind for when i get around to building mine.

Enjoy the build Nomad - i'm enjoying seeing it come along.

Nomad53

Rob, Thanks for pointing that build error. I will try and get them apart and reglue. Gonna be a pain but that's the learning part.

My son was in Iraq at camp Cropper. He was in Bagdad a lot pulling security.

Double check the fit of the track around the sprocket before you pry them apart; I may be wrong, but I don't think so. It is one of the new parts added to the old kit. I have the new kit, but unbuilt so I didn't try out the new parts on a kit yet.

It would only take a second to check the fit, better safe than sorry. If you can't successfully split them apart, you can use the original old style ones. The photo ygmodeler4 posted shows a well worn Marine tank with the old style sprocket with the retaining wheel so that type was still in use. We replace the parts when the tank requires it, not when a new type enters the supply system.

My son just returned from his second tour in Afghanistan. He brought me a flag that was flown inside one of his unit's UAVs on my 50th birthday along with a plaque. The bird actually got two confirmed kills that day.

Just checked the fit and you were right. It was not a problem to get the sprockets apart at all. Much much "better "D" holes. Thanks again for spotting this. Below are some updates on the build.

We gave our son a flag when he left and If I remember right I was flown at Cropper. It is in a shadow box on the "Wall of Honor" wall.

I am assuming the kids came home o.k.? Please give my thanks. Did you have as much "fun" with your racks as I did on my Academy M1a1?

My son came back just fine, both times. This last time he as at a FOB (was at a remote COB the first time) and never had to go outside.

Glad I was able to help on the sprocket and that it didn't become a build issue.

No issue at all. They came apart real easy.

I am so glad your son came home alright. Thank him for me for his service.

here are some update photos.

You painted a portion of the loader's M240 machine gun tan on top; it should be the same color as the rest of the gun. I'd also go with a blacker looking gun metal. Here's a pretty decent shot of the top of the turret with the machine guns mounted.

As an aside, the position of your loader's machine gun is slightly off; when the loader's hatch is closed, it is locked into a forward facing angle. You can't open your hatch when it's at that angle.

Great eye again Rob. I will get straight on that. So you are saying that I can mix a little black with the gunmetal to make it darker?

This is why I love these forums so much. You all catch my rookie mistakes and that makes me a better modeler all around.

Also where are you getting these great photos from?

Just dry brushing it with some flat black might help just enough. Or a black wash. No need to repaint the entire thing.

I spent over have my life on US tanks and stay abreast of various posts and follow some guys that served with me. Plus, I took a lot of photos of my own stuff too.

Okay I understand about the photos.

I just repainted them with a mix of gunmetal and flat black. Hope this looks better.

Hey Rob,

Are these cabling spools? If so I am going to put some wire in them.

MJames70

Have fun with your build. My other advice is to take the "advice" you get from some people on these forums, and file it where it belongs - in the crapper.

The Academy kit has some serious issues. That does not mean it belongs in the trash or isn't worth building. Let the rivet counters turn their noses up. Let me tell you a secret - most of them haven't actually built a model in ages, because they're all 'unbuildable trash', after all.

Enjoy your build, learn from it, and have a good time. Worry about the rest some other time.

Gotta step up her and say that that kind of response as a "newbie" here was a bit rash. Neither Gino nor Rob are in any way "rivet counters"! 

I actually agree with your core sentiments--I don't tend to worry myself to death about details most of the time, and will just blithely build a "bad" model out of the box for the sheer enjoyment of it-but the original poster DID ask for comments.

If you're going to hang around, you'll find out that HeavyArty is not only a prolific and talented builder here, but he's valued for his no-nonsense critique and advice--something I would actually have than the insincere "attaboys" from well-meaning people who sometimes don't say what they really mean.  If you want to get it straight, he'll give it to you straight. Amen.

Rob also is a virtual  font of information and a great historian of modeling knowledge and advice. When asking about older kits and their "build potential" you couldn't get a better team to give you the best advice than these two long-time members.

You may have misinterpreted their intent, but you should reconsider your impressions, as you will come to value their insight and knowledge.

I am taking Ginos and Robs advice. Both have pointed out some simple mistakes that I did while the build is going on. I never took there comments out of text or as harsh. You are right I did ask for comments and advice and all are welcome.

I wish Gino would come back into this thread. Both his and Robs help are greatly welcome.

Nomad53

Hey Rob,

Are these cabling spools? If so I am going to put some wire in them.

Yes, it is the WD-1 wire spool used for field telephone hook up. In a tank platoon, you can hook all four tanks together in what is called a "hot loop" so tank crews can communicate without the use of the radio. The spools are a dark, semi gloss olive green color and aren't repainted because there are some electrical connectors on the spool itself and you don't want some careless private painting over the connectors.

The wire is black, but not normally rolled up nice and neat. Think about some tired 19 year old kid rolling this up in the dark as he walks to  the next tank over. Here's what one looks like all nice and pretty. The handle and shoulder strap are stored in a sponson box when not in use with the spool.

Doog, as far as guys like MJames70, they are the sole reason why I no longer provide critiques beyond the "great jobs" that are prevalent on this site. I am assisting Nomad53 by pointing out construction errors and simple color adjustments because he asked for advice.

Rob Gronovius

Nomad53

Hey Rob,

Are these cabling spools? If so I am going to put some wire in them.

Yes, it is the WD-1 wire spool used for field telephone hook up. In a tank platoon, you can hook all four tanks together in what is called a "hot loop" so tank crews can communicate without the use of the radio. The spools are a dark, semi gloss olive green color and aren't repainted because there are some electrical connectors on the spool itself and you don't want some careless private painting over the connectors.

The wire is black, but not normally rolled up nice and neat. Think about some tired 19 year old kid rolling this up in the dark as he walks to  the next tank over. Here's what one looks like all nice and pretty. The handle and shoulder strap are stored in a sponson box when not in use with the spool.

Doog, as far as guys like MJames70, they are the sole reason why I no longer provide critiques beyond the "great jobs" that are prevalent on this site. I am assisting Nomad53 by pointing out construction errors and simple color adjustments because he asked for advice.

That is right doog. Rob has been helping me with questions I have and like he said pointing out some errors that I have made.

Thanks rob. I will repaint them and get some wire on them.

Now for the funny stuff. This is my attempt at using a oil pin wash. This job not only got me in trouble with the wife but I got more of the wash on me than the model. The wife I can deal with, I think, but the model is different in that I do not want to have to try and repaint. I did repaint one of the fenders at least the back section of one.

Rob you are going to shoot me with this but just make it a clean shot. LOL!!!

Nomad: Looks pretty darn good to me. The wash may be a little overdone but I've always had problems with them too. There does seem to be some silvering on your decals, you might be able to fix it by slitting them with you hobby knife and putting some more decal setting solution on them.

I don't always agree with everyone here but I don't really understand the anger in posts like MJames. It's only a friggin' model for crying out loud- if I get upset it's going to be about something a little more serious.

Rob: Thanks for the advice here, I'm going to have to return to this thread if I ever get around to building another M1.

BTW on the Tamiya/Academy turret being too small/the wrong shape was the turret on the prototype Tamiya based their kit off different or has it been upgraded with the newer Abrams? Or did Tamiya just screw the pooch here?

Dangit!!!! That is what I forgot to get yesterday. Decal solution.

Gamera

BTW on the Tamiya/Academy turret being too small/the wrong shape was the turret on the prototype Tamiya based their kit off different or has it been upgraded with the newer Abrams? Or did Tamiya just screw the pooch here?

The problem with the first issue of the Tamiya M1A1 (now a very rare kit) and the Academy copy is that Tamiya just added M1A1 parts to their original M1 kit. The actual Abrams turret was enlarged with additional armor to the front of the turret resulting in a noticeably larger turret. Esci did the same thing when they released their M1 and M1A1 kits.

Tamiya quickly retooled and reissued the corrected M1A1, but Academy did not. Those new Academy parts are very nice and can be added to any other older Abrams kit to make it a pretty good OIF Abrams. The cost to get resin aftermarket items to upgrade a tank to OIF standards is more than the cost of the entire Academy kit. You can almost stick the Academy turret up into a corrected turret (except for width).

Thanks Rob! So the older Tamiya/Academy turret is correct for the M1 Abrams just not the M1A1. I wasn't sure if you guys meant it was too small for all versions of the Abrams.

Academy didn't do a straight M1. By the time they got around to copying Tamiya's kit, the M1A1 was already fielded and headed to war. Both rushed a Desert Shield/Desert Storm kit into production. The Academy turret was modified too much to be a straight M1, but because of the size, it can be back dated to an M1IP when kit bashed with the Tamya straight M1. Basically strip the turret fittings from the Academy turret and add them to the Tamiya M1 turret.

Thanks again Rob, I'm a little fuzzy on anything after 1945 and not that knowledgeable about stuff before. I'll just avoid any Academy Abrams!

I built a motorized version of the old Tamiya M1 kit back in the early 90s- wonder what happened to it?  You guys got me interested enough to look around at some of the newer kits. Nomad- it you decide to pick up another Abrams I've found a bunch of the new Tamiya  M1A2 kits on Ebay for about fifty-five bucks included shipping and handling- expensive but much less than I've seen it at the retailers I looked at.

Thanks Gsmera I will check that out.

Okay all this build has been well.......fun but a bit on the rough side. Who says that models are not built with blood, sweat and tears. Lol..... the fiascoes of last night with the oil wash and the sprue  stretching this morning was a time to remember. The wife got mad at m for getting the oil wash on the floor and I burnt my fingers this morning trying to stretch spure for just for TWO antennas was at least to say a challenge.

These two things are on my bucket list to master before I die or my wife kills me first.

Oh by the way the wife laughed at me for burning my fingers. She said "That will teach you to get oil wash on the floor."

Hey Rob,

One more question. I would like to put the TC on the model but not sure what colors the uniform are. Like the helmet and so forth. I have looked at a lot photos but can't seem to find the one that I need.

Okay all I guess that I am saying I am done. Calling it quits. I do not want to be the one that started a thread that caused trouble. I do not know who is thinking what or really how it got started but I want it to stop. Gino left the thread and he is one of the ones that was helping me the most with his comments. Rob has been helping me by catching small errors that I would have never caught and would still be doing.

This is because of comments made about harsh words. To all that read this. "I am the one that asked for advice and comments." Gino and Rob were giving me their straight forward advice and comments that I had asked for and wanted. How else am I going to get the answers that I need on what types of kits to get or how to make sure I have a certain color right, or if the kit is the right one that I need.

Rob I see now why you do not give out advice that much. Thanks for you very much needed help. You To all others that have answered questions and made comments of the build itself. Thank you.

I will not bother anyone anymore. I will just read and learn from all the great modellers that are on this forum.

Nomad53

Hey Rob,

One more question. I would like to put the TC on the model but not sure what colors the uniform are. Like the helmet and so forth. I have looked at a lot photos but can't seem to find the one that I need.

The tank commander figure is the infamous "Mike Dukakis" figure wearing late 70s-early 80s OD green fatigues. If you paint it a medium green or desert sand color and ignore or remove the belt, it can pass for the CVC Nomex overalls we started wearing in the mid 80s. The figure wasn't really Dukasis since the original Tamiya kit with that figure came out a few years before the photograph was taken. It's just called that because of the resemblance. The helmet can be a similar olive green or sand color. They came in a matt green shell with a forest green and black ear pieces and trim.

Nomad53

Okay all I guess that I am saying I am done. Calling it quits. I do not want to be the one that started a thread that caused trouble.....

This is because of comments made about harsh words. To all that read this. "I am the one that asked for advice and comments."

Nomad, let's be very clear about something: YOU did not "start" anything. We had one person come blustering in with perhaps was a well-meaning piece of advice about "doing your own thing"--fair enough; some people just aren't tactful--but you didn't start anything, and the people who were pointing out that "you were the one asking for advice" were merely pointing out a FACT, nothing more.

Nomad53

Okay all I guess that I am saying I am done.

Boy, I would urge you in the strongest possible way to reconsider that. So.....what? Let the bigmouths drive you off? (and I use that term generally) Take a look at what GOOD your thread actually generated---you built a beautiful model here, a nice representation of a popular tank and one that many vets here have served on or around. Along the way you got great advice from two guys, and a lot of great information which you used to correct and improve an old kit. A LOT OF GUYS WILL USE THIS THREAD to do the same and to use as reference for their Abrams builds. What a shame if you would have foregone the completion of this valuable thread?

Nomad53

I will not bother anyone anymore. I will just read and learn from all the great modellers that are on this forum.

I have a better suggestion: why not BE ONE OF THEM? Hwy man--we ALL started out like you here. Newbs who could slap a kit together competently enough, but we got where we are by doing what you JUST DID---asking questions, and being mature enough to take criticism and advice, and know that even if he criticism sometimes stings, it's all meant for the best.

Since I joined this forum in 2007, it's been like a huge social experiment. I've learned that there are literally all kinds of people here. There are genuinely helpful people. guys who don't say much or have not much to say beyond "Looks great!" (which is fine) and there are the occasional tactless individuals and curmudgeons. Hell, the long-term members have ALL been those people at one point or the other.

In truth, you make this forum what it is. If you slink away and disappear because some tactless poster riles up a small bluster, you serve neither your own modeling, nor the interest of the community to which you have already contributed valuable information and a fine example of modeling.

Now go get a cup of coffee and get back to participating!

I agree with Doog, Nomad53. You didn't start anything and I've been following your build with interest and an eye in helping you make it a better experience. While I fully agree with the build to suit yourself crowd and do so myself, personal attacks such as suggesting another's opinion belongs in the trash, shouldn't belong in our hobby. It is after all, a recreational past time, just a hobby, something we do for fun.

It's also one of the reasons why I don't provide unsolicited critiques; if someone just wants to build OOB and then wants to share his photo, who am I to say whether it is good or bad or if he should have fixed this or that. Besides, airing my opinion on these things are not worth the negative attention it attracts. Only "Great Jobs!" need appear here.

I will air my opinion on a particular model kit. Saying it is an inaccurate copy of another company's kit is a fact, not an opinion. Saying a kit is unbuildable trash is an opinion; one in which NO ONE has said in this thread, although someone did imply that is what was said previously. It might be valid to some but not to others. Personally, I do not think this particular kit is not worth building and you've proven that point. I think it is a nice kit to build. Most accurate Abrams? Certainly not. Most affordable Abrams? Definitely among them. Worth building? Sure, I bought one at Hobby Lobby with the coupon a couple years back, but decided not to buy one this past 4th of July.

I am interested in helping modelers who want assistance in building the kit and making it more realistic and I have real world experience on this type of vehicle and can provide the necessary observations to do so. I'm not interested in listening to detractors who think my opinion belongs in the trash.