M1A2 SEP done

HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

M1A2 SEP done

Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, July 31, 2005 6:02 PM

Here is the M1A2 SEP that I am building for a customer. It has battle damage to the front right, damaging the front road wheel. It has been short tracked to compensate for the road wheel. It will eventually be pulled by an M88A1. Represents a vehicle from 4ID in OIF.

More here: M1A2 SEP

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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Tigertankman

Member since
April 2005
From: Valley Spings, CA

Posted by Tigertankman on Sunday, July 31, 2005 6:05 PM

Wheres the weathering?

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Tankmaster7

Member since
August 2004
From: Nowhere. (Long Island)

Posted by Tankmaster7 on Sunday, July 31, 2005 6:09 PM

Looks great heavy arty! I love the scartchbuilt stuff you've added! I've always admired those who can scratchbuild things and make them look good.

But I kind of agree, for a vehicle with battle damge, it doess look too lightly weathered doesn't it?

-Tanky

Welcome to the United States of America, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, in partnership with Halliburton. Security for your constitutional rights provided by Blackwater International.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 31, 2005 6:18 PM

That looks great Arty!

But I do agree, it needs some weathering.

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HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, July 31, 2005 6:21 PM

It is lightly weathered, just doesn't show up well in the pics. Just because a vehicle is in combat and damaged, doesn't mean it is covered in mud and grime. This is how the actual vehicle looked in the referance pics I was given. The crew kept it pretty clean. Most vehicles in service are actually rather clean. If there is mud and grime all over your vehicle, things tend to not work well on them. For that reason, they are kept clean and in good working order by the crews. When your life depends on your vehicle to work, you clean it and maintain it. Most modelers overdo the weathering of vehicles.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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matthew9

Member since
July 2004
From: Texas

Posted by matthew9 on Sunday, July 31, 2005 7:12 PM

Nice pictures. I've never seen "short Tracking".

Matt

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thrashergklm

Member since
January 2005
From: Driving Down the Road in A M1A1HC Abram

Posted by thrashergklm on Sunday, July 31, 2005 7:20 PM

Very well done, and I would agrea with the weathering, on a tank in opperations, If my lfie deppened on my tank, I would also keep my tank clean as well.

Driving Down the Road in A M1A1HC Abram

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 31, 2005 7:21 PM

Nice Abrams Heavy. What kit is that ? are those dry transfers ? Again nice build

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yardbird78

Member since
January 2003
From: 40 klicks east of the Gateway

Posted by yardbird78 on Sunday, July 31, 2005 7:22 PM

Beautiful work on the M1. I spent 21 years in the military and agree that most model vehicles are overdone as far as weathering is concerned. Navy aircraft on carriers tend to get pretty distressed because they have a very limited ability to clean them when at sea. Army and Marine tanks running around the deserts of the Middle East encounter a lot of dust, but not much mud.

Darwin, O.F. Alien [alien]

,,

The B-52 and me, we have grown old, gray and overweight together.

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Tankmaster7

Member since
August 2004
From: Nowhere. (Long Island)

Posted by Tankmaster7 on Sunday, July 31, 2005 7:24 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by HeavyArty

It is lightly weathered, just doesn't show up well in the pics. Just because a vehicle is in combat and damaged, doesn't mean it is covered in mud and grime. This is how the actual vehicle looked in the referance pics I was given. The crew kept it pretty clean. Most vehicles in service are actually rather clean. If there is mud and grime all over your vehicle, things tend to not work well on them. For that reason, they are kept clean and in good working order by the crews. When your life depends on your vehicle to work, you clean it and maintain it. Most modelers overdo the weathering of vehicles.

Ahhhh you were working off a reference pic. That explains everything. Like i said before, excellent work.

-Tanky

Welcome to the United States of America, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, in partnership with Halliburton. Security for your constitutional rights provided by Blackwater International.

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thrashergklm

Member since
January 2005
From: Driving Down the Road in A M1A1HC Abram

Posted by thrashergklm on Sunday, July 31, 2005 7:26 PM

By the way, on the Abrams that you did with the Terra Cotta sprayed on, how many layers did you do, and when you painted it, how did it look, and what kit was this model done with, and how is your newest project coming along as well? Smile [:)]

Driving Down the Road in A M1A1HC Abram

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HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, July 31, 2005 7:50 PM

Thanks all. The M1A2 SEP was done from the Trumpeter M1A2 kit, with the SEP items (Under Armor APU on left rear of hull, Thermal Management Unit, and added bits) from scratch. Look in the More Here link to see in-progress shots. Decals are from the Academy M1A1 OIF kit.

QUOTE: Originally posted by thrashergklm

By the way, on the Abrams that you did with the Terra Cotta sprayed on, how many layers did you do, and when you painted it, how did it look, and what kit was this model done with, and how is your newest project coming along as well?

The one I did the Terra Cotta spray on was my still in-progress "Angry American", USMC M1A1 OIF. I did two thin coats of the Terra Cotta to add anti-slip to the Academy (Tamiya Copy) hull. For this model, I used the new Academy M1A1 OIF hull and a DML turret since the Academy one is incorrect (too short for an M1A1, they still left their M1 turret in the kit), along with parts from Trumpeter adn Tamiya kits as well. You can check it out here.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v231/HeavyArty/USMC%20M1A1%20Angry%20American/

Still working on the M88A1 to go with the M1A2 SEP. It's about 75% done.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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jinithith2

Member since
January 2005
From: returning to the FSM forum after a hiatus

Posted by jinithith2 on Sunday, July 31, 2005 7:59 PM

Ha! very clever! Big Smile [:D]

is there actually a real field technique called "short tracking?" I'm just wondering.
and can you provide me the link to the Terra Cotta thread?

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HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, July 31, 2005 8:48 PM

Yes, short-tracking is an actual procedure used in the field when a tank's track, road wheels, torsion bars, or other suspension part is damaged. The way I have done it is for a front portion of the suspension being damaged. The 2nd road wheel is removed and the 3rd road wheel arm is rotated to the front so it sticks forward and supplies tension toward the front and down. The track is shortened and threaded below the front return roller, then down and around the turned road wheel. Works pretty well.

Non-slip coating thread:
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=41769&REPLY_ID=438783#438783

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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CDNTanker25

Member since
May 2005
From: Playing in the foothills of NY

Posted by CDNTanker25 on Sunday, July 31, 2005 8:52 PM

Arty my man, you couldn't have said it better... just don't forget though bro, most of these people have never set foot inside the turret of a tank, nor have they been on exercise in a tank... most only have historical reference to go by, not actual experience. I'm glad you're here speaking for us who DON"T overdo the weathering! I myself would have lost a stripe or two if I didn't lend a hand cleaning the tank, or helping to repair it.. repairing the track when it's covered in mud isn't easy, and takes away from supporting the troops... and it does tend to make things work innefficiently! thanks again bro!

James on the bench: Merkava II With MCRS-20% Merkava IID 75% IDF Magach Batash

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9x19mm

Member since
December 2003
From: Phoenix,Az

Posted by 9x19mm on Sunday, July 31, 2005 8:55 PM

Nice build looks very cool.

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gdarwin

Member since
January 2004
From: bc,canada

Posted by gdarwin on Monday, August 1, 2005 1:55 AM

great job on the tank Arty,looks good. Big Smile [:D]

airborne death from above http://photobucket.com/albums/a350/roygd/

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Strathcona

Member since
September 2004
From: Evil Empire ,Wainwright, AB, Canada

Posted by Strathcona on Monday, August 1, 2005 1:58 AM

Great work ! I like the idea of " short tracking " . I actually did that , way back when in Germany , on a Reforger Ex . My " Lynx " , ( A recce vehicle , based on M-113 components) , lost an idler , so I short tracked , and carried on . We don't teach that in the Canadian Army , and I learned that from an American , he was just an M-113 driver , but he knew his stuff ! God Bless America !
Frank
" PERSEVERANCE "

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LemonJello

Member since
February 2004
From: Green Lantern Corps HQ on Oa

Posted by LemonJello on Monday, August 1, 2005 8:01 AM

Not much that I can add, except my praise for your work, HeavyArty. Another eye-opening build. Add to that learning about short-tracking a tank and I think I've learned enough for one day and can leave the shop early (maybe get some work in on one of my kits)! It's the little things that make a difference, like the OD road wheels mixed in with the overall sand of the M1...It's not something you see a lot in garrison, but out in the field you see all kinds of mix-n-match going on. I just thought that was a nice touch. I'm green (Marine Corps green, of course!) with envy at the quality of work you turn out regularly, but then, that's what drives me to improve as well. Thanks for another lesson, sir!

A day in the Corps is like a day on the farm; every meal is a banquet, every paycheck a fortune, every formation a parade... The Marine Corps is a department of the Navy? Yeah...The Men's Department.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 1, 2005 10:36 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by HeavyArty
Most modelers overdo the weathering of vehicles.

Amen.

IMO this is like the "little orange guy" syndrome for 1/35th scale figures -- it becomes a modeling technique that is born purely out of convention, rather than accurate representation.

Unfortunately, the pics are free-hosted so I am blocked to seeing them at work, but I'm sure the kit looks great.

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HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, August 1, 2005 3:08 PM

A small error was pointed out to me on another forum. The power box and conduit running along the blast panels on the left side of the turret should not be there. They are used on M1A1HCs and M1A2s with the bustle rack mounted APUs. All cabling and wires for the VCU (Vapor Control Unit) go underneath in an armored housing. Looked at referance pics, and I guess I missed that. It has been corrected. Here is the corrected area.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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zokissima

Member since
July 2003
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Posted by zokissima on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 11:49 AM

I don't know what else I can add that hasn't been said allready. All I can do is further the praise, and say Job Well Done. It's been a build that's been anticipated. Please make sure to update us as you build the M88.

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crockett

Member since
April 2004
From: The cornfields of Ohio

Posted by crockett on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 12:55 PM

Nice work here Gino. I can tell you from experience that "short tracking" an M1 in the field is a job that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. There is just so much work to be done. It is used only as a last resort. Just removing that front armored skirt is a bear, not to mention removing No1 roadarm and reversing and reindexing No 2. Plus figuring out how many blocks to remove from the track is critical since without No1 roadarm and idler, you lose the ability to tension the track. Not to mention the mess, as soon as you break the seal on that rotary shock housing your in for a bath of hydraulic shock fluid.

Nice representation of a "real time" scenario in the field.

Regards,

Steve