Abrams questions

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hi,
My name’s Ramon Wilson but most call me ‘Tug’ (goes with the surname in the UK). I have just turned sixty and returned to plastic modelling after a layoff of some thirty years. Having just finished a Lancaster diorama for my cousin I’m currently working on an Abrams M1A2 from the Italeri kit and detailing it with Edouard and scratchbuilt additions. The hobby has really moved on from my last time around and I have found this ‘detailing’ most absorbng and satisfying.
Research was never my strong point before but having done the Lanc (S-Sugar, 467 Squad., my cousin was airframe rigger on it in WWll) I can appreciate the benefit of ‘knowing every thing is correct’ within available knowledge. To that end then I have several questions on said Abrams and would really appreciate it if someone out there could help.

The version I am building represents a tank of the 4TH PLT. 2ND BATT. 3RD ARMORED CAVALRY REGT. Iraq 2005, I am using the decals from the Tamiya kit for this.

I recently read on Hyperscale that no M1A2 took part in the combat period of OIF
Is this correct?
If so what theater of ops did 3ACR take part in.

Were CIP/IFF panels fitted after combat ops finished?

If so does anyone know exactly how they are hung on the side and rear stowage rack? Also the same for the spare wheel(s)

What are the front CIP plates made from, how thick, and again how are they held to the turret and specifically, what are the black ‘corners’ on these panels. Are these ‘proud’ of the panel, paint marks or what?

Were the covers behind the hatches fitted with the three ‘vent caps’ as on some M1A1’s - I believe this was so on some A2’s but does anyone know if so on this specific tank.

Was a camouflage net carried and if so was this carried loose or wrapped in a tarpaulin, and where would it have been stowed.

Was a bustle rack extension fitted?

What are the colour(s) of the smoke grenades showing when fitted ready for use in the launchers.

And finally for now at least does any one have any knowlege of the crews personal helmet markings?

My apologies for such a long first posting. If anyone can help me it would be most appreciated. I really would like to make my model as detailed as possible.

Current research material I have is
Squadron Signal ‘M1A1in Action’
Europa Militaria ‘Abrams Company’
Concord Pub. Mini series ‘Abrams M1A1/A2’
Osprey Vanguard Abrams MBT 1982-92

Any recommendations of other sources particularly of tanks serving in the Gulf would also be a great help.
Many thanks

Tug

2

3ACR arrived after the major combat action and invasion were complete. They were there from about June 03 on and did have m1A2s.

CIPs were still fitted. They actually attach to the tank with either straps that are on the back, or can be attached with velcro. The spare road wheel is usually attached by removing a bolt somewhere on the turret and replacing it through one of the bolt holes in the road wheel and tightening it down.

For the front CIPs, they are made of aluminum, about 1/8 inch thick (maybe), 0.015 sheet plastic is about right. The corners have velcro on them for turning the panel around to turn it “off”. The velcro is usually green.

These disks are actually part of a long ago scrapped ammo reload system where the whole blow out panel would be removed and a new one dropped in to reload the tank. It was too tedious and ineffective, hence it was scrapped. Since M1A2s are all rebuilds of older tanks, some will have the disks, some won’t, so they could be left in place.

Cammo net could be carried, if so, it would be stored in a net bag.

I have not seen any of the 3 ACR tanks with extended bustle racks.

Smoke grenades are a pale green, Testors Model Master Pale Green is perfect.

Most do not wear any makings on their tanker’s (CVC) helmet. I have seen a few that were painted either black , sand, or usually left in their original dark green. Some will stretch a camo helmet cover over them as well.

Hope that all helps, good luck.

3

Hi HeavyArty,
Many thanks indeed, all my questions answered in one hit and in an authoritative way too - sounds like you have good knowlege, I’m most obliged to you.
I can now press ahead with the CIP’s and grenades but could
you possible just confirm the following. If the front CIP’s are held on with velcro I assume that they must stand very slighly proud of the turret face. Would that be correct?
And the camo net bag. Is this an open ended ‘duffle’ type bag or top opening similar to a luggage ‘grip’.

Would you know of any websites that have detailed photos of this subject. I haven’t had any luck so far.

Many thanks again
Tug

4

CIPs are help pretty tight to the turret front, not really noticable space in 1/35 scale.

Camo net bag is a flat bag that folds up and is strapped together. There is one in the new Tamiya Modern US gear set, big square bag.

Tamiya Set, bottom right corner:

Don’t know of any sites that specifically show CIPs and gear, could do google searches for them.

5

Hi,
Thanks again. CIP info most useful, spent this evening working on them. I have the Tamiya accessories, I should have noticed the camo bag, my apologies.

The model is near completion but will be a while yet while I work on the stores and basework.
Regards - Tug

6

you have had your question answered so i,d like to

Welcome you to the forums

7

Just to show things are not always the same everywhere…

If so does anyone know exactly how they are hung on the side and rear stowage rack? Also the same for the spare wheel(s)

On the tanks that we had fitted with them the side/rear panels (washboard ones) were held in place by what I can only describe as U-Bolts. Think of a padlock, except instead of the lock part, it’s a single strip of metal with a bolt on each end of the ‘U’. Total size about an inch wide by two long. There are two places to mount spares, the usual (and we used it as the trash can) is in front of the cylindrical CITV point in front of the loader’s hatch. There are four bolts there that don’t do much, but you can take them out and affix the roadwheel that way. Only two bolts are used though, the four of them are not positioned so as to match up with roadwheel bolt holes.
On the side/rear of the bustle rack, the roadwheels are held in place by bolting a track center guide around one of the rack rails, and through to the other side of the roadwheel.

Was a camouflage net carried and if so was this carried loose or wrapped in a tarpaulin, and where would it have been stowed.

We very quickly ditched the camo net. Didn’t seem to do us any good. Then again, we were a different unit, so not saying 3rd ACR did.

And finally for now at least does any one have any knowlege of the crews personal helmet markings?

As mentioned, not common. One tanker in our company had his helmet painted like the American flag. (Entirely covered in red, white and blue), one platoon painted theirs black, and I put my family coat of arms on the front of mine. Mostly, though, we didn’t even have time to put names on the tanks, let alone helmet markings.

Any recommendations of other sources particularly of tanks serving in the Gulf would also be a great help.

Have you checked out primeportal.net yet?

NTM