After buying the academy kit i found out that the turret is wrong. Then I noticed the unused parts (Extra sprockets, track retainer, gun tube etc.) and wondered if this can be backdated from M1A1 to M1easily.
So can it be backdated or would it be easier to correct the turret?
Don’t think either is a viable option. Stretching the turret would be a trick to get all the angles right. Backdating would be hard because parts for an M1 are not in the kit, and would be hard to replicate some of the needed deletions such as removing the NBC system on left hull and adding sponson box cover, changing blast panels on turret back to asymmetrical 3-panel configuration, adding M68 105mm main gun, deleting access panels on rear engine deck, making straight light gaurds, filling in “X” stamping on front fenders, changing storage boxes on turret to shorter style, removing and filling hell hole on turret, etc., etc. Those are just from memory, I’m sure there are more changes needed.
Check your email for another option.
Got it Gino, thanks.
Looks a lot of the problems would be fixable with some work but I am just not inclined to make a whole new turret right now!
I got your email, thanks for the options.
whats the other option? A Panther 2
Panther II uses an M1IP hull. You’d still have to deal with back dating the A1 hull to an IP hull. If you found an old Tamiya original M1 (fairly cheap on eBay) you could use the Academy bits to update the Tamiya M1 into an M1IP.
If you have an Academy M1A1 OIF, send me an email and I’ll give you the same option.
To be clear: I have the Academy M1A1 Abrams “Iraq 2003”, kit # 13202.
Just had a thought [:0] Is this the same kit that Hobby Craft boxes?
Yes, that is the one I am talking about. It is not the same as the HobbyCraft rebox. Hobbycraft rebox es are Trumpeter M1A1s.