Depending on how old your boy is, try Questacon as well. The place is all about science and is huge!!! You don’t just LOOK at science you do it. It’s quite interesting.
I was planning to go with my mates, but apparently I have my university Chemisty exam that day…yes!!! THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY!!![banghead][V][:(!][censored][censored][tdn][yuck][soapbox][XX][sigh] Curse you, xxxxxx uni!!!
John
whew john sensing a bit of tension[:O][:I][:O]
John confusion has set in sorry where were you planning on going the AWM, the Model Expo, Questacon? Also, what kind [censored]of warped mind schedules an exam on a public holiday?
Dave (Harvs) I’ve got to ask what is Questacon and how old do kids have to be before they can enjoy it? We have something called Science Works here and my oldest daughter loved that when we went there last time, especially the lightning show, that was awesome even for dad.
Dave (Raverdave) has much changed in the AWM over the last few years? I’m in the same boat as Jules, in that I haven’t been for about 10 years now.
Cheers
Darren
Darren, think of Science works over several floors. Have a look at the link for info on it. I have been there with Air Force cadets and they managed to keep themselves occupied for several hours. It is designed for kids of all ages I beleive, the website tells more about it.
Hey there guys!
I have a quustion for you all. I am going to model the aussie version of the abrams and I just wanted to know if anyone can direct me in the right direction for the colours. I want to paint black/tan/green like the m113. Anyone know what tamiya colours would be best?
Thanks guys
Dave
Darren,
i went to the awm about 2 years ago and its changed a heap the anzac hall is terrific [:D] you can spend all day there and not see everything
have fun mick[8-]
Darren it’s been two years since I was last there, and since then G for George is back on display. Also there is a warehouse (really large) that houses all the stuff that they can’t fit into the AWM. This warehouse IS open to the public but only on weekdays. It is jam-packed with war trophies such are artillery, trucks and even a V-2. I’m not sure where it is but if you ask the staff at the AWM I am sure that they can point you in the right direction.
It would be great if we could organize a weekend for all of us to hook-up there eh?
Dave, Dave & Mick thanks a lot for the info on Canberra, I’m thinking of taking the family up there for a bit of a getaway one weekend and I was looking some things to do. Oh and Dave great idea but I can just imagine the wife’s face if I haul the family up to Canberra and then announce I am buggering off to spend time with my modeling mates. [:p]
Armour_freek I don’t know if I can help with Tamiya colors but the Humbrol colors I use and I reckon are as close as you are going to get are HU118 US Matt Tan, HU 159 Matt Khaki Drab & HU 33 Matt Black.
Also, don’t forget if you’re modeling an Aussie Abrams you need the M1A1 AIM variant.
Cheers
Darren
Darson: I was talking about the modelling expo at Sandown Racecourse. As for the warped mind part, I think they call them ‘professors’ [:p]
Armour_freek: I’ve recently finished modelling an Abrams M1 in AusCam. Here’s the Tamiya colours I used: XF-1 Flat Black, XF-58 Olive Green, XF-59 Desert Tan. If you don’t want to go the full flat black, I suggest XF-69 NATO Black. If you would like, I can email you some pics of it to help you decide.
Cheers,
John
John…any chance of some pics of your Aussie Abrams ???
Yeah John we wanna see your tank[tup]BTW and forgive my ignorance but are these Abrams in service yet[?]
thanks for the replies guys, John I would like to see you abrams. Please forgive me but what is an m1a1 AIM? how is the aim diferent?
Thanks
Dave
Dave sorry it’s a bit of a novel, but this is from a US defence site. The only thing not mentioned here is the fact that the Aussie M1A1s will run on diesel not JP8 jet fuel.
The Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) Overhaul Program is an innovative teaming of the prime contractor, GDLS, and Anniston Army Depot (ANAD) to refurbish the tank to a like-new condition. The AIM Overhaul is the Army’s under-funded program to sustain the nearly 7,000 Abrams Tanks as part of the total recapitalization plan. AIM is funded at 135 tanks per year which translates into a 12-year rebuild cycle for the active component. As the M1A2 fleet ages, the Army must expand AIM to include about 90 M1A2 SEPs per year beginning in 2012. With a 20-year rebuild cycle for the reserve component, the Army must implement a 90 tank per year program beginning in 2006.
AIM alone is a sustainment process only and does not insert new technologies nor address obsolescence. However, by exploiting the synergy created by integrating the AIM program with a viable Abrams recapitalization program, the Army has a cost-effective opportunity to apply and field these high-payoff projects. The current high-payoff projects include 2nd Generation FLIR, frontal & side armor upgrades, Vehicle Integrated Defense System (VIDS), digital turret & hull networks boxes with built-in test, and a new engine.The AIM Overhaul program is the optimum time/location to complete applied improvements. The AIM Overhaul program in its objective state will produce M1A1Ds. Currently the process applies many product improvements with some M1A1s receiving the M1A1D configuration retrofitted in the field.
John you see you should never have opened your mouth because now I have to see your Abrams.
Jules it was great to have have a chat in person mate.
Cheers
Darren
Jules: no the Abrams is not yet in active service with the Aust Army, however some tank crews from 1st Armd Regt are undergoing transition training in the US right now. Apparently, they’ve been most impressed by the tank’s abilities.
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1120/topstories/story01.htm
As for pics, give me a minute…they’ll be up.
minute passes
Hope you like 'em. Sorry if they’re a bit blurry, my camera is only a 3.2MP, so up-close it loses some of the clarity. Anyone want to copy them for reference, feel free. Or I can email.
Cheers,
John
Darren Yeah mate i enjoyed having a chat, lucky the Missus pulled me up cause i woulda talked models all night[tup]
Your Abrams looks good John[tup] it’s certainly bristling with armaments isn’t it, BTW is that the colour/camo scheme the Australian Army is going with[?]
It’s the basic tri-colour AusCam that you can see on all the Aust Army’s vehicles, Leopards, ASLAVs, M113s etc. Even the Blackhawks and Kiowas are painted that way. I’m not sure what the actual pattern will be for the tanks, but I think this is pretty close.
As for the armament thing, yes it is! And don’t we love it? [:D]
Cheers,
John
Thanks for the pics John…looking good mate.
John, nice job on the M1. Oh yeah, sorry to tell you this but you missed out big time by not coming to ModelExpo, the standard of work on offer at the show was awesome and there were some huge bargains to be had in the kill or be killed swap ‘n’ sell.
Dave it was exactly as you described it, hundreds of people jammed together and it seemed like every one of them wanted the kit I was after [:(!]
Cheers
Darren
From all the reports i’ve seen so far it seemed to have been a popular time at the swap meet. A pity I didn’t get there but next year I may be living in Melbourne so it will be easier to get there.