The scale model shown is a 1/35-scale Academy kit. If built straight out-of-the-box (meaning without utilizing additional aftermarket sources), it represents the actual vehicle rather poorly. The most serious flaw was in the length of the turret, which is actually closer to the measurements of the original, less-armored, 105mm gun-armed M1. The M1A1 had additional layers of armor in the turret face.
To improve the appearance of the model, parts of other M1A1 kits (from various manufacturers including Trumpeter and Italeri) were used to replace certain components. Furthermore, the model was enhanced with aftermarket accessories and scratchbuilt parts.
Construction of the model was overall a straightforward exercise; almost no filler was needed. The only difficult step was fitting the braces for the side bustle racks located near the rear of the turret. This was rather frustrating, as the parts didn’t fit as they should - like as if they were molded incorrectly and the slots to fit them in are wrongly shaped.
Additional details that were visible on the real Abrams were added to the kit. These include the following:
· Added the fasteners for the fenders using stretched sprue;
· Scratchbuilt the headlight bush guards with thin styrene strips;
· Added the hull-mounted APU taken from another M1A1 kit; cut off the tail light attached to APU;
· Filed out a notch for the fire extinguisher port handle;
· Replicated the bullet-shaped tow cable guards on the front turret;
· Applied non-slip coating on the hull and turret surfaces. This was accomplished with Tamiya’s Liquid Cement and an old brush with stiff bristles. First brushed on the Liquid Cement (like applying paint), then after a few seconds, another layer was stippled onto the plastic, thus causing the uneven surface.
While the kit was basically a walk in the park in terms of assembly, quite a number of parts that were poorly detailed or inaccurate in shape were replaced; such as:
Replaced the kit’s 120mm gun with the one from Italeri’s M1A2. Although it has been known that the latter kit is actually underscale, its overall shape was better represented than Academy’s hideously oversized version. The only part that was retained from the original kit was the muzzle reference sight; shaven off and glued in place.
The eight roadwheels were taken from Trumpeter. The Academy versions were stored away for use on a future M1 kit, since the representation of the parts were better.
In order for the Trumpeter’s wheels to fit onto the axles of the Academy kit (the wheels had too large a hole, and shallower), it was needed to cut off a portion of the suspension arm axles for the wheels to settle in properly, then thin strips of Evergreen styrene strip were added halfway or so around the trimmed axle stubs to have a tight (and permanent) fit. The wheels were then cemented into place; carefully watching the alignment.
Academy’s design of the Gunner’s Primary Sight housing (aka. The Doghouse) does not accurately replicate any version of the M1. A spare GPS was taken from Trumpeter and put in place.
Academy’s cal .50 gun barrel includes a muzzle flash suppressor and a changing handle. Various photographs of the M1 series have shown that the standard barrel was the preferred fitting. The model’s barrel was then cut off and replaced by one from Academy’s US Machine Gun set, as the latter provides a multitude of spares.
The Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) overpressure system in the Academy kit was slightly misshapen. Again, Italeri’s kit donates the replacement part. While lacking on molding quality, it is superior in terms of shape.
The model represents what a typical M1A1 in the early 1990s would appear while on training maneuvers. To add detail and authenticity, various accessories were added., including equipment and devices that are normally strapped onto AFVs on training, like the Hoffman Device, the so-called “kill-light”, and a receiver antenna. The caliber .50 was fitted with blank adapters. All these components were from the Trumpeter M1A2. The associated wiring was fashioned with stretched sprue, while Tamiya masking tape ‘holds’ the latter down (trimmed and painted to replicate duct tape).
It should be noted that the required MILES receiver (essential to training vehicles) and the Velcro strips were not attached to the kit.
External stowage such as ALICE packs, duffel bags, tarpaulins, jerrycans, spare roadwheels, and track links were scrounged from various brands. Careful observation would reveal that the jerry cans were actually of German origin, WWII-vintage. A single tarp was fashioned out from strip of shower curtain, with copper wire wound around it. The final result was not very convincing, however
A single figure from Trumpeter acts as the tank commander, dressed in US Army fashion typical of the late 80s and early 90s. The so-called “chocolate chip” camouflage was admittedly not depicted correctly, using only 4 colors when there should be six.
There isn’t much to note here. The kit was simply sprayed with a custom mix of Tamiya acrylics. Some detail painting was then done. A few coats of Johnson’s Wipe And Shine clear floor wax was applied as a protective coat and to prep the model for decaling.
A meager collection of decals were used on the model, including a Japanese Anime rendering of a pig’s head. A dull coat seals and protects the markings, followed by a wash with poster colors.
For weathering, a dust coat was misted over the kit, with emphasis on the lower hull. The end result was hardly noticeable, though.
Hopy you enjoyed a few minutes. [:)]
BT6