Dose Anyone know of any good Crew kits that would be good for the M1A1HA Iraq War. I’m trying to find a kit instead of the ones that just come witht the box, and it’s boring to use the same figuers that everyone elas is useing, so if someone could show me a kit that they would recomend, then I would very apprite it so much. Also Dose an yone know of any good kits that show crew members loading ammo into an Abrams?[?]
For plastic figures, DML has a set that is good, it may be out of production, but can still be found.
They are designed to be ODS era, but will work still work if painted in 3-tone DCUs (Desert Cambat Uniforms). One still has the older nomex tankers body armor, some guys in 3 ID still wore this style. To update them to modern tankers in OIF, you can get a set of the DML Modern USMC or Trumpeter Modern USMC or 101st ABN OIF figures and swap out the torsos for ones with modern IBA (Interceptor Body Armor). The IBA was more common and is standard wear for all services as of about 2002.
In resin, there are lots of modern tanker figures. Depends on what you want to spend. Here are a few.
Nemrod Modern Tank crew:
CMK Czech Master US Tank crew Desert Storm, again would need to swap out torsos:
Verlinden US Tank/APC crew ODS (swapping of torsos again):
Warriors M1A1 crew #1:
Warriors M1A1 crew #2:
Alpine just announced a really nice set of new ones too, no idea on price or availability though.
I’m sure there are others out there that I am missing as well, but these give you an idea. Good luck.
So out of these one’s that i have found, which would be the best choice
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=cmkf35016
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=vp0596
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=wa35527
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=wa35528
This is the best that I can find at this time
So would I have to buy two kits and swap out the torsos? I’m sorry I’m lost when you say that.
Look at my above post again, I edited it. The best are the Nemrod figures. They already have the IBAs on. Next would be the Warrior sets, they still ahev older Nomex vests, but still can be used. Alpine ones look great and are supposed to be out soon. All of them will work with the torsos changed out with IBA torsos to be modern tankers in OIF.
I understand now, thanks
Yes, the only plastic figure sof Modern soldiers with IBA vests are the DML Modern USMC, Trumpeter Modern USMC, and Trumpeter 101st ABN. If you get one of these sets and use their torsos with IBA vests, you can make any tank crewman figure (any figure for that matter) into a modern tanker wearing an IBA vest.
Here are the modern sets with IBAs that I am talking about:
The key is the torso with the IBA. The IBA replaced the old PAGST armored vest around 2002. Virtually all soldiers deloyed to OIF wore/wear the IBA.
What the Addrease for the Alpine Web Site
Found Alpine web site: http://www.alpineminiatures.com/
I like the quality of the Verlinden models, the czech ones tend to have bad molds! I bought a german tank crew in winter gear… yeah, the commander’s face was just a bubble with a couple of pinprick eyes! Go with plastic, it’s more reliable, and easier to work with!
I have had a problem of Verlindens figures being too large(outof scale) in the past. Are these figures closer to the correct size? Greg.
Thanks again for the welth of knowleage everyone that has responded, Say HeavyArty, did you say that you live in Ky, and from your information, are you currently serving in the military right now?
Yes, I am an active duty Army Major of Artillery, currently stationed at Ft Irwin, CA, the National Training Center. Been in the Army for 11+ years now. Never been stationed in KY though.