Hey Fellas…
I just got me Trumpeter M1A1HA 1/35 kit about two weeks ago and just now have decided to build it. But the pieces just don’t wanna line up especially on the two halves of the turrent.
Is it just me or has someone else ever had this problem???
Robert…
Well I started on a Trumpeter M1A2 awhile back and was less than impressed with the fit and cleanup on it. I gave it to a friend.
Did the same kit about a month ago, its not just you the fit was the worst I had seen on any Abrams in a long time , for this kit you will have to bring out the putty, and your patience, good luck.
Not the greatest kit out there, but I think it’s definitely biuldable. At least I built mine. There are fit problems in the turret, the turret bin, and the hull skirts, but it’s not that bad really.
You can check out my post a few pages back t osee some finished pics.
I agree with Zokissima. It is not the greatest kit, but it does build up nicely and looks right when done. It does have some features that others don’t, like correct drive sprockets with lightening holes adn openable engine grill doors. I have built a few of them and didn’t have any major problems. Don’t give up on it. But, if you do, send it to me to complete!
I agree guys, the turret was pretty crappy as far as fit goes. I used a LOT of sheet plastic to fill in gaps and get the turret shape correct. The kit isn’t bad for the price, especially for the hull upper surfaces, but overall, it is trouble.
I’m looking at my 1/2 built one right now. After the turret fixes and the Verlinden interior that didn’t have a gun breech, I’ve taken a break from it.
Hey Guys…
Well, hhmmmmm it dose’nt sound very good at all then. As it goes “you pay for what ya get” !!!
As for giving up on this one… not me i like a good chalenge. Maybe i can sen ya something else Gino,. It is Christmass LOL.
Anyway guys i didn’t really wanna hear all of that, but thats how the cookie crumbles.
Thanks Again.
Robert
TIger, you gave it to a friend, thats nice. [:P]
I also tried to build this kit, with the same poor fitment, very disappointed to say the least!
Regardless still not the best choice for Abrams.
I don’t think he’ll be thanking me once he starts working on it. [}:)]
I built the Trumpeter M1A2 and posted pics of it awhile back. I just dislike Trumpeter models most of the time. However, Hobbycraft has released a bunch of Trumpeter stuff as OIF equipment and Mourningstar and I both picked up a lot of them for under $20. I have learned an awful lot about patience working on them though…
Here is a pic of one completed:
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Nice Work Scorn!!!
But i will give it a go anyway.
If it turns out bad,… well i will only lose AU $24.00
Cya
Robert
what is the best 1/35 abrams out there???/
Unfortunately probably the best is also the most expensive, Tamiya’s new M1A2 OIF. It can be built into either a US Army M1A1, USMC M1A1, or a US Army M1A2. It is probably the best for ease of build, not necessarily most accurate, most complete, etc. I still like the Dragon Abrams models, with Trumpeter coming in a close 3rd. Depends on how much work you want to put into them. They all work for me, and the Dragon are about the best value for your money, especially the new USMC M1A1 IOF version, it too can be built as a Army M1A1, and actually the extra bustle storage rack is Army version, not USMC version. For a better comparison, check Pavel Vodnik’s great article here: http://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m1-comparison/m1comp1.htm It compares the different kits side-by-side. Make your own conclusion.
Scorn, I tip my hat to you, that looks very nice. You have much more patience than I. I must admit, I do feel like a bit of a quitter for giving it away.
Don’t feel that way! I hadn’t built any models at all for a few years when I started that one. Took close to two months to get it BUILT! There was so much putty work on it! Half the time I was thinking to myself, “I don’t remember modeling being so hard…”
Given the choice again I would build another Dragon. I have one on the shelf right now, but I just started a Dragon ZSU 23-4 in Egyptian livery, amongst the other 4 still waiting on completion… jeez…