Used a hodgepoge of things to complete this one and realize they are not correct[:D](used packs and extra stowage from WW II kits, jerry cans from WW II to present and from different countries).
Just wanted to give a cluttered and used look. Did take a little (lot) moderler’s license, the jerry cans on the left side, but had fun[:D][:D].
If you have anything to say, let me have it[B)].
Even with all the inaccuracies, hope you enjoy[:)][:D][8D]
Joe
Nice work, Panther, how was the kit build-up?
Hey Guys,
boybuddho,
It was rather a fidgety build. Things didn’t fit real well. It was in my opinion,
typical Italeri, rather hit or miss. Do remember the upper and lower hull plus the turret top and bottom being somewhat aggravating. Overall not bad.
Major Rob,
I asked for it[B)][B)], but do appreciate your comments. I understand what you said about how the stowage could be lost or damaged, but I just couldn’t resist ( I lied, I could, but chose not to[:)]) just doing something different. Your comments will be used if and when I do another Abrams.
I’ve had to rely on your expertise in the past and am glad that you are here for us when we need you[tup][tup].
Regards,
Joe[8]
oops ? where is the APU?
Looks good to me!
To me, fun and realistic beats accurate any day.
However, the wind sensor thingy on the rear of the turret is leaning back, which it shouldn’t be doing unless it’s broken! I think it can move, but only down to the right, not to the rear.
Also, the little tow hook thingy on the rear of the lower hull appears to be installed a tad cock-eyed. Again, I’m not sure that thing can or cannot move like that, but it caught my eye.
To me, those two things affect the “realism” of the build, moreso than the “accuracy” of it.
And again, good build!
Looks great from here. Nice build.
Regards, Rick
I think you’ve done a great job on a not so great kit. When I saw it, I thought it was pretty nice, until I started to assemble. Nice injection pin marks in poor locations.
Looks great overall. Who cares about accuracy because sometimes the kit itself is wrong.
Put it on the shelf and build something else… what’s next? 
Man, you guys have me on an emotional roller coaster[BH][%-)][swg]
LeopardIIA6,
Guess I threw so much junk in the bustle rack that it just didn’t make it[oops]. As I said, wasn’t going so much for accuracy as just doing something to please myself.
J-Hulk,
When I put the wind sensor on, that’s the way it sat. Perhaps I have it on wrong. It looked funny to me, but I’m ignorant[:I] and didn’t know any better[:D].
Should be able to correct that and the “tow hook thingy” without too much trouble. Thanks for pointing those things out[^].
muzzleflash88,
You sound like my kind of modeler. I figure I’ll never get anything 100% correct, but do want to do my best when assembling, painting and weathering.
Working on DML’s Panzer IV Ausf. G. Need a kick in the pants to motivate me to finish it up. It’s about 75% complete and has been that way for about a month or so.
After that hoping to do the Academy M-51.
Again, I appreciate all the comments.
Joe
kkkk nice job … well done . nvm about the apu stuff … just a advise …
Hey LeopardIIA6,
You said, "kkkk nice job … well done . nvm about the apu stuff "[%-)][D)].
How about a translation?
Joe
I like the finish and the weathering that you did on this tank, it looks pretty nice, how did you do it?
Hi Ron,
I’ll try and give a brief description and if I you want/ need to ask follow ups, please feel free to ask.
Basically start with Floquil RR colors. These are laquers and I thin about 50-50 paint to thinner. You can use laquer thinner from Wal-Mart or any place that sells it. Works fine and is much cheaper that Floquil’s thinner.
I use a variety of colors (white, grey, browns, black, yellow, greens) depending on what the base coat will be. These are applied as a primer, so I try and use the lighter colors on the top and around areas where dust would collect. Use the medium and dark colors in vertical streaks on the turret and hull sides and places where the crew might move around on the top of the vehicle.
Thin my base coat 30-70 or 40-60 paint to thinner. When I spray the base coat I spray very light coats and go slow as to not cover the primer completely and try to allow some of the primer colors to show through.
Will then take a color to replicate a dust, thinned heavily and spray around the areas where dust would accumulate.
I use pastels to build up the dust in low spots and generally give the whole tank a coat of dust.
Will use an old toothbrush and scrub areas to show wear. Will also use the base coat straight from the bottle on a short (cut off) stiff brush, remove most of the paint and dab on areas of wear.
Paint the track. Use a dust colored wash and apply liberally to the tracks. Apply pastels.Will then use a black/grey on the short brush and dab the tracks pads.
Some areas where I want to show heavy wear, I’ll take a Q-tip (cooton swab) and kind of polish those spots.
Hope this helps you out.
Good Luck,
Joe
Very nice job Joe. I can go go either way on the accuracy issues as I’m not to well informed or educated on Armor, but I like hearing from those in the know, and Maj Rob knows his stuff! The build is well done, and the weathering, and dust affect you have gotten is excellent. Something I’m still trying to master. Thanks for sharing with us, good job. Semper Fi, mike
To Joe and all the Guys/Gals,
it is really hard for guys like Rob, Gino and myself who have crewed this tank and many others to give mini reviews like this. Armor modelers who have never experienced the real thing have a different perspective than we do. I learned to shy away from the M1 “what do you think” postings because I know I would be hyper critical, and that would be a real downer for the purposes of this forum which is based on fun.
If you live breath and eat armored vehicles for a living, your professional mindset takes over and the military demeanor, while meaning well, can offend.
So, Joe…You’ve worked hard to build that M1, and you’re satisfied with it, so I am too.
Steve
kkkk means ok ok ok ok nice job … forget about the apu stuff …as now we enjoy the abrams …
While I agree, there is definitely room for some expert advice too – as this is a community, there are lots of people reading, and other builders could benefit from a little advice on stowage and the like. I know I am filing these posts by Rob, Gino and other tankers away for when it comes time to paint and put stowage on the platoon I am building. [;)]
Steve, there is definitely a place for the experts on the vehicle in this forum. We all want to build perfectly, but we all know that, for most of us who have not crewed the vehicle, that’s not going to be possible, and I think most of us are ok with that.
If I post a photo of a tank, and someone comes on and says, looks good, but FFR (for future reference) the treads are on backwards on the left, and then elaborates, I would appreciate that advice because I don’t want my build to give folks the wrong impression that might lead to them doing the wrong thing too.
There’s always room for improvement. I think we have to worry about the lack of expansion of knowledge as much as we have to worry about haranguing people on details. There are people who enjoy putting other modeler’s kits down, and then there are people who want to help future modelers make more accurate kits. Most of us probably know the difference.
So fire away, soldier.
Good points Larry, well taken. I have offered some of those tips myself. I hear what you’re saying. Ex-tankers can be dedicated long after they retire, we never die we just fade away!
Steve
And time and again that has been a boon to us all. I hope it continues. Don’t fade away from here!