This is Esci’s 1/72 M1 Abrams finished in MERDC scheme, for which I owe Stickpusher a huge thanks – he scoured through his references to provide the patterns. I won this kit on Ebay for a whopping $3.00 with the intent of robbing it of the barrel. My main project is a 1/72 Ti-67 being modeled to represent the “T-55” in the movie The Beast.
I did not consider the barrel up to snuff for my Ti-67. Being a glutton for punishment I opted to not only build the Abrams, but do it in the MERDC scheme. There is very little out there in trying to figure out the proper pattern. With that problem remedied, I also decided to use the kit as a practice hull for the many YouTube tutorials on Mig’s dirt and mud effects.
Once I got the kit all painted I was hesitant to cover it up or smear the hard work of the MERDC scheme in 1/72 with dirt and mud. I was that impressed with my work and how the scheme came out I nearly stopped right there. Instead, I continued with the chance I might totally ruin all my hard work. It required several attempts, dirt and mud splatters in 1/72 proved more difficult than what 1/35 looked like in the videos.
However, here she is. An M1 Abrams in MERDC camouflage weathered to look like she just finished a week in the field.
By the way, the Ti-67 the main project for which the Abrams was even bought is sitting in the same state it was in when the M1 kit arrived in my mailbox. I have found an appropriate barrel since, robbing a M60A1 for the piece and leaving me with an otherwise complete M60A1 occupying space in the stash with no real intent on completion.
It looks great! I’m a big fan of ESCI 1/72–I built numerous examples when I was younger and they were still popping out new ones in the 80s. They’re not bad little models; a little chunky in places, but generally they look like they should. The indy-link track ones of later runs are the best of course, as they rubber band tracks leave MUCH to be desired, but you can get a good representation of some cool vehicles with a little work.
Did you “pair” the wheels on this? I believe that this model as well as the M60s and M48s have only one mondo-wide road wheel that you really should “split” with a saw and needle file–saw the wheel down the middle about 2 mm in, and then use a triangular needle file to widen the gap, simulating double wheels. It really improves the look.
Here’s the “Laze and Blaze” M1 that I finished earlier this year. Now I have to build a MERDC one!
By the way, I’m glad that you weathered it appropriately. In this scale, it’s difficult, but you can use the airbrush to mist on dirt and grime; I find that’s the best way in this scale. Then use drybrushing of the base color to define the edges. But it really looks much more realistic with some dirt on it.
deattilio - that Abrams is a great model! Turned out to be an absolute beauty! Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
As for that M60 - you could do an M60 A-Nothing out of it with a modified M48 turret, or better still - a bridgelayer! Hope it helps, good luck with your builds and have a nice day
I think it was sheer luck that I stumbled across the $3 find on Ebay. However there are several on the site going on average for $10 currently.
I went the lazy route and did not pair the roadwheels, primarily because I was not anticipating to get this involved with a “practice” kit. Next go-round I will definitely fix those roadwheels. You have a very impressive looking Abrams, looks like I should have spent a tad more time on the tracks.
Thanks for the kind comments, hopefully I can get some work done on my Ti-67 pseudo T-55 and apply a little of the weathering I learned with the Abrams.
