Thank for that great advise. I will do that. I have been looking at photos of the Abrams but that slipped my eye.
Here’s a link to a detail pic of the aforementioned wheel hub.
I really like the photo. I will use that as a reference.
Thanks again Phil.
One quick fix to any Abrams kit is to drill out the mud holes in the outer sprocket half. You can use something as simple as the tip of your X-Acto knife. There are four holes in each sprocket that are literally rough cut into the shape of a D. Here are a couple of photos to help you if it is an item you wish to improve.
Additionally, please let me know if this type of advice should be “filed in the crapper” so I don’t waste time linking my photos and typing my answer. Sorry if this sucks some of the fun out of the build for you.
Rob,
First off your advice is not GOING into the crapper. I will use what you tell me. I am so new to this stuff, even tho I used to build all the time, that I need advice from the more experienced modelers on this forum.
Second I will look at the photo and see if I can do this. There are already “D” holes in the sprocket. If there needs to be some other work on them I will do it. Below is a photo of the sprocket on the kit.
tThird, lets put this crapper stuff in the crapper and flush it. LOL
Also for the ones that left complements thank you very much. I may not reply to each one but do khow that I do read all of the posts.
Looking good so far. I trailed a pair of these on our push into Basrah International Airport and they were picking off targets I couldn’t even focus on much less identify with the sights in my AAV while hauling [cnsod] cross country. There would be a massive thump from the Abrams firing and then way off in the distance after a second or two would be a quick fireball. 300 miles behind an Abrams was reassuring but offered that aromatic and heated exhaust that was already available in Iraq.
OK, I see your construction error from the photo; the raised portions of the inner and outer sprocket should be glued together, but you have the lower and upper portions mated. You may find the sprocket will be too narrow for the track to sit if you don’t rotate the outer portion a quarter turn.
You’ll get a bigger D-shaped hole.
Nomad your attitude is spot on! Looking good so far. Bob
Rob, Thanks for pointing that build error. I will try and get them apart and reglue. Gonna be a pain but that’s the learning part. My son was in Iraq at camp Cropper. He was in Bagdad a lot pulling security.
Thanks Bob. That makes me feel great.
That’s a great pick up by Rob on the construction. i make those sorts of mistakes all the time, normally because i’m not much of a researcher, simply a builder.
I’ll keep that in mind for when i get around to building mine.
Enjoy the build Nomad - i’m enjoying seeing it come along.
Double check the fit of the track around the sprocket before you pry them apart; I may be wrong, but I don’t think so. It is one of the new parts added to the old kit. I have the new kit, but unbuilt so I didn’t try out the new parts on a kit yet.
It would only take a second to check the fit, better safe than sorry. If you can’t successfully split them apart, you can use the original old style ones. The photo ygmodeler4 posted shows a well worn Marine tank with the old style sprocket with the retaining wheel so that type was still in use. We replace the parts when the tank requires it, not when a new type enters the supply system.
My son just returned from his second tour in Afghanistan. He brought me a flag that was flown inside one of his unit’s UAVs on my 50th birthday along with a plaque. The bird actually got two confirmed kills that day.
Just checked the fit and you were right. It was not a problem to get the sprockets apart at all. Much much "better “D” holes. Thanks again for spotting this. Below are some updates on the build.
We gave our son a flag when he left and If I remember right I was flown at Cropper. It is in a shadow box on the “Wall of Honor” wall.
I am assuming the kids came home o.k.? Please give my thanks. Did you have as much “fun” with your racks as I did on my Academy M1a1?
My son came back just fine, both times. This last time he as at a FOB (was at a remote COB the first time) and never had to go outside.
Glad I was able to help on the sprocket and that it didn’t become a build issue.
No issue at all. They came apart real easy.
I am so glad your son came home alright. Thank him for me for his service.
here are some update photos.
You painted a portion of the loader’s M240 machine gun tan on top; it should be the same color as the rest of the gun. I’d also go with a blacker looking gun metal. Here’s a pretty decent shot of the top of the turret with the machine guns mounted.
As an aside, the position of your loader’s machine gun is slightly off; when the loader’s hatch is closed, it is locked into a forward facing angle. You can’t open your hatch when it’s at that angle.
Great eye again Rob. I will get straight on that. So you are saying that I can mix a little black with the gunmetal to make it darker?
This is why I love these forums so much. You all catch my rookie mistakes and that makes me a better modeler all around.
Also where are you getting these great photos from?