2 questions…I am building the Tamiya M1A1 Kit (no mine clearer)
1st. In Eduards photo-etched kit, it included 2 of the outer rings shown on the drive sprockets in the picture. What is this used for? Most pictures I have seen, this is not shown on the M1A1 (unless I have missed it) If I do decide to included it, do the side panels need to be cut, as shown in the picture? Can the access panels be left fully intact?
2nd. Tamiya includes the auxilliary power unit for the rear of the tank. I have yet to see an Abrams with this mounted. Is this a spare generator unit? Has it been mounted elsewhere on the tank?
Sorry if these are simple questions[8)] Just want to build it accurately.
I just finished the exact same tank…lol
When I did a little research on the M1A1, what I found out is the Sprocket rings were used on the M1A and NOT on the M1A1… I did not put the auxilary power unit on my tank because I couldn’t find ANY pics of it being used either.
Hope this helps…[:)]
We turned in the APUs when we went from M1s to M1A1s. Rear hull mounted APUs were not in widespread active Army use after 1991. In the photo above, that tank is equipped with the turret mounted APU (big square box at the left rear of the turret bustle rack).
There are M1A1s with the track retainer ring, but these were USMC M1A1s pictured in Iraq this past spring. The last side skirt is often removed in the field so you don’t tear it up. Also the back one under the tail light was removed as well. If you build the tank, you have the option of cutting it off or leaving it on. Eduard still includes the retainer ring because they were initially left on M1A1s and removed on M1A1-HAs. I’ve got a tank or two with them.
I saw the unit mounted by the rack and that made me ask the question of different mounting areas. I have so many extras that I have ordered for this project (Greif, Academy and Tamiya add-ons) May not have room
I have decided that, before I buy another kit (well, maybe just 1 more) I am getting a better digi-cam. This is as close as I can get without it getting too blurry. I saw a nice Sony with a 4x optical zoom and 3.2 megapix at the local store.
At least you can sort of see some shiny parts. That would be the photo-etched ones [:p] The wheels in the background have the base paint, black and the wash already applied.
Base coat is complete and ready for a clear coat before the wash is applied. First time I will attempt an Artists “Oil Wash” so, hope it turns out OK [8)]
