Modern armor: which Abrams to try?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Was contemplating trying something other than WWII German armor.

Thinking of trying an M1 Abrams in 1/35th. I see Academy, DML, Italeri, Tamiya and Trumpeter all make various kits. Any consensus on which one will build a good kit? Can be Gulf War or Iraq versions, doesn’t matter to me. Just interested in building a good model.

I don’t know much about current armor which is why I’m asking you all.

Thanks in advance!
Glenn

2

Check here for a side-by-side comparison of M1A1 kits and make your own decision. http://vodnik2.republika.pl/pages/m1-comparison/m1comp1.htm

All are pretty descent and can build into a good representation of an Abrams, depends on what you are looking for and how much you want to spend.

3

I would go with the cheapest one of those you mentioned above.I am currently working on the Tamiya kit of this tank.I got for $15.00 at a hobby lobby in Hobart,In.Digger

4

I can’t say much about the other brands, because I haven’t built them. However, I can say that the Tamiya offering is an excellent kit with a ton of extra goodies (alice packs, sea bags, ammo cans, jerry cans, even water bottles). I had a lot of fun with the Tamiya kit. You can make 5 different versions with the Tamiya kit:
2 Army OIF M1A2’s
1 Army OIF M1A1HA
1 MARINE CORPS OIF M1A1HA (3 color Nato Camo)
1 Army Kosovo M1A1HA (3 color Nato Camo)

It’s a fun kit with alot of options and extras. I’m sure the others are cool too.

5

The Trumpeter and Italeri have terrible fit problems. The Dragon one was nice , but mine had some molding issues and my current Tamiya one appears to be inaccurate in the lower hull and lack of anti-slip texture. I had some putty issues with the turret also. My conclusions are that there isn’t any perfect M1’s out there. I’d opt for the Tamiya or Dragon version myself.

6

Hey…great article! I’ve saved on my favorites! After reading it I think I’ll try a Tamiya M1A2 kit! My thanks to all for your input! It was just what I was looking for!

Glenn

7

I have built all of the offerings out there in M1 except the Italeri one and I would have to say for ease of build, go with the Tamiya. I don’t like recommending them, but as stated above, it is an excellent kit. The Dragon is a great model, but as with most Dragons, you spend a little more time on the construction side of it.

8

Does anyone make an M1IP? I’m planning a Desert Storm diorama and don’t want to kitbash an M1A1 if I can avoid it.

Thanks,

Pick

9

Thank you for the link!! I found that article awhile back, forgot the URL, and haven’t been able to find it again since.

M.