In the modeling world, HA and HC are interchangeable. It is a way to identify the initial batch of M1A1s from subsequent variants that had depleted uranium armor added during manufacturing.
M1A1"HA/HC" tanks were around prior to the first (Desert Storm) Gulf War. We had them in Germany as far back as 1989. Your above statement solidifies my opinion that you may have some peripheral knowledge from your dad, but a little knowledge tends to lead one to make wrong assumptions.
I didn’t mention the M1A1D since the discussion was about the use of HA or HC, so according to the model manufacturer’s nomenclature you use, shouldn’t it be M1A1HAD since the M1A1D are digitally modified heavies? [;)]
Well, smack me around for jumping into the thread - I though the original poster was inquiring about all the variant numbers and proper sequence of Abrams MBT’s.
If true - I’d love to get this right too - because I’d like to complete a collection one day myself.
Gunnie,
You’re always welcome here. A pointer I found out about while biulding my M1A2 SEP. The power junction box and conduit we added that normally goes to the bustle rack APU should not be there on the SEP. All the wires and power cables, etc. for the SEP go through the armored conduit inder the turret. I removed mine after it was painted.
Check out my article over at Armorama for the sequence and variants of the M1 series.
Yes - it is there on the photos of a real M1A2 SEP I used for building mine, but not present on the photos I have of “BOOM STICK” when it was loaded on rail for shipment from the US. I took mine off too and retouched that area of the Turret. One thing I cannot confirm with photos is the FBCB 2 Box on the Doghouse - I can’t see that area from the photos I have. I think I’m going to model one real quick anyway and add it to my miniature.
I did find photos for the missing fittings on the Mine Plow - and took the added time to put them on my miniature’s equipment. Been so busy at work lately - I count myself lucky to get a couple of hours on Saturday and Sunday to work on my Abrams.
I didnn’t notice at first glance that it was an A1, sorry about that. Also, I’m not bragging just trying to prove a point. (I know I don’t know everything about tanks, but I do have a growning knowledge. Plus you have the advantage,around the vehicles and info. I myself am amazed at the lack of proper infomation in the Private Sector.
I was thinking that the USMC used HC and not HA, while that Army uses HA. Well thats my problem isnot much interaction with USMC tanks.
Its quite tough. When in the military you have all the info at your fingertips (in some cases), but for me its quite hard. I’m operating from books writen in the late 70’s early 80’s. Most articles that are writen (on line) say different things or contrdict eachother. Also, I have never really had contact with USMC M1’s.
Please feel free to input any info at any time. (Also, could someone put the dates down. I have the dates for the XM1,M1,M1A1,M1A2 but not for the M1A1HA-D/HC-D or IPM1.
I notice in your profile that you were Vermont Army National Guard. The Patton Museum has an M48A5 that was a Vermont Guard tank, she still has her marking and is in good running condition.
The M1A1D, M1A1 AIM, M1A2, and M1A2 SEP are all at the same time. All of these versions were/are being upgraded and fielded currently. It basically came down to an issue of money. We can’t afford to make any more M1A2 SEPs. To give us simmilar capabilities, we are rebuilding older vehicles into AIMs and Ds. Don’t know the exact years either, its hard to pinpoint them. Main reason is that a M1A1HC, M1A1 AIM, and an M1A1D all look pretty much identical on the exterior. The majority of the upgrades are internal.
I know you are not an expert, but you came across as you knew all about them. Better just to answer what you know is accurate instead of what you think to be true. You now khow what happens when you assume things.
There are no M1 IPs still in service. All have been upgraded to M1A1HC or newer versions. Many of the M1 IPs were used to build M1A2 and M1A2 SEPs along with the M1 Panther II mine clearing vehicle.
3 asymmetrical blast panels
last version of XM1 and M1 were identical. Changes took place with M1 IPS.
Original M1A1s had a spaced /composite armor added. Simoilar to British Chobham armor, made up of alternating sheets of ceramic, empty space, and kevlar sheets encased in steel. Lter versions had the DU added.
last version of XM1 and M1 were identical. Changes took place with M1 IPS.
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Okay guys, when you’re talking XM1, you’re in my territory. Look closely at the photo of the XM1 here. This is PV5 of the original 14 prototypes or XM1’s that were built at Sterling (Chrysler Defense) . You will note that the rear of the bustle has a “vent” like structure running along the entire width of the rear bustle. This “vent” unfortunately, is positioned to vent explosive gas DOWN onto the hull or, when in travel lock, right on top of the driver. After ballistic tests in Aberdeen this feature was changed and incorporated into production M1’s beginning in February of 1980. The prototypes actually had three different panel configurations, depending on which tank you were looking at. No matter, neither of the three went onto production. There was a “two panel” configuration and a “three panel”.
The XM1 and the M1 had spaced Chobham armor from the beginning. Later improvements for IP and M1A1 and A2, to include DU laminate were added. The details of the armor manufacture and composition are classified and, due to my agreement with General Dynamics and the Defense Department when I left thier respective employment cannot be divulged.
The XM1 and the production M1 were not identical, but to the untrained observer it might seem so. Just take a look at the commanders weapon station on the photo provided. This is just one feature that did not make it into production. The redesign of both hull and turret blow off panels for the production tank was a major issue, and was a direct consequence of the live fire ballistic test on PV14 at Aberdeen (which I attended).
There were also many interior changes that I won’t go into here. Just remember, when we are talking about XM1’s, these were tanks that were not built on a production line at Lima. They were “handbuilt” by a select team of weld engineers, structures engineers, and of course welders at Chrysler Sterling Heights Michigan.
Yes, saw it at the 4th of July display. Spent enough time on them in my younger years to appreciate it for the peppy little tank it was.
There are still non-depleted uranium armored M1A1s floating around as well as 105mm equipped M1IPs. I owned several of them when I ran a maintenance school at Ft. Devens from 2001-2005. As long as the actual vehicle remained in service with some unit in the Active, Reserve or National Guard, the Army keeps some as “training aids” to train the mechanics.
As far as the order of Abrams tanks go, some M1A1s are newer than M1A2s.
XM1
M1
M1IP
M1A1
M1A1 (heavy armor)
M1A2 (last of the brand new manufactured tanks)
M1A2SEP (all SEPs are rebuilt from earlier Abrams variants)
M1A1D (rebuilt with digital computer applique to bring up to A2 digitized standards)
M1A1 AIM (fancy acronym for rebuilt M1A1)
Quote Able: QUOTE: I know almost Everything abotu the baseline M1A1.
Well all I can say is I went to Knox for my Basic and AIT for Cav Scout Training, I was around tankers and M1A1’s all the time we even got a crash course from some of the guys on how to change out track links , although our main vehicle is either the Bradley or Humvee, (almost always the Humvee in a guard unit) anyways ,point is unless your an engineer you don’t know everything about the vehicles there is just to much information, for you to take in without understanding the basics given to you in your AIT manual so that you can pass the various "good to go " tests, I respect your dad fellow but unless you have been to MOS 19K AIT or help build the Abrams you know as much as whats provided in civilian media and military personell, just my 2cents.
