_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
Hosted by Darren Baker
M1 Abrams in MERDC
disorderly
Visit this Community
Ireland
Joined: June 07, 2014
KitMaker: 125 posts
Armorama: 114 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 02:32 AM UTC
Looking some advice guys.
I want to build an Abrams and finish it in the MERDC winter verdant scheme.
Apart from the old Tamiya kit (35124), are there any other kits available that would have been done is this scheme.
I'm happy enough to build the Tamiya kit, it's just that its hard to find and goes for funny money on ebay, when it does appear.
tanknick22
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 03:11 AM UTC
the old tamiya M1 abrams with the 105mm gun was the only abrams varient that was seen in the merdc scheme all later versions IPM1,M1A1 AND M1A2 were painted in the NATO 3 color
disorderly
Visit this Community
Ireland
Joined: June 07, 2014
KitMaker: 125 posts
Armorama: 114 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 03:38 AM UTC
Many thanks, Nick.
I much appreciate the info.
M4A1Sherman
Visit this Community
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 08:00 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Looking some advice guys.
I want to build an Abrams and finish it in the MERDC winter verdant scheme.
Apart from the old Tamiya kit (35124), are there any other kits available that would have been done is this scheme.
I'm happy enough to build the Tamiya kit, it's just that its hard to find and goes for funny money on ebay, when it does appear.



"FUNNY MONEY" IS RIGHT! I just saw an earlier TAMIYA M1 (35124) on ebay for $82.00 USD, which I think is out of line for such an old kit. Given it's the only show in town, if you want to build one of the early types of 105mm M1s, I suppose it does give this kit a small amount of exclusivity, but it does NOT justify the premium price! It was NOT a limited-production plastic kit or some kind of resin rara avis...

I'm kind of tempted to buy it, but some part of me says: "Be patient; somebody will re-do this thing in more up-to-date CAD/Slide-mold technology, some time or other..."

Since I recently bought a new DRAGON M1A2 SEP V2 for roughly TWO THIRDS of the price of the old TAMIYA kit, I think I'll wait, even though I want to build several different examples of the older 105mm M1...
bulldawg380
Visit this Community
Georgia, United States
Joined: August 19, 2009
KitMaker: 347 posts
Armorama: 338 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 11:25 AM UTC
gosh I think it would be cheaper and more accurate to scrath build a back date for 82.00 that is just stupid pricing
disorderly
Visit this Community
Ireland
Joined: June 07, 2014
KitMaker: 125 posts
Armorama: 114 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 04:19 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Looking some advice guys.
I want to build an Abrams and finish it in the MERDC winter verdant scheme.
Apart from the old Tamiya kit (35124), are there any other kits available that would have been done is this scheme.
I'm happy enough to build the Tamiya kit, it's just that its hard to find and goes for funny money on ebay, when it does appear.



"FUNNY MONEY" IS RIGHT! I just saw an earlier TAMIYA M1 (35124) on ebay for $82.00 USD, which I think is out of line for such an old kit. Given it's the only show in town, if you want to build one of the early types of 105mm M1s, I suppose it does give this kit a small amount of exclusivity, but it does NOT justify the premium price! It was NOT a limited-production plastic kit or some kind of resin rara avis...

I'm kind of tempted to buy it, but some part of me says: "Be patient; somebody will re-do this thing in more up-to-date CAD/Slide-mold technology, some time or other..."

Since I recently bought a new DRAGON M1A2 SEP V2 for roughly TWO THIRDS of the price of the old TAMIYA kit, I think I'll wait, even though I want to build several different examples of the older 105mm M1...



I seen the one you're talking about - It's also on the UK ebay for £55.
Think I'll bide my time with this one
dtniedert
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: December 11, 2014
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 139 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 04:46 PM UTC
I picked up two in the past 6 months. One was about 60 total while the other was only 40 total. They are there but hard to find. The buy it now option helps if you see a good price as does the make an offer option if it is available.

The first kit I received for 60 had a few broken smaller pieces like the rail on side of turret, loader machine gun, unusable decals, and had a small piece that is not seen missing. No big deal easy fixes for the most part and I had to factor in the age of kit as well.

The second I got for 40 was great. It was not the original Tamiya box but looked like it was reboxed.
MassimoTessitori
Visit this Community
Italy
Joined: March 14, 2013
KitMaker: 278 posts
Armorama: 278 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 07:27 PM UTC
Hi,
I have this kit and I will build it some day.
Looking into the box, that has lied in my attic for dozens of years, I see that the instruction sheet is missing.
It shouldn't be an enormous problem, but... could someone help me with some scans of the sheet, please?
Regards
Massimo
covkid
Visit this Community
United Kingdom
Joined: March 13, 2015
KitMaker: 252 posts
Armorama: 194 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 07:28 PM UTC

Hi, I am pretty sure esci did a 1/35 back in the day and that was a basic M1, though they may have bought out later versions. Not sure how good it is though.

Regards Jason
M4A1Sherman
Visit this Community
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 07:35 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Hi, I am pretty sure esci did a 1/35 back in the day and that was a basic M1, though they may have bought out later versions. Not sure how good it is though.

Regards Jason



I may take another look around on ebay- There's always the option of EXTENSIVELY re-working an old ACADEMY, ESCI, or TAMIYA kit into one (or more) of the earlier M1 tanks...
accelr8
Visit this Community
Washington, United States
Joined: March 17, 2005
KitMaker: 159 posts
Armorama: 156 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 10:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Looking some advice guys.
I want to build an Abrams and finish it in the MERDC winter verdant scheme.
Apart from the old Tamiya kit (35124), are there any other kits available that would have been done is this scheme.
I'm happy enough to build the Tamiya kit, it's just that its hard to find and goes for funny money on ebay, when it does appear.



If you're doing MERDC, just remember when you apply markings that only stateside units used the intial M1 in camo. USAREUR used it strictly in Forest Green. M1s and IPM1s were sent over green. Starting with M1A1, the NATO tricolor scheme was phased in. That also applies to prepositioned stocks slated for units deploying from stateside, like 1st CAV and 2nd Armored. They were all forest green.

However just to confuse things, they were later updated with NATO tricolor when those tanks were eventually handed over to the Guard and Reserves.
disorderly
Visit this Community
Ireland
Joined: June 07, 2014
KitMaker: 125 posts
Armorama: 114 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 11:10 PM UTC
Thanks guys for taking the time to reply - Much appreciated

#Jason - Thanks for the heads up about the Esci kit, I wasn't aware of it.

#Brian - I'll keep that in mind if I ever track one down.

Cheers, folks.
duttons
Visit this Community
Australia
Joined: June 16, 2007
KitMaker: 193 posts
Armorama: 184 posts
Posted: Monday, March 30, 2015 - 01:54 AM UTC
Think it became popular since the Abrams squad special on the Abrams came out.
Its regularly at swap meets, I wanted when I saw nice all over forest green one in above publication.
Picked one up at swap meet a couple of weeks ago, for $25 Australian, US$20.

There was a few to choose from, get off eBay and find regular swap meet.
backswampcub
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: July 12, 2013
KitMaker: 172 posts
Armorama: 157 posts
Posted: Monday, March 30, 2015 - 02:01 AM UTC

I hope Tamiya releases the kit again. Maybe if they do we will see a PE set offered. I have one in my display built as Thunderbolt.
M4A1Sherman
Visit this Community
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 07:26 PM UTC

Quoted Text


I hope Tamiya releases the kit again. Maybe if they do we will see a PE set offered. I have one in my display built as Thunderbolt.



YEAH! THUNDERBOLT! The FIRST M1 accepted into service! Mrs. Creighton Abrams "christened" this tank as the M1 ABRAMS on 28 February, 1980... THIRTY-FIVE YEARS LATER, the M1 is still a SERIOUS PIECE OF MACHINERY!!!
Bravo1102
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 07:49 PM UTC
Okay Trumpeter's M2 Panther has the M1 fender storage boxes in it. Dragon's M2 Panther should be similar? You'd have to delete the rear deck access hatches. For the turret you'd have to more work to do. It might actually be wise to get an old ESCI M1 just to get a turret with the right blow off panels and no independent sight mounting. But the blow off panels are easy to scratch-build it's redoing the the turret top and sourcing a new gun barrel.


The old issue Academy M1A1 would be good for the IPM1 with the retrofitted bustle rack but again there is those blow off panels and sight mount. IIRC it doesn't have the rear deck hatches.


Some one should just do a resin conversion kit for the new M1A2 kits out there. The basic shape hasn't changed that much just much of the smaller fittings.
accelr8
Visit this Community
Washington, United States
Joined: March 17, 2005
KitMaker: 159 posts
Armorama: 156 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 09:23 PM UTC

Quoted Text

The old issue Academy M1A1 would be good for the IPM1 with the retrofitted bustle rack but again there is those blow off panels and sight mount. IIRC it doesn't have the rear deck hatches.



There's another thread going on now about early M1s and the merits of the various kit options. The old Academy M1A1 is more representative of an M1E1 if anything, and would be more work than it's worth to represent an early M1. It can't be used as-is for an IPM1 because it does not depict the uparmored turret, or "long turret" as some are calling it.
tanknick22
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2015 - 06:45 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

The old issue Academy M1A1 would be good for the IPM1 with the retrofitted bustle rack but again there is those blow off panels and sight mount. IIRC it doesn't have the rear deck hatches.



There's another thread going on now about early M1s and the merits of the various kit options. The old Academy M1A1 is more representative of an M1E1 if anything, and would be more work than it's worth to represent an early M1. It can't be used as-is for an IPM1 because it does not depict the uparmored turret, or "long turret" as some are calling it.



Brian Its not as hard as it sounds to to backdate a M1A1 or M1A2 to a IPM1 Abrams
1. you will need both a M1A1/M1A2 and either ESCI's or Tamiya's M1

2. Most of the work involes modifying the turret from the M1A1/A2 to take most of the parts from the M1 turret ,Modify the mantle from the m1 with the 105mm to fit the turret of the M1A1/A2, remove the 2 large blow off panels of the M1A1 and replace it with the 3 smaller ones from the m1
fill in the hole for the commanders thermal viewer if you use the M1A2 and replace the the gunners sight housing with the one on the M1, used the smaller turret stowage bins and side rails form the M1 then mount the turret bustle rack from the M1A1/A2

3. the hull is easier you can use the hull, tracks and suspension from tamiya's original M1 from , but if you use the hull from the M1A1/M1A2 , you have to remove the NBC pack from the left side of the hull and replace it with a stowage bin as on the original M1
I have built this varient twice
tanknick22
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2015 - 07:10 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Hi, I am pretty sure esci did a 1/35 back in the day and that was a basic M1, though they may have bought out later versions. Not sure how good it is though.

Regards Jason



I may take another look around on ebay- There's always the option of EXTENSIVELY re-working an old ACADEMY, ESCI, or TAMIYA kit into one (or more) of the earlier M1 tanks...



The only thing you may be able to build out of ESCI's M1A1 is the M1E1 ( pre production M1A1) the reason being is that the bustle rack is very different from the M1A1
accelr8
Visit this Community
Washington, United States
Joined: March 17, 2005
KitMaker: 159 posts
Armorama: 156 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2015 - 09:33 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

The old issue Academy M1A1 would be good for the IPM1 with the retrofitted bustle rack but again there is those blow off panels and sight mount. IIRC it doesn't have the rear deck hatches.



There's another thread going on now about early M1s and the merits of the various kit options. The old Academy M1A1 is more representative of an M1E1 if anything, and would be more work than it's worth to represent an early M1. It can't be used as-is for an IPM1 because it does not depict the uparmored turret, or "long turret" as some are calling it.



Brian Its not as hard as it sounds to to backdate a M1A1 or M1A2 to a IPM1 Abrams
1. you will need both a M1A1/M1A2 and either ESCI's or Tamiya's M1

2. Most of the work involes modifying the turret from the M1A1/A2 to take most of the parts from the M1 turret ,Modify the mantle from the m1 with the 105mm to fit the turret of the M1A1/A2, remove the 2 large blow off panels of the M1A1 and replace it with the 3 smaller ones from the m1
fill in the hole for the commanders thermal viewer if you use the M1A2 and replace the the gunners sight housing with the one on the M1, used the smaller turret stowage bins and side rails form the M1 then mount the turret bustle rack from the M1A1/A2

3. the hull is easier you can use the hull, tracks and suspension from tamiya's original M1 from , but if you use the hull from the M1A1/M1A2 , you have to remove the NBC pack from the left side of the hull and replace it with a stowage bin as on the original M1
I have built this varient twice



uhh, you mean this?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23384726@N06/sets/72157649334034687/
windysean
Visit this Community
Wisconsin, United States
Joined: September 11, 2009
KitMaker: 1,917 posts
Armorama: 735 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2015 - 05:13 PM UTC
Great! I don't know my Abramses, but I learned quite a bit just in this thread, and I like that conversion work!
...and I can't wait to see that winter MERDC camo.
-Sean H
Tankrider
Visit this Community
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2015 - 09:39 PM UTC



Brian,
I was wondering when those pictures were going to be the subject of a post. What did you use for the turret rail clamps on the turret boxes??

John
accelr8
Visit this Community
Washington, United States
Joined: March 17, 2005
KitMaker: 159 posts
Armorama: 156 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2015 - 09:54 PM UTC

Quoted Text




Brian,
I was wondering when those pictures were going to be the subject of a post. What did you use for the turret rail clamps on the turret boxes??

John



Just some good old lead foil, thinned out a little.
Tankrider
Visit this Community
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2015 - 11:19 PM UTC
That is what I figured but wanted to check

JC
tanknick22
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Friday, April 03, 2015 - 03:24 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

The old issue Academy M1A1 would be good for the IPM1 with the retrofitted bustle rack but again there is those blow off panels and sight mount. IIRC it doesn't have the rear deck hatches.



There's another thread going on now about early M1s and the merits of the various kit options. The old Academy M1A1 is more representative of an M1E1 if anything, and would be more work than it's worth to represent an early M1. It can't be used as-is for an IPM1 because it does not depict the uparmored turret, or "long turret" as some are calling it.



Brian Its not as hard as it sounds to to backdate a M1A1 or M1A2 to a IPM1 Abrams
1. you will need both a M1A1/M1A2 and either ESCI's or Tamiya's M1

2. Most of the work involes modifying the turret from the M1A1/A2 to take most of the parts from the M1 turret ,Modify the mantle from the m1 with the 105mm to fit the turret of the M1A1/A2, remove the 2 large blow off panels of the M1A1 and replace it with the 3 smaller ones from the m1
fill in the hole for the commanders thermal viewer if you use the M1A2 and replace the the gunners sight housing with the one on the M1, used the smaller turret stowage bins and side rails form the M1 then mount the turret bustle rack from the M1A1/A2

3. the hull is easier you can use the hull, tracks and suspension from tamiya's original M1 from , but if you use the hull from the M1A1/M1A2 , you have to remove the NBC pack from the left side of the hull and replace it with a stowage bin as on the original M1
I have built this varient twice



uhh, you mean this?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23384726@N06/sets/72157649334034687/




you got it Brian the only thing is that the those side rails go straight back and butt upagainst the bustle rack like on the M1A1 and M1A2
 _GOTOTOP