Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
More M1A2SEV V3 stuff
Majekm
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Poland
Joined: April 06, 2008
KitMaker: 39 posts
Armorama: 38 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 07, 2019 - 01:01 AM UTC
Just in case it is helpful for your conversion, some discussion on the turret and hull thickness increase and photos:

https://www.steelbeasts.com/topic/12570-m1a2c/page/2/

Replicating the changed antisplip pattern on the extended turret and hull would probably be difficult to accomplish, so that it matches the model's antisplip.
HermannB
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: October 14, 2008
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Posted: Saturday, December 07, 2019 - 01:35 AM UTC
Is it now called M1A2 SEP v3 or M1A2C?
exgrunt
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: December 17, 2013
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Posted: Sunday, December 08, 2019 - 03:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The M1A2 SEP Version FOUR will be the major enhancements version with new ammunition, Active Protection Systems (APS as standard? I don't know), new FLIR and thermal imaging sensors with higher resolution, and the much anticipated (and finally time), the laser warning (lase) receivers.

I don't totally agree with the SEP V2 and V3 upgrades as I strongly believe that the M1A2 SEPs need a new turret just like the Leopard 2 Next Generation MBT. Why strip, rework, and rewire when a brand new turret could be made and plunked in? This just adds to time and labor costs.

To answer SNAFU, so far the LCACs can't really carry a 70-ton M1A2 SEPV3 unlike the Ship to Shore Connectors (SSCs) which can, so I doubt the USMC will hop aboard until they get the SSCs.

The US Marines can benefit from the MPF and NGCV if they come into service.

It really is nice to see the M1A2 SEPV3s though (and I may sound like a hypocrite with the new turret comments above) because it is time to upgrade to meet the latest threats and one problem with NATO is that their modern MBTs are failing due to lack of spare parts and maintenance. The US Army and USMC don't let this happen because the depot upgrades are still ongoing and getting funded.

So for me, personally, I'd pass on the M1A2 SEPV3 model kit and wait for the M1A2 SEPV4 because of my first paragraph. The V4 should look vastly different than the V3 with the APS and other features that may change the exterior.



Are their any pics / drawings of the V4 out there? Also on the V4, is this a funded program and if so, how many tanks will be purchased and what's the timeline for being fielded? Lastly, will Trophy be fitted to these V3's? On a semi-related note, I'm shocked that laser warning devices haven't been fielded to ALL army tactical vehicles.
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
Joined: August 23, 2005
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Posted: Wednesday, December 11, 2019 - 08:08 AM UTC
Well, here it is. Still waiting for the LP CROWS, somehow lost the drivers hatch today and still need to replace texture on top of the turret. Not going much further than this due to lack of pics of the real deal. There’s some nut and bolt detail on the front right fender and detail on the left rear where the APU is that I just can’t figure out. Overall I think it came out okay.



Majekm
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Poland
Joined: April 06, 2008
KitMaker: 39 posts
Armorama: 38 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 11, 2019 - 08:40 AM UTC
Wow. Really nice! So you are going to replace the anti-skid texture on the roof? Did you also lengthen the frontal hull armor?

Also, the amount of the white styrene gives you an idea of how much was actually added to the turret front.

Watching with interest. I was really hoping someone would attempt this.
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, December 11, 2019 - 10:38 AM UTC
Didn’t mess with the hull front, can’t really tell anything was done there, the turret is very obvious. After doing the front face, I realized it threw the front inner faces off, the notches at the bottom inside, I didn’t anticipate that, so I had to add more styrene there and I think it made it look much better, and elongated the inner notches along the gun mantlet. I really tried to keep an eye on how the new turret face lined up with the bolt heads on the gun mantlet, all judged by pics found on the internet. I hope that all makes sense. Also, found the drivers hatch, when I turned on the garbage disposal, must have dropped off when I was rinsing the sanding dust. Looks like I’m buying a new new M1! The rear dust flaps are sheet styrene, heavily scored with an exacto saw blade, the rest is scrap PE and styrene.
panamadan
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Minnesota, United States
Joined: July 20, 2004
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Posted: Thursday, December 12, 2019 - 03:04 AM UTC
I served on brand new M1A1s in 1987 and I’m amazed on how different these guys look now.
Dan
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Thursday, December 12, 2019 - 03:16 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I served on brand new M1A1s in 1987 and I’m amazed on how different these guys look now.
Dan



Me too! 1/3 ACR at Ft. Bliss, we were the first unit to field the M1A1 stateside, think it was 1986 or so. And I agree, they sure have changed, and what’s more amazing, I believe they’re the same tanks, just rebuilt over and over again.
panamadan
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Minnesota, United States
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Posted: Thursday, December 12, 2019 - 04:55 AM UTC
I was in 1AD when we got ours and I believe we were the first division to get A1s.
I’d give a dollar to know where my A1 is now.
D
Majekm
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Poland
Joined: April 06, 2008
KitMaker: 39 posts
Armorama: 38 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 12, 2019 - 05:09 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Didn’t mess with the hull front, can’t really tell anything was done there, the turret is very obvious. After doing the front face, I realized it threw the front inner faces off, the notches at the bottom inside, I didn’t anticipate that, so I had to add more styrene there and I think it made it look much better, and elongated the inner notches along the gun mantlet. I really tried to keep an eye on how the new turret face lined up with the bolt heads on the gun mantlet, all judged by pics found on the internet. I hope that all makes sense. Also, found the drivers hatch, when I turned on the garbage disposal, must have dropped off when I was rinsing the sanding dust. Looks like I’m buying a new new M1! The rear dust flaps are sheet styrene, heavily scored with an exacto saw blade, the rest is scrap PE and styrene.



Understood. Thank you. Yes, the turret geometry is quite complex, especially with how the angles changed on the sides of the mantlet. Not just a simple lengthening of the turret faces. Very interested in how it will turn out. Thanks a lot for tackling this.
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
Joined: August 23, 2005
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Posted: Thursday, December 12, 2019 - 08:08 AM UTC
It was fun! Haven’t really gone crazy scratch building in a while. Gonna add the small details today and tomorrow, bolt detail on the cable covers on the fender and behind the drivers hatch and on the “C” bracket on the turret roof. Hopefully the CROWS will be here soon so I can get that worked on. Found someone on eBay selling sprues for this kit, but of course he already sold the sprue with the drivers hatch. In the meantime, I’ll be scouring the net for more detail pics.
JmeDubya
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California, United States
Joined: July 25, 2013
KitMaker: 124 posts
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Posted: Friday, December 13, 2019 - 06:10 AM UTC
Kenaicop... I have a dragon M1 hatch... message me your addy.

Checked it against my academy hull. Not too bad, better than buying a kit.
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Friday, December 13, 2019 - 06:17 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Kenaicop... I have a dragon M1 hatch... message me your addy.



On the way!
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Friday, December 13, 2019 - 06:54 AM UTC
Nice job James. Now that you have scratched it, a kit is definitely on the way. Thanks.


Quoted Text

Is it now called M1A2 SEP v3 or M1A2C?



Yes, it depends on who you talk to. More info here.
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
Joined: August 23, 2005
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Posted: Saturday, December 21, 2019 - 07:28 AM UTC
When life hands you lemons, well, Blast sent me a huge lemon, some really crappy resin here, folks. Never seen anything this bad from these guys, oh well. Barrel was too warped to make straight, I’ll source from the spare parts bin.









leopard122
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European Union
Joined: August 26, 2016
KitMaker: 417 posts
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Posted: Saturday, December 21, 2019 - 08:57 PM UTC
Just send Gilles at blast a message and I'm quite sure he will send you replacement parts as he is a very nice guy and his stuff are top class..
exgrunt
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: December 17, 2013
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Posted: Sunday, December 22, 2019 - 04:41 AM UTC
Wasn't the Army starting to use a new type of camo paint that had low IR properties? Seem to recall a post or two here. It was similar to NATO-flauge but it had distinctly different sheens and I thought it was also being applied in a new pattern.

The three color V3's I've seen all appear to have the old style colors.
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Sunday, December 22, 2019 - 01:02 PM UTC
You’re correct, in fact, I think I posted pics a few months ago. I’ll have to look at the pics I have, I’ve lightened them all up to see details, but I’ll change them back, cause they do look darker or richer in their original form, so it could be the new NATO three tone?
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Sunday, December 22, 2019 - 01:17 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Just send Gilles at blast a message and I'm quite sure he will send you replacement parts as he is a very nice guy and his stuff are top class..



It’s all good, I’ll replace the barrel and once I get paint on it everything should look good. No worries 👍
Majekm
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Poland
Joined: April 06, 2008
KitMaker: 39 posts
Armorama: 38 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 04, 2020 - 08:20 PM UTC
Hi James,

Happy New Year!

Just checking if you have made any progress with your M1a2c conversion?

Thanks!
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Sunday, January 05, 2020 - 07:39 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi James,

Happy New Year!

Just checking if you have made any progress with your M1a2c conversion?

Thanks!



Happy New Years to you too! Project is on hold for now until I can get better pics of the left rear hull, can’t really figure out exactly what’s going on back there. Until then, working on other stuff.
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Sunday, January 05, 2020 - 08:51 AM UTC
This would be other stuff...

Majekm
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Poland
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KitMaker: 39 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 05, 2020 - 09:41 AM UTC
Thank you and understood. Hopefully, we'll get more photos soon.

Good luck with your other projects. This one looks great.
Captain_America
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: December 23, 2019
KitMaker: 8 posts
Armorama: 8 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 05, 2020 - 03:10 PM UTC
Hi guys, while I've been building (and scratchbuilding) models for a long time, I'm something of a noob when it comes to armor. It's something I discovered just a few months ago, and can't believe I didn't get into it sooner.

Is there any official word as to whether the M1A2C will roll-out of the factory with the TROPHY APS, or are they still deliberating? I seem to recall reading just before Christmas that they wanted to evaluate a Rheinmetall-built unit.
seanmcandrews
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: May 09, 2009
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Posted: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 12:04 AM UTC
[/quote]

Project is on hold for now until I can get better pics of the left rear hull, can’t really figure out exactly what’s going on back there. Until then, working on other stuff. [/quote]

I came upon a FB post of a modeller who had drawn up the APU exhaust in CAD & had it printed but for the life of me can't find it now, will keep looking .
Have you seen these photos ?

https://www.facebook.com/Military9Army/photos/ms.c.eJxFj9sRAzAIwzbqYRIe3n~_xXqDQX51iEQg1QTGhavB~_8IBC8gEjGoASbegYKVfN0n4ASQ9LXucY55TBBffWqNmCaLCjgrehvncc6434AQl~;gOZjOMvwM4bXHTpZEFKnJ9fQB~;zEGu9SB~;aJSIGjm0VlHZM1rQr~_2ehsDqAVCFnDOnvXQAHJHe2~;xI4y2tAvUJVV2g~-~-.bps.a.1092818887589477/1092819050922794/?type=3&theater