Tamiya 1/48 M1A2 Abrams
I will fully admit armor models intimidate me. I can get through the basic build, paint endless road wheels, and get the basic colors down. Weathering an armored vehicle is where cold sweat builds on my forehead.
But like any '80s kid who was taught to swim by being thrown into a pool by their dad, I found this M1A2 kit from Tamiya to try to build an armored vehicle. I felt nostalgic as I was with the 3rd Armor Cavalry Regiment (ACR) during the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002. (On a personal note, it was heartbreaking when the ACR went to Strikers, and the Armor was dropped from the organization's name. Third Cavalry Regiment doesn't do it for me.)
As with most Tamiya builds, this M1 kit went together without any fussiness. I liked the metal bar nested into the hull to give it some weight.
I know there isn't the requisite amount of personal gear, spare track, and road wheels hanging off the storage and Bussel racks. The aim was to get through the build with baby steps. I made the antennas with stretched sprue, but not without having to go through multiple attempts.
Overall I was happy with how the build turned out. I'm sure there's plenty of room to improve but you have to start somewhere. π
That's a great start in armor modeling, David @dvmozley! π Although I've only built three tank kits, I really do enjoy them. I find it much more relaxing than aircraft builds. I also fully understand the reticence regarding weathering; I felt the same way and really, just got more comfortable with the process on my last tank. It's sort of tough getting used to covering up my work with mud, but hey, believe me, when you enjoy your results, you'll see it differently! π Keep 'em comin', David! π
David Mozley (@dvmozley)
You have done a magnificent job with your Abrams. I also served in the 3rd Cav. I was stationed at Ft. Bliss and served with L Troop 3/3 ACR from 1983 to 1987. At the time we were the very first unit to get the M-1A1's, and it was a huge transition going from the good old M-60A-1 to the Abrams. My best way to describe it would be like going from your Dad's work truck to your very own 1970 Hemi Cuda.
This is me back in the day. I had been home on leave for about a month, and desperately needed a haircut...
Brave Rifles Sir ! Veterans ! Aheeya !
Here I am again... on my M-60A1.
Here I am again in the Commander's hatch, on the very first time I took a tank down range as the TC. I miss it sometimes... other times I'm glad I got out when I did.
I don't have any pictures of our M-1A1's when we first got them. I do remember how they were painted in overall Dark Green though. At the time they were not allowing us to take pictures of them. We even had to cover the armor with mud, tape, cardboard from a MRE box, anything, and then post a guard near it if the paint even got a scratch on it. Things have drastically changed since then...
I only spent a few months transitioning from the 60 to the Abrams when I got out of the Army. But I can tell you this: Yours looks spot on to me. It looks like a tank would have if it was with F Troop, 2 Squadron going from memory on how we painted the markings on.
Outstanding job Trooper ! I agree with you about the "Cav" part being taken out of the equasion. It's just not the same to me either. Armor is the thing you always wish you have when you don't. It's sort of like leaving your handgun at home and being confronted by a bunch of thugs that are going to rob you. You wish you had your weapon then too. You know the deal.
Hi Louis!
Thank you for the kind words and for sharing your experiences and pictures during your time in 3ACR. I was the commander of HHT 4/3 ACR when we went to Iraq in 2002. While everyone was flying into Baghdad and lounging in the baggage carousels, I was on the road with a 43-vehicle convoy driving into Iraq. This was about as close to being in The Road Warrior as possible. When we got to Falijah and Ar Ramadi, it was a different experience. You knew you were not very welcome driving through those cities. You can feel evil in the air. I wished we had some support, but we made it to Al Asad Air Base.
I remember hearing about how everyone needed to protect the armor of the M1 when it first came out.
I wouldn't have wanted to be the guy to ding the armor. π
Thank you again for sharing, and I look forward to seeing your builds!
Brave Rifles!
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Great to hear veterans chatting about there time with the kits that are on display. Fantastic stuff guys and cool model π
Thanks Guy! I really appreciate it!
Great work! I have built that and building another one. I'm a newb to armor but had a blast building it. Great work on it!
Thanks Scott! I appreciate it! I do have a lot of fun building an armor project. If I could only get through painting road wheels faster. π
Excellent job, David!
Thanks Spiros! I really appreciate it!
Great looking build of this Abrams. @dvmozley
Thanks John! I really appreciate it!
Very fine job done on this Abrams, David @dvmozley
Thanks John! I appreciate it!
Looks like a fine job to me David.
Thanks Tom! I appreciate it!
From my time in the armed forces I remember spending a lot of time βbullingβ things up, so a clean tank would not be the exception, itβs a good looking Abrams youβve built.
Thanks George! I appreciate it!
Well done, David.
Thanks John! I appreciate it!
Great work on the Abrams David! I think the weathering is well done! The pin wash really brings out the details and I think you've added just the right amount of dust & dirt. (y)