RGronovius

Thanks, I am going to start comparing the parts to the instructions and see if it is all there.

This is just so impressive. You paint to a level that I can't comprehend. I hate painting and finishing so much yet yours looks so good.

This would be kit #6022, but any of the older 1990s era kits would do. I just need the hull instructions, specifically the rear hull plate area with idler mounts. I've tried the various online instruction sites, but they tend to carry newer versions of the kit. A scan of that page would work along with a parts plan layout so I know what parts are excess to this hull and won't try to use them. my email is rgronovius@hotmail.com

The Abrams and Bradleys have both gone through numerous changes throughout their lifespans. Especially during the various OIFs. Some details that are or aren't there today may have been different a few years ago. It is difficult to make observations like those without knowing what time period someone wants to depict. The ones I point out are very basic and have not changed from the original XM1 to the M1A1AIM and M1A2SEP. I try to help where I can, but again, a youngster building the Academy kit OOB gets a different level of pointers than a more advanced modeler working with a premium kit with higher end aftermarket accessories. This is one of the reasons I do not visit the other site I mentioned any more, although I do occasionally get emails or private messages from members at that site asking for assistance offline.

On other sites, like Fine Scale Modeler, I often hold my tongue because I'd get attacked and called a nitpicker or rivet counter if I made these observations. I normally temper my corrections based on the work the original poster is doing. Had he been building the kit OOB, I would only just pointed out the hatch because it is an easy fix. Since he was going full out with the PE and down to scale chain for the .50 mount, I figured he might want to know these details. If he didn't appreciate the hatch observation or if other members attacked me for daring to make a suggestion, I would not have followed with the other points.

The mud holes are rough cut and more of a "D" shape.

Also the brass sights and the charging handle on the right side of the machine gun should be removed. The .50 on the Abrams is the M48(turret type) and as such has no charging handle (an M10 charging cable is permanently affixed) and has no sights since it is designed to be aimed via the commander's weapon station sight (the periscope looking oblong sight adjacent to the mounting arm). A regular M2 .50 cal can't be mounted on the Abrams because the charging handle would actually be where that mounting arm is.

Your commander's hatch needs to be straight up and down, perpendicular not leaning back.

Robert, you were reading my mind; I was planning to build the combat version with minimum stores, perhaps just the wing tip missiles. I also assume the decals are not up to par and was going to search for some better quality ones. Wasn't going to even attempt any aftermarket other than decals. On the original kit, I know I built it with the 3 color option, masking only the blue and red with the white portions unpainted. I probably added every bomb, missile, fuel tank and pod possible because I was just a kid and it looked cool.

I built this kit a very long time ago; close to 40 years since it was a new kit when I first built it. I ran across one and grabbed it recently. Any suggestions on building this thing? More of a nostalgia build than accurizing and updating.

Impressive, is it part of the Warhammer line? I like it; what scale is it and how big is it? I've been meaning to make a pseudo M113 based vehicle with fake missiles.

I've seen some comments about how imaginary the M103 tank is. I don't understand them; the tank did exist and was used for some time before the light, medium, heavy tank concept was discontinued.

that explains that, thanks

I don't think I've received the last couple of issues. Was looking for the Sept/Oct one and I don't think I got the Jul/Aug one (would have remembered the hover tank).

Picked up a couple of kits, one a clearance aisle find at Walmart for $4. The Revell snap tite F-22 Raptor. It says 1:100, wish it was a more standard scale so I could repaint and decal it myself. The next kit is from the new Star Wars movie. It is the new First Order TIE fighter.

this page has some decent information as well as some reference links. http://missing-lynx.com/articles/articles_russia.htm

it also depends on what you want the book for; just to read up on the historical aspect and design history of the tank, or one to use to assist you in researching and building your model kit or super detailing it.

I love the wear and scratches along the track skirts. About the only thing I'd change is the spare tracks on the front slope. I'd leave those all black vs. having the camouflage pattern continue over the track blocks. Spare tracks are often used as needed and then replaced with a couple of "fresh" blocks upon return.

those flyers are like a time capsule giving you a glimpse back to when a kit first arrived and how much it went for.

those egg planes can get some decent money on eBay; might be able to sell it for enough to get a kit you really want

keep me informed about the Tiger Abrams, I've been tempted to buy one, even if it is not quite my Abrams today I ran across a couple of those snap kits by Revell, the M4 Sherman and Panzer IV with those gaudy paint schemes for a whopping $2.50 a piece at a semi local Walmart we rarely visit.

Lots of photos of the figures here https://www.google.com/search?q=mmi+colonial+viper+pilot&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CBwQsARqFQoTCOqToeLBp8gCFcQWPgodluoBag appears that Starship Modeler still has the seated pilots (both male & female) in stock, but I would email and ask before ordering to make sure. https://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm/product/1173/132-seated-male-colonial-viper-pilot-tos.html

They were made by MMI, I checked their site and they are now closed. http://www.coldnorth.com/millennia_models/index.html They did a seated male and female pilot. The male could be right or left handed like Starbuck or Apollo repectively. They also did standing figures. These were for the original Monogram and later Revell rebox of the BSG Viper kits. Here is a photo of the standing female Viper pilot. I have the seated pilot set as well as the MMI viper cockpit.

They'd make a killing if they did it with their 1/35 scale modern US armor. They did the HMMWV, but the Abrams and Bradleys would be hot.

Long time Squadron user going back to 1988 and snail mail. Never had an issue with them. Even got a hard bound Squadron Signal PBY Catalina in action book as a free gift recently. Usually have decent periodic sale items and while their clearance is extensive, it does take a while to look though the pages. Used sprue a few times, very fast and a decent price. Used Freetime just recently for the first time. Their sale item (the amusing hobby Object 279) I bought was roughly half price that I found elsewhere online. Took days from ordering to arrival.