802chrisg Posted December 1, 2015 Report Posted December 1, 2015 Here is the latest updates on my M1A1 build. Was able to get some detailing done on the kit's commanders .50 cal MG. The road whells have been assembled and the mud/dirt holes drilled out on the kits drive sprockets. I also added a PE water can rack on the right side of the turret. I previously had added a resin one on the other side in my first post.
TimDarrah Posted December 2, 2015 Report Posted December 2, 2015 Chris, Where did you get those resin bits (stowage)? Thanks, Tim
RGronovius Posted December 2, 2015 Report Posted December 2, 2015 Your commander's hatch needs to be straight up and down, perpendicular not leaning back.
802chrisg Posted December 2, 2015 Author Report Posted December 2, 2015 Chris, Where did you get those resin bits (stowage)? Thanks, Tim Tim, They are a BLAST Models Product.
802chrisg Posted December 2, 2015 Author Report Posted December 2, 2015 Your commander's hatch needs to be straight up and down, perpendicular not leaning back. If I turn the whole tank a little bit downward will that make it right? LOL Just kidding, I'll correct that. Thanks Rob!!
RGronovius Posted December 3, 2015 Report Posted December 3, 2015 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.
RGronovius Posted December 3, 2015 Report Posted December 3, 2015 The mud holes are rough cut and more of a "D" shape.
802chrisg Posted December 3, 2015 Author Report Posted December 3, 2015 Thanks Rob, That is great info that I did not know. Will make the changes. Thanks Again, Chris
Mark Deliduka Posted December 3, 2015 Report Posted December 3, 2015 Wow, some good info from Rob. Way to go! Chris this is coming along very well. I can't wait to see this after the changes.
RGronovius Posted December 4, 2015 Report Posted December 4, 2015 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. 1
802chrisg Posted December 4, 2015 Author Report Posted December 4, 2015 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. Thrust me Rob when I say Thank you for pointing these correction out to me. I did not know this info and it was very helpful as I am going for a very accurate dipicted vehicle to display. I have another build going , a ODS Bradley that was part of the Thunder Run on April 5 2003 during the drive to Bagdad. That one is going to be placed in the 3rd ID museum display in Ft. Stewart, GA. The group I'm a part of is always pointing out and giving me feedback on what to do and not to do. Very helpful. It is always good to hear from someone that knows and can provide the info in a positive way, not like sounding like some a-hole rivit counter. Again Thanks! I did correct the issues that you pointed out last night and will post some updated photos tonight. Chris G.
Mark Deliduka Posted December 4, 2015 Report Posted December 4, 2015 I do hope you continue to do that in here Rob. Knowledge is power, and knowledge like yours helps us all build better models. Thank you once again.
RGronovius Posted December 4, 2015 Report Posted December 4, 2015 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. 1
802chrisg Posted December 4, 2015 Author Report Posted December 4, 2015 Here are the corrected mud rings and the commander's MG. The Mud rings are a little more "D" shaped then in the picture of the actual sprocket.
802chrisg Posted December 4, 2015 Author Report Posted December 4, 2015 Here's what the whole things looks like at this point.
802chrisg Posted December 6, 2015 Author Report Posted December 6, 2015 Thanks Mark. Still along way to go, but will be worth it in the end. Chris
catdude01 Posted December 6, 2015 Report Posted December 6, 2015 so far so good! looking forward for the painting!
802chrisg Posted January 3, 2016 Author Report Posted January 3, 2016 Thanks Dennis and Pedro for the great comments. Chris
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