MIA2 Abram's models? v Graduation/Army Commissioning gift

tubachris85x

tubachris85x

Master Member
Hi everyone,

I don't usually venture in here too often, due to that I'm just not so good at small construction, not at least with my stubby fingers :lol

Anyways, I wanted to ask here first...My brother is going to be graduating at the end of the semester, and he will be getting his commission in the US Army, as a 2nd leiutenent (can never spell that right) after being in the ROTC program. He will be going Armor, so I figured out a neat gift to give him, would be a nicely detailed scaled M1A2 Abram's super tank, put it in a acrylic display case w/ custom plaque as well.

I've built model planes and ships in the past, but never near as detailed or the level of detail I want to do this. I'd really appreciate any help or knowledge how I should go about this. Thanks!

-TC
 
The first thing that popped into my mind was: get a similar size & scale model and build it to refresh yourself. Pick up a cheap one & try to finish it as best you can - familiarize yourself with paint, glue & decals in whatever media you plan to use. Use it as a dry run for testing decals, paint & weathering.

Good luck. :)


-Mike
 
Sith Sheriff Brody said:
The first thing that popped into my mind was: get a similar size & scale model and build it to refresh yourself. Pick up a cheap one & try to finish it as best you can - familiarize yourself with paint, glue & decals in whatever media you plan to use. Use it as a dry run for testing decals, paint & weathering.

Good luck. :)


-Mike
Click to expand...

Dragon models makes a nice Mi w/optoins for different versions, the book "M1 Abrams at War" has lots of info you need to build an accurate one, buy let me suggest this, to building an accurate tank is like building an accurate red 5 or 3 etc, you need photos references etc, hers my suggestin buy him a die cast 1/35 scal M1, put on plaque and then when you find out ore about his tank you can build an accurate version, you need the right colors and there are like 2 or 3 versions in service now a good deal of reseach is required to build it right, and of course you want a scale figure of your brother to put in the tank
 
DarkKnight said:
Dragon models makes a nice Mi w/optoins for different versions, the book "M1 Abrams at War" has lots of info you need to build an accurate one, buy let me suggest this, to building an accurate tank is like building an accurate red 5 or 3 etc, you need photos references etc, hers my suggestin buy him a die cast 1/35 scal M1, put on plaque and then when you find out ore about his tank you can build an accurate version, you need the right colors and there are like 2 or 3 versions in service now a good deal of reseach is required to build it right, and of course you want a scale figure of your brother to put in the tank
Click to expand...

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I'm sure I can pretty much pick up where I left off, I think I can now even do better then my last creations (mind you, I was like only 13-14 at the times :eek ) I'm thinking I'll look up the Dragon models you suggested, and start from there, mod it to make it more accurate, etc. It may seem short, but I have until about the end of May to get this done. Thanks guys!

-TC
 
tubachris85x said:
Thanks guys for the suggestions. I'm sure I can pretty much pick up where I left off, I think I can now even do better then my last creations (mind you, I was like only 13-14 at the times :eek ) I'm thinking I'll look up the Dragon models you suggested, and start from there, mod it to make it more accurate, etc. It may seem short, but I have until about the end of May to get this done. Thanks guys!

-TC
Click to expand...

Dragon produces a number of different kits you want the M1 AIM kit, check the review on something like missng lynx board or hyperscale, the level of detail can be psycho and the marine version may need a few mods to make it accurate for us army good luck its the project that you could spend years on making, you might want to try an get some high capacity clips for the beretta 9mm for him to take with him (if its allowed) a great project but keep in mind when it comes to details armor modelers are ever more fanatical than us
 
ive seen one or two nice metal ones painted and assembled. They were at a local hs. Might try ebay.
 
Visit FineScale Modeling's website and talk to the treadheads over there http://cs.finescale.com/forums/3/ShowForum.aspx. If anybody can point you in the right direction and give you construction tips, it will be them.

Most of them do WWII era tanks, but there are more than a few modern guys. But construction should be the same, regardless of the era.

-Fred
 
I would also go check out the MILITARY MODELER MAGS that are out there for Tips.

Flat paint, and dry brushing really adds depth and detail to most models.

Try it.
 
Thanks everyone for your help! I looked up that dragon model's m1a2, and I'm starting to like that. I may go through with building that one, and fixing what I can as far as accuracies. In the end however, I'm not going to be overly critical about the accuracies, unless it's blantently obvious and deviates from what the Abrams "should" look like. I'm just trying to get an idea of actual size. I have a acrylic display case that I'm thinking of using that would be the right size...
 
As far as size goes, I think the popular scales for modern armor are 1/35, 1/72 and the recent 1/48. I'm in the middle of a 1/72 Abrams by Dragon, and the length of the hull (without gun barrel) is just over 4", width is about 1.75 inches.


-Mike
 
Sith Sheriff Brody said:
As far as size goes, I think the popular scales for modern armor are 1/35, 1/72 and the recent 1/48. I'm in the middle of a 1/72 Abrams by Dragon, and the length of the hull (without gun barrel) is just over 4", width is about 1.75 inches.


-Mike
Click to expand...

Oh wow, that's smaller then I thought it would be
 
tubachris85x said:
Oh wow, that's smaller then I thought it would be
Click to expand...


Keep in mind that tanks aren't all that huge to begin with (realtively speaking), so when you scale it down to 1/72nd of it's original size, it's going to be rather small.

1/35 is a very decent size model for armor. It allows for a lot of detailing. I'm building a 1/48 B-17G and the fuselage is almost 2 feet long. The real plane is huge, so scaling it down by 1/48th still makes for a large kit.

-Fred
 
tubachris85x said:
Oh wow, that's smaller then I thought it would be
Click to expand...

If you feel that 1/35 scale is too small, then the next step up would be 1/24. An Abrams tank is about 16 inches long including the gun barrel. Tokyo Marui and ToyEast makes 1/24 scale R/C tanks, and their prepainted finish is very good. They retail for about $110.

You can read my review and modication webpage here:

http://miniature-art.tripod.com/m1a2abrams/

I recently found Toyeast sells a non-R/C prepainted display model of the M1A2 Abrams as well. Here's their Ebay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VSTANK-PRO-1-24...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50

Notice the display base, weathering and accessories. I can't comment on the paint and build quality as I haven't purchased one, but the pictures of the finished product looks pretty damn good.

If you like die cast models in 1/24 scale, then check out the Franklin Mint version:

http://www.franklinmint.com/product1.aspx?SID=2&Product_ID=439

It has better fidelity and details, and a partial interior, and "real metal heft" but no weathering or display base. Whichever you choose, I'm sure you'll have a nice presentation model!

Hope this helps....

BOBBY
 
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