Meng 1/35 Abrams M1A2 TUSK

[Guest]

Always the most fun part of building a AFV kit … not. Well, multi-part individual-link tracks are even more fun, of course … not. At least on an M1 Abrams you only have 16 double wheels to deal with, and they’re reasonably large.

[Steve Jones]

In the process of distressing 50 wheels and cleaning up 216 plastic track links with three sprue connector marks on each one Jakko. Livin the dream LOL

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers gents.

[papa 695]

Some very nice work so far Bob. Looking very nice.

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers Ian.

[langy71]

Looking good Bob, this is another tank I really ought to have another go at..(did one years ago).

[Guest]

In the process of distressing 50 wheels and cleaning up 216 plastic track links with three sprue connector marks on each one Jakko. Livin the dream LOL

Reminds me of the time I put a set of Elite Models Diehl tracks on an M113. Those were reboxed HKCW tracks, actually, and the first run had slightly undersize holes in the end connectors … 66 links per track, two end connectors per link, two holes per end connector, two tracks per vehicle meant drilling out 528 tiny holes with a pin vice. I was certainly glad when that part of the build was over.

[Mr Bowcat]

Morning guys,

Didn't get to the bench last week so cracked back into this build over the weekend.

First job was to get the side skirts attached. This mostly went OK, I only broker one of the arms.



While that was drying I got on with detail painting the MG's.




Then it was time to get paint on the turret, using the black basing technique.



It doesn't show up too well in the pics, but I got some nice tonal variance and that grubby look that Abrams in the desert seem to get.

Whilst that was drying I finally got round to the dreaded individual tracks. All the pins were glued to the links and the pads (4p er link) freed from the sprues. I only got 30 linked together before getting fed up and calling it a day. :smiling5:

[Guest]

Looking at those tracks I would just buy a more sensible replacement set … I sold the tracks that came with the Bronco Ram, which have a similar construction, for exactly that reason

[BattleshipBob]

Looking the business Bob

Lovely work

Another Bob

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers Bob.

Jakko, I must be a masochist. :tears-of-joy:

[Guest]

Based on you putting those tracks together, I’m inclined to agree

[Mr Bowcat]

Afternoon chaps.

It's been a little while since my last update and not much has been done. :tears-of-joy:

I finished off the tracks and got them painted, they are now ready for weathering.



And I painted up some packs, ammo cans, tarps, etc and got them washed. These will be attached to the Abrams just before the final weathering step (pigment scrub).



And finally the Abrams has had an overall wash of Starship Filth to give it some shadow and depth. It looks very dark at the moment but the next few weathering steps will lighten it back up.

[Wouter]

That's a good looking Abrams alright! I like where the weathering is heading to.

Cheers

[papa 695]

Looking very good indeed