Tamiya M1A1 Abrams *FINISHED 6/12/13*

[Deleted]

Next on the bench is this tamiya kit. Believe it or not I have never built a Abrams so this will be very different from my usual choices.
I am actually building it for my sister in law who asked me to make a model so she could auction it off next year, (she works for the make a wish charity in Minneapolis by the way) and every year they have an auction to raise money. So I have to get this done by xmas this year so she can take it back with her in the new year. No pressure then!

I don't intend to do much in the way of improvements just a really nice paint job and of course a base and crew. I'm close to finishing the valentine construction so I will start this straight after so I have two for painting later.

[deafpanzer]

Holy smokes!!! Those guys got you into building a modern armor too... LOL

Of course you have my attention... working on Chally II from Tamiya has been great so I am sure your kit is great too.

[bullardino]

Count me in Pete

[danb]

Im in also damn you guys making all these mighty fine modern machines next on the cards for me will be a Tammy T-72 or Type 10

Dan B

[Leon]

Count me in Pete.A nice project for a nice cause.

[wbill76]

Sounds like a great project and worth cause Pete! Looking forward to seeing this one come together.

[Tobi]

Hi Pete,

I built this kit myself long ago and it really doesn't need much work to make it look like an Abrams. The only major "problem" is the smooth top surfaces. I tackled them with some Cast-a-Coat Powder to represent the anti-skid. I also found a sketch somewhere in the Web where it is applied. It was a fairly easy job back then.

Happy modelling!

Cheers,
Tobi

[Deleted]

Cheers guys I'm looking forwards to this, nemo thanks buddy if I need anything I'll give you a shout.
Tobi, yep I spotted that one and have a plan for the anti slip surfaces. I will be using rust-oleum textured spray paint to replicate it. As for not adding much well I've failed there after seeing a ridiculously cheap etched set on ebay! It's handy for the turret rack screen if nothing else. Should have some pics up this evening

Edit, here's the progress after a couple of hours last night, sometimes Tamiya kits seem to just build themselves!

[bullardino]

I agree Tamiya is way ahead of most of the others. Nice progress, at this speed you'll have to tackle the P word soon

[deafpanzer]

I have to agree about Tamiya kits especially newer ones. I was very pleased how easy it was adding the tracks to my Chally II this morning!!! I am so sold... I will be on hunt for one of those Tamiya Abrams kits.

[paulh]

Gotta love Tamiya. they don't try to be clever with the molding/engineering and I just love the way their stuff almots falls together out of the box.
Bookmarked!

[Deleted]

Great link Dicky!

[Deleted]

Cheers guys, Dicky that's the plan I am using, very handy indeed. Well I'm burning the midnight oil on this and after a monster masking session tonight I have got the anti-slip down using rust-oleum textured paint. First time I've used this and I must say I'm very impressed. I think under a coat of paint the effect will look spot on.







And with the masking removed

[deafpanzer]

It looks GREAT!!! That's what I need to do on my kit too over the weekend.

[wbill76]

Nice masking and anti-skid application there Pete! You're rolling right along with this one.

[wing_nut]

Abrams? Did I hear someone say Abrams? Mmmmm... nice. Can't wait to the the anti slip stuff painted.

[bullardino]

Great antiskid. It really looks promising

[wouter]

another Abrams ey? I'm in

lovely work so far. Still glad my Dragon offering had the moulded on texture . Well done btw

Cheers

[paulh]

Is Rustoleum available in the UK?
P

[Tobi]

Great looking anti-slip! Seemes to be a lot easier with that ominous rust-oleum paint. Do you have a picture or a link to it?

These were my efforts with the Cast-a-Coat powder.





Cheers,
Tobi

[Deleted]

Paul Tobi I got my rust-oleum from AMAZON so it is available in the UK and I would suspect most places. Much better than cast a coat and the late games workshop rough coat. All you need is a couple of light passes over the area to be coated and that's it. I would say though that the stuff comes out the can at a fair rate of knots so hold the item to be sprayed a good distance from the nozzle. I didn't prime or wash the surface prior to spraying but once dry it's not going anywhere!

[Tobi]

Found it on UK Amazon, DE doesn't have the textured paints.

Which colour tone, or are they all the same grittiness?

Cheers,
Tobi

[paulh]

Thanks Pete.

[Deleted]

I use the desert bisque variety

[Tobi]

This sucks! I can't order it from Amazon.co.uk (not shipped to my destination) and the others where I could order don't have it

But I will keep it in mind and check from time to time the availability here.

Cheers,
Tobi

[`Boots`]

Great job with the masking for the anti slip Pete, bet that weren`t ferkin` easy to do!!!, turned out awesome i gotta say......top job sir

[Deleted]

Cool method!

[Leon]

Pete,nice work on the anti-slip application mate.Looks really good.

[bbd468]

Hiya Pete, Great build ya got goin fella, im in! That texture looks perfect Pete, damn fine job buddy.

[Deleted]

Thanks guys, actually the masking was not that bad really. Anyway over the last couple of days I have been adding missing details or improving what's already there using some Eduard etch and plastic rod & card. I have had fantastic fun doing this and had a great time so far. There is not much left to add so it should be off to the paint shop soon.