Academy 1/35 M1A2 Abrams SEP Tusk II **3/28 Completed**

[M1Carbine]

Hi all. Well taking a break from some wingy things and getting back to some armor. Academy's M1A2 Abrams SEP Tusk II is now on the bench.



Multi part hull is in order for this one and it fits perfect.





I completed the road wheels and Academy provides the bearing covers in clear. A nice touch as they would be clear to see the fluid level in them but all the ones I have seen when I was in the service are black at least from my vantage point at the time.

.

More work progressing more pics in a few.

Bob

[TRM]

Very cool Bob....looks like you's off to a great start!!

[Leon]

Count me in Bob! Looks like a great project.

[M1Carbine]

Thanks Gents

Bob

[wing_nut]

Mmmmm fun!

[jpc1968]

Niiiiiice

[Wes]

Following along. Seems like Academy kits are getting better and better.

[rbaer]

Wanna watch!

[flmlm]

Looking good!

Regards
Mike

[jsteinman]

[deafpanzer]

Abrams?!?!? Why NOT! It has been a while since we have seen one built here. I can assure you that it will be my next 'modern' armor build but just don't ask me when I will start. LOL

Good luck buddy!

[M1Carbine]

Welcome everyone. apologies for being away, job search has taken a lot of my time as of late and I have been filling in at the range as an instructor and the machine gun guy.

Lower hull went together with 0 problems:




The rear exhaust vents are nicely detailed:




Side skirts and lower hull are completed. Skirts will remain off till after painting:




next is the turret and assemblies. Tons of fiddlies here so pay close attention to the instructions as they are for three variants. The barrel is in three parts and the beauty is there are not halves. all side molded and no seams to sand:








Be careful on the basket assembly, this is extremely fragile but even with my huge mits there were no issues:




Everything is now awaiting primer and paint. Picking through the spares box for stowage.

[jpc1968]

this kit just moved a few notches up my wish list. Good work

[Leon]

Nice progress Bob! Looking really good.

[Leon]

Nice progress Bob! Looking really good.

[M1Carbine]

JPC - thank you, another well engineered kit from Academy

Leon - thanks brother.

Bob

[deafpanzer]

DAMN YOU! This is it... my next armor build will be an Abrams. Thanks a bunch! LOL

[flmlm]

very nice!

Regards
Mike

[M1Carbine]

Andy - LOL, go getem......lol

Mike - thank you

Bob

[M1Carbine]

Ok so finally i have some color on this beast.











I will tone down some of the shadowing and add some highlights where needed as this progresses. I still have the tracks and road wheels to paint and should have all of that completed by the end of the week. Picking through the spares for some stowage and bits as well to add after all is completed. So far so good

Bob

[Leon]

Paint looks good Bob!

[M1Carbine]

Thank you brother Leon

Bob

[jpc1968]

lookin' good!

[flmlm]

that looks great!

Regards
Mike

[Tojo72]

Very nice,looks like a nice kit

[deafpanzer]

Love the paint!!!

[M1Carbine]

Thank you gents.

Progress has been a bit slow but getting the little things taken care of. Most of the stowage is complete (minus tie downs) side skirts are on and weapons mounted. Only one SNAFU was encountered building the kit. The tracks are wayn to long. I had to cut 4 links off and tuck them under the upper hull, no worries as the side skirts prevent theis fom being seen.





















Getting close, just a little bit left to do.

Bob

[TRM]

Love it Bob! Great work on the assembly! The stowage really makes things pop too! Best of luck getting this one across the finish line!

[M1Carbine]

Thanks Todd, much appreciated

[Leon]

Stowage looks good Bob!