"Thunder Run" Abrams-12/19 - Calling this one done

[AndyArgent.]

Oh very nice work Mark as usual. looks great even in the primer.

[wing_nut]

Thanks all for the comments.

Andy, I wish I could get a coat of paint to look that good. It’s still nekkid plastic

Rbaer, I thank Tony Lee for his advise and using Tix flux and solder. I got the 18W Weller iron at Radio Shack. I didn't do anything different from before but where all other attempts failed this combo worked from the get go.





Standard issue for the M1 was 1 jerry can rack. And Dragon give you 1 PE rack. The tanks in 1-64 were issued 2 so I needed top make another. I am making 2 so the both look the same.

The Dragon rack.




And mine. The hardest part was setting up The Chopper to cut the different lengths of angle iron. 1st the jig make from metal rulers to get the corners square.



And the finished rack.

[imatanker]

Marc, that's pretty sweet Bub. Glued up real nice. What did you use for the expanded metal?

oh and about the racks, I like 'em all, big or small 

[deafpanzer]

Great work on your racks!!!

[Leon]

Nice work on the racks Marc.Moving right along with this one.

[bbd468]

Well done Marc! I have got to get some of the Tix soldering products. Where did you get the Tix stuff? I must have the wrong type flux and solder as i cant get a decent solder for the life of me and im a veteran welder!

Keeper comin brother,
Gary

[wing_nut]

19 days? Really? Scary part is I feel like I am getting used to that and fear the next steps is one of those breaks that are followed by one of those re-introduction threads.

1st, to imatnaker, Andy, Dicky, Leon and Gary. My sincerest apologizes for not acknowledging your kind words earlier.

Keeper comin brother,

Ah brother Gary... would that I could my friend. Gettin' 4 days of R&R down in DC staring tomorrow so I hope to come back with a whole new outlook.


Isn’t there an old saying, “Slow and steady wins the race”? WOW this is gonna be a long race. I got a few more bits and bobs added and I think I am actually closing in on a coat of paint.

With a choice of 2 types of drive sprockets there should have been the unused ones to use for the spare on top of the turret. My carpet monster must be a brazen little bugger and jumped up on my bench cuz they are gone. Stamped one of the sprockets in silly putty and made a resin cast to solve that one.

Hard to see in the pics but the tracks pads have been chunked up. The dark steel color is a mix of magnesium and jet exhaust Alclad II.

[imatanker]

Marc, no worries Dude, it was worth the wait  that is coming along well and looks fantastic.

[Mence]

Very nice work, loving it!

[wouter]

oh man, this sure looks very cool!

Cheers

[wbill76]

I can only imagine the torture you must go through on a regular basis Dicky! Even as a one-at-a-time builder, I never know what the next one's going to be as the stash is well populated and every kit has what it needs sitting ready...so I suppose in a way it's the same as you describe, only different.

Marc, any progress is good progress sir! Nice to see the Abrams rolling along once more.

[Leon]

Marc,great progress buddy.The M1 is looking really good.

[wing_nut]

Thanks so much guys.

Dicky do I ever know what you mean about the work in this forum. Really keeps you one you toes.

I'm a 1 at a time guy like Bill and usually my projected build list changes almost hourly it seems. For the next little while though I have a could of GB's to work on... like doing a Creature from the Black Lagoon and wiring up a 144th scale resin DB 605 engine for a Sweet 109F. I just got a little woozy thinking about that one.

OK guys…off to catch the Acela to DC for some fun, booze and a long, long slow walk the Air & Space museum. Any tanks 'round there?

[wbill76]

Aug 22, 2013 8:33:37 GMT -5 wing_nut said:

OK guys…off to catch the Acela to DC for some fun, booze and a long, long slow walk the Air & Space museum. Any tanks 'round there?

Only the ones holding oxygen.

[wing_nut]

Hello lads. All my previous attempts at pre-shading armor has failed. I am guessing that by the time you get 3 colors down on a Panther or Tiger the shading doesn't stand a chance. This being a single light color should work.

[bbd468]

Awesome preshade Marc. Gonna look SWEET....i can tell already bro.

[Deleted]

great work on the rack and sprocket and nice neat shading too

[deafpanzer]

Sweet pre-shading job!

[Leon]

Nice job on the pre-shading Marc.Looking forward to some color.

[imatanker]

Oh yeah, that looks good Marc. I have a hard time with pre shading too. Bur you're right with one color it should be easier.

[wbill76]

Fingers crossed that you can pull it off with a single-color scheme Marc, keep at it!

[TRM]

What a fantastic job on this Marc...like a dope I seemed to have breezed by this ever step of the way until now!! Being all caught up now....simple awseom building all around!! Solid base for the next and best parts...painting and weathering!!!

[MOOSE.]

Looking good Marc! I'm no expert on armor but it's looking right on. I'll be watching this one buddy.

[wouter]

Nice preshade indeed mate, shouldn't be too hard to get it right. I know you can do it bro!

Cheers

[jackh.]

Lovely progress.

[wing_nut]

Thanks for all the feedback on the preshading. I was hoping to finish the preshading of the turret so I could start to get some of the base color down but remembered I needed to get the MG mounts on first. As long a I was in MG mode and got the guns ready too even though they are not glued in yet. I managed to bust the hair thin .30 cal barrel and made a new one with brass tubing. Did the .50 as long as I was at it.

[bbd468]

Fine job with the MG barrels Marc as well as the whole build. Keep tha good stuff comin my friend!

[wing_nut]

Thanks Gary.

A last minute schedule change gave me a little extra time so I was able to get down some paint.

[modelfreak72]

Mighty fine work going here! Looking good Marc!

[wouter]

whehey, nice to see some paint comin' on bro!

I was planning to do the camo last monday, but I need a new nozzle :/

Keep up the good work soldier!

Cheers