I recently ordered this kit and its turned up. It looks like a fanatstic kit.

Does it need any modifications or is it sufficient to build it out of the box and have an accurate detailed finished product?

Des

It's a very good kit.I've build the M1A1 AIM and have the Sep in my stash.Their both amazing kits.

Should be a good OOB build.

Do a search here somebody built it for awhile and a lot of posts on it.

Good luck.

Even the vinyl tracks look really crisp in detail.

I'm looking forward to getting it started when I get a few days off work.

Des

Hi,

The "Vinyl" tracks are called the DS Tracks by Dragon. This was included in the M1A2 SEP kit as a relatively new attempt at that time. The details are superior to that of other manufacturer's vinyl tracks. A number of newer Dragon kits are starting to move away from individual links and onto DS tracks. Great details and less tedious for modellers.

Regards
Paul

The Dragon M1A2 SEP is nothing else than state of the art! Photo etched parts, turned aluminium barrel (although the plastic barrel, which is slide molded, is better detailed), vinyl tracks with separate guiding horns to glue on (looks outstanding!), very crisp in detail, many different small parts for different versions like the wind sensor, air intake, hooks...

The only things you maybe would have to get are figures and a stowage set (if you like to). Additional detailing is not nescessary but, like always, possible.

I got a PE set by Eduard, working tracks by Bronco, an engine compartment set by Legend, photo etched rear slat armour by Voyager and the TUSK II conversion by Perfect Scale Modellbau. Barrels for the M2 machine guns by Adler's Nest and a mine plow will also be added. I'm not sure if i should buy resin figures and a stowage set or not. Maybe i'll use the parts from the Tamiya M1A2...

But don't be irritated! I want to build some kind of battleship with tracks . If you just want to build a normal M1A2 SEP you're fine with your kit. Be happy and get a nice result out of box. And be very thankful that you got one because it's already out of production!

The kit isnt out of production. You can still find it out there at places such as Spruebrothers, which currently has 12 in stock.

The kit as been OOP for at least 1 year now. It was only a few weeks ago that some started to appear gain.

I bought mine at LuckyModel two weeks ago and the kit was down to "available" two days later. Those at SprueBrothers won't last long as soon as peoples get notice of it. for those who still want one I would suggest they jump on it right away before it dissapear again.

If you want to see if there are any flaws on the M1A1 SEP . You should head over to primeportal.net . There are some flaws to the model, and it will give you some building tips as well for the kit . HAPPY MODLEING

I'm going to hold fire onthe M1A2 SEP to see if any more interest developes in the Team YANKEE 2009/10 Campaign idea.

Des

I've started the beast and I have the hull built. Not primed or painted yet though.

I've made the mistake of taking photos in a resolution that is too high. So now the file size is too large to be uploaded on to Kitmaker.

Any tips on resizing photos?

I can't really crop the photos as they are of the subject matter and little else to crop from the edges.

Des

Try this
http://www.irfanview.com/

Install->open the file->image->resize(800x600)->save in jpeg format.

Here is an attempt at loading some photos.


Speaks for itself.


I've left the hub lenses off until the painting is done.








Quite straight forward for an amateur like myself.






The slight "misfitting" parts have since been rectified.




Again, the slight "misfitting" parts have been sorted out.

My next 3 days off work will hopefully see the turret taking shape and I will spray and paint the track.

Des

I just ordered mine off eBay from Atomic Hobbies!

I'm stoked!! I've got the old 80s Tamiya "Gepard" flakpanzer finishing up and the Trumpter PT-76 primed. As soon as I get those done I'm going to start either the M1A2 SEP or the MGS Stryker.

Whenever I get a new model in I'm like a kid at Christmas. I tear open the plastic and look at all the goodies...even if I'm not going to build it right away.

I know what you mean Richard. I'm exactly the same.

I like the look of those Strykers too. If I were to do one I would have to shy away from the slat armour add ons. My modelling skills are not up the that level.

Des

Thanks Paul. As you can see it worked a treat!!!

Thanks again.

Des

Desmond,
Good to see you're making progress on the build. I saw the link Paul gave you, I've used this program in the past with good results too, http://pixresizer.en.softonic.com/. It's a free program and you can use preset dimensions as well as setting your own. I'll be following the progress of your build. Keep up the good work.
best,

Scott

Heh Des !

started building on my 2nd SEP about 3 days ago, the plan is to fit it with PSM Tusk 1 upgrade kit.
I have the kit lying around now for 6 months, and when I looked at the lower hull the front plate was warped and semi-curved out from the center by about 5 mm. Having just received 3 new M1A1 AIM kits I checked them right away finding that their hulls are all in order ... thank god ! I finally had to cut out the warped section and replace it with plastic card, looks like new again just need to add new welding, might attach a mine-plow anyway.
Having built 3 AIM‘s and 1 SEP already, I get the impression that the hull (bottom and top) of the SEP kit from DML doesn‘t quite fit as well as with their AIM kit. With the other SEP I already built I recall the rear needed some extra attention, compared to the AIM‘s.
I wonder if any one else has made similar experiences or got related impressions while building the DLM SEP kit?
Usually I am not the type to make a fuss if something is not 100% perfect, I‘ll just try to fix it, so yes, I could have been unlucky to have gotten a faulty lower hull with my SEP kit.
All DML M1 kits are, in my view, still the best ones around, but I can‘t help the impression/ feeling that SEP hull is not as good engineered as their AIM version.

Cheers
Christopher

Desmond,

For some corrections to the DML M1A2 SEP kit you might want to review this article by Pawel "VODNIK" Krupowicz: Vodnik;s M1A2SEP kit information page .
Hopefully you haven't gone too far in your build...

Hi Christopher,

I found the same problem with the hull top/bottom fit. It was slightly warped.

Fantastic kit so far though all round. Haven't got to the turret yet though.

Des

Thanks Jeff,

Fortunately I haven't got that far in the build. Most of the improvements that are mentioned are in the upcoming stages of my build so I'm glad you pointed the page out for me, thanks.

Des

You're welcome! Just keep posting those build pics...

My Dragon M1A2 SEP arrived today!! I tore into it like a pit bull on a poodle!!

It looks GREAT!! I can't wait to start working on it!

I think I needed a cigarette afterwards!!

I finally got round to making some more progress yesterday. I should be finishing the tracks and hopefully the wheels today so I will take more pics as I progress and hopefully get them on here tonight or late this afternoon.

Des

Des,
Your Fuel Cover Pin Retaining Chain should be connected to the Securing Pin (picture from Prime Portal):



Just to let you know... Keep us posted on your progress.