Yup... The center vision block in the Commander's Weapon Station is raised rather high on the 1:1 scale version. The added height allows the Tank Commander to see through it when the hatch is in the open protective position as well as utilize the manual sight that is mounted beneath the M2 .50 caliber MG Mount.
John
Constructive Feedback
For in-progress or completed build photos. Give and get contructive feedback!
For in-progress or completed build photos. Give and get contructive feedback!
Hosted by Darren Baker, Dave O'Meara
M1A1 AIM with TUSK, Dagon 1/35
Tankrider
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 02:46 PM UTC
majjanelson
Joined: December 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,355 posts
Armorama: 979 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 04:39 PM UTC
And here are a couple of images from PrimePortal showing what John pointed out.
Rear View showing the "tall" vision block with the clear see-through portion and the painted angled top (which is the prism mirror for the internal vision block):
Front View showing the same vision block with the clear see-through part. This image also shows the aiming reticles (two circles mounted under the MG mount - the front one actually has "crosshairs") the TC uses to aim the remotely-operated .50 cal M2.
I hope this helps...
Rear View showing the "tall" vision block with the clear see-through portion and the painted angled top (which is the prism mirror for the internal vision block):
Front View showing the same vision block with the clear see-through part. This image also shows the aiming reticles (two circles mounted under the MG mount - the front one actually has "crosshairs") the TC uses to aim the remotely-operated .50 cal M2.
I hope this helps...
LSP_Dave
Joined: July 30, 2010
KitMaker: 52 posts
Armorama: 45 posts
Posted: Friday, August 13, 2010 - 12:14 PM UTC
Quoted Text
And here are a couple of images from PrimePortal showing what John pointed out.
Rear View showing the "tall" vision block with the clear see-through portion and the painted angled top (which is the prism mirror for the internal vision block):
Front View showing the same vision block with the clear see-through part. This image also shows the aiming reticles (two circles mounted under the MG mount - the front one actually has "crosshairs") the TC uses to aim the remotely-operated .50 cal M2.
I hope this helps...
Those are extremely helpful pictures, thanks!
LSP_Dave
Joined: July 30, 2010
KitMaker: 52 posts
Armorama: 45 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 - 05:00 AM UTC
A bit of progress from yesterday....
I find that, the more fiddly bits there are, the slower I move. I can only do so much before I have to step away for a while and regain my sanity! With the TUSK conversion and all the details already in the kit that means frequent breaks.
Anyway.. Here is the .50cal completed and installed with the resin camera(?) added:
Sure is getting busy on top of this turret!
Then I encountered a bit of a problem. The TUSK conversion includes a second .50cal that gets mounted on the main gun. The two main parts of this gun had some serious warpage. I tried the hot water trick which corrected it somewhat, but the darn thing still has a droop to it. This is a bummer since it's a focal point of the model but there seemed to be only so much I could do. As it is the gun could use a little blue pill.
I also filled the gaps on the belly armor and gave it a test coat of primer. I'm pretty happy with the result there as it looks like one piece of armor now:
I should have some more to post later today!
Dave
I find that, the more fiddly bits there are, the slower I move. I can only do so much before I have to step away for a while and regain my sanity! With the TUSK conversion and all the details already in the kit that means frequent breaks.
Anyway.. Here is the .50cal completed and installed with the resin camera(?) added:
Sure is getting busy on top of this turret!
Then I encountered a bit of a problem. The TUSK conversion includes a second .50cal that gets mounted on the main gun. The two main parts of this gun had some serious warpage. I tried the hot water trick which corrected it somewhat, but the darn thing still has a droop to it. This is a bummer since it's a focal point of the model but there seemed to be only so much I could do. As it is the gun could use a little blue pill.
I also filled the gaps on the belly armor and gave it a test coat of primer. I'm pretty happy with the result there as it looks like one piece of armor now:
I should have some more to post later today!
Dave
LSP_Dave
Joined: July 30, 2010
KitMaker: 52 posts
Armorama: 45 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 04:46 PM UTC
The turret is complete and in primer! 
I forgot to mention that I did manage to fill in the large holes created when I missed those parts on the mantlet. It's just styrene sheet but at least the gaps are gone.
I forgot to mention that I did manage to fill in the large holes created when I missed those parts on the mantlet. It's just styrene sheet but at least the gaps are gone. LSP_Dave
Joined: July 30, 2010
KitMaker: 52 posts
Armorama: 45 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 - 07:16 PM UTC
Finally some of the fun stuff begins!
I'm still figuring out the side-skirts due to the tricky bit of building needed to adapt the TUSK modifications to them. While that continues I got a first coat on the turret. Note that I've already knocked the smaller MG off.. Easy enough to fix and actually helps with the painting process a bit. Happy accident I guess.
This first coat is MM Acryl Desert Sand which is a bit yellower and darker than the final scheme will be. Some lighter coats of Gulf War Sand will go on tomorrow to fade the colors somewhat.
Should have another update tomorrow!
Dave
I'm still figuring out the side-skirts due to the tricky bit of building needed to adapt the TUSK modifications to them. While that continues I got a first coat on the turret. Note that I've already knocked the smaller MG off.. Easy enough to fix and actually helps with the painting process a bit. Happy accident I guess.
This first coat is MM Acryl Desert Sand which is a bit yellower and darker than the final scheme will be. Some lighter coats of Gulf War Sand will go on tomorrow to fade the colors somewhat.
Should have another update tomorrow!
Dave
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 03:45 AM UTC
Looks great so far. A couple areas of concern though. First is the water can rack. These were seen on 2 BDE, 3ID vehicles from PrePo stocks in Kuwait during the initial invasion. They were made locally in Kuwait. When 3ID rotated back, these vehicles were turned in and I haven't seen the racks on any vehicles in Iraq since then. The other is the MG on top of the barrel. It should be pointing in the same place as the barrel. It looks like it is pointing down. Also, it looks like there is a piece of excess resin on the muzzle end of the barrel that needs to be removed. Ther than these, its looking great. Keep up the good work.
tomapaul
Joined: September 17, 2007
KitMaker: 425 posts
Armorama: 304 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 04:33 AM UTC
Man, I just love this tank. Keep up the good work and let's see another great Abrams.
LSP_Dave
Joined: July 30, 2010
KitMaker: 52 posts
Armorama: 45 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 09:06 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Looks great so far. A couple areas of concern though. First is the water can rack. These were seen on 2 BDE, 3ID vehicles from PrePo stocks in Kuwait during the initial invasion. They were made locally in Kuwait. When 3ID rotated back, these vehicles were turned in and I haven't seen the racks on any vehicles in Iraq since then. The other is the MG on top of the barrel. It should be pointing in the same place as the barrel. It looks like it is pointing down. Also, it looks like there is a piece of excess resin on the muzzle end of the barrel that needs to be removed. Ther than these, its looking great. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the input! The gun on the barrel is pretty badly warped so it actually droops downward even though the assembly is on straight. I got it as straight as I could but the result is still a visible droop.
As to the rest, this is probably going to be a somewhat fictional tank by the time I'm done. I don't have markings for a TUSK machine, for instance. Since I'm really brand new to armor and doing it more for the weathering and painting lessons I fall into the "it looks cool to me" category. If I get more involved in this side of the hobby I'm sure I'll start buying reference materials and get more serious about the accuracy of my projects.
LSP_Dave
Joined: July 30, 2010
KitMaker: 52 posts
Armorama: 45 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 06:43 PM UTC
Main paintwork is complete, except for those skirts I'm still wrestling. It has been given a lighter shade but I'm not sure if it made much difference. Obviously the key to giving this any realism lies in the detail painting and weathering. This will provide me my first real opportunity to completely wreck the project.
Cross your fingers for me!
Cross your fingers for me!
sgtreef
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 6,043 posts
Armorama: 4,347 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 12:04 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Dave,
I'm glad you were able to at least make a partial correction, since you would have likely been kicking yourself over a mistake on such an otherwise great build of an excellent kit.
Be advised that the TUSK belly armor supposedly only covers under the crew compartment and stops near the #5 Roadwheels (pictures from Prime Portal):
Rear View.
Front View:
I haven't built the Legend Set, but others on Armorama have in other postings.
Dang those tracks need changing.
LSP_Dave
Joined: July 30, 2010
KitMaker: 52 posts
Armorama: 45 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 - 06:40 PM UTC
I finally got started on the weathering stages today. Bear in mind I'm an aircraft builder so I started with some post-shading. I like how it turned out on the turret but the main hull is too heavy handed. I can always knock it back down later.
Its since had a satin clear coat so I can start with washes tomorrow.
Its since had a satin clear coat so I can start with washes tomorrow.
DavidTPB
Joined: November 08, 2010
KitMaker: 8 posts
Armorama: 7 posts
Posted: Monday, November 08, 2010 - 11:39 AM UTC
Looking really nice so far Dave. I just got a M1A2 SEP and the Legend TUSK II set for myself, and I hope my kit turns out as nicely as yours is! 
charging_rhinos
Joined: June 16, 2010
KitMaker: 89 posts
Armorama: 76 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 - 04:51 AM UTC
Looking really great! I'm also doing a Tusk at the moment (sep tusk II), and I've found that front .50 cal to be really badly bent as well. Blue pill definitely needed! On mine, it's so bad that I'm being forced to use the extra styrene one that came with the tank kit. It's really odd that so much of the Legends kit is so well done, yet the gun is so poorly cast. As you said, it's a focal point of the model for sure. If you wanted, I might have (small chance, but possible) an extra styrene .50 cal in the parts box. If I do, you're welcome to have it. I'll let you know if I find one in the stash.
But your model is looking great. I really like the subtle shading. Many folks overdo it, but yours looks really nice and natural. I'll be keeping an eye on this build for sure for tips on how to proceed with mine. Can't wait to see those skirts and tracks!
But your model is looking great. I really like the subtle shading. Many folks overdo it, but yours looks really nice and natural. I'll be keeping an eye on this build for sure for tips on how to proceed with mine. Can't wait to see those skirts and tracks!
retiredyank
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 - 05:44 AM UTC
Looks very good for one of your first afvs. The assembly is clean and it looks like you have a plan rather than just throwing paint at it.
dlesko
Joined: January 08, 2003
KitMaker: 124 posts
Armorama: 106 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - 07:30 AM UTC
Any update on this build? Id love to see the finished model. Great job!
retiredyank
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - 12:00 PM UTC
This thread makes me hate myself for buying the horrible Academy M1A1. Still waiting final assembly to roll off the desk.
heliman
Joined: June 14, 2010
KitMaker: 702 posts
Armorama: 604 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - 01:50 PM UTC
I also have the kit waiting in the stash..following your build helps me plan where to take it. I can't believe its your first build from aircraft..it looks great.
Gino mentioned one nagging issue...the barrel mounted 50, the drooping one. Theres a tiny piece of resin hanging off the barrel end that needs to be removed..its like dating the prom queen , and ya notice a boogie hanging from her nose......take a sander stick over it real quick...
Jeff
Gino mentioned one nagging issue...the barrel mounted 50, the drooping one. Theres a tiny piece of resin hanging off the barrel end that needs to be removed..its like dating the prom queen , and ya notice a boogie hanging from her nose......take a sander stick over it real quick...
Jeff
WARDUKWNZ
Joined: June 01, 2011
KitMaker: 1,716 posts
Armorama: 1,638 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - 09:19 PM UTC
David i'm building the same thing but with the Urban kit on it .. one thing i am doing it replacing the .50's as they are not very good and both are bent out of shape ..another thing is i am replacing the barrels with the RB Models .50 barrel set ,,wonderful little set and looks amazing once its done ..this little set is cheap and would make your tank look real nice
Here's a link so you can take a look for your self
http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?action=cart&cmd=Add&item_no=RB-35B13
Oh by the way listen to Gino ..hes helped me out heaps ..his info is right up to date and with modern US armour hes a huge help
Cheers
Phill
Here's a link so you can take a look for your self
http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?action=cart&cmd=Add&item_no=RB-35B13
Oh by the way listen to Gino ..hes helped me out heaps ..his info is right up to date and with modern US armour hes a huge help
Cheers
Phill
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Armorama: 1,143 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 02:07 AM UTC
Just read through the whole thread as it was bumped up to the top of the constructive Feedback forum. Like others, I would sure like to see the finished product.
I'm also a converted military aircraft modeler since I came back to the hobby. It sure is a different world.
I'm also a converted military aircraft modeler since I came back to the hobby. It sure is a different world.
dlesko
Joined: January 08, 2003
KitMaker: 124 posts
Armorama: 106 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 07:58 AM UTC
Any update? This is looking great.
LSP_Dave
Joined: July 30, 2010
KitMaker: 52 posts
Armorama: 45 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 09, 2013 - 02:20 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Any update? This is looking great.
I'm afraid not. Shortly after my last update the economic downturn hit me really hard. Lost job, lost home, ended up living in a hotel for a year, etc. This along with most of my possessions went away.
I'm finally getting back on my feet but am still a long way away from getting back to building. I did enjoy this kit however, so hopefully one day soon I'll get another and try it again.
210cav
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 6,149 posts
Armorama: 4,573 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 10, 2013 - 12:41 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextAny update? This is looking great.
I'm afraid not. Shortly after my last update the economic downturn hit me really hard. Lost job, lost home, ended up living in a hotel for a year, etc. This along with most of my possessions went away.
I'm finally getting back on my feet but am still a long way away from getting back to building. I did enjoy this kit however, so hopefully one day soon I'll get another and try it again.
D ave-- tragic for you personally and professionally. We have our fingers crossed that your life situation improves. Look forward to seeing your work in the near future
DJ
The_musings_of_NBNoG
Joined: January 08, 2012
KitMaker: 520 posts
Armorama: 516 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 23, 2014 - 05:21 PM UTC
We haven't forgotten you....Hoping for all the best to you.
~NBNoG
~NBNoG
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