Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Panda M1 Abrams- sprues
trickymissfit
Joined: October 03, 2007
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
Armorama: 1,357 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 12:38 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Couple questions- would this have a no-slip pattern on it or was that added later. Also, would the periscopes have the anti-laser sheen to it or were they just regular armored glass? Thanks



Anti slip would start sometime after the first M1 IP's were starting to ship. We had an "IP" at work that didn't have the anti slip (out of Ft. Knox). I know they had it four or five months later. I can't remember the periscope, but think it did. It was painted a strait forest green with no markings on it.
gary


Thank you Gary

One more question- is the 105mm barrel really an oval shape or is it round- the kit one has a slightly ovoid cross-section



Wow! Your really working on this old man's memory!! The barrel was round, and machined from one end to the other. That particular tank was really the first time the public got up close to one. I do remember at the time that it was going thru a continuous upgrade as they moved thru production. No one knew the exact measurements of the tank, and TACOM made us bring it inside the building. No problem as the guys measured it, and said we had almost three inches clearance going thru the overhead door in the back of the plant. Everything in the building was brand new, as well as the building itself. Needless to say the installed the side shields and drove it thru the door. Can still see the huge door folded up ontop the tank! Had a good laugh over it, but TACOM wasn't impressed so much.

gary
jwest21
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 05:25 AM UTC
Then it may need a new barrel. I am not sure if my sample somehow wasn't cool and the barrel halves deformed or what, but the whole cross section has a slight oval shape from base to tip
trakpin
Visit this Community
Nova Scotia, Canada
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 667 posts
Armorama: 639 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 06:25 AM UTC

Quoted Text

It looks pretty decent to me. A basic M1 was just that, pretty basic. It looks to have separate sprocket halves to represent the mud release holes, separate outer rings on the road wheels to represent the undercut, the loader's and TC's guns molded in two parts and with separate mounts, good details on the hull and underside, etc. I like what I see.



simplified, much like tamiya's, the exceptions being exhaust grills and tracks. looks like one I'll have to get
mikado
Visit this Community
Singapore / 新加坡
Joined: July 10, 2005
KitMaker: 329 posts
Armorama: 254 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 07:37 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Hi Gino,

Quick question to you... For M1A2...have you seen any of them in Nato 3 tone camo ?

I am going to get the new Tamiya 1/48 M1A2 and thinking of painting it in this scheme.

Does the vehicle follow a fix Camo pattern or is it different for different vehicle ?




To back-up and clarify what has been said, all straight M1A2s and M1A2 SEPs in operational use (not at the Armor School - Ft Knox) were sand. In the last few years, M1A2 SEP v2s in Korea and Europe (EAS - European Activity set - rotational unit vehicles) were painted in standard NATO camo. All stateside M1A2 SEP v2s are still sand.



Thanks Gino :-)
Mrclark7
Visit this Community
Texas, United States
Joined: June 04, 2017
KitMaker: 503 posts
Armorama: 477 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 10:31 AM UTC
color option number #3, in current use in Europe.

Removed by original poster on 09/13/17 - 12:01:09 (GMT).
Kenaicop
#384
Visit this Community
Nevada, United States
Joined: August 23, 2005
KitMaker: 1,426 posts
Armorama: 1,316 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 06:26 PM UTC
Look under the turret, missed a spot
HeavyArty
Visit this Community
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 10:40 PM UTC

Quoted Text

color option number #3, in current use in Europe.




Yup, those are stateside sand tanks that are overpainted in a washable/non-permanent green while on rotation in Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. There was a post about them here a while ago that showed them being painted by the crews with rollers.
jwest21
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 11:17 PM UTC
Is it a CARC green or different?
HeavyArty
Visit this Community
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 11:21 PM UTC
It is a German color. You can read and see all about it at the earlier post.
jwest21
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 12:46 AM UTC
thanks!
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 01:05 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Call me crazy, but I'm loving this. Gotta be better than the old Tamiya version. That .50 cal looks a little out of wack though


Crazy James, it has a certain ring to it.

You guys need to move waaaaaaaay beyond Tamiya. There have been some excellent Abrams released even after the DML M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP. They both made the Tamiya kits obsolete, and since then Meng has released a FANTASTIC M1A2 and M1A1 USMC.

Everyone repeat after me: "Tamiya? Never heard of them."
Vodnik
Visit this Community
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 01:32 AM UTC

Quoted Text


You guys need to move waaaaaaaay beyond Tamiya. There have been some excellent Abrams released even after the DML


We are all referring to 105mm gun M1 Abrams, not just any Abrams... And before this Panda release there was no other 105mm gun M1 since the old Tamiya kit.
ALBOWIE
Visit this Community
New South Wales, Australia
Joined: February 28, 2006
KitMaker: 1,605 posts
Armorama: 1,565 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 01:50 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


You guys need to move waaaaaaaay beyond Tamiya. There have been some excellent Abrams released even after the DML


We are all referring to 105mm gun M1 Abrams, not just any Abrams... And before this Panda release there was no other 105mm gun M1 since the old Tamiya kit.



You forgot the ESCI one
Belt_Fed
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: February 02, 2008
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
Armorama: 1,325 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 06:59 AM UTC
The fact that it's 2017 and manufacturers are still giving us 2 part gun barrels is confusing to me.
Bravo1102
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 07:22 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The fact that it's 2017 and manufacturers are still giving us 2 part gun barrels is confusing to me.


Considering that it looks like Panda used slide molds for the 50 caliber and the grenade launchers it is strange.

But the jacketed 105 in an M60A3 or M1 slick is probably easier engineered as two halves as opposed to three tubes. Though I would do the bore evacuator as halves to get in the thread and drain hole detail. They never get that right and especially not turned metal unless there's a ton of photoetch and other inserts. I was looking at my Dash-10 about main gun maintenance and refuelling.

My first gunnery on M1, I was put on bore evacuator detail for the main gun clean up. Loved that spin and drain, so much better than pull off and scrub.
Vodnik
Visit this Community
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 01:31 PM UTC

Quoted Text


You forgot the ESCI one


I didn't - I decided it's not worth to mention...
RobinNilsson
Staff MemberTOS Moderator
KITMAKER NETWORK
Visit this Community
Stockholm, Sweden
Joined: November 29, 2006
KitMaker: 6,693 posts
Armorama: 5,562 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 01:44 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


You forgot the ESCI one


I didn't - I decided it's not worth to mention...



wowcool
Visit this Community
Solomon Islands
Joined: September 26, 2015
KitMaker: 113 posts
Armorama: 106 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 05:34 PM UTC

Quoted Text

You forgot the ESCI one



The parts breakdown and engineering of Panda's kit gives off strong ESCI/Italeri vibes as well.
trakpin
Visit this Community
Nova Scotia, Canada
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 667 posts
Armorama: 639 posts
Posted: Monday, November 06, 2017 - 03:03 AM UTC
having built this one, seems to me to be a cross between tamiya and dragon. it has tams familiar fit of pretty much all the parts with dragons added detail, separate vision blocks, multi-part MG cradles, choice of last side armor panel cutout with corresponding rear mudflap and exhaust/air intake grills. it's also very close in dimensions with tams iteration. the only real issue are the tracks
Vodnik
Visit this Community
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Monday, November 06, 2017 - 11:18 AM UTC

Quoted Text

the only real issue are the tracks


And too short gun barrel.
trakpin
Visit this Community
Nova Scotia, Canada
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 667 posts
Armorama: 639 posts
Posted: Monday, November 06, 2017 - 01:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

the only real issue are the tracks


And too short gun barrel.



if it is, it's about 2mm longer than tamiyas, but it DOES have a proper MRS . besides, ain't that what AM is for?
Vodnik
Visit this Community
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Monday, November 06, 2017 - 03:56 PM UTC

Quoted Text


if it is, it's about 2mm longer than tamiyas, but it DOES have a proper MRS . besides, ain't that what AM is for?


Yes, it is longer than VERY short Tamiya barrel, but still a few mms too short.

The problem with AM is that there is no AM barrel for M1. You can use parts from DEF "late" barrel for M60A3, but not the whole barrel...

Besides, you mentioned tracks to be a problem - ain't that what AM is for?
Bravo1102
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Monday, November 06, 2017 - 05:24 PM UTC
Since the end section is effectively hidden inside the mantle, the gun barrel length is an easy fix with a plastic shim.
And AFV club tracks are a joy to work with so no problem. Now does anyone have a spare bustle rack they don't need so I can build a tank I saw in Fort Drum?

And anyone have any idea how to scratchbuilt a 24" Tick action figure in 1/35?
Vodnik
Visit this Community
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Monday, November 06, 2017 - 06:15 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Since the end section is effectively hidden inside the mantle, the gun barrel length is an easy fix with a plastic shim.


No, because the barrel is too short between the bore evacuator and muzzle, not between mantlet and evacuator...


Quoted Text

And AFV club tracks are a joy to work


They sure are, but AFV Club don't make T156 tracks... The only AM T156 tracks on the market are Trumpeter (previously Armor Track Models) ones, but they are very hard to find these days.