Something I've been doing the past days

[ALPHA]

Clever Idea ATC...never would think a laptop would put out enough heat to bend plastic

Wish I had your dexterity and patience lol...this is going to be one fantastic looking ABRAMS...

ALPHA

[atcttge]

Took more than an hour to do:

[mcevoyi]

I bet that did

Looking really fab all the work so far ...I've put mine in ice as I was about to do a simular correction to the m1a2 .. but have my hands full with another project and a pending weeks holiday to Cyprus

[ALPHA]

Took more than an hour to do:

OK............I'm not going to do that! ........................
Awesome ATC

ALPHA

[atcttge]

No pix for now, but just a minor update: added one of the two boxes (specifically the bigger one) on the right rear beside the right tail light. Took a while to guess the size and location. Fortunately, some guy uploaded pix of a clean M1A2 SEP v2 at Photobucket so that solved my problem. Will be making the smaller box later tonight if I am not lazy, and then take a pic of that area.

Hoping to get my brass rods this weekend so I can finish the extended bustle rack.

[ALPHA]

No pix for now, but just a minor update: added one of the two boxes (specifically the bigger one) on the right rear beside the right tail light. Took a while to guess the size and location. Fortunately, some guy uploaded pix of a clean M1A2 SEP v2 at Photobucket so that solved my problem. Will be making the smaller box later tonight if I am not lazy, and then take a pic of that area.

Hoping to get my brass rods this weekend so I can finish the extended bustle rack.

O..............K......Not going to do that either ....funny thing though...Heng Long provides part of that rack...and none of the rest

Can't wait for photos...even though I'm not going to do that


ALPHA

[ALPHA]

By the way ATC...when other modellers see your tanks....do they ever ask what brand of Photo Etch you use????

Just wondering...because that light bezel is not only old school ...but executed so very well

ALPHA

[greengiant]

It really is great looking. Two things will make it look even better. Figure how to make the ammo box to 50 cal flex ammo belt carrier and do the nonslip finish on the turret and upper hull.( sorry I just think the nonslip is needed and that HL should have molded it in)
Don't forget that the v2 has a GPS receiver just behind the turret tower.
I agree with using the NATO color cammo pattern as the v2's that the US has prepositioned in Germany are painted that way.
I didn't research the top of the rear deck for the v2 but I think the APU covers and air intake may be different on them then on the v1 as the real v2 pics I've seen that show the whole rear end don't show the APU exhaust being between the left rear grill and tail light like on the v1. When the next round of rebuilds takes place, the v3 project, there is speculation that there is a push to go back to a diesel power pack to get greater range out of the old girl with a more easily available fuel. Its possible that if that happens the turbines will as they wear out, be replaced in v2's before they go through the rebuild cycle making what it sounds like not that important.

[atcttge]

Hi greengiant. Yes, I'll be making the ammo chute. I've got an idea already, but I haven't executed it yet as I'm focused on the general appearance first. Might do the anti-slip first before the ammo chute as the latter is a bit more complicated to do with a lot of folding in the idea I've got.

Wot do you mean by "turret tower"? The CITV in front of the loader? I've been wondering about that meself and I haven't got clear pix of that area as of yet. If you do, do please post it here, thanks.

Yes, the v2 doesn't appear to have an exhaust vent at the rear. I'm thinking the APU is fuel cell or battery, hence no need for exhaust. I haven't researched wot APU the v2 has, but it'd make sense if it's battery or fuel cell type that doesn't give out any exhaust so as to lower the thermal sig of the tank (and so make it even more survivable). Covers seem to be the same so far from wot I've seen. Dunno about the intake. And the square thingy on the left side just below the APU covers with the four bolts or wotever those are seem to be gone in the v2.

I've heard about the switch to a diesel engine as well, with some speculating the powerpack as found on the Leos could be used, but then that'd be a case of NIH, so mebbe won't see the light of day ahehe.... From wot I've heard, the current engine isn't as thirsty as when it first was, and partly has to do with the APU since the turbine remains working at 100% even when on stop. The APU means that the tank's main engine can be shut down with all the systems powered by the APU. But with all that new electronics on the v2, I can imagine the power drain....

Thanks for the info! Hope you can help me with the GPS behind the CITV.

Alpha: LOL! That's wot happens if one doesn't have the money for PE, or there is no PE available hehehehe

[ALPHA]

Alpha: LOL! That's wot happens if one doesn't have the money for PE, or there is no PE available hehehehe

Hey ATC....I call that improvising under pressure .............. Bet no one can tell once it's painted...that stuff is Awesome...with that said...Awesome as it is....I'M STILL NOT GONNA DO IT

ALPHA