Best Heng Long M1A2 Options?

[Uncarina]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post here, and I would love your advice. I am very interested in purchasing a Heng Long M1A2 Abrams with upgrades. Ultimately I would like to have the metal/rubber tracks, metal wheels, axles, sprockets, and idlers, 360 degree turret rotation, and whatever other upgrades you might suggest; I've been very inspired by Scalawag's build, though I would like to build a USMC OIF version. My goal is to have the best combination of features and cost. I am in the USA.

Currently I see several options online:
--an E-Bay seller out of Singapore with the best prices and Most of the additions I want, but his feedback and my communication with him makes me reluctant;
--buy from other Vendors on E-Bay and Amazon that offer fewer options, with better ratings but more expense;
--buy a basic version and upgrade myself, this means buying additions from a variety of vendors.

What are your thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Thanks! Tom Wilson

[MichaelC]

Tom, welcome and my experience has been that usually you can get a better deal from the tank seller on stock items (i.e. metal tracks, metal gears) purchased with the tank itself, but you are better off shop around for other cosmetic upgrades from other more boutique vendors.

MichaelC.

[ALPHA]

Sky's the limit...check out builds by both Green Giant and Scalawag....Green did a lot to the exterior Scalawag to the internals
viewtopic.php?f=41&t=18164
Click on their names to view their posts


GOOD LUCK

ALPHA

[Uncarina]

Thank you both! I hadn't seen Green Giant's build.

Cheers, Tom

[Uncarina]

Paul,

That's outstanding--I really appreciate the advice about your build and what to watch out for. I have several of the Concord OIF publications and will take a careful look at the USMC Abrams details.

Thanks very much, Tom

[Uncarina]

Paul,

Done! I just purchased the Pro version from Haya UK. Thanks again.

Cheers, Tom

[atcttge]

One to be aware of as you are going to be changing the tracks is that the USMC M1s use the older style tread pattern. The only place I have seen them is on eBay, a seller in Hong Kong sells them, but I can't find a link anywhere.

Not true anymore.

See:



That is a USMC M1A1 and it has the Type 158 track. The old Type 156 sometimes crops up but not often nowadays. Note that it does not have the jamming device on the manhole cover. Note the grenade launchers which makes this a USMC tank.

Some USMC still sport the track retainer ring for the sprocket, but those are also not seen often nowadays.

The most visible stuff that distinguishes a USMC M1A1 is the boxy jamming device on the manhole (i.e., the area where the CITV of the M1A2 is located), and the smoke grenade launchers (see below):

[Uncarina]

Thanks for your help! I've built a USMC Abrams in 1/35, but it was a while ago, and I will have to refresh my memory about the modifications I did. I have to amend my previous: I ended up ordering a basic Heng Long Abrams from Canada at a good price, then placed a big order for upgrades from Tank Army in Australia: metal/rubber tracks, wheels, springs, suspension arms, sprockets, idlers with springs and shaft, edition II gearbox, and the 360 traverse. The combined total came to less than the Platinum prices I found!

Cheers, Tom

[Uncarina]

Thanks, Paul! I know I will be asking questions, and I'll be posting some pics soon of my past builds and hopefully things to come.

Cheers, Tom