Build Time! M1a2 Sep V3 AUS

[11C]

Hey all,
I am officially starting the build for my M1a2 Sep V3 AUS variant. This will defiantly not be a sprint of a build time but more a slow jog with the workspace I have on hand. I will try to keep this thread updated as I go along for others to follow and use as a reference for there own builds. This model is also the newer batch of m1a2s from heng long for reference...

Base tank.jpg (2.73 MiB) Viewed 296 times

So! lets begin....
To start off the build we are stripping this bad boy down so I have less of a hassle modifying and painting parts.

The first thing I noticed is the mounting points that hold the upper and lower hull together were not where the manual stated they where. Apparently they decided to keep the old holes and hide the new holes under various parts that can be removed to cover them. Once those where removed the 2 hull parts separated without any issues (see the pics below for locations).

Foward mounting points.jpg (2.35 MiB) Viewed 296 times

Aft Mounting points.jpg (2.32 MiB) Viewed 296 times

From here I decided to label all the wiring that connects to the MCU so I don't have to play any guessing games at the end of the build. I defiantly recommend labeling the ports, no brainer

Tank entiror.jpg (2.9 MiB) Viewed 296 times

Now that the tank is stripped to its various parts. I have decided to start with the turret. While I wait for my first order from DKLMRC full of upgrades, I thought I'd start with the harder challenge. The add on cheek armor.

After surfing the web a handful of times and asking around the forms I decided to do the heavy lifting and make them myself, 3 blender attempts later, I finally had my first printable test. and low and behold. Wasn't to spec enough.

Print underway.jpg (2.15 MiB) Viewed 296 times

So back to the drawing board and another handful of hours later I made a second test. And then a third, forth, fifth.
After about 8 iterations I was finally happy with the left cheek, and proceeded to the Right cheek.

Various test prints.jpg (2.69 MiB) Viewed 296 times

another 6 iterations later and the Right cheek was finished and ready for gluing.

Test fitment.jpg (1.36 MiB) Viewed 296 times

Once the glue was laid and the cheeks where applied. I began to add some tamiya epoxy putty to smooth over the layer lines and blend the edges together for a more seamless fit (not that there really was any lines to begin with)

Epoxy puddy.jpg (1.64 MiB) Viewed 296 times

Next was to apply the anti-slip texture, and boy. what a pain that was. I really do wish the glue wasn't so fast at drying, cause it really made it rather difficult in applying it without having ugly overlays or gaps as I found out. But it all worked out in the end

Texture added.jpg (1.79 MiB) Viewed 296 times

Texture added 2.jpg (2.36 MiB) Viewed 296 times

More to follow in the coming weeks,'

11C out

[MrChef]

This is very cool to see. I haven't a MBT yet, the torsion bar suspension is a nifty upgrade for those newer Heng Longs.

Ya might consider using the Modern tank build section though-
viewforum.php?f=136&sid=d39e0a61a3deecc ... 1fe40f3c3e
They even got a section for the Abrams

[tankme]

Good start there. I wish HL would've worked on fixing the detail issues on the upper hull/turret rather than making a new hull, but it is what it is.

[HERMAN BIX]

And what a project this will be !
Now moved to the best section for it and I already noticed a product I had no idea about, the non-slip .
Could've used that on the Merkava I did recently

[11C]

This is very cool to see. I haven't a MBT yet, the torsion bar suspension is a nifty upgrade for those newer Heng Longs.

Ya might consider using the Modern tank build section though-
viewforum.php?f=136&sid=d39e0a61a3deecc ... 1fe40f3c3e
They even got a section for the Abrams

Sorry I didn't even notice that I placed this in the wrong thread! I'll see if I can move it over.

[11C]

And what a project this will be !
Now moved to the best section for it and I already noticed a product I had no idea about, the non-slip .
Could've used that on the Merkava I did recently

It definitely adds more detail to the model. However there are various spray cans that you can buy (only finding out after buying 2 AK products) and they make it significantly easier to apply and evenly cover the required areas on the model. There's even an airbrush application from VMS.

My only real gripe with the AK product was how fast the glue dried. It began curing within 10- 15 seconds after brushing it into position. So maybe I'll have to try another type of glue that cures a bit slower for a more even coat.

[Jib]

Would you be willing to share your file for the cheek armor? I’ve just gotten a 3D Printer, plan on setting it up next week, I’ve got a 1:16 and 1:8 Abrams I want to make SEPv3 as well. I’ve gotten a lot from DKLMRC, but this is one thing I am missing, I’m guessing you are in kind of the same boat as me.

[tankme]

And what a project this will be !
Now moved to the best section for it and I already noticed a product I had no idea about, the non-slip .
Could've used that on the Merkava I did recently

It definitely adds more detail to the model. However there are various spray cans that you can buy (only finding out after buying 2 AK products) and they make it significantly easier to apply and evenly cover the required areas on the model. There's even an airbrush application from VMS.

My only real gripe with the AK product was how fast the glue dried. It began curing within 10- 15 seconds after brushing it into position. So maybe I'll have to try another type of glue that cures a bit slower for a more even coat.

I don't think they had 1/16 in mind for those glues. I used Tamiya Cement Texture paint so I just painted it on where I wanted it. Took a lot longer to dry, but then if there wasn't enough texture where I wanted I would just paint more on. Tanks like the Merkava 3 have really big sandy random texture. Russian Armata has rather fine texture I used some texture spray paint to replicate (post showing that coming up). What I saw in the Abrams reference photos was more like spray on bed liner texture. Gotta pic from one of my books:



This is that the Tamiya Cement Texture paint looked like before paint:



And after paint:

[11C]

that looks amazing. I will keep this product in mind for my next build.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

A bit of comic relief: after reading this thread last night, I did a Dr. Google search on "Tamiya cement texture." I was buried in hits on Tamiya cement. Then I tried "Tamiya Concrete Texture." B-I-N-G-O!