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Re: HL M1A1 HA, Belly Armor update 4/11

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 11:21 pm
by BarryC
Cody,

Found them I had looked briefly at the 435 photos but no close enough!

Here is a drawing of what I believe the Belly Armor mounting looks like.

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Any thoughts or ideas gladly accepted,
Barry

Re: HL M1A1 HA, Belly Armor update 4/11

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 12:01 am
by CODY614
Shot some primer on the hull...Shows the sides a little better...Your drawings look good. Keeping in mind that most of this will be hard to see, it should work.


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Re: HL M1A1 HA, Belly Armor update 4/11

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 12:24 am
by BarryC
Cody,

I can see the Tamiya kit is far more accurate than the RFM with respect to the width of the Belly Armor. That said the mounting rail that overlaps the side as both kits do up front should extend the full length on the Belly Armor so neither is completely accurate. I am shooting for an accurate rendering keeping in mind it has to be able to absorb some punishment from operation.

Looking at all the pictures on P/P I noticed that both the forward and aft return roller are inboard of the track center unlike the HL model. I wonder if HL found it necessary to have one inboard and one outboard for operation or it just seemed logical to them. I have the metal return rollers but have not decided on replacing the plastic ones.

Found some great pics of the mounting system for the side armor blocks. It too will be mostly unseen but it will be much easier to model knowing how they work and what they actually look like.

I realize that most of this will be unseen but I'm just O.C.D that way! :crazy:

Barry

Re: HL M1A1 HA, Belly Armor update 4/11

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 2:23 pm
by CODY614
Fanning the flames...

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They appear to be "Inside"...
From here...

http://svsm.org/gallery/m1family


Ordered this...
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Re: HL M1A1 HA, Belly Armor update 4/11

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 1:25 am
by BarryC
Thinking about it! :think:

You'll like the Tankograd pub. lots & lots of "in the field" photos. :thumbup:

Here are some shots of the "nose" piece, lots of individual pieces but it is very sturdy. Once the deck sheeting is on and the one piece finishing nose cap is installed and bolted down it will be plenty sturdy, I hope!

TAFN,
Barry

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Re: HL M1A1 HA, Belly Armor update 4/12

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 3:40 am
by Uncarina
Barry,

I've been taking a little break from my Abrams build to work on the Trumpeter 1/16 M-ATV, so I've been remiss in following your excellent work lately. I really like what you've been doing, and your dialogue with Cody has been an education!

Cheers, Tom

Re: HL M1A1 HA, Belly Armor update 4/12

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 1:29 pm
by CODY614
Barry...
Loving the "New Armour"...
We could only wish that 1/35 scale vendors would something like this for 1/16th...

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/inde ... try2326481

Re: HL M1A1 HA, Belly Armor update 4/12

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 1:49 pm
by BarryC
Cody,

It is my understanding from someone's post here that Trumpeter is going to release an Abrams in 1/16". I hope the popularity of the kit will be such that possible ABER or another maker of PE sets in 1/16" scale will release a set like we see in 1/35". ABER has some awesome though expensive sets for the Tiger I & II in 1/16".

Would be awesome!
Barry

Re: HL M1A1 HA, Belly Armor update 4/12

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 1:52 pm
by BarryC
Thanks Tom, education is one of the aspects of model building I enjoy.

Posting any photos of the M-ATV?

Barry

Re: HL M1A1 HA, Belly Armor update 4/12

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 1:20 am
by BarryC
Hi folks,

Here are a few photos of the forward section in place with the deck sheeting, fascia piece and all trimmed in with the exception of the outboard ends. They will be trimmed to fit the side extensions once installed. After that comes the attachment rail, hope to get it finished up this weekend.

TTFN,
Barry

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