FUTURE SHOCK..SAUNDERS M1A2 ABRAMS

[PainlessWolf]

Alpha,
It is outstanding work. Take care of yourself, my Friend and ware the weather.
regards,
Painless

[greengiant]

Looks very good ALPHA. Even though the center is very dark I think I see the wipers there.

[ALPHA]

Looks very good ALPHA. Even though the center is very dark I think I see the wipers there.

NO WIPERS ....left a space for them...but I'm not sure whether to put them on or not...but yeah it is dark in the middle...mosty because the clear simulated bullet repellent glass reflects the light oddly .... when the weather clears up i will try to get some better shots

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Alpha,
It is outstanding work. Take care of yourself, my Friend and ware the weather.
regards,
Painless

Rained all day....the heavy big drop stuff....it was good though as it made the day more tolerable ....knew it was going to rain lol....went for a bike ride yesterday...and left my bike on part of my porch ....It always rains when I do that

It's ok work lol...but thanks for the complement

ALPHA

[HERMAN BIX]

With all three Abrams builds going on so hard-core, its difficult to know who to ask, but, can any of you guys do a hatch & handle count please !!
Detail wise this would put into perspective just how much is going into these builds .
Its almost like the M1 is taking on the subtle versions of the Sherman that only a trained educated eye can pick the difference on
The three builds are just enthralling, and its a credit to all of you

[ALPHA]

With all three Abrams builds going on so hard-core,

Hard core compared to what Herman....you've done just as much fabrication to install your parts...so does Painless....Fynsdad Mcevoyi Lposter FredtheFrench ...anyone who does a build totally from scratch are the hard core builders to me

its difficult to know who to ask, but, can any of you guys do a hatch & handle count please !!

UHHHHHHHHHHHH....no There's lots....lots and lots...So many Giant did about half...ATC did one ...I did all but three ....but Technically...there is only one "hatch handle" lol...the rest are more like hinged Grab Handles you'd find on a tool box or something like that...the thing that makes the M1 tricky...is the more detail you add...the more handles have to be made...like the junction box and telephone box on the rear...add two more...change the APU to the AVU...and you add three...Make the battery compartment hatches on the rear quarter...add five....The silver lining to the whole exercise...is at the end of the project...you will be a master of bending wire

Detail wise this would put into perspective just how much is going into these builds .
Its almost like the M1 is taking on the subtle versions of the Sherman that only a trained educated eye can pick the difference on
The three builds are just enthralling, and its a credit to all of you

It's been a long haul for me....the lenses alone took an hour half each...(had to toss one prototype as it was just garbage)...modding the hatch another four (easier if you take it off...but you have to add time for that) then another two and a half to touch it up...the difference between making the Grab handles and the other details is that you get faster making handles....never with the other details ............But like any other build the difficulty level is determinant on how far you want to take it ...right out of the box...the M1 has enough detail to be a stand alone M1a2 V1....Giant went one step further ATC is full on conversion to a V2....Me...I'm in the middle lol
It IS very similar to the Sherman...the research is almost as confusing ....The largest and probably one difference that will impact you as you go along...is that the M1 is like working on three Shermans...as you almost have to build upon/ paint each level (lower hull upper hull turret) separately ...the turret alone is like doing one tank

Anyway...I will take the liberty for Giant and ATC ...to thank you Herman...for following along

ALPHA

PS. Just off the top of my head...there are 12 on the turret...5 on the front....6 in the middle 15 on the back including the junction box and the phone box...so for me subtract 3 ...but add 2 back...because I'm going to add those onto the turret (the AVU) ...leaving the one on the phone box absent

[ALPHA]

Ok day today............better shots



Now for the dreaded eight panel double laminate cupola inserts

Carpe Diem Gents

ALPHA

[greengiant]

Alpha - No windshield wiper for the center drivers periscope?

[ALPHA]

Alpha - No windshield wiper for the center drivers periscope?

Not sure yet Giant....not a detail I put a priority on...I did leave a provision to put some on if I decide to go in that direction...but right now I just like looking at the ports how they are
They look good on yours...and I think if ATC does them they will look good on his...mostly because you two are building "realistic" versions...I envision mine "anime" style....not sure if the animators would include that feature...I think it looks ok without them...so for now...that's how it's going to stay....maybe after I do the eight double laminate lenses for the cupola ...step back and take a long view...


ALPHA

[greengiant]

Man Alpha your periscopes are the most real looking I've seen so your double layering is paying off.