Hobby Engine Abrams converted to Heng Long M1A2

[AlwynTurner]

Thanks Tankbear for the heads up on the main gun, I would have been cursing much better if I tried to thread the wire and couldn't get it through , now I know what to expect! I spotted this info on the M1A3 which is all the turret upgrades and the reactive armour which is pretty much the major external difference between the A1 and the A3, so I might give that a shot when I do the turret fixes.

After a doubtful beginning this looks like it has possibilities!

[edpanzer]

Glad you sorted it Alwin

[AlwynTurner]

Thanks edpanzer, it was sufficiently successful that I am tempted by a couple more spare or repairs on evilbay, maybe I could turn one into a bridge laying variant - the M104 wolverine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M104_Wolverine
Or maybe not! Alwyn

[AlwynTurner]

Decided to update the M1A1 to an M1A2 TUSK and paint it in desert colours (specifically Iraq campaign).
Here's the outcome of the rewiring - I added the machine gun light and the gun barrel light (and as mentioned by tankbear that was a right pain and resulted in a certain amount of bad language) and everything now works a treat.


Here's what the real M1A2 looks like

When those guys go camping they really pack up everything!
So progress on the mods, made the turret hatches opening, fitted the infra-red camera (at least that's what I think the R2D2 thing is, started on the air-con unit at the rear of the turret.

Still to do is the loader/gunner protection, finish the aircon unit, add the extra turret bustle rack for storage, and do the reactive armour for the sides. The recognition panels also need to be added - don't want any friendly fire incidents!
And then to painting in sand colour and weathering using my new airbrush.

[Tankbear]

Looking good.

I recommend replacing the traverse gear box to a heng long one as the hobby engine one is too slow.

Ian.

[AlwynTurner]

Thanks tankbear, I'll have a rummage in the castoffs box at the next MAD meet for one. Is it a straight replacement or will I need to do some modification? Alwyn

[Tankbear]

Gearbox is a perfect fit to drive the turret only mod needed is to make some stand offs to fix the gearbox.

Wasn't any spares in the mad spare box other month when I looked

Ian.

[AlwynTurner]

Ordered this of evilbay, hopefully it will do the job. Only £2.49!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261174006909
Alwyn

[AlwynTurner]

Air con unit and gunner protection done.

Just the bustle rack and reactive armour to go.

[AlwynTurner]

Finished the bustle rack and reactive armour. I got a Heng Long turret motor but it must have been the wrong type as it had no mounting screw holes so didn't attempt to fit that. I will try and get another motor and try it later. The reactive armour was fun - 256 bolt heads - talk about tedious! Just have the side and rear recognition panels to do and then paint and weather.


Anyway it looks fairly authentic if a bit stark at the moment without it's paint job. Hopefully try the airbrush on it tomorrow. Alwyn