HL Abrams detailing build

[greengiant]

I found what I think is a better source for the periscope and sight lenses.
The angle headed flashlights that the US military has used just about forever has a selection of colored diffuser lenses in the end cap of the battery compartment. I've used them when I was in the military and when deer hunting.
The red diffuser lens makes for a redder color then the film negative that I used.
I redid the lens in the thermal viewing tower and Like the results.
I won't be changing the other ones on my build but if you are starting to try to find something to make the ruby colored lenses this is I think, a better choice.

[edpanzer]

They look good inventive thinking!!!

[greengiant]

I wish I would have thought of the flashlight filter earlier.

[bigford]

hey green
is the henlong a copy of the hobby engine abrams??
or just some of the parts fit

[greengiant]

The simple answeris no, the HL Abrams is a completely new molding made by HL. The only part that I found that is the same dimension is the width is the main gun mantle, but in profile the mantles are different as is where the main gun enters the mantle. The HL one is correct (it enters a little lower). It also has the hole for the gunners telescopic sight which is missing on the HE version.
Overall the HE version is a little longer and its details are mostly a bit oversized ,crude, or missing altogether.

The HE version is actually the castings and electronics from the 21st Century rc model of the M1A1 Abrams that came out in the late 1990's with the lower hull modified to take a operational suspension system. HE added the commanders thermal imaging tower like the A2 has but didn't bother to change the commanders copula or 50 cal mount which is still the A1 type. they also left the huge APU box on the rear, along with a second APU on the turret bustle. The real Abrams only had the rear APU for a short time before it was replaced with the bustle mounted unit.

Although the HL is more of a model and the HE a toy they still got some things wrong (like not molding in the anti slip surfaces) which only the very first Abrams M1and m1A1 did not have.

[greengiant]

Made up some canvas for the turret bustle rack.

[Vadermaker]

No I didn't. but these pics show were to mask both the hull and turret.

Excellent stuff , thanx

[greengiant]

A few more items added. Made up some towing clevis out of 10 gauge copper wire and built a working Abrams tow bar out of brass rod, some copper wire and a little two part epoxy and some scrape plastic and super glue.
Its strong enough to drag the tank around with but I built it to add another stowage item.

Like to know if you guy's think it looks better mounted in the front or the rear.

[Cruiser133]

Looks better on the rear, great build btw. I want to build a TUSK version. You know of anybody producing any kits for these yet?

[greengiant]

Thanks, it was a fun project.
I think I'll leave it on the rear, so the clevis can be seen on the front.
I haven't seen anyone offering anything but gearboxes, metal road wheels ( some with rubber tires ), and metal track ( some with rubber track pads ).
I wish the after market would pick up on how popular this Model is and offer different Abrams model tank upgrades up to the most current V2 version and backwards to the M1 with 105 main gun. The 2nd version of the M1 didn't have the nonslip coating or the CIP panels on main turret front ( which could be sanded off HL's model) and other then the main gun and its location in the mantle ( the M1's was located up because the barrel was thinner, a like the location that on the HE version which seems to be a mix of M1, M1a1 and m1A2 features ) it looked like the M1A1 without the CPU on turret bustle.