ALPHA wrote:Don't forget those "tie down" loops on the back of the Turret Scalawag...it's a small detail...but personally ...I didn't like the look of the molded ones
ALPHA
I am so glad I had that extra bustle rack, those small loops won't be seen BWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
You have to admit though...those things don't look so hot
Hatch looks complete now and the squared of engine cover lift rings are now correct. All looks great.
Alpha is right about the tie down loops at the bottom of the rear bustle. Didn't do anything with mine yet but will eventually make the right amount of tiny loops and put them on mine.
The thing on the back right side of SEPv2 bustle. From what I read in multiple descriptions of the SEPv2 improvements it is the devise they added to defend against self guided missiles that have locked onto the tank from above while in flight. Don't know what its called but its described as sending out automatically if a missile is detected by it a super strong infrared beam that blinds the incoming missiles guidance system causing it to go of course and hit the ground somewhere other then its initial locked on target.
Re: "the thing on the back right side of SEPv2 bustle"
On the right back side, behind the right stowage box, is the Blue Force Tracker antenna, which is the successor to IVIS, and is essentially an IFF system so tankers can see where their fellow tankers are.
On the right side of the bustle rack, the box with the antenna, that is the DUKE Counter Measures unit which is used to defeat IEDs. It works by jamming radio frequency signals which are used to trigger IEDs.
Do not confuse the DUKE counter measures unit at the bustle rack to the MCD (Missile Countermeasures Device) that the US Marines have on their M1A1 tanks. The MCD is mounted on the front, on top of the "manhole" cover where the CITV is installed on the M1A2. Which is why some people confuse the USMC M1A1 to an US Army M1A2 because the MCD is confused as the CITV.
Last edited by atcttge on Thu Sep 24, 2015 5:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
As for jammers, the usual active missile jammers emit an infrared signal of sorts that confuses the missile's sensor (be it the guidance package found on the launcher which the missiler uses to guide the missile to the target, or a fire-and-forget missile that automatically tracks the target with its own sensor in the missile's body). The jamming signal gives the missile a "blurry" image to see, so that it ends up hitting a non-essential part of the tank or missing completely. This works against optically tracked systems like TOW, or beam-riding missiles that use a laser for aiming and tracking. These kind of jammers, however, are of no use against radar-guided missiles like Longbow Hellfire which has its own millimeter radar for guidance.
The US Army does not have such a jammer in place for its M1 tanks. Only the US Marines with its MCD. From what I recall, it works like the Russian Shtora jammers found on the turret glacis of the T-90s.
Other form of countermeasures are the smoke grenades that works visually and against some thermal imagers. Some tanks have active protection systems that detect when they are being lazed, giving the crew inside a warning and where the laser is coming from, so that the turret traverses towards the source to give the crew a chance to fire at the target - and so screwing up the missiler crew's day. Millimetric radar onboard will also detect incoming missiles for the tank's countermeasures to work - from smoke, to essentially mortars that launch and intercept the missile like Drozd, Arena, and Trophy.
Paul,
Those tow cables look the Business with the correct mounts that you added. The whole tank is amazing to look at. All of these current Abrams builds here are. So much for the eye to admire! Looking forward to the paint!
regards,
Painless
ALPHA wrote:FREAKIN PEER PRESSURE ......I'm gonna do my hatch ..............but I'm leaving my custom bent grab handle
ALPHA
You know you love it really ALPHA
Well on this tank there is a lot to love lol....but dang if I'm going to do it ....The hatch is actually pretty easy...I'm just not sure I want to scratch the paint again ...it's a vicious teeter totter Scalawag....to do or not to do you know?....don't really think all that little stuff will improve the general "look" of the tank....but it will sure put my mind at ease
Only one critique on your hookup there Scalawag...think the wire is too thin...if you look at photos of the hook up the cable is actually pretty thick...i used wire but left the insulation on it ...other than that...you nailed it
ALPHA wrote:
Only one critique on your hookup there Scalawag...think the wire is too thin...if you look at photos of the hook up the cable is actually pretty thick...i used wire but left the insulation on it ...other than that...you nailed it
ALPHA
Yeah, I see what you mean, but I am into painting now so will leave it as it is. First base coats are on now so probably pics tomorrow when the paint has had time to cure a bit more.
If you are painting ...what you might be able to so is to just brush coat thick paint on the wire..it might make up a little and give it a more insulated look ...had some photos of the cable on my thread....the cable was surprisingly beefy
......I'm gonna do my hatch 
..............but I'm leaving my custom bent grab handle 
