(cross post) Tamiya M1A2-SEP'ish Desert ghetto-rigged build

[pitstain]

Hi All,

(also posted in Tamiya Modern Builds)

I'm Ian AKA Pitstain (long story) and am a long time lurker, really never posted, but have enjoyed seeing all the top notch work here.

I have built a few Tamiya tanks but previously all with rattle cans, a brush and Tamiya weathering palettes, but with inspirations from some of the builds here and alot of watching Andy's Hobby HQ on YouTube this is my first go with all the sponge chipping, washes and grime/oils and an air brush setup, I ended up buying a bunch of 3rd party gear and pillaged a Trumpeter M1A2 SEP model for some choice pieces as well, only real upgrades are a full set of ball bearings.

I basically built this as a hypothetical "what if" tank that never came home for a proper refit and was "ghetto-rigged" in the field with whatever they had to improve it and keep her in the fight, so its not a rivet counters dream, I just wanted to build a cool, busy, beat up, veteran that never stopped fighting between campaigns.

I wont bore you with the build process pics which you've all seen a million times and go to the finished product.

IMG_20190106_191440 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191432 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191427 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191421 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191415 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191411 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191359 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191349 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191345 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191338 by Ian M Schwartz, on FlickrIMG_20190106_191332 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191322 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191318 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191312 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191309 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191301 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr

IMG_20190106_191243 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191237 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191231 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191224 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191219 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191216 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr
IMG_20190106_191206 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr


And this Christmas the wife got me my next project, this will be decidedly less ghetto-rigged since japan don't play that way.

IMG_20190106_191458 by Ian M Schwartz, on Flickr

[square4]

I like it, a lot, great overall work,painting and weathering.

[Model Builder 4]

Great work Ian, you've certainly achieved that lived in worn look, excellent job

Cheers, Lee.

[forgebear]

outstanding work
very nice

[HERMAN BIX]

Now that, right there , is an ooooouuuuutssssttttanding example of my idea of an Abrams
All the little things that tie in, stowage, ammo boxes, the igloo water cooler container !! Brilliant.

I also like the less obvious details.................the Starbucks patch & sticker..............and the sticker on the ute(pick up) rear window that proclaims you as an avid recycle'r /environmentalist , and the fact that in order to reduce waste, dont expect a warning shot !
Gold
I've been to the States a lot in my time, but never seen one of those Starbucks piss-takes, even in gun stores

Real nice work on the Abrams mate, glad you've come out of the lurker-shadow to put up your work.

[BarryC]

Hi Ian,

You've got a great looking Abrams there.
Stowage and weathering really brings out the "in service" look.

Cheers,
Barry

[pitstain]

Thanks for all the compliments guys, this board really inspired me with the insane level of detail you all put into your builds, every time I thought something was good enough I would stumble on another amazing work of this board and go "Back to the hobby shop"

I didn't even know simulated oil stain was a thing!! man am I happy i do now, I will also be re-mastering my previous build with some of the things i have learned here.

seeing as there are fans of a good decal here. http://www.trackdecal.com/prod/

and guns and coffee https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tactical-Guns- ... :rk:1:pf:0

Can't wait to start the Type 10 just waiting on goodies from Patrick at Hobby Summit.