Mikey's 1/35 Trumpy M1A1HA w/ Mine Roller

[MikeyKb]

Hey there.
Had this kit in the stash and wanted to put it together for a while. It was one of the first models I purchased when I got into the hobby a little over 2 years ago. It's a massive box of plastic for 5 different vehicles - I'm gonna need a second spare box, or a new sorting method after I'm done with this bad boy. The box is HUGE (another reason I want to build it - it takes up so much room!).



Not going for anything crazy - my mojo has been all over the place lately - aside for some filter, I'm going for a (hopefully) easy build OOB with a simple vignette base for it. I have a couple figures I can throw in... we'll see.

M1A1(HA)
The M1A1 (HA) is a variant of the American M1 series main battle tank which was first introduced in 1979. The original M1 was equipped with a rifled 105mm main gun, which, amongst other things, was upgraded to a smooth bore 120mm main gun on the M1A1. The "(HA)" stands for Heavy Armor, referring to a depleted uranium up armor package over the standard M1A1's armor.

Enough of that, for now... Here are the photos from the unboxing... SO MUCH PLASTIC!!!




2 different track options, which is nice. Plastic or rubber




This is a mighty thick book...


My plan is to do option 'C'... I like the look. I can't however find anything on that tan, brown and black camo... especially with the green wheels.
Gonna do it anyway, cuz I wanna... but very curious as to the background of that colour combo.


Gonna start shortly

[Coen]

Holy crow!!
That could be a handful of a kit Mike. I didn't even know that trumpy mad an Abrams. Very cool choice dude

[MikeyKb]

Holy crow!!
That could be a handful of a kit Mike. I didn't even know that trumpy mad an Abrams. Very cool choice dude

Thanks, bud! It's apparently a pretty old kit... with not 1 good review about it Nothing special, is pretty much what they say, other than the plethora of options.

Would you happen to know what camo that is? If anyone I know would, it would be you!

[Coen]

Not a clue I'm afraid.
It may as well be banana cream pie camouflage as far as I know.
I know next to nothing about modern armour, I'd be guessing.

[NAMBiohazard]

Oh sweet..... A Trumpeter Abrams.......

Will be watching this build to see the outcome....

Good luck!!!!

[MikeyKb]

I don't know why I had even thought that this would be an easy kit... all the reviews said it was a pig of a kit, don't know why I didn't listen...
WHAT A PIG. Very little fits right the first time, lots of sanding, lots of ugly gaps and cutting and fitting and re-gluing... This bad boy is gonna be very well weathered... I'm hoping it'll conceal some of a)my not-advanced-enough skill-set, and b) the awful model quality.

So, the instructions stated to slide the guide rollers into the holes... one problem... the holes aren't actually holes


Out came the pin-vise...


I've never seen more irritating and ugly wheels before. They're hollow. And require a cap to fit onto the end of the wheel shaft - in essence, turning the wheels into 5-pieces, and requiring the strangest way to paint wheels, ever. (and, pretty ugly, IMO)




The back-plate... lovey fit...


Gotta do a bit more sanding...probably some putty.


What a TERRIBLE way to attach the upper hull to the sprues... complete morons...


Some of the tool and ammo boxes... again, lousy fit.



And of course, the glorious fit of the turret and hull...




I'm trying to stay strong and keep the mojo going... it's not easy... but, I will persevere! I might try and do some dust-effects (large clouds of it) to maybe hide some of the gappage - I'll keep y'all posted. I'm going to try and get the turret finished up tonight. See how much putty, if any, I'll need.

Thanks for stopping in!

[Coen]

I had similar issues with my Sep Mike, not quite as many, but they're still a massive pain in the arse.
The proper application of putty, shadow and mud and you're good to go buddy.
The glories of armour is that we can hide almost anything.

[Dunhill2005]

You also have to tell something good about the construction process. I have the same kit in the board and I want build it...
Good work so far... carry on

[MikeyKb]

You also have to tell something good about the construction process. I have the same kit in the board and I want build it...
Good work so far... carry on

umm.... it looks good when FINALLY put together?
There's a lot wrong with it - no denying that.

Time for a much overdue (yet short) update. Finally got everything filled and sanded. Got most of her all done, time to start on the mine roller..








I used Micro Mask on all the glass, hopefully it'll work


Mean machine almost donzo...


They make you cut out your own mesh piece for the back... Kind of a cheap option, if you ask me. For the price of the kit, 1 simple fret of P.E would have been appreciated.

I used the instructions as a guide, and cut the mesh out to-fit.


As you can see, you still get some fraying action. Hopefully stowage and such will cover it up.


That's all for now - will press on. Should hopefully be ready for primer by next weekend.

Next Update - Mine Roller

[Coen]

It doesn't look half bad once she's all together, a few little bits and pieces could be dressed up, but it looks like an Abrams to me.