Best Of Detailing the Micro-Trains DODX M1 Abrams Tank Sets

[JoeD]

Are you on vacation in Australia  ?   LOL

A few more mods to the MT M1 .. These can be made with just a little styrene, and once painted, add some more visual interest ..

[pjm20]

If you want to model these as being prepped for the railhead, then the atmospheric sensor (column you modeled) would actually be folded down, also the sensor is actually centered on the back of the turret in front of the bussel rack. I hope I don't sound nitpicky, but you are putting a lot of effort to make the MTL kit better and I wouldn't want you to put a lot of effort into something that's not correct when you clearly want a prototype result. 

[Mark W]

...the atmospheric sensor (column you modeled) would actually be folded down, also the sensor is actually centered on the back of the turret in front of the bussel rack. I hope I don't sound nitpicky...

I don't think that's nitpicky at all, rather exactly the type of stuff I (we?) want to learn.   Doesn't mean it has to be fixed (see my door mounted brake wheel  ), but good to know for the next one.

I've been studying this photo for a few additional details. 

http://www.abrams.parts/images/m1a2-abrams-battle-tank-01.jpg

On the turret is the front storage box John added, I also want to add what I assume is a tow cable along the bottom edge.  On the main hull I see a grab iron.  Looks like a rubber mud flap could be added.  Last, I'm curious about the bars folded across the front, my best guess is they are connecting arms for the mine sweeper/plow accessory? (again, forgive terminology)

[John]

If you want to model these as being prepped for the railhead, then the atmospheric sensor (column you modeled) would actually be folded down, also the sensor is actually centered on the back of the turret in front of the bussel rack. I hope I don't sound nitpicky, but you are putting a lot of effort to make the MTL kit better and I wouldn't want you to put a lot of effort into something that's not correct when you clearly want a prototype result.

Ed's Law   .. but I appreciate the input .. And I learned what the pipe is I'm just trying to not make them look like out of the box .. some of this stuff MTL should have added, such as the little boxes on the turret .. they are such clear spotting features ..

http://apwrr.blogspot.com/2014/09/car-load-photos-pt5-tank-loads.html

[John]

Last, I'm curious about the bars folded across the front, my best guess is they are connecting arms for the mine sweeper/plow accessory? (again, forgive terminology)

I've seen some pictures where one tank is towing another with those ..

[pjm20]

@John is correct, that is a tow bar for the Abrams. Gotta love Ed's Law for the sensors. @Mark W , those are tow cables on the bottom edge of the turret.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Some of the boxes have come and gone too. Like the APU. Here's a great video about them from a former M1 tanker.

[Mark W]

Great informative video Ed.

...And I learned what the pipe is...
http://apwrr.blogspot.com/2014/09/car-load-photos-pt5-tank-loads.html

Looking at that photo closer, it looks like there is a folded down atmospheric sensor as @pjm20 describes AND the off-center column that John has modeled.  So we're back to seeing the part is proto, but not sure what it is?


Back to the tracks, here is the cut line (in red) that I based the 3D printed parts on.

https://i.imgur.com/b4B0z2j.jpg

Note the two blue pegs should remain on the part as they are reference points when gluing the skirts to the hull.  However, it should not be critical that they remain, it will just mean you have to align the skirts manually.  The critical part is to cut the skirt away from the wheels from the inside, using the plane of the back of the skirt as reference. 

Notice how the wheels disappear into the skirt, the resulting part should be cut at that point so that the 3D Printed wheels can butt up against the inside of the skirt for a glue point.


https://i.imgur.com/ehOqFeA.jpg

[pjm20]

I could be wrong, but I think the offset sensor may be for CBRN detection. The video Ed shared is informative, but note that the Abrams depicted is an extremely stripped down museum display. Best thing to do is to look up photos of what you are modeling like in the field vs. being shipped. Also note that for the Abrams there is the M1, M1A1, and M1A2 models, with the A2 going onto the SEPv3 upgrade currently and SEPv4 being planned. The A1 and original M1 also have upgraded variants amongst the numerous export models. Currently in the Army you will mostly see M1A2 SEPv2s with some SEPv3s or some M1A1s. Marine Corps have mostly A1s, but not really sure on their side of the motor pool.

[pjm20]

I should also note that the MTL model is for an M1A2, since it has the CITV (cylinder looking thing in front of the loader's hatch).

[John]

Shapeways arrived .. off to the Bestine bath

[Mark W]

Awesome!  The detail certainly looks to be there.  I hope it's the camera perspective that's making the scale look off.  If you have calipers, I'd be curious what you get for wheel diameter (should be 4.00mm) and overall length of the tracks measured from leading wheel to rear drive sprocket outside tangents (44.90mm). 



I've begun a few hull and turret details while waiting for my own prints, starting off with the tow cable.

I knew it was going to be small gauge stranded wire, but I did not realize how different the small stuff can be.  Started off with some tiny speaker wire scraps, both too big.  Then tried some scrap decoder wire, way too small.  Finally found the Goldilocks size in breadboard jumper wires. In truth probably a bit large yet, but I went with it.


https://i.imgur.com/sPAPSsc.jpg

Next I took a single strand from the larger wires and made loops.  I also found the connecting taps from the MTL Etched Part sheet just about perfect size for a cable collar.   


https://i.imgur.com/ChdBAra.jpg


I ended up re-doing the first collar shown on the right side here.  The left one being much better. 
This drained my patience, so you probably wont see me doing this for every tank, probably not even every other tank.  Appreciation for @mmagliaro 's work tripled. 


https://i.imgur.com/KpWSE4P.jpg


Back on the hull, I drilled out two anchor points above the engine exhaust vents and looped two smaller cables. 


https://i.imgur.com/8MDh2QT.jpg


And here's the result of today's work.  Tow cable and barrel tie-downs. 


https://i.imgur.com/WE7bLYa.jpg

[peteski]

I would have thought that stripped (30 AWG stranded) decoder wire would have have made (still slightly out of scale, but doable) tow cable. Your cable looks much heftier with thicker strands.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I should also note that the MTL model is for an M1A2, since it has the CITV (cylinder looking thing in front of the loader's hatch).

And CITV stands for "Commander's independent thermal viewer". It allows the tank commander to have his own thermal viewer independent of the gunsight. That allows him to scan the battlefield and identify targets without slewing the gun to them. It's intended to setup a "hunter killer" approach where the TC identifies targets and the gunner engages them. Being able to do this in low light situations gives the M1A2 a significant improvement in a world where the winner of engagement is the first guy who puts his sights on the enemy.

[Lemosteam]

I would have thought that stripped (30 AWG stranded) decoder wire would have have made (still slightly out of scale, but doable) tow cable. Your cable looks much heftier with thicker strands.

If anyone wants to PM me I have 36 AWS gage 11 strand flex wire for turntable arms that I can send a few pieces to.  I can measure the strands if you like.