Meng M1A2 Abrams TUSK II

[thug626]

With the MiG-21 safely in the display case, it was time to pick another kit to build.  It's been a few kits since I've built a ground crawling beastie.  So, I figured it's time to build something a bit more modern.  This will be a first.   

[BUCKY]

Impressive box art! I'm in, of course!!

[CarlRF (R.I.P.)]

Gotcha Dave

[MARCO]

Dave, I'm in for sure! I need to learn how to build a decent Abrams!

[thug626]

Good morning everyone.
Keith As always it's good to have you along.
Carl Dang glad to have you in on this,
Marco Glad to have you along. Thank you for the compliment.

I'll get some pics up later this am. This kit is going together rather well. The bulk of the hull got put together last night.

[JCON]

I'm pulling up my chair to follow another fun filled Dave build!!!

[thug626]

There's plenty of space brother. Make yourself comfy

[JCON]

Oh I am, snowing outside so settled in nice and snug with a cup of tea by my side!!! Build away!!!

[thug626]

Jcon So as not to keep you waiting, I have a pic update. Stay warm brother.

This is from last nights session. It was a late night as the brain would not shut off. So, I made the best of it.
The bulk of the hull is largely done. Yeah, there's some details to go but it builds up quickly. The detail is kind of faint but there is an anti-slip coating on the upper hull.



So far, everything fits wonderfully. The belly armor just slipped right on.


The swing arms are integral to torsion springs. Granted they're plastic, but there is enough give to allow the road wheels to "self level".

[BUCKY]

That's really looking good, Dave!

[thug626]

Thank you kindly Keith. Today, I'll get more detail assemblies done on the hull, and get the road wheels and sprockets ready for paint.

[JCON]

Nice late night work brother!!!

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

This aught to be good!

[thug626]

Jcon Thank you as always brother.
Bruce Thank you kindly.

A bit of progress yesterday. Much of my time will be in front of a computer, cranking out CEUs for a certification that expires in a couple of months. Anywho.......The rear panels are mostly completed. I am leaving off the outer ones until I get the base coat and some weathering done behind them. Especially the panel that will have the turbine exhaust.  I need to rebuild some detail it appears.  The hinge point in the upper left for the louvered panel is missing half it's hinge point.  I realized when I cut the part for the right side from the sprue, that I had inadvertently cut too much off.   


I am always impressed with the amount of detail that Meng puts into their kits. I am leaving the lenses off of the tail and head lights until a base coat is laid down.

[JCON]

Good luck on the certification... the kit is looking good and don't feel bad about cutting too much off, I've done that too and had to fabricate a part...

[tojo72]

Very nice,doing the Meng AIM version,this will help.

[BUCKY]

Fabulous detail! Nice!!

[thug626]

Jcon Thank you brother. It's good to know I am not alone.
Tojo72 Thank you kindly. Glad to help....read on.....tracks in progress
Keith Thank you very much my good man.

Errands were run. Ribs were slow cooked. Truck repairs done. And, a run of tracks completed.



Here's a detail shot of the rods and guide horns. THere's a jig that holds the lower pads in place. The rod and horn assembly is taken care of prior to this step. The rods are then placed into the corresponding grooves. A wee drop of cement is placed into the alignment holes and the other half of the pad in then placed.


Flip side of the rod assemblies.


The final detail is quite nice.


While the track run was drying, and i needed a break from it. I started on the turret. What a monster.

[CarlRF (R.I.P.)]

Well you have been busy Dave! One thing that stands out about Meng kits for me is their track and torsion bar set up . Very nice ! I've been eye balling their T 72's .

[JEFF]

A little late but I'm here now. Fast progress, Dave.