pair of new builds

[Jacques]

Take a gander at these two vehicles...

 

 

 

This is a Trumpeter M1A1HA with a mix of parts form the mineplow and mineroller versions to give me a US Army tank with some of the MILES equipment. I ended up having to add DML link-length track to it, the rubberbands will not work properly. I added pearlized plastic to the periscopes to give them a irredescent look, but the red color did not take...aarrggh! Finally, added a tarp on the bustle rack and cammo netting on the front ala a print by Jody Harmon called "clearing the way".

 

 

 

This is DML's BMP-2 with SP Designs turret w/o applique armor and SP Designs BMP-2 upper hull w/o applique armor. The only fantastic thing to say about this build is that is the kit barrel , not a replacement. I had tons of fun drilling it out and then working it over with a n0.11 knife.. At least the upper hull has the rear upper doors correct now...

[EW]

What can I say, except that they are, as usual, of high standad Do you remember what brand of colour you used on the BMP's barrel? Looks really realistic IMHO.

 

Cheers

EW

[Corinthian]

How did you do the camo net?

[Jacques]

Hiya

 

Color of the bareel is No.2 pencil...it is just pencil lead...looks good though.

 

The cammo net is made from medical gauze with, believe it or not, crushed mint glued on top. I am not too terribly impressed with it, but it is alright. what I would do now is take the same gauze, dip it in white glue and then add cilantro leaves...then place it on the vehicle. Once dry, airbrush it...pretty simple, even for me!

[ShotMagnet]

How was the Trumpeter build?

I like DML kits, the individual-link track thing doesn't bother me and I haven't seen a DML kit that I truly hated (though the Pz IV and I had words once or twice).

I haven't built any Trumpeter stuff, though. Was the fit good, the kit accurate, etc?

 

Shot

 

[Edited by ShotMagnet (25 May 2004).]

[Corinthian]

Not Jacques, but the Trump Abrams have a "facial deformity" on the left front of the turret. From my experience in building Trump Abrams, there are a few fit issues, except when it comes to their mine plow. Otherwise, it's a nice kit to build.

[Jacques]

Well, I will give a more in-depth look at my build, and the many other builds I have done of M1's in the future, but the short and long of it is that I prefer the DML kit over all other kits right now. I have not yet built the Tamiya M1A2 kit, but since it is missing the non-slip surface, it already is down a few points.

 

Trumpeter kit had a number of annoying fit problems. Nothing that a little work couln't fix, but still annoying. It is a good kit to work on if you want to keep your scratchbuilding skills up, and your creativity alive (hiding some nasty seems)!

 

Again, I think DML gives the best bang for the buck. Tamiya is definately the Ferrarri and Trumpeter is the Kia... ha ha.

[ShotMagnet]

Jacques wrote

I prefer the DML kit over all other kits right now. I have not yet built the Tamiya M1A2 kit, but since it is missing the non-slip surface, it already is down a few points.

 

I bought the Dragon M1A2, which comes with the non-skid upper-hull surfaces. Incidentally, the kit was under USD 20, IIRC. I bought the Dragon T-72 and I remember clearly that it was under USD 20.

Haven't built either yet, still working on putting cheek armor on the T-72, but the level of detail on the Dragon kits, coupled with the price, puts comparable Tamiya efforts to shame. Both the -72 and the Abrams come with link-and-length tracks, BTW. Not nearly as tedious as the link-link sort.

 

 

Shot

 

[Edited by ShotMagnet (26 May 2004).]

[Corinthian]

The Dragon A2 is a nice kit. Hehehe I've built three already hehehe I found that it has its own fit problems, such as the rear of the tank and the front hull, plus the turret rear and the bustle rack (I suggest replacing the plastic bars with brass rod or stiff wire of the same thickness). Otherwise, it is a nice kit to build and the detail is more "crisp" IMO than Trump's Abrams.

[Jacques]

Here is a quick run on prices and work to get a general kit done from each company:

 

Tamiya (non-M1A2 kit): Needs non-skid surfaces. Add extinguisher handle. Incorrect grill detail (wrong angles) tends to be noticable. PE for bustle rack bottom. good fit, little flash. @US$20 each.

 

Trumpeter: Flash can be a problem, as well as short-shots. Bustle rack is ok,but may have some fit problems. Bad seams in things like the bustle rack and the mine plow. Fit is so-so, some locator pegs need to be trimmed to get assemblies to fit right. Susupension can be a major pain to work with. Turret front face needs to be rebuilt. Needs PE for the bustle rack bottom. Some mold misalignment. @US$10

 

DML: Fit is not as good as Tamiya, better than Trumpeter. Some flash, thought not too bad. Bustle rack is a pain, but can be made up ok. Side bars should be replaced with .35 Evergreen rod, works perfect as a replacement, use the bustle rack bars for a template. Needs PE for the bustle rack bottom. I just bought a M1A1HA w/mineplow for US$14 and the M1A2 for US$12.

 

Hands down, the best overall deal is the DML kit. It will take more work, but I would say the changes it forces you to make, ie the side bars on the turret, make the kit look better AND keep up your scratchbuilding habits. It has the nice Non-skid surfaces, and the grilles are correct. Best overall look once built too.

 

I know many think the new Tamiya kit is King, but I have not seen it yet. and for the US$45 they want for it, I would rather put in 3 extra hours of work, add better detail, and look good doing it.

 

but that is just me...

[ShotMagnet]

Thomas CTT

The Dragon...has its own fit problems, such as the rear of the tank and the front hull, plus the turret rear and the bustle rack (I suggest replacing the plastic bars with brass rod or stiff wire of the same thickness).

Yeah, I read in FSM that someone did the same thing. For lots of 'fun' regarding fit, go with the Schuerzen-equipped Dragon Pz IV.

Still, very nice detail.

 

Shot

 

 

 

[Edited by ShotMagnet (29 May 2004).]