Ted, this looks incredible. Outstanding build, modifying, and kitbashing. Your craftsmanship and attention to detail have produced an excellent model. This is one mean looking vehicle. Carry on!
2 Likes
Ted, great build, and it really does look mean… One question though, and you may already have it hand or there’s a piece that goes there… Or it may be the way the picture was taken ?
It appears to look like there is is a large gap behind where the gun manlet fits into and the rear of the mantlet housing and the turret ? Is this meant to be there ?
2 Likes
@SSGToms and @Johnnych01
Thanks for the VERY kind commentary. My local AMPS community has been another wonderful resource as I relearn old skills, and acquire new ones!
Johnny-
The gap in the turret roof (aft of the gun rotor) is where the dust shield goes. On a lot of kits, this is a separate piece. The printed turret made this all as one piece, and the dust cover was very thin. It broke off leaving the opening you see. I have it, and will mount it with good tape from the inside. It will thereby follow the rotor as it elevates and depresses. Thought of replacing it, but I decided that the original fits reasonably well, and I can dress it once everything is painted.
You’re right to be concerned, and I was a bit disappointed when a light stress snapped it away. Fortunately, the carpet monster was away!
2 Likes
I’ve punched out and glued the dust covers for the missile onto the launcher box. Here we go!
And here is another closeup, primed.
4 Likes
That’s pretty bad a$$
2 Likes
Are you using the one piece t156 chevron tracks form your academy M1A1 Abrams?
Hi Nick-
No, I hope they go into the mystery box-o-spares.
I’m planning to use a set of workable (is that the right term) RFM tracks. I believe those are the T158? It’s my first try at these, and a bit daunting.
If you’re looking to acquire these, I’ll gladly donate them to your cause ONCE I have all the others put together. 
1 Like
sure ill take them ill dm you
1 Like
That looks seamlessly cool with the kitbash and parts intergration. You did an excellent job…very believable concept model that you’re putting together.
2 Likes
That looks incredible.
2 Likes
really cool build but if you dont mind me asking with all the radar and sensors would t it have been better had have mounted the low profile crows from the SEP v.3?
Great question. I looked at my SEP v3 real closely. I thought about that then decided not to. Here’s my rationale (or excuses: max effective range of zero meters):
- The AGDS would be vehicle with less priority for upgrades to the new generation RWS. MBTs, Strykers (there will be some in 2030), AMPVs replacing BFVs and M113s in frontlines, etc.
- The AGDS has a pretty effective system for horizontal fire; it’s just expensive. The original design had that cobbled together 25mm OICW with a roof penetration. I found this irrational it was right above the main guns and offset right. Internal space would be limited by that.
- Part of this was “how creative can I get” modernizing (SEP?) the AGDS. So I took the RWS from the M1A2 SEP v2 on the shelf. I even considered some of the electrical cable covers, but the roof is tight for space and easy routing. My scratch-building talent is still developing.
So, the AGDS SEP v2 uses longer barrels, the M153A2 CROWS, and the upgraded fuel control system (hey hey). And Bigfoot track, IF I get it right.
NOW- I need a strip of .50 caliber for the box-to-gun space! ARGH!
2 Likes
Tactically, the AGDS shouldn’t be in a situation or location where it engages in direct fire close in fighting, hopefully. So an older RWS makes perfect sense.
1 Like
It shouldn’t but I had two M163 Vulcans in my Breach Team for ODS. I assigned the FPF for their 20mm AND their M240!
2 Likes
Looking at your build and thinking about my M1 TTB and M1 CATTB builds makes want to do a what if build ya’ll ready for this ? the US equivalent to the Russian BMPT terminator
1 Like
In effect, the AGDS is that vehicle, although the turret is manned. The crew space is VERY narrow (1.05m wide), and means the turret is all rockets and gun ammunition. An unmanned gun/missle turret a la Terminator would be interesting; I think the plans to up-gun an AMPV should more like this than a tank-adaptation. But the Terminator was a Russian response to their Chechnya experience.
Dream big!
1 Like
main armament Im thinking either one of these 3 options twin 35mm bushmaster, twin 40mm bofors or for the extreme option a GAU-8 30mm or a variant with less barrels
coax options: M2 50cal, M134 mini gun,M240 or even the SIG -Saur proposal for a M240 replacement that fires the .338 Norma Magnum round
a pairs of anti tank missile of a type to be determined and a 40mm grenade launcher on a trainable mount
1 Like
You going to fab a turret, or get a BMPT turret and bash that? Big challenge is adapting the turret ring to the hull cylinder bore, unless you transplant your turret ring. I cut a slightly larger bore in my donor hull from Academy mini craft.
Consider that a GAU-8 ammo drum and cannon are 6m long, so consider how that fits in a tank hull. Gun only is just shy of 3m long, and it is hydraulically (not electrically) operated.
I could not find 35mm Bushmaster barrels. But YaTaHey, the ones on the AGDS are LONG 30mm. And 5mm in scale is only 0.15mm.
Ambitious. Have fun: that’s why were here!
1 Like