Australian M1A1 Meng build

Armor/AFV
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21

A tip for anyone contemplating this Meng kit. My barrel was rubbish. Not sure if it’s just my kit or all the kits.
I jumped ahead just for the hell of it and built the barrel.
Well it simply didn’t fit together. Warped and twisted and some flash. I ended up gluing just one end. When that was dry I worked my way a long the barrel gluing and clamping. Then out with the putty. There are fine details on the barrel which make filling and sanding a nightmare. I guess I’ve spent a couple of hours just on filling and sanding.

Do yourself a favour and buy a metal barrel.

22

Back at the work bench!! :smile: A question for the experts!!

I’m procrastinating over the side skirts. In many many images the rear panel is missing. (Drive sprocket). Is it a case of being a PITA so everyone leave them off or is there another reason for them being missing?
The reason I ask is it will help me plan a diorama.

I’ve chickened out on the cammo paint so here’s what I’m after.

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IIRC, leaving them off originally prevented mud from building up between the hull, drive sprocket and the skirt, causing the tank to throw tracks.

More knowledgeable answer :wink: :

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-many-tanks-including-the-M1-Abrams-have-its-rear-sprocket-wheels-exposed-while-others-are-shielded-with-side-skirt

H.P.

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Like Frenchy said. It’s a super thin piece of metal unlike all the other panels. So it can be either manual removed, ripped off or left in place.

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Once they adopted the curved, cut-out rear panel it eliminated most of the problem, but working with it (and any other side skirt for that matter) can still be a royal PITA.
Ken

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Nooooooooo! AUSCAM looks so good! Give it a go Bruce. I have faith in your abilities!

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Yes do the AUSCAM. What have you got to lose? Practice on dons old kits you may have laying around.

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Guys this is bullying and intimidation. :face_with_hand_over_mouth:

OK. Here;s the deal. I know it’s hard to find the true colours of AUSCAM. But give me ‘as close as reasonable’ in Mig Ammo or AK acrylics and I’ll have a crack at the AUSCAMO. Besindes it will be covered in Australian bull dust so near enough should be ok.

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Here you go!

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Thanks Canmedic. A good excuse to try AK acrylics. And it’s in stock!!

Remember if I stuff up it’s everyone’s fault cept for mine!! :woozy_face:

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Well then don’t stuff it up! And don’t hit me with them negative waves so early in the morning.
Have positive thoughts! Think it will be a mother beautiful camo job and it will be!
Ken

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Hey you sound like my favourite tanker. Oddball from Kelly’s Heros.
Next question is decals!

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Echelon made two sets of decals, one for each camo and sand.

Fox Models

Aussie decals

You have to figure out where to get them. :man_shrugging:

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Whatever you say, babe.
Ken

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I prefer BNA. But i haven t yet had a good look.

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Maybe this for the roo?

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Thanks Tank_1812. The APC is interesting but it’s a per order.

I’m putting in an order late today or tomorrow. I’ve missed today’s dispatch.

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An option:

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Thanks petbat. I’m waiting back for an availability answer.

Had a partial win. The tracks are fiddly. Aren’t they all? The jig is too shallow. But I’ve found building in blocks of 5 then assembling the blocks into lengths works for me. They clip together. But me being me added a very small drop of glue under each pad.

bruce

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Adding glue was a wise decision. I have built several Meng kits with similar or identical “snap” together tracks. While nice and relatively easy to assemble they do have a tendency to pop apart.