Very interesting. I didn’t realize there were two types. I’m guessing two different manufacturers. You are good then.
2 Likes
Photographic evidence FTW I’d say. And yes, it’s odd that both exist.
1 Like
I would think the access panels on top would mirror imaged as well , can’t tell from the photos here.
1 Like
Yes, the APU with the fans on the right side, the upper access panels should be reversed. I glued mine incorrectly but am in the process of correcting it.
Correction, the instructions for the RFM USMC FEP kit and for the RFM Ukraine kit shows the top access panels in the same orientation so the way I glued both of mine on are correct according to the instructions. Part B25 is the top access panel.
RFM USMC FEP kit instructions.
RFM Ukraine/Poland kit instructions. This one is for the Ukrainian APU. You can see that the access panel orientation is the same as on the USMC FEP instructions.
RFM Ukraine/Poland kit instructions. This one is for the Polish APU which is the same as on the USMC FEP instructions.
2 Likes
The Italeri M1A1 decals arrived.
Does anyone know where the “Kilroy Was Here” decal go? There is no decal number and the instructions don’t show the placement.
2 Likes
The latest Ryefield Model 1/35 M1A1 Ukraine version with “WORKABEL” tracks.
This kit includes parts to make an actual M1A1 SA version that Ukraine is currently operating. It includes the ARAT ERA, loader’s blast panels and gun shield. It also includes the belly armor. Those parts were missing from the original RFM Ukraine/Poland kit. I am not sure if Ukraine received the belly armor or not but most images I have seen so far of Ukrainian M1A1 SA’s, I do not see the belly armor attached.
3 Likes
Started work on the Amusing Hobby Abrams X. This will not be a regular Abrams X. I am changing up some stuff on it.
First to be replaced is the original kit barrel. I replaced it with a Chuanyu 130mm barrel. The 130mm barrel is for the Tiger Model Leopard II Revolution II kit. The barrel is aluminum and the muzzle is 3D printed. They also include some brass rounds.
The 130mm barrel diameter is a bit bigger than the hole for the original kit barrel so I had to bore out the hole to fit the new 130mm barrel.
I bored out the hole a little too much but got the new 130mm barrel fitted. I still need to fill in around the new barrel.
10 Likes
Great work! I’m excited to follow your build.
Best regards
Lukas
2 Likes
Thanks! Working on the hull and turret next. Will keep you posted.
1 Like
Got most of the hull together. It goes together almost exactly as the RFM M1 series does.
I have a Meng M1A1 AIM belly armor I got as a spare part from Meng. It will be going on the Abrams X and fits perfectly with no modifications. I also have the Meng TUSK I armor for the side skirts that will also be added but not shown.
3 Likes
Working on the turret. I originally removed both CITVs but put one back.
I filled in some of the smoke grenade launcher areas on the sides of the turret. They were drone dropped munitions traps so thought they should be covered. I used plastic strips to fill in the areas then sanded flush with the turret.
I also removed the 30mm RWS. It looked too big and out of place. I replaced it with a Bronco M153 CROWS. The M153 still looks out of place but has a slightly lower profile than the 30mm RWS.
6 Likes
The Abrams X rear hull has some raised areas not on the M1A1/A2 series. These raised areas on the Amusing Hobby kit interferes with the turret rotation.
4 Likes
Nice work on the turret! I like the sleek look with only one CITV and the 30mm removed.
The raised areas on the engine deck loos like a design flaw… I wonder if the real Abrams X has them, too? And if so, do they also interfere with the turret’s rotation?
Anyway, great work!
Best regards
Lukas
2 Likes
Thanks! Yes, the two bulbous CITVs looked a bit goofy to me. I need to find a replacement for it though as I need one for the gunner or commander. Not sure what I am doing with that yet though. I do have a Meng M3A3 CITV left over. On the M3A3, it mounts to the right side of the turret. On my Abrams X, I removed the one from the left side but I could possibly fit the M3A3 CITV mount to the left side of the Abrams X. I still haven’t tried it yet but will soon.
The actual Abrams X does have those raised areas at the rear upper hull. If you draw a straight line across, those raised areas do look like they would interfere with the turret rotation. The actual Abrams X turret is angled inwards which looks like it should rotate freely without hitting the hull. On the Amusing Hobby Abrams X, looks like they have the front of the turret corners too low.
Same images as above but without the lines. You can see the front corners of the turret are angled inwards.
2 Likes
Got the new 130mm barrel mounted to the turret. The CITV and CROWS are only dry fitted but the barrel is glued on. In the second image, it looks like a frying pan.
4 Likes
Test fitting the turret with new 130mm barrel on the hull. This is as far as I got.
3 Likes
I actually looked at this thread to check on your M1A1 FEP progress, but your Abrams X is pretty interesting. As the X is a demonstrator, a perfect base to do your own thing. Nice work .
2 Likes
Thanks!
The USMC M1A1 FEP is still ongoing but very slow. I can only paint outside and with the winter months, I can’t paint anything so I have to wait for the summer.
I am also working on a few other builds in the mean time getting them as far as I can before the priming stage. I have quite a few kits accumulating and waiting for either primer or their respective camo paint.
2 Likes
Worked on the, according to Amusing Hobby, the Swichblade 300. Should be Switchblade. It is made up of 5 parts. Four of the five parts are PE with only the main body being plastic. The Switchblade 300 is very small. Last image is shown with a 1/35 figure.
3 Likes
That is a nice looking build.
2 Likes