RFM M1A2 SEP V2 build

Gino is correct, the ammo cans are issues in green. You do, however, have a few options. Tanks in stateside units rarely have a full ammo loadout, even in training at the NTC. So you can leave those spots empty if you like. Or, many tank crews use ammo boxes for stowage of spare parts, personal items, cook stoves, food items, or whatever. These ammo cans may be painted in different colors to indicate there is no ammo in them. I still have a couple of my old ammo cans, spray painted blue and black as required by my company SOP at the time.
Ken

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Thanks Gino, Reynier and Ken… I added the cans as per instructions, not really knowing the back story about how crews use them but it makes sense … Crews do love to improvise… I will go with a NATO green to keep it simple …
Thanks for that colour reference Reynier… :+1:

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And anyone and ex M1 guys who see that I have missed anything while I am detail painting or painting something the wrong colour, then please, please pipe up and let me know as I would rather get as much right as I can :+1:

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That paint looks really super John!

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Thanks Matt, appreciated … I really struck lucky with that AKRC dark brown6K … I think looking at it on, and then against the images, its as close as you could get.

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It’s bang on John, it looks phenomenal.

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Again, cheers Matt…

Some of the details… Exhaust deflector … few washes of MIG track wash and will filter with a thinned rust…
The A frame ready to go on … I think Ken showed an image with the bars secured with black velcro straps, so tried to do the same here… 2mm masking tape painted black …
And most of the clear parts ready to go in…

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Some detail work and a few final parts fitted…
There is a little corrective detail painting to do, but nothing crazy.

Also dug through the spare decal box and have found some I can cannibalise to make up the 11ACR TAC signs and H66 on the back … I will use the smaller generic decals from the kit.

How it’s looking overall…

Some of the top detail.
Spare wheel, with MENG studs and nuts added and painted metallic grey, the inner face on the wheel is oily steel. Ammo box in NATO green, and the CROWs now fitted.

The A frame fitted with the velcro straps

The new parts with the different colour tan finish on the LR plate, the rear mudguard and the RH section of the exhaust panels.
I’m trying to represent various finishes from the images, not necessarily all on the same tank, but I think it gives a nice visual look… So the upper centre exhaust vent will be done as best as I can to show bare metal and rusting from the heat etc…

And some various other bits,

Will also be adding some wear and tear scratches to the brown areas on the side plates and turret front corners as per the images…

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Its coming along great. Nice attention to detail.

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I know it’s a V3, but still a nice, inspiring pic

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Needed to do some corrective work on the exhaust deflector… It was to thick on the inside and didn’t sit over the exhaust properly… So thinned that down after removing the inner parts (and breaking the handles off :see_no_evil:)

That will all need putting back together and painting up again …

Have put a metallic grey area down and will gradually build that up with rust and soot and then spot/blacken the exhaust grill area …

Also need to add more dust wash to in-between the track links on the metal areas.

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Thanks Gino, appreciated.

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Put the decals on…

There aren’t many so was a quick job apart from cannibalising the 11ACR and H66 ones …

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Update on the exhaust deflector…

I did the grills under the deflector with the MIG track wash, the upper exposed frame was done with a metallic grey, then the MIG track wash.
On the upper exposed part on the edges I used a thinned MIG track rust 0034, then black soot pigment applied to the grill and internally in the deflector…

It looks ok to me, so won’t do to much more to it.

Also added an extra dust and dirt wash on the metal areas of the exposed tracks front and rear.

Will try and get the vision blocks done next with the anti Laser /glare colour.

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Optics are now done.

Used the metallic coloured side of a tasty chocolate bar…

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Aces…

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Outstanding. :+1:

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Much appreciated Ryan & Matt

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Camp looks great.:+1:

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It looks great. Nice attention to details.

Cheers.
Ralph

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