Very good read, James. I think I have that issue if the Verlinden Way floating around in my book and mag stash.
Richard, I was also hearing about Spencer Pollard’s “homage” builds of old kits using current finishing techniques. I like that idea a lot.
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Looking good! 
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It was too cheap to pass up, and I was really curious…
As it turns out, it’s very simple and NOT an M1A1… more like an M1 with a 120mm gun tube, two inserts for turret blast panels and a completely fictional rear turret basket. It’s not a great kit but I might be able to make an actual M1 out of it and some spares box love.
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Had to Google staballoy-its DU.
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The hull on tamiya’s m1 is longer than the rye field kit
Oh man, post some parts pics!
I’m on my phone so excuse the multiple posts- two or three pics at a time is about max…
Turret top compared to Tamiya M1 and instruruction sheet showing imaginative turret basket.
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Sprues. Not really horrible but simplified. Short turret side bins. Hmmm…
No short shots, lots of ejector pin marks, a little flash.
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Never gave that kit a second look, and never will again 
But thanks for posting the pics! 
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And just straight louvers on the rear plate…
actually more like one of the pilots than a production tank.
A bit of plastic strip would help here. If anyone has Hunnicutt’s book, take a look at the pic on pg 218, bottom.
I think I’m gonna build it as a very early M1.
Why not? And no, I don’t pinch myself for fun… rotflmao!
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Actually, that turret basket is real, I saw a pic while researching my E1, I’m trying to find the pic again
Gosh that brings back memories of my late teens.When i saw this kit and the M1 kit i snapped them up thinking they would be as good as the Tamiya M1.Its a shame Esci didnt do better along with the Leopard 2s they did.Bit of nostalgia Russ.
Richard
I should do that bustle rack and go to my local IPMS show next year. The comments would be fun…
After looking at this thing some more I’m even more determined to build it…
somehow. Maybe with a lot of Tamiya parts.
And I just happen to have the Esci Leo2 in the stash. It’s of similar quality.
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Do it!
If I could purchase all those kits, and not get in trouble, I would do it.
All I have left are a couple turrets and one Academy M1A2 I’ve been using for parts
You can never have too many M1’s 
So wouldn’t that make this an M1E1, turret without the additional armor on front and armed with a 120mm cannon ?